Babysitting

ChapterEighteen

I looked at myself in my dressing table mirror for, what seemed like, the tenth time. I looked down, making sure the silicone cover-ups that I wore weren't visible through the dress.
I inhaled, twirling a loose curl with my finger to make it tighter.
The dress hugged my body, showcasing my wide hips, narrow waist and well endowed breasts. The black heels I wore gave me an extra four or five inches.
I ran my hands over my stomach to smoothen the front of the dress before turning and walking to the elevator. Nathaniel would be here in a few minutes.
There was a loud wolf whistle as I stepped out the elevator and I shook my head playfully at Alex.
"You look fantastic," she said, walking up to me and linking her arm through mine.
We walked to the front door and waited on the patio for Nathaniel.
"Are you nervous?" Alex asked me.
"Slightly," I shrugged. "I've never been to such a formal function and for such a big company as well. I'm not used to his world."
"It's alright," she smiled at me. "It's natural to be nervous. It's your first social event as his girlfriend."
"I didn't say we're boyfriend and girlfriend," I shoved her slightly. "We're together."
"Ugh," she grimaced.
I looked to the side and saw Nathaniel's white Range Rover driving slowly up the long driveway.
"Yay, he's here," Alex squealed.
I smoothed out the imaginary creases in my dress again, knots forming in my stomach as I stepped down.
He parked the car right in front of me and got out. I bit my bottom lip at his appearance.
A slim cut black suit, a crisp white button up and a bright red tie. His hair was neatly disheveled, like he styled it but then ran his hands through it.
A smile formed on his face and I immediately felt my own grin take over.
"You look wonderful," he wrapped his hand around my hip, pulling me against his chest.
His lips descended on mine and I greedily accepted, wrapping my arms around his neck. The heels worked in my advantage, pushing me closer to him.
"You should save this for the end of the night, actually," Alex cleared her throat.
We pulled away from each other, a smile still on my face.
"There's no harm in being intimate with my lady," Nathaniel mused, walking towards Alex and giving her a hug.
"There are kids around," Alex raised an eyebrow. "Dirty adults."
"You're way dirtier," I laughed as Nathaniel walked to the passenger door and opened it.
"Well you two have fun," she grinned. "Kick Kerrie where it hurts. And remember that you just bring your knee straight up."
"Alex!" I shook my head, laughing as I climbed into the car.
Nathaniel closed the door and I watched him say bye to Alex before climbing in as well.
"Ready?" He said and I nodded before he started the car. "Good."

