? The Deal ?
Written by Idara Kingsley
? Chapter 4 ?
? Charlotte ?
Every word he said to me, kept replaying in my head. Was I making the right decision? It was just fake to deceive everyone, including my parents. How long would we keep up with the lies?
My head was already ban-ging ha-rd for overthinking. Maybe I should just go with the flow and forget about the after effects it might have on us. Surely, we would pull a break up stunt, whenever our exes call us, begging to come back together.
Truthfully, I was scared for the worst. What if, Noah doesn’t come back? I didn’t want him back into my life, I wanted him to go on his knees and crawl back to me, begging with tears rolling down his cheeks. I wanted him to feel the pains I felt at the alter. I knew using, Brian would be the best option. Noah, had always wanted to meet, Brian. He was, Brian’s biggest fan. So, Brian is the best option.
I undressed and walked into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and stepped und-er it. The water hit my skin softly. I squ-eezed the content of my body wash into my palm and slapped it on my body. After washing my skin, I stepped out of the shower and picked up my towel from the little closet in the bathroom. I dried myself and wrapped the towel around my ch-est.
Zoey, was already in the room when I got out. She was smiling to her phone. Aww, I remember how I used to have such smile. I knew it was crazy comparing, Zoey’s happy moments with my past with, Noah. I couldn’t fight the urge of not comparing.
“Hey, Zee.”
She looked up from her phone and pa-ssed me a smile. “You look happy. What happened between you and him.”
I blinked, trying to act dumb to get away from the question. “With who?”
“Brian Nicholas. Girl, don’t tell me you hung out with him.”
I rolled my eyes and sat beside her on the bed. “The arrogant jerk. We went to his club house.”
“Brian, has a clubhouse?”
I nodded with a tight smile. “Yes.”
“Great. We’ll go there this weekend.”
“No. It’s not officially opened, it was just his friends having fun there.”
She sat up and squinted her eyes at me, as if trying to see throu-ghme. I rolled my eyes and stood up from the bed. “No questions, Zoey.” I walked away to put my clothes on.
•••
•••
I was gonna return home to meet my mum. I had de-eply missed every bit of her for the past five days I had spent at the hotel with, Zoey. It was worth it anyways.
I dragged my box to, Zoey’s car and threw it into the boot. I slammed the boot shut and jumped into the car. Finally, we hit the road.
My heart kept pumping everytime, Zoey cuts corners. She would take one of her hands off the steering and hold unto my hands tightly. She was such a good and considerate friend. Everyone wants a good friend like , Zoey. I couldn’t believe she had to leave her home just to make sure I was okay at the hotel. She had a fiance who she could go spend about a night or two at his house, but she stayed back to make sure I was okay.
The moment I felt the tears pouring down my cheeks, I wiped it off immediately. Zoey, have had enough of me. No need consoling me, anymore.
She cut the engine and turned to me. “Ready?”
I gulped loudly before nodding.
You might be wondering why I was suddenly breaking down just by coming back to my house. Here, I’ve had plenty of memories with, Noah at my house. My engagement party was held at my house. My bedroom was filled with, Noah. I had his picture hanging at almost every part of my bedroom. I was so obsessed with him.
I got out of the car. My legs were shaking, but I still moved on. I rang the doorbell. My heart was in my throat now as I heard footsteps coming from the house and towards the door.
“Hi, Mrs. Dan…..” Mum stopped talking as her eyes met with mine. She squealed and pulled me into a tight, bone crushing hug. “Charlotte is home.” My mum screamed to the maids in the house. I giggled happily.
I missed every part of her. Her smile, cooking, her troubles, continuous advice and support, every mother would give to their child.
“I missed you do much, mum.” I embraced her tightly. Tears escapes my eyes.
“I missed you too, baby.” She ki-ssed my hair and rubbed my back. I felt another weight on us. It was, Zoey. She had joined in our teary moment.
We moved into the house. Everything looked different. The painting on the wall was now creamed colour, instead of white. Our couches were blue and black instead of red. New designs, flowers and even some new sets of maids. I was just gone for few days,not even months. I turned to mum, but she only gave me a smile.
“I’ll go up to my room now.” I said, ignoring the squee-zeI had in my heart. I excused myself and grabbed my box, after ignoring the maid that tried to help me take it up to my room. I was going throu-ghsome shits I had to face alone.
Dad and mum’s picture that used to be hanging on the wall in the hallway, was gone. Progress. She was slowly moving on. I was happy that mum had taken that huge step to moving on. I wish I could do same.
My steps slowed down as I approach my room. Time to face my worst nightmare. I couldn’t run away from my fears everytime. I had to face it.
I pushed the door open with my eyes half closed. I opened it wide when I saw how my room had changed.
