“Do you want something to drink before we start?” I ask, getting up from the bed a little too quickly.
“Coffee, coffee, coffee,” she pleads, holding her hands together as if she’s praying. How can she be so comfortable? I feel as if I can’t breathe.
I walk behind her to the kitchen. Her hips sway sensually with each step and I take a deep frustrated breath. I’m mantsy as hell.
‘Get a grip on those hormones, Blackburn!’ I pep talk myself out of my daze and notice her eyes moving over my body before she plops down on one of the red high chairs standing in a row at the breakfast nook.
I’ll have to think out some strategy to get the sex thoughts out of my head else I’ll be walking with a hard-on all the time. Maybe we should include sexual rights in the contract, I mean … she must have needs too.
I turn my back towards her and focus on the red Nespresso, putting a pod inside and pressing the button. Almost immediately the coffee starts pouring into the cup. Think, Blackburn!
I have to think about her flaws … stuff that would put me off … disgusting features that would make me not want to screw her … I smile, proud of the plan. But now, we first have to settle the contract.
“Rule one – you will pretend to be my girlfriend and I will pay for all Leyla’s medical and other expenses until she recovers. Do you agree with it so far?” I turn around and hand her the steaming cup of cappuccino.
“Yes, but remember we’ve agreed that the money is only a loan, I’ll work and pay you back.” I put another capsule in the machine.
“It’s not necessary, you being my girlfriend is a job and that is your payment … okay, rule 2, after ending this contract a grace period of two months must elapse before either party may officially date again. Just so nobody gets suspicious.” I turn again to look at her and she shrugs her shoulders, nodding her head in confirmation.
“Great. Next one. Both parties will act as if deeply in love whenever somebody is around.” She doesn’t interrupt so I take it as a ‘yes’.
“Also, you may not do anything embarrassing in public, no arguing, no fighting, no tantrums, and no other improper behavior of any kind. I know about the airport scene, but we’ll talk about that later. Do you want to add something?”
“Yes, you may not humiliate me for any reason.” She looks me straight in the eye, her gaze not faltering.
“Why do you assume I would?”
“You seem like a cold and heartless person.” Her gaze is still unrelenting challenging me. I pout. She’s right but why do her words hurt more than they should?
“No, problem, I can do that. Rule 5, you will be provided with a proper wardrobe, shoes, and accessories, so always make sure you look presentable when you leave the complex. I will have the last say on your outfits. My girlfriend will look sexy but never slutty.”
Her green eyes change into small fires and she takes a deep breath and bites her lip as if to calm herself. Damn, she looks so darn cute and hot at the same time and I can’t hide my smile. This seems to piss her off even more.
“Slutty sounds like a YOU problem,” she hisses blowing some steam from her cup and suddenly railing her up becomes my most favorite thing to do.
“And I won’t let you dictate what I wear. But don’t worry, I have some fashion sense at least. I make my most money with my make-up and fashion videos on social media, S.P.O.R.T!” She pulls out the last word as if it’s an insult, but I don’t have a clue what it means. So she’s an influencer and I wonder how many followers she has. Thinking back at the outfit she was wearing previously, I’m not gonna argue.
“Let’s not dwell on name-calling, Fairy-fly. You can choose the clothes, but I will tell you when I think you’re dressed inappropriately. Can we go on to the next one?” I increase my smile, hoping to irritate her more. It does, but she keeps her cool, her eyes the only thing to reveal her true emotions.
“Super, next, you will be available whenever I need you, and where ever I need you. Anything you want to add here?”
“Yes.” I roll my eyes and now it’s my turn to sigh.
“I’ll be available, but Leyla comes first. If she needs me you won’t insist and drag me away from her.” I frown, does she really think I’m that much of a monster?
“Agreed, when Leyla is sick, in the hospital, or having tests done, you will be by her side, and I’ve already arranged the best possible babysitters for her when you need to accompany me. Okay?” I can see I surprised her. Get used to it, baby.
“Okay … please continue.” The fires in her eyes change to a feeling I’m not capable to understand. Feeling a bit uncomfortable I start playing with my empty cup.
“Where are we … oh yes, rule 7 … you will stay here for the duration of the contract and I will give you a credit card to buy everything and anything you and Leyla need. You will also use it to buy groceries and so on.”
“I agree to buy what you need, but I will find a job and buy my own personal stuff. I don’t want your money for anything else than Leyla’s medical expenses. And this is not debatable.” Stubborn freaking girl.
