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

Chapter 5 - Arrogant Playboy

An unfamiliar buzzing sound snapped me back from my theories, and I realised it wasn't my phone but his that was vibrating urgently on the table beside me. I couldn't believe anyone was actually calling given the hour. The clock that had caught my attention in the waiting room had read 2.40am; and that was some time ago now.

Picking up the snazzy, expensive handset, I read the name Amanda across the screen. It rung off before I could bring myself to answer; even though I realised that was stupid. In my hands, I was holding the means to contact someone who knew this guy and could come and look after him. And I let it just ring off. Amanda might have been his wife for all I knew. My eyes quickly darted to his ring finger, and stupidly I breathed more easily once I saw it was unadorned. Still though, Amanda could have been his girlfriend or fiance.

Urgh, seriously Nat, what are you doing? You don't know this guy and you don't care who Amanda is. Just use the phone to call someone he knows.

Skimming through his received calls I saw one after the other of women's names. I suppose that should tell me everything I needed to know about him. Amanda, Jade, Morgan, Michelle, Carly, Anastacia, Sophia....the list seemed endless.

Flicking back onto the menu, I went into his dialed numbers and was thrilled to see the number by far the most used was for someone named Paul. Despite the godless hour, I happily hit the call button. I stood from the chair and slowly paced waiting for someone to answer. After four rings the line rustled momentarily, and then the throaty sound of a half asleep male came down the line.

"Hello?"

I opened my mouth to reply; but then nearly leapt out of my skin as a stray hand from Mr blue eyes suddenly grabbed at the phone, missed completely, and fell to the side brushing against my hip. "Jesus!" I gasped, jumping out his reach. I don't think I could have been more shocked if he'd been a zombie suddenly raised from the dead.

Scrambling to stay on my feet, I straightened myself out and pulled the phone back up to my ear. "Er, hello?" I gasped, hoping whoever had picked up hadn't gotten bored and cut me off.

"Who is this?" A much clearer male voice came down the line.

"Erm, well, that's a long story. Do you know a guy, about six feet tall, shortish light brown hair, designer clothes.......bit of a dick?" I added as my racing heart struggled to settle itself again.

"Sounds like my boss you're referring to. And given that you're calling from his phone I'd say it's definitely him."

Jeez, this guy was someone's boss?

"So, can I ask why you're on his phone and not him?"

"Well, your boss is currently lying on a hospital bed and seems utterly unconcerned about the amount of blood still gushing from his head." I stated matter of factly.

"What?!! What the hell happened?"

I rubbed my temple with my free hand and slumped heavily back into the chair. The late hour was really starting to weigh on me, meaning my patience had worn through to its last thread.

"Look, perhaps you could just come and sort this guy out so I can get going. I don't want to abandon him, so if you could come and take him off my hands I'd appreciate it."

"Yes of course, give me twenty minutes, I'll be there."

"Great. Thank you."

I hung up and tossed the guy's phone on the little plastic table by his bed. The clatter as it landed made him twitch sharply, and he turned his head; finally opening his eyes fully in order to glare at me.