My room was, Noah free. No sign of his picture or anything related to me. I knew it was mum handwork. I was grateful she made this decision instead of me to come back home and have some traumatic experience.
I stepped out of my room, a little bit free. I know I still had to face him in the nearest future, but as at then, my feelings for him would have died, completely.
°°°~°°°
Zoey, had gone after eating dinner with us. She told mum about her engagement. They wouldn’t get getting married until a year and six months. They do not want to rush it either. I was sure she was scared that she might have same experience as I had, even though she did not out it that way. I didn’t make a fuss about it. She was right after all, Noah and I rushed everything. I didn’t even know what his best food was.
I jerked off from my bed at the buzzing sound of my phone. I picked up my phone from where it was charging and looked at the missed call I had. From an unknown number.
I always hated picking calls from unknown numbers. It makes me feel unsafe.
I attempted to plug my phone back, but a message that had entered, stopped me. It was from the unknown number.
UNKNOWN: Hey, beautiful.
I blinked. Who the hell was it? I never give my number to a stranger. I haven’t even met any stranger recently. I decided to reply. I needed to know who it was.
CHARLOTTE: Who the hell are you?
UNKNOWN: Still annoying during text, must be nice.
It’s Brian Nicholas. Happy now?
Weird. I couldn’t remember giving out my number to him. It wasn’t necessary, I would have still given him anyways, we had a deal. Not signed yet, but any Monday, we would be officially fake couples.
CHARLOTTE: Whatever. What do you want?
BRIAN: Can’t we just have a conversation for the sake of us almost being a couple.
I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
CHARLOTTE: It’s fake. I also do not want to have a conversation with you. Go to bed already.
Being rude was my signature, no one could stop it.
BRIAN: It’s sure gonna be a long time with you. Anyways, have a goodnight, and see you on Monday❤️
I stared at his message. I hated how I was smiling sheepishly at his text. Maybe it was the love emoji, maybe it was something else.
Instead of replying, I switched off my phone and dumped it on my drawer.
? The Deal ?
Written by Idara Kingsley
? Chapter 5 ?
? Brian ?
The clock kept ticking, still there wasn’t a sign of her. She was supposed to be at the clubhouse about two hours ago. Why the hell was she taking so long?
I wanted calling her, but I kicked against the idea. Charlotte, being, Charlotte would always be rude to me. I hate how some of her words pierced throu-ghme. The girl was blunt and wouldn’t care how you felt by her words. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she got dumped on her wedding day. In as much as I tend to dislike, Charlotte’s guts most times, I wouldn’t have hurt her that bad.
The dude was totally wrong to have gone ahead with the wedding when he truly knew he doesn’t love her. Such humiliation could have led to suicide or instant depression.
I began to feel like I was bothering her with my ‘plan’. She was just recovering, so why the rush. Maybe I should call her to forget about it. I reached out for my phone in my pocket. I dialled her number. She wasn’t picking up. I was beginning to get scared. What if something was wrong with her? Or an angry mob that she had said bad things about in the past attacked her?
The sound of a car made me look up from my phone. It was her. Charlotte. She got down from her car like a queen that she was. Her head was high, shoulder up, nose flaring, eyes on me, and a straight face. I couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she looked. She wore a tight, backless dress. Her heels were on point. She wasn’t looking down at her legs, but she knew the right step to take. She looked so much like a Kim Kardashian. Not entirely, but a little resemblance and a-ssets.
A sly smile that washed off quickly appeared on her face. Damn, she looked so beautiful.
“I’m here now, let’s get done with this shit.” She said, adjusting her gold bracelet. It looked like she was showing off the bracelet. Who cares, I had tons of expensive bracelets and ne-ck chains locked up in my drawers.
I inhaled de-eply to keep my sanity alive. Charlotte, could kill someone with her words. Her mouth had no filter. It was annoying that I have to deal with her for long. I braced myself up and gave her a smile. “Hello to you too.”
She rolled her eyes and took one step closer to me. “Are we here for pleasantries or business?”
I gulped loudly. Was I scared of her? No. Her voice was really intimidating, and I couldn’t argue with a woman over a petty issue. “This way, please.”
I led her into the clubhouse. The name was BN— Brian Nicholas. I had the project going on for a while. It was a dream come true opening a clubhouse. My next project was already on. I planned on building a hotel. The more I thought of more projects and get them done, the more money I make.
We took a seat at the VIP section. She looked around, admiring the place. “You like it.”
She snapped her head towards me. She co-cked her brows, “Like what?”
“My clubhouse.”
She twisted her li-ps and rolled her eyes. Great of her to always do that. I hate that it hurt my feelings, but I had to move on. To work with her, I had to endure her shitty attitude.