“And where will you find time to do this job?” I look down into that pretty little face, trying to make notes of any imperfections, like her slightly crooked mouth, the muddy brown spots in her eyes, the uneven dimples in her cheeks, and the soft freckles on her nose. Why doesn’t it turn me off, but instead make me even want her more? She looks back and for a while, we have another stare-down contest.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to long hours, I’ll make time. I can waitress somewhere as I’ve done before.” Over my dead body is my girlfriend going to waitress at some cheap coffee shop or overcrowded bar. Then a bright idea hits me.
“Okay, you can work at the club.” Hesitation runs over her face.
“No special treatment or anything like that,” she says, her eyes a bit weary.
“You’ll get the same salary as the other workers,” I lie for the sake of peace.
“I accept, you can go on to the next clause.” She breaks our eye connection and I walk up to the window and stare out at the ocean. It’s windy today and the waves run unpleasantly onto the beach, giving the scene a somber atmosphere.
I love the ocean; its unpredictability, its stormy wild waves crashing ferociously against the rocks, over and over again, as if it can’t get rid of its anger and frustration. It’s how I feel deep inside, uncontrollable, as if I’m slowly drowning, just to wake up and drown all over again. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. What would I not give for one day of peace and calmness, a day without waves - tranquility, happiness?
“Enrique, are you alright?” She’s standing right behind me. “I mean, you don’t look too good … not that you look bad, cause you don’t … look bad that is … you’re kinda hot … ya, neh … that’s if you were my type … which your not …“
She gets flustered and stops talking, her cheeks flooding red and her eyes looking down to the ground. She knocks her temple a few times with her fist, probably reprimanding herself, but I loved the whole scenario. This girl is way different from the ones I usually hang out with - but in a good way.
“Yes, I was just a bit lost in the view.” And I’m not talking about the one outside, more like the one right in front of me.
“It’s amazing. I love the ocean.” My now girlfriend is standing right beside me, her face shining with awe, her hand on my arm. I notice the porcelain skin, and the fullness of her lips, and my dick decides to make a move. Fuck, suddenly I wish she looked more like Noah, you know large and big-boned. Flaws, find the flaws. Okay, her legs are too short … well, obviously since she barely reaches my shoulder. Her hips … fuck … the only thing I can find wrong with her hips is that they are not linked to mine.
I clear my throat, “Let’s finish this … I guess you don’t have another boyfriend I have to worry about?” This is not part of the contract, but I suddenly just felt like finding out. I mean, I don’t want some random guy to sucker punch me in the street or something.
“Nope, there’s no one special in my life, but while we’re at this point, I would like to add another rule to this contract. Rule 8, no flirting, kissing, or any sexual encounters with other people for the duration of this fake relationship. I don’t want to be the girl that gets pitied by everybody because her playboy boyfriend can’t keep his dick in his pants. After all this, I need to go away from here with at least my dignity still intact.”
Wow. I’m dumbstruck. Although I’m not the sex-manic everybody thinks me to be, a few months of celibacy is also not my forte. But I understand her point and damn if I’m going to let her be with another man for that matter. Just thinking about it revs up my anger.
“It’s not that I care where you choose to stick your dick in … well, I do care … that is for while we’re dating … not that we’re dating-dating … but still, everybody thinks we’re dating-dating … ug … you know what I mean.”
“Okay, I accept. But I must warn you not to fall in love with me,” I lean forward and can’t help the big smile on my face. Fuck this girl is cute. But I can’t have her catch feelings I won’t be able to reciprocate.
“No problem there, but the same goes for you then,” she says, her eyes holding mine. It’s the first time ever a girl doesn’t swoon over me, hell, she doesn’t even seem to be slightly impressed at all. It bothers me more than I want to admit.
“Can’t fall in love when you don’t have a heart.”
“Great, but you’ll keep your word on not cheating?” I make a cross-my-heart motion. I don’t think she totally believes me, and her next words confirm this suspicion.
“And just to make things a little more interesting, let’s put in clause 9 stating that in case any of the above rules are violated, the guilty party may receive some kind of punishment from the other party.”
I like this, I like it a lot. And I’m already thinking of great ways to pleasurably discipline her and a sly smile forms on my lips. She rolls her eyes and points her index finger at me, the tip just touching my chest.
“Scratch those dirty thoughts, playboy, these punishments may not include physical abuse, public humiliation, or sexual favors.”
“Thanks for taking the fun out of it.” I snort disappointed, but I’m still going to deliberately make her break the rules, just to have some fun disciplining her.
“So, let’s get to point 10, the last point will be that this contract will stay between you and me, and no talking to the press or anybody about personal or sensitive information.” She agrees.
“And while we’re at this point, what happened at the airport? Are you out looking for fame?”
