18

Chapter 13- The Plan

Fixing her makeup a final time, Quinn emerged from the car and onto the sidewalk outside the hotel. Seeing the exterior nearly made her jaw drop completely to the floor as it was designed completely with exquisite detail, making her anxious on what was on the inside. Pulling her dress from the possibility of tripping, she motioned towards the steps as her gaze caught couples walking hand and hand and whispering to one another. One couple had even taken it upon themselves to take advantage of a bench offset of the entrance. Slightly blushing, Quinn entered the hotel to see it was even more grand inside. Statues laced with jewels and paint were strewn sporadically inside while waiters dressed in red vests began moving to and from the kitchen with dishes that Quinn could not even imagine pronouncing. Following them, she saw a set of stairs that led to a set of doors, which were the entrance of the grand ballroom. