Pretense

CHAPTER 3

JENNA’S POV

Rays of sunlight hit my face as I struggled to hide underneath the duvet.

“Can’t I sleep a little longer?” I murmured, at this point I just wanted to go back to sleep as head throbbed harder even in my pre conscious state.

I murmured “ I'm not ready to wake up yet, cover the damn blinds”

I felt so wasted.

A brutal reminder of the amount of tequila shots I took.

Groaning, I rolled over in an attempt to dodge the rays of light. My hands brushed against something. “Move cassy.”

I tried to pry my eyes open, I regretted it instantly. I should have just stuck with the regular two glasses of martini I usually take.

Wait, I never let Cassy sleep on my bed. She's got this habit of spreading her body everywhere. If this isn't Cassy, then who is?

My once heavy eyelids opened wide in horror as I jerked up from the bed.

I scanned the room, this looked nothing like my room. Panic clawed the wayy up my throat. Where the hell was I?

It was him. My gaze landed on the bed. Why the fuck was I on a bed with a strange man?

I was more angry at my self for not remembering anything that happened after the club.

Confusion filled my mind, a million questions still trying to be processed.

I tiptoed to the side of the bed where this figure laid. His body sprawled over the bed. “Who are you?” I yelled. The rage inside me grew with every second that passed.

He jerked up from the sound of my voice as he scanned the room. For a moment there he looked lost. “Hey! Hey! I can explain.” He lifted his hands in surrender.

“I know bastards like you, you spiked my drink and took advantage of me” my eyes landed on the bed stand as I lifted up a vase.

“Hey! Drop that and listen to me.”

“You think I'd let you go after you raped me?” I spat.

His brows furrowed in confusion, “If I had raped you, I wouldn't have driven you down to my apartment. Rather I would have left you in the club to actually get raped.”

He could be lying, I didn't want to hear any word from him again.

I felt an energy surge brew within me, I swung.

He staggered back, as though he’d lost his balance

His expression only read confusion. “Why..... what was that for?” He stammered.

He walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders. His gaze fixed on me and all I could see was ... .nothing. “I would never do anything to hurt you, I promise.”

“Whatever happened between us had your consent. Yes you were drunk but I made sure you were aware and wanted it to happen. I'm truly sorry.” He lowered his head as he dropped himself on the bed.

I felt sorry for him, maybe shouldn't have done that in the first place.

My eyes scanned the room this time in search of my clothes until my gaze fell on this strange man. His hands, they were bleeding.

I gasped “Oh goodness! I'm really sorry about what I did,” I quickly grabbed onto a clothe lying on the floor. I yanked it apart not caring who owned it.

“You don't have to do this.” His expression remained unclear. I couldn't tell if he was sad or angry.

I knelt by his side as I carefully wrapped his bleeding arm.

“ I'm sorry,” I mumbled.

Silence filled the room as I watched him hold onto his arm, thankfully the bleeding had stopped.

“Hey, I felt we had a connection.” He paused to look at me. “I knew from the first time I saw you at the club that I wanted you.”

“I really would never do anything to hurt you.”

A bright idea popped into my head.

Oh my God! Did he just say he wanted me? This could be my cue to propose my plan.

If I look on the bright side, he was the reason I went to the club; to get a boyfriend.

A sheepish smile carved on my lips.

You don’t get to see opportunities flying around everyday.

I cleared my throat.

“what I'm about to say might sound bizarre , but just hear me out”. My voice started to tremble slightly.

“My grandfather wants me to get married, which I don't want to. I know this is none of your business though, but given we found ourselves in an unforeseen circumstance, I thought to bring it up.”

I paused to wait for a reaction yet he looked the least bothered about what I'd just said.

I looked up at him, pleading. “ please I'm sorry and I know this is insane. I just need you to do me a favour, please!” I continued, “I'll pay anything you ask for please!”

His eyes pierced sharply into mine. I got him by the tail. Safe to say Cassy was right about waving some money in their face.”

“I don't need your money?” His voice was low and firm.

Oops, I guess Cassy was wrong after all.

“What then do you want?”

“I really like you,” he spat.

“Okay, here's the deal. How about you pretend to be my boyfriend, we get engaged and then call it off after 3 months,”

“Bold of you to assume I'll agree to that after trying to smash my brain with a vase.” He gave a slight shrug.

“I admit I was wrong,” my head bent in embarrassment, I continued, “ which is why I'm offering to pay for damages and your services,”

The room fell silent again. I needed to get out of this room, out of this messed up situation.

I eyed my dress and purse hanging on the side of a stool. As I headed for the bathroom, i fumbled my purse and finally drew up a card.

“Here,” I said stretching the card at him. “This is my business card, my address and phone number are written on it.” I continued, “and yeah, 7pm for dinner tonight at my place.”

Without a word from him yet again, I turned and walked to the bathroom.

He was still sitted in the same position.

*** ** *** ** ** **

The smell of roasted turkey filled my airways making my tummy rumbled in hunger.

I’d been so worked up by everything that happened earlier this morning that I forgot to eat.

I checked my phone every second as time ticked. It was 6:45pm and yet no word from the strange man.

Dinner started and it was past 7pm. Grandpa kept throwing side eyes at me as he bit into his meal.

“You're either going to eat you meal or stop playing with the goddamn cutlery” grandpa shot at me.

He obviously believes what I said about having a boyfriend was a lie.

“Dating men who don't keep to time are big red flags, Jenna. Without wasting further time I'll begin with the wedding arrangements.”

I picked up my phone, it was past 7:30pm.

That bastard! Just when I thought he could be my escape plan.

“Ding” the door bell rang. “Don't worry, I'll get that,” I said to the maid as I raced to the door. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was him, the strange man.

“Did I make it in time?” He blurted.