Dean called while she was in the shower, telling me that my new girlfriend already made the headlines due to some or another incident at the airport. I am a bit disappointed that she was just like the rest, a fame-seeker. I mean, why else would she tell everybody that she’s my girlfriend?
She moves a step closer and we get caught in yet another face-down. This time I can see she’s eagerly pissed off.
“Fame?” We are eyeball-to-eyeball. Her face seems flushed and her hands clench in tight fists.
“So you think I would coax my sick little sister to go around telling people that I’m your girlfriend just to get in the spotlight? Are you serious right now?”
Leyla told the people? Okay, I might have been a bit judgmental, being used to girls that only want fame and fortune. Shit.
“Um, I’m sorry, I didn’t know Leyla was the one that told everybody.” I put my hand on her shoulder but she shakes it off. I blink twice, knowing I was wrong, and regret spills over me in warm layers.
“So you thought I told people … to get attention? Unfuckingbelievable! Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not in this for the fame or the fortune, I’m only doing it for my sister cause I don’t have any other fucking choice! So next time, make sure of your facts beforehand,” she snaps, pointing an accusing finger at me.
“And you made me swear … shit! On the contrary, I hated what happened at the airport. I don’t like people invading my privacy,” she freezes for a moment and stares into space, clearly thinking of something, and then her eyes meet mine again.
“You know, if your personality was just half the goodness of your looks, you would be almost a perfect man … now your just a handsome prick.”
“So you think I’m handsome?” My new hobby, remember – teasing Aria.
“Ug …”
“Okay, okay, I’ll leave it at that. Does the contract fit the bill?”
“Yes, I’m satisfied.”
“Great, I’ll print it so we can sign it.”
“I’ll check on Leyla,” she says walking away, me staring at that perfect ass, and it feels as if I’m suffocating. What am I going to do? My brothers are like fucking praying mantises, feeding off the slightest hint of insecurity. The worst thing to do in this scenario is to show uncertainty about my feelings for Aria. So I have to stay cool even if I feel like I’m stuck on the spinning cycle of a washing machine.
Looking through the window again, I push the bottom part of my palm hard against my brow. Please let this work, please, please, please … I’m not sure if it’s a prayer or a chant.
Date = 26 March Place = San Francisco (Mission Street) POV - Aria “I can’t believe you let me buy all this shit!” Three heads swivel to face the blonde that’s been talking non-stop using extreme hand gestures, despite the fact that the one is still in a cast. We’re simply four women enjoying a deserving day away from the overbearing males in our lives, and turning heads as we walk down the colorful world of Mission Street to where we’ve parked our car, lugging loads of parcels and bags. “But they’re so cute … ain’t they cute?” She’s looking at me now and I just nod my head cause I know she probably won’t give me a turn to talk anyway. “Look at this tee-dee, its tum-tum is so fat and cuddly,” she pulls out a teddy bear from one of the parcels and talks in this baby voice. I look up at the sky with a smile. “Ug, I know. Granny is so excited to meet the little cheese ball. Yes, she is.” Now Haley is joining the coo-coo parade, talking in her baby voice, patting Mel’s little bump so
Date = 26 March Place = San Francisco (Pier 39) POV - Aria Soon we are laughing so much, tears stream down our cheeks and my tummy actually starts to ache. These girls know just how to cheer a person up, and I’m so glad they entered my life. I hate lying to them and I hope, one day, after the contract expires, we can still be friends. POP! BANG! The car swirls across the road and seems to decelerate quickly making a strange flop-flop-flop sound. “Ship!” Kiara screams and pulls on the steering wheel to counteract the sudden pull to the right. She concentrates to keep the white BMW going in a straight line, her tongue sticking out of her mouth slightly, and eventually, she manages to park safely next to the road. The smell of burnt rubber and dust mixes in a cloud over us. “What the hell happened?” Haley asks looking at each of us as if she’s mentally making sure we’re okay. Mel is pale and she looks around frantically as if she’s expecting somebody to come and snatch her away. I
Date = 27 March Place = San Francisco (Palace of Fine Arts) POV – Enrique “Where are you?” I’m on the phone waiting at the door for my ‘girlfriend’ to arrive, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. I’ve learned in the past week not to expect anything rational from Aria, cause she will surprise you. “Eh, in the limo, duh!” This girl will drive me through the madhouse straight to hell. “Aria! Stop doing that!” “Then don’t ask me questions I don’t have the answers for! For the last time, get it into that robotic skull of yours – I don’t know San Francisco, Sport!” I open my mouth to comment, but she hangs up the phone. I take the phone from my ear and look at the screen as if I need some proof that she just did that. I take a deep breath and count to 20 – ten just won’t cut it this time. It’s the second time she’s done this hanging-up-on-me shit and it is extremely annoying. Deep inside I know she’s right … she doesn’t know the city yet … but it doesn’t matter. For some reas