***

We stopped in front of one of Nathaniel's many hotels and I suddenly felt intimidated. He owned the building.
I glanced at him, a nervous smile on my face.
"Well let's get inside. There's not much media platforms here so the less, the better," he smiled and we got out.
He handed his keys to a valet and held his arm out. I grabbed onto his arm before we walked forward, a few cameras flashing here and there. We walked through the entrance and my eyes widened in amazement.
The hotel lobby was so elegant. A simple glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire room. The walls were painted cream while the tiles on the floor were black. On either side of the lobby, red leather couches were placed around simple black glass coffee tables. Directly in front of us were the reception desk and on either side of it, elevator doors.
Nathaniel gently nudged me forward and we walked towards the desk.
"Evening, Mr Johnson," the man behind the desk smiled stiffly. "May I take your jacket?"
"No," Nathaniel nodded curtly then pulled me towards an elevator.
I glanced up at his face, a whole new side of him being revealed. I watched him press the top floor button and soon we were moving.
"You'll have to speak to a lot of people that I'm in competition with," he informed me. "A lot of people that want to take me down. Please don't give out personal info, Lucy."
"I wouldn't," my eyebrows furrowed in irritation. "Why would you even think that?"
"You never know," he clenched his jaw as the elevator doors opened up.
I gritted my teeth, looking forward. The top floor was mostly a big open room with a stage. One wall was completely made out of glass and overlooked the city. There were big round tables placed all around the room, some people sitting at them. Other people stood in groups.
Everyone turned to look at us.
"And here comes the big man himself," a voice announced. "The creator of these magnificent hotels, Nathaniel Johnson."
Nathaniel smiled in acknowledgment, nodding his head at the man that was on stage, the man that announced our arrival.
I smiled politely at people that looked my way, greeting those that greeted me.
"You don't seem as famous as these people make you out to be," I whispered, a smile still on my face.
"You don't read many magazines then," he whispered back, nodding at people every so often.
My smile faltered for a second as I looked up at him. Was he really rich enough to be in magazines?
"This is the events floor," he told me. "The top floor of every one of my hotels is an events floor. It's easier than holding a function in the lobby."
"So this function was Kerrie's dad's idea?" I asked and he nodded. "So why in your hotels? Why not in his own?"
"He's got the biggest share in the company," he said. "He gets a say. And since it was his idea and it seemed a brilliant idea at the time, I allowed it."
I nodded and then we stopped at a table right in front of the stage.
"This is our table," he gestured at the table where a couple sat.
A few other chairs were open all around the table and I looked at him again.
"You can either sit here or mingle with the wives of the people I'll be talking to," he said. "But you are under no circumstances allowed to talk to the media."
I nodded stiffly, my grip tightening at his words.
"And don't go searching for Kerrie either," he warned. "I know the girls have been putting this idea in your head to flaunt that I'm yours now but I won't stand for it, Luciana. I'm not going to get in the middle of a bitch fight."
My eyes widened and I let go of his arm, taking a step back.
"You're being unbelievably rude," I hissed. "Don't you dare threaten me, Nathaniel."
He grabbed my arm as I took another step back, his grip tight.
"Don't cause a scene either," he snapped.
I yanked my arm out of his hand, glaring at him. His eyes moved over my head and then a slightly fake smile formed on his face before he looked down at me.
"Please," he said before turning me around.
A man and woman walked up to us and I plastered a smile on my face.
"Nate, my man," the man clapped Nathaniel on the back while shaking his hand then the woman gave him a quick hug before they both turned to me.
"Hi there," I held out my hand. "I'm Luciana."
"Exotic this time?" The man shook my hand and my smile dropped again.
This time?
"I'm Ben," the man told me. "And this is my wife, Julie."
The woman took my hand afterwards.
"Hi there, so great to meet you," she smiled warmly at me.
"You as well," I told her.
We both turned to see Nathaniel and Ben in an intense conversation. I turned to Julie again.
"How do they know each other?" I asked her as a waiter came by with cocktail glasses.
We both took one.
"They've been friends since junior year, I think," Julie took a long sip. "Nate invites us to this every year. You're very different from the usual girl he brings."
"Usual girl?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Short blonde hair, very pale, tall like him, no curves," she nodded. "You're the complete opposite of her. Long black hair, tan as hell, short, massive curves. It's just a big difference so everyone is surprised. No ones ever heard of you as well."
I downed my drink as she described Kerrie and grabbed another as a waiter passed.
"Well," I shrugged. "He left her and he's with me now so people should get used to it."
She pursed her lips at me and I took a huge sip from the drink I grabbed. I winced as vodka burned down my throat.
Nathaniel came to stand next to me again and eyed the glass in my hand. I shot him a small smile as Julie raised her brow in disapproval before turning and leaving with Ben.
"Planning on getting drunk?" He asked in amusement.
"Possibly," another smile fluttered on my face before disappearing. "Especially if there will be more people comparing me to Kerrie."
I managed to down another gulp of the vodka, more than half the glass gone now.
"Julie compared you?" He asked.
"Oh yeah," I nodded. "I'm so different from the usual girl. Everyone's surprised. And I'm not famous so people disapprove."
"Why do you care what they think?"
"How can I not care?"
His mouth set into a tight line and I finished off my vodka, placing the empty glass on our table before plonking onto one of the seats. Nathaniel reluctantly took a seat next to me.
"I'm not used to your world. Everyone here owns some type of big company or works at one of your big companies. I'm a babysitter! Forgive me for being uncomfortable with others judging me," I said, sarcasm laced in my last sentence.
"I'm with you, aren't I?" He asked. "That should count for something."
I nodded, turning my head to look around the room.
"I'll be back just now," he got up, straightening his jacket. "I'm just going to go around and greet people."
"Have fun," I waved him off as I grabbed a bright pink drink from a waiter.

