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

Chapter 21 - Money Problems

The run home didn't help alleviate any of my anger or frustration. Close to my flat I spotted Fliss trotting out of my front door, as though about to leave, but she stopped and waited when she caught sight of me approaching. The change in her expression told me she had noticed the charging rhino heading her way. As soon as I was within earshot she said, "Uh-oh. What did he do now?"

Inside, I took a quick shower, still trying to shake off my temper, and then filled Fliss in on the day's events.

"He said that to you?" She gasped in shock, having had the whole argument re-laid word for word.

To be honest this was one of the few times I wished Fliss wasn't with me. I felt raw from what had happened, and retelling it so soon kept my fury alive. It was incredibly draining, my mental and physical exhaustion threatened to knock me flat any second.

"So what did you say?" She asked.

"Say? I didn't. I couldn't. I was so angry that I belted him one around the face." I stopped my restless pacing across the room and looked down. I could still remember the feeling of my hand connecting sharply with Evan's face. The ends of my fingers tingled as if electrified by the contact. "I don't remember ever being that angry."

"I can tell." Fliss replied, concern clear in her tone. She patted an empty spot on the sofa. "Come and sit down before you make yourself ill."

Blindly obeying, I threw myself onto the cushions and sighed dramatically. After a couple of minutes of glaring at the ceiling, I swivelled my head and met Fliss gazing at me. A mischievous grin danced over her lips.

"What?" I growled.

"Just thinking...." She grinned, playfully. "I guess that puts paid to the whole 'friend' situation, doesn't it?"

"Urghhh! Definitely. Prick! You and Helena were right. Men and women can't be 'just friends'. There's always something more going on. And for him it's the fact that he wants to screw anything in high heels." I spat angrily.

"I'm not sure that's quite fair." Fliss replied. My eyebrows nearly jumped off my face at the sound of my best friend defending Cole.

"Don't start Fliss. You're supposed to be on my side."

"Ok, ok, I wasn't starting. I just don't think you should be quite as hard on him as all that." I blinked at her several times, dumbfounded that she was actually defending him.

"You're kidding, right? After what I've just told you."

"Yes, I know, but you also told me about how amazing he was at the gala. And when he came here and you guys had dinner. There's more than just a power crazed playboy behind those dark blue eyes."

I shook my head and returned my glare to the ceiling; all the while trying to ignore those sides of Evan that had somehow chipped away at the stone wall around my heart.

"Do you want me to go?" Fliss asked, after a few minutes of tense silence.

"No Fliss. I'm sorry I don't mean to be such a bitch. Let's change the subject. There must be something else going on besides......" My temper flared again as his name sat on the end of my tongue. In the end I couldn't even bring myself to say it. ".....besides you know who."

"I'm not sure there is to be honest. Although......." Fliss visibly pulled her lips together like she didn't want to finish what she'd started.

"Although?" I encouraged.

She turned and faced me square on, pulling her legs crossed in front of her. "Now may not be the best time to talk about this." She didn't need to say more. I knew she was going to ask about the money I needed. "What are you going to do?"