Chapter 4

Richard’s POV;

I didn’t want Stacey in Chad’s car, not for another second. I wondered how much they must have already said. 

“Just…Calm down,” Chad demonstrated by rubbing his hand up and down his chest. 

“Shut up and let her out.” Something was ticking in my head; I was about to lose it.

Chad and I have what you would call bad blood. We both ran a film production company, but mine was always number one. We just produced better movies; what can I say?

Chad had always despised the fact that he was second and would do anything to tank the reputation of Desmond Pictures. This was why him being with Stacey right now was a very dangerous thing.

“Thank you, Chad,” Stacey said in a voice that sounded way too friendly for my liking. She stepped out of the car, and I quickly went over to grab her hand.

“That hurts.” She cried as I dragged her towards my car. I didn’t like that she thanked Chad in that voice. I didn’t like that she spoke to him at all. How did this even happen?

I recalled coming back into the meeting room where I had left Stacey to find it empty. I heard shutters and shouts from the crowd downstairs. “Miss Stacey, is it true you’re engaged to Richard Desmond?” One of them had said.

I quickly rushed into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor, where Stacey and the reporters were. Immediately the elevator door opened, I saw Stacey being led away by Chad into his car.

“Stop.” I had shouted, but my voice was lost at sea to the clamour of voices made by the reporters. I headed over to the parking lot and went after Chad’s car.

I was right behind him but lost him at an intersection. It seemed like he was actively trying to get me off his trail. It had taken me a while to figure out which way he went, hence my delay.

I got into my black sleek Rolls-Royce with Stacey and drove out of the parking lot. 

“Which way to your house?” I directed the question at Stacey as we reached the first bus-stop. “Just drop me here, I'll take a bus home.” She replied flatly.

“Have you forgotten we are engaged?” I facepalmed my head. “You can no longer go around entering buses or cars of men you don’t know or one everybody knows is your fiance archenemy.” I burst, hitting the steering wheel.

“What did you tell him?” I inquired, as anger began to cloud my head. “Did he ask you anything? Does he know about anything? Do you realize how stupid it was of you to get into his car?” All the questions swirling in my mind poured out, barely giving her any chance to answer.

“I…I didn't tell him anything.” She stammered, trying to hide her fright.I’m not that type of person, even though I haven't agreed to be your fiancée.” 

“You’re not that type of person?” I scoffed mockingly. 

“Oh, I didn’t know getting into any Tom, Dick, and Harry’s car was the type of person you were. Are you really that cheap?”. I could see tears forming at the rim of her eyes. She turned her head toward the car window, and I heard her sniff.

“I didn’t know it was his car I got into,” she sobbed, “the reporters suddenly ganged up on me, asking me questions and throwing accusations. It all just got really overwhelming then Chad grabbed my hand and took me to his car. He brought me to the parking lot so no one could follow us. That was all that happened.” I saw her try to wipe away a tear that threatened to drop.

“What have I said to make you cry?” I queried, seeing this as her just being dramatic.

Could a person actually be this naive? I thought to myself. Well, what had happened had happened; at least no damage was done.

“You have to be more careful, Stacey,” I stated. “What if someone else had seen you in Chad’s car? It would ruin this whole plan.”

“I’m sorry,” she muttered quietly, “but I still haven’t agreed to go through with this whole fake engagement ruse. I would need time to think about it.” 

“Jesus! I thought we were past that already." I look at her irritated. I saw the flicker of fear cross through her eyes again and realized getting mad at her again would only do more harm than good now, so I forced a fake smile.

“Alright, fine. Think about it and give me an answer by tomorrow.” I said through my wide grin. I figured a smile might help convince her, genuine or not. “So, where did you say you live again?” I asked as I started the car engine.

“3rd West Avenue,” she replied. I kicked back the gear and drove off.

I stopped by a gray three-story mansion with a huge black gate in front. “You live here?” I questioned, mildly surprised. 

“Yes,” I heard her say. It wasn’t anything compared to where I lived, but it still wasn’t something I thought Stacey Smith could afford.

“I live with my best friend. She owns the building, so she’s letting me stay here free of charge until I can afford my own place,” she added.

“Oh, that makes more sense. I knew this couldn’t be yours.” I chuckled lightly.

 “Just open the door,” she demanded. There was a hint of anger in her voice.

“Goodnight, my lovely fiancée,” I said, trying to get a smile from her but she didn’t respond. She opened the car door and walked through the gate without turning back once. 

“Such a vibe killer.” I mumbled as I drove away.

I headed for The Blackout. One of the most popular nightclubs in LA. I needed to clear my head; it had been such a long day.

I got into my regular VIP section. The servers came in and loaded my table with drinks. “Just add them to my tab,” I told them as they left. Today I was going to beat my highest record of thirteen shots of vodka. 

I had begun my conquest and was already eight shots down. I was slightly drunk but could still use my motor functions.

“Richard,” someone squeaked. I could recognize that high-pitched voice anywhere. “Vi, what’s up?” I turned to face her.

She was with two of her friends. “I asked the bouncer outside to let us in. You don’t mind, do you?” She asked, already seated next to me on the red couch. 

“No, it’s cool.” It wasn’t. I really wanted to be alone, that was why I didn’t bother calling up any of my buddies to come over, not even Ollie, my best friend. I couldn’t say that to Vi, though; I needed to remain in her father’s good books.

I went back to the task at hand, and they joined in. Vi started chattering about some bag or something that had caught her attention. I couldn’t hear a thing; I could barely sit upright. 

I went in for the last shot. I curled my finger around the glass and tried to pour the shot into my mouth in a failed attempt. Instantly, I slumped on the couch and blacked out.

~~~~~~

I woke up the next morning, and a pang of pain hit my head. Drowsily, I stretched my hand trying to reach for the bell to summon a maid, but it wasn’t there. 

I tilted my head towards the other side and lazily opened my eyes, peering at my surroundings; This wasn’t my room.

I rose up, fully awake now, and skimmed through the room. 

Silky, pink curtain fabric covered the high windows that overlooked a courtyard. At each side of the room were pink couches and a large portrait of the owner of the room; Vivian Donovan. A light gasp escaped my mouth.

I removed the duvet and got up but noticed I was naked. I got back into the bed, searching for my clothes, and that was when my eyes just noticed the person who was sleeping next to me this whole time; Vivian. I raised up the duvet from her body and saw that she was also naked.

“What the f*ck happened last night?” I hit my head as I tried to remember. “Did I get drunk and have sex with Vivian?”

My phone buzzed from under the duvet; I stretched my hand and picked it up. It was Ollie, my best friend calling.

“Bro, what’s going on? Why are pictures of you and Vivian naked in bed about to be posted on ‘Shush-talkz’?” His confused voice rang out through the phone.