***

Almost two hours later, I was halfway done with my sixth drink, the edges of my vision starting to go funny. Nathaniel still hadn't returned from mingling and I sighed heavily before getting up.
I scanned the room and anger clouded my mind as I saw Kerrie standing next to Nathaniel. I took a deep breath before strutting towards them.
Nathaniel's eyes found me before I was standing next to him, wedging myself between him and Kerrie.
"Hi there," I drawled.
"This is my date, Luciana," Nathaniel said to an older looking man. "Luciana, this is Kerrie's dad, Mr Green."
I stuck my hand out, a grin on my face.
"So great to meet the man that Kerrie is half of," I said giddily and I felt Nathaniel stiffen next to me. "She's a real pleasure."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kerrie hissed.
"Oh nothing," I giggled.
"Well it was great to meet you," Mr Green said. "I have other people to speak to tonight."
He walked away, leaving Nathaniel, Kerrie and I.
"You rude bitch," Kerrie snapped.
"At least I'm not fawning over another woman's man," I spat back.
"He was never yours," she bared her teeth. "He was mine and will always be mine. Isn't that right, Natie?"
My head shot up to Nathaniel's face, his expression stoic.
"Is that right?" I asked. "You're hers now?"
"I told you I'm not going to get in the middle of a bitch fight," he hissed.
"I'm a bitch to you now," I stated, nodding my head. "Fine, have the fucking twig whore. You were hers all along. Probably had her while we were together."
His eyes darkened.
"That's taking it too-" he paused, his fists shaking by his sides. "You know what? Yes, I continued seeing her because she's way better than you. You're just a string along."
Kerrie laughed, stepping closer to Nathaniel, placing a hand on his chest.
"You're an asshole," I shot, feeling crushed.
"Only to those I don't like," his jaw set.
"So everything has been a lie these past few months?"
"Of course," he spat. "How could I be with someone as clingy and needy as you?"
I nodded, gathering the last of my dignity before turning and walking to the elevator.
"Wait, no-" I heard him start saying.
"Let her go," Kerrie interrupted him. "I'm the one that loves you."
Their conversation muted as I got further away and as I stepped into the elevator, tears filled my eyes and I gasped out as the doors closed. My knees buckled and I slid down onto the floor, gasps echoing around the small chamber as I cried.
I got my phone out of my bag and tearfully found Benny's number and asked him to fetch me. I was standing up again by the time the elevator doors opened again.
I wiped under my eyes as I walked through the lobby but fresh tears replaced the old. Cameras flashed around me as I walked outside but Benny quickly got to me, ushering me inside the car. He hastily pulled off just as I saw a glimpse of Nathaniel walking out of his building, his eyes landing dejectedly on the moving car.
I wiped my eyes again as I turned away from the building, looking forward.
It didn't take that long to reach the Johnson's house and by the time Benny pulled up, Alex was already running to the car and yanking my door open.
"What's wrong?" She rushed. "Did something happen? Is someone hurt?"
"Everything's fine, Alex," I said before turning and walking to the front door.
"Where's Nate?" She walked next to me. "Why didn't he drop you off? Why have you been crying?"
"We had a fight," I glanced at her, tears filling my eyes again. "It's over. We're over."
Her steps faltered for a few seconds before she grabbed my arm, halting me.
"What happened?" She asked.
"He's been with Kerrie the entire time," my voice cracked and I looked away from her.
"Oh, Ciana..." She wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
"He told me that he doesn't like me, that I'm just someone he strings along," I cried.
"I'm so sorry," she soothingly rubbed my back.
I pulled away, shaking my head.
"I just want to go to bed now," I sniffed.
She nodded and let me walk away. I went up the elevator and finally made it to my room. I stripped and flung myself into my shower, sobs escaping passed my lips.
I continued crying as I washed all the makeup and hairspray off. Finally feeling clean, I got out and dressed into soft pajamas before climbing under my blankets on my bed.
I cried silently for a while before sleep enveloped me.