The Millionaire's 'Friend' - Natasha's Story

Chapter 1 - Men!!

"It was just lying there on the mat as soon as I walked in the door - like a reminder that I'm alone, single and pathetic." Felicity brushed aggressively at the offending, inanimate form of a small brown envelope, that she'd discarded on the marble vanity unit.

"You are not pathetic Fliss." I protested automatically, as any best friend would. "Far from it. And being single is not a bad thing."

"Of course it is. I hate being on my own." She whined, as a fresh wave of heavy tears sprung from her eyes. Comfortingly, I rubbed my palm into the space between her shoulder blades, until the sobs eased and she would at least be able to hear my reply.

"But, how would you know? You never allow yourself to take some time to actually be on your own. You dive straight back into a new relationship. Maybe that's the problem. You're a strong, smart woman Fliss, one whom I think would thrive given the chance to stand on her own two feet for once."

Over my shoulder, I heard the door to the ladies being pushed open. Fliss and I turned in unison to see a small, smartly dressed woman enter. She clocked me but when her eyes settled on Fliss's red, blotchy face she quickly dropped her head and hurriedly disappeared behind the door to one of the cubicles.

So far, I'd spent forty minutes standing in the ladies room of Wetherby's auction house, trying to return my usually confident friend from a jelly like, watery mess, back into a human being, capable of reasonable thought.

I could feel my phone vibrating insistently in the tight pocket of my leather biker jacket but I ignored it. It had rung three times already since I got here, one more missed call wouldn't make much difference.

"I know you're trying to help and I guess you're right, but...."

"No but's.....it's nearly four weeks since you and Adam broke up, and you've been doing so well. This is just a blip. A minor set back. It happens. Don't beat yourself up."

"I can't help it. Why is Adam even getting mail at my address, he didn't even live there? It's like the world saw me trying to make it on my own and threw me a curve ball to knock me flat on my ass. And it worked." She added, bitterly.

I glared at the ordinary, dull-looking object that had caused today's strife. Picking it up, I read Adam's name, listed above my friends address, and then promptly ripped the whole thing in two. Fliss's jaw practically fell to the floor as she stared wide eyed at the now halved emotional dagger.

"Problem solved." I stated firmly.

"I can't believe you just did that. That might have been something important."

"Or, it might have been complete junk. Either way - what do you care?"

"But, it was Adam's and he was a good guy,..."

"So what?! Yes, he was a decent enough guy, but he's still your ex, and it's no concern of yours what he's doing now. Right?"

Fliss continued to stare in disbelief at the torn up envelope in my hand so I spun round on my heel and rammed it through the swinging metal lid of the dustbin.

"Right?" I reiterated.

"Right." She replied, a little uncertain but at least attempting to sound strong and in control. It still needed work but I was confident she'd get there.

Fliss turned back and stared into the large mirror that covered the wall behind the sinks. Her face was red and puffy from crying; all triggered because of a brief trip home over lunch to retrieve her forgotten phone.

"So what now?" She asked tiredly as she inspected her rather haggered appearance. She twitched her fingers roughly through the soft waves of her shoulder-length, auburn hair, before leaning in to the crystal clear looking glass and dabbing at a spot where she'd managed to smudge her lipstick.