Date = 27 March Place = San Francisco (Palace of Fine Arts) POV - Enrique We sip our drinks in silence for a while, each one lost in his own thoughts, our eyes focused on the green door. “We’re both screwed so bad,” Damion sighs, “and if yesterday’s adventures are anything to go by, those two are the same pint-size blobs of disaster. So good luck with that!” “What happened yesterday?” My eyes catch them coming back out, but before he can answer me it suddenly feels as if my blood is clotting in my veins. Brian Cruise and PJ are talking to the girls as if they’re old friends. WTF! I gnash my teeth. I hate Brian and he hates me. Both Mel and Aria quickly look in our direction and then at each other, as if planning something again. “What the flip are they doing now?” Damion stands up straight, his suspended body language mirroring mine as we watch the girls being led to the dance floor. My sister’s influence about swearing rubbed off on him already. I’m trying because of Leyla, but
Date = 28 March Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) POV - Aria BWWAAA BWA BWA BWA BWWAAA! I jolt up and from shock widely open both eyes, instantly regretting it when my head feels like it just exploded. I look around to find the sickly hoarse goose that made that awful sound, but instead of a honking bird, I only find a laughing Enrique at the end of the bed, holding some kind of plastic trumpet thingy. He holds it against his mouth and blows. BWA BWA BWWAA! I close my burning ears with my hands, giving the damn twit a look that would kill ten men. The fact that he’s only wearing CK boxers not going unnoticed. I mean, seriously, that body is anything but ugly. No wonder he’s such a sought-after model. “Ug!” I croak, touching my pounding head with my fingertips – extremely lightly. I close my eyes, not only repelled by the luminosity from the sunshine glaring through the open curtains but also to keep my sexual organs from becoming Niagra Falls. Cause that’s what’s gonna happ
Date = 28 March Place = San Francisco (Inferno) POV – Aria As soon as we get out of the car, I take Leyla’s hand and loop my other arm through Lee’s. I have two reasons for doing this - firstly, I need some emotional and physical support, ‘cause my knees are still weak from the kiss. Secondly, and most crucially, I need a human shield between me and my model boyfriend; because I need to unravel my confused haunted mind from this morning’s incident. “The girls are inside,” Damion, waiting in front of Inferno, says while looking at me with a lopsided grin that would make the Snowqueen melt. Lee is literally standing with a dropped jaw, staring with those big eyes at the hunky racer. What a strange little guy. So I forcefully drag him with me towards the club’s huge steel doors, leaving the brothers to talk to their friend – aka future brother-in-law. “Is that …” Lee sounds a bit lost so I butt in. “Yep, that’s Damion Grimm, a beautiful specimen of the male species, and on his way t
Date = 1 April Place = San Francisco (back of a van) POV - Enrique The stench of rotten eggs, mixed with something drastically nasty, burns my nostrils and makes my eyes water. “Ug, someone is dying from the inside out,” I murmur, desperately trying to push my nose against my shoulder to seal off the smell since I can’t use my hands. “Oh, come on people … seriously, who let it rip?” little Lee asks, sounding as if he wants to kill the culprit right there and then. He’s the definition of the smaller the bottle the deadlier the poison … a tiny guy with a huge cocky and fearless attitude. The air is filled with grunts and groans, but nobody mans up to being the owner of the fart. “Guys, please … although that was a shocker … we’re in tight corners here … I really don’t want to suffocate before I’m killed,” Jackson protests, removing my number one suspect from my list. “Stinks like a shrimp boat that got stuck in the cheese aisle of the supermarket!” Lee gasps right next to me as i
RIB = rigid inflatable boats Karl = the name given to the fog in the bay area by the locals Date = 1 April Place = San Francisco (boat on the bay) POV – Enrique “Wait! Take those two down. We’ll start with them,” the serious man is pointing directly at Jackson and me. What the fuck now? When I glance at my brother he has a sinister grin on his face as if he’s having a good time. Typical Jackson … ug … and I find myself secretly wishing the man had selected someone else in his place – any of the other guys would have been better. Look, I love my twin to bits, but I also know Jackson is seriously flawed … and putting him in this kind of situation is like squeezing a tiger’s balls. They separate us from the other guys, and I stand there helplessly watching as my companions are forced to the front of the boat. Their expressions vary from devastation and anger to desperation and fear. I frantically scan the area, hoping to get a glimpse of Aria one last time … but no such luck. I h