9.

Damien – ‘Xander, be nice, be a gentleman and show some respect.’

Damien and I are texting each other in the car because our little agreement cannot be known to Charles because once he’s involved the whole world will know.

‘I’ll try, I text back.

‘Don’t try, DO! Or you’ll be dealing with Charles,’ he texts.

‘FINE’

‘Good, then you’ll find.’

I look up and smile at him and smile back.

The car stops, and the nerves immediately set in, my palms are sweaty, and my mind is racing, I want this to work, for me to get over my hate for women and maybe learn to be civil with them.

I step out of the car and put my suit jacket on.

“Relax Xander, you’ll be okay,” Damien whispers to me.

“I hope so,” I whisper back, Damien takes my briefcase and I put my phone in my suit pocket.

Charles steps out, walks over to me and fixes my collar.

“Charles, please stop,” I ask, I hate it when he moms me in public and for no reason.

“You have to look good, to feel good,” he says, “And PS I want those c