HEART FOR HIRE ✓

Twenty Two

Zion's apartment is located in Church Hill town square, a place where the popular, the rich, the elite and the significant live. It's no surprise. That's where he belongs.
The apartment is on the top floor of the big complex building, ten floors high.

I don't bother asking the security personnel for directions but rush to the elevator instead.
As it is closing, a hand stops it. A blonde petite woman comes rushing into the elevator before it closes.

"I haven't seen you here before," she mutters. She places her handbag down, gets a mirror and a make-up kit and starts beautifying herself. "Which floor?"

"Top floor."

"No way," she abandons her make-up and turns to me, "you aren't going to Zion Thompson's apartment, are you?"

Who is she? And how does she know that Zion's apartment is on the top floor?

"That's exactly where I am going," I nod.

"Let me guess, you are the new maid? Or one of the women he pays to keep him company?"

I'm neither of those but this conversation seems interesting. Especially since I've been both. I was his maid and kept him company at the same time.
How does this woman know about it?

"I'll take your silence as a yes," she purses her lips, "I am going to give you a little advice because I've been there before. Don't believe anything that bastard says."

"Why is that?"

"He has a way with words. Makes you feel all tingly and special. I've been down that road but he is a liar," she jeers. "Makes you feel like you are important, gives you money and takes you on fancy trips. In the end, he dumps you like he doesn't know you."

"Is that so?"

She laughs. "He gets lonely, poor boy. But he gets bored pretty easily. Hear me out, stick with him, get all the money, buy yourself something nice. It's all you'll ever get other than a broken heart."

"You seem to know him well," I try to play it cool despite the loathing in my heart. I'm just like those other girls of course. Why do I get my hopes up?

"It's always been me, of course. He dumps them, he comes to me," she smiles as if being used as a rebound is a trophy. But again, she is probably as money hungry as I am. "He knows that Aimee is always waiting for him with open arms. When he is done with you, he will come to me."

"How are you so sure that he will be done with me?"

"You aren't the first one darling. There was Stacie, Felicia, Gabbie and other stupid names I can't remember. But they all left because they aren't as good as me."

"Why are you frowning?" she mocks. "You haven't given him your virginity, have you? Let me tell you a secret, he hates virgins. He is a tiger in bed, a virgin wouldn't know what do do with him. He prefers pretty girls with experience but unfortunately, you are not any of those. He will be back to me in no time."

I suck in a breath. Stay calm, Natalia. She is trying to provoke you. Don't play dirty.

I know very well that Zion will never want me, not even on his death bed. He has made that very clear.
But being mocked about it by his rebound? This one stings even more.

"Don't delay the inevitable, I am telling you," she blows some pink gum through those blood red lips of hers. "Leave him before he breaks your heart. You seem like the vanilla type anyway."

"And when you see him again," she turns around before exiting the elevator on the seventh floor, "tell him that Aimee misses him. Ta-ta."

Why do Aimee's words hurt me? Why don't I want to imagine Zion in Aimee's arms? It's not that I want him to be in my arms because let's face it, if he is as a tiger like Aimee said, I wouldn't know what to do with him. But why does it hurt that I will be remembered as one of those girls?

"Zion and I are in a money partnership, nothing more," I remind myself. "Besides, I don't even want Aimee's seconds. Ew."

***

I don't even look Zion in the eye when I return to the hospital. I need to run away from him before he breaks my heart.
The more I see him, the more I'm reminded that in no time, he will be in Aimee's bed.

"Are you okay?"

"Fine," I look away from him. "I just want to go to work."

"But you are acting weird. Are you upset about something? Can I give you a ride to work?"

"No," I squeak out, pushing myself further away from him, "stay with your mum. I'll be fine."

"But -"

"No buts. I'll be waiting for you laundry tomorrow morning."

"Can I at least get a hug?"

My eyes widen. Why is he asking for a hug? Don't fall for it, Natalia. He will make you feel special and tingly and go back to Aimee's bed.

"Come on, it's just a hug. How much can I pay for it?"

Money? I can do it, right? You need the money, Natalia. It's just a hug. Close your eyes, wrap your arms around him and that's it. No big deal.

I walk into his open arms which immediately engulf me, pulling me closer.
Why is he doing this? Right, he paid for it.

"Thank you for taking care of my mum," he whispers in my right ear, making sure to put his face in the crook of my neck after. "I'll give you a bonus."

I wait for him to let go but he doesn't. He initiated the hug, he paid for it. He holds the power to end it.
But he doesn't. And my heart doesn't stop beating abnormally either.

"Stupid heart," I inwardly scold myself, "focus on pumping blood only. Feelings are not good for you."