“Let’s get this done already.” She whined. She sounded like a strict parent.
I sat up and signaled for the bar man who I had just employed. “What would you love.”
“Nothing alcoholic.”
“It’s a clubhouse, not a mall.”
“I don’t fu-cking care if it’s not a mall. You offered to get me a drink, you don’t have to for-ce me to take your choice.”
I heaved a sigh and told the bar man to leave.
“When are you officially opening your clubhouse?” She air quoted the word, clubhouse.
“Next weekend. Reason why we have to make out fake dating official before then.”
She nodded slowly. “You got the papers here with you?”
I nodded and pulled out the folded paper I had in my pocket. She did too. She had her terms and condition in the relationship. Great, now there would be too many things I’ll not have to do.
“You have all the time to read throu-gh.” I told her as I handed the paper over to her.
She relaxed in the chair and read throu-ghit. I watched her read it before I turned to hers.
CHARLOTTE’S RULES IN THE SUPPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH BRIAN NICHOLAS.
1• Always remember it’s a fake relationship and not real. So,you should respect every rule, and I’ll respect yours as well.
2• Do not touch me in areas you’re not allowed to touch me at. Keep your filthy hands to yourself.
3• No cuddling, ki-ssing, and intense stares. You’re only allowed to hug me when people are around.
4• No one has to know it’s fake! Not even your parents or siblings and friends.
5• Do not text me or call me everytime. It’s irritating.
6• No calling of nicknames except we’re around people.
7• No de-ep conversations.
8• Respect me.
9• You can still see your numerous girlfriends, but do not make it too obvious, so you don’t blow our covers.
10• It’s all fake and would end soon. Don’t fall in love, you’ll only hurt yourself.
••••
Why does the last part interest me so much? I had written same thing in my own rule book. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan for both of us. I was sure we would pull this stunt off perfectly without any strings attached.
I took out the pen from my bre-ast pocket and signed at the end of the paper. She signed too, and we exchanged the papers back.
“Now I need an alcohol.”
°°¶°°
“Mum? Daisy?” I called pushing the garage door open.
I was supposed to see my mum and sister before they leave for, Atlanta tomorrow. It was so sad that they wouldn’t be attending the opening of my clubhouse.
“Brian.” I heard a tiny squeal behind me. Little, Daisy was running towards me with joy. I flagged my arms open to accept her warm embrace. She hug-ged my legs, and I picked her up.
Daisy, was my step sister. Mum remarried after dad left. I loved that she had moved on. This new guy was cool and treated her nicely, even though he wasn’t rich.
“Hey, little cupcake. How you doing?”
“I’m good. Come see my painting I did with dad.” She dragged me back into the house and up to her room. My step dad was sitting on the floor, with paint scattered all over his body.
“I see you have joined us in painting already.” My step dad, Charlie, chuckled. Daisy joined him.
I looked at my shirt, and saw it had little patches of paint on it. Daisy must have done it while I carried her up. I shrugged it off with a laugh. “I love your painting, Daisy.”
She grinned widely and stood up to give me a tight hug. “I love you, Brian.”
“I love you too, Daisy.”
I looked over at, Charlie. He had a smile on his face. I winked at him.
“Run along, Daisy, dad needs to talk to, Brian.”
Daisy, went back to her painting, while, Charlie and I went to the lounge.
I sat opposite him.
“How you feeling now?” He asked, studying my face. I knew he was talking about my called off engagement party.
I ran my hand throu-ghmy hair and I exhaled a de-ep sigh. “I’m okay now. I got someone else now.”
“So fast? I thought you loved her?”
I nodded. “I do, but turns out I need someone in my life too. She’s special.”
He titled his head to the side, “who’s she?”
I chuckled softly. “Charlotte Hudson.”
His grew wide from surprise. I was surprised too. “Charlotte Hudson, the girl who got dumped on her wedding day?”
“True, but she shouldn’t be addressed that way.” I almost snapped at him. I did not know why I was paranoid over a little talk made over, Charlotte.
“Woah, woah, woah. I’m okay with it, I mean, you’re a grown up man. You’re 26, you can make your own decisions. You just have to think of your mum right now. I don’t think shell take the news lightly.”
I scoffed. “Her opinion about, Charlotte’s and I, relationship doesn’t matter. We love each other.”
He sighed and rubbed his chin. “I hope you’re making the right decision, Brian.” He gave me a small nod before he stood up and walked away.
I did not know why I felt guilty all of a sudden. Was it the way I sounded, or the way he said those words, like he knew it was all fake between, Charlotte and I.
Instead of going back in, I left to my car. My bouncers were already waiting for me. They opened the door and I got in.
“Where to, sir?” My driver asked.
“Home.”