CHAPTER 5

MAYA

“Ray… you’re here.”

I broke away from the kiss almost immediately. Jay was clearly caught off guard. The look on his face said everything.

“Raymond,” I said quickly, trying to steady my voice. “Meet my boyfriend, Jay. And my love, meet Raymond,  the guy I told you about.”

My heart was racing. I tried so hard not to look directly at Ray. I was silently praying Jay would catch up with the lie and play along.

But before I could say another word, Jay walked forward and lightly smacked Ray on the shoulder.

“There’s no need for introductions,” he said casually. “Raymond is my little cousin.”

My world almost collapsed.

Cousin?

How was that even possible?

Ray’s eyes slowly moved between Jay and me. The cold look on his face made my knees weak.

He didn’t say a single word.

He just turned and walked out.

That silence hurt more than if he had yelled.

The emotions I had been holding in finally exploded. Tears streamed down my face before I could stop them.

This was hurting more than the sickness itself.

For a moment I forgot Jay was even in the room. Someone handed me a tissue and helped me stand up.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly, wiping my face. “You didn’t have to see that.”

I hesitated before adding,

“And… sorry for kissing you.”

Jay leaned slightly against the desk, completely unfazed.

“The kiss was worth it,” he said. “Your lips are soft, so I forgive you.”

He winked.

I couldn’t help it; a small laugh escaped my lips.

Is he ever serious?

“If I’m correct,” he continued, “my cousin is the ex-boyfriend you’re putting all this drama together for.”

I nodded slowly.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no idea he was related to you. Ray doesn’t talk much about his family,  nuclear or extended.”

My throat tightened, and I suddenly tasted blood.

I swallowed quickly.

Not now. Please not now.

Jay studied me carefully.

“Why are you doing this?” he asked.

“You look miserable yourself. I might not know much about love, but from what I just witnessed… You still love him.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but the words got stuck.

Thankfully, he seemed to remember the clause in our contract.

He understood immediately.

Jay casually sat on my desk and picked up the stack of papers in front of him.

“What’s this?” he asked. “Cooking up something?”

“Jay,” I said quickly, “why are you here?”

“Oh,” he said suddenly. “I almost forgot.”

But instead of answering, he continued reading my manuscript.

“Hey!”

I quickly snatched the papers from his hands.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. That manuscript was different from my usual books.

It was my first attempt at writing an erotic novel.

And judging by the amused look on his face… he definitely read part of it.

“Wild goose,” he muttered with a grin.

Can he stop smiling already?

“My grandmother’s birthday is tomorrow,” he said casually. “I promised her I’d bring my girlfriend to dinner.”

I blinked.

“So… you’re not backing out of the contract?” I asked carefully.

He dragged his eyebrow.

“Part of the contract clearly states that neither of us pulls out before the agreed time unless both parties consent.”

He leaned back slightly.

“My old woman is already involved.”

Right.

I avoided looking directly at him.

There was something about his presence that felt strangely intimidating.

“Send me your address,” he continued. “I’ll pick you up tonight.”

“For what?”

“Clubbing.”

I stared at him.

“You need to release some of that tension,” he added.

I was about to say I don’t go clubbing. But the words stopped halfway.

Maybe he was right.

Everything inside me felt like it was about to explode.

“Pick me up from here,” I said instead. “I still have work to do.”

“Alright, weirdo,” he said with a grin. “See you tonight.”

Did he just call me a weirdo?

And just like that, he was gone.

******

Minutes turned into hours.

I buried myself in work.

My assistant suggested I take a break several times, but I ignored her.

Work was the only thing keeping my mind from collapsing.

The next time I looked at my phone, it was already ringing, Jay.

I answered immediately.

“Hey, pretty,” he said. “I’m outside.”

I checked the time.

10 p.m. Damn!

I grabbed my bag and walked out.

Jay was leaning against a sleek black car, his shirt slightly unbuttoned.

“Here,” he said, handing me a shopping bag.

“We’re not going to a business meeting. You need to dress the part.”

I opened the bag. Two dresses.

“I’ll wait here while you change,” he added casually.

I went back into the office.

The first dress nearly gave me a heart attack.

How was I supposed to wear something that revealing?

I quickly grabbed the second one.

It was still short, but at least decent.

I slipped into the strapless gown and looked at myself in the mirror.

My curves were impossible to ignore.

Reluctantly, I walked back outside.

Jay was still leaning on his car.

His eyes slowly moved from my face down to my legs. Then back up again.

“Is there a reason you hide those curves behind baggy clothes?” he asked.

“You’re breathtaking, Maya.”

My face warmed instantly.

“Let’s go.”

Was he flirting with me?

But somehow the compliment made me feel… confident.

I’ve always hated how my curves attracted the wrong kind of attention. That’s why I usually wear loose clothing.

But hearing it from him felt different.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the club.

Jay opened the door for me, and we walked inside. 

“Are you okay?” Jay asked, leaning closer. “This is my VIP section. We can leave if you want.”

“No,” I said quickly. “I’m fine.”

“You drink alcohol?”

I almost said no. I had never tasted it before.

But Lilly once said alcohol makes you feel numb and happy for a while.

Maybe that’s what I needed.

I grabbed two shots and swallowed them quickly.

It burned.

“Hey, careful,” Jay said. “That’s strong.”

But suddenly I felt lighter, and braver.

I stood up and started moving to the music.

“Give me another shot!” I laughed. “I love it here!”

****

When I opened my eyes again, my head was pounding.

I groaned and slowly sat up.

“Finally awake,” Jay said from across the room.

“Drink this. It’ll help the hangover.”

Hangover?

I blinked.

Why was he here? And where was I?

The room looked unfamiliar. I looked down. I was wearing a large T-shirt.

But last night I was wearing a dress.

My heart skipped.

I quickly grabbed a pillow and covered my face.

“What happened?” I groaned.

“Why am I wearing this shirt?”

Jay clicked his tongue.

Just as he was about to answer, the door suddenly burst open, and Ray stormed inside.

His face was full of fury.

Before I could react, his fist slammed straight into Jay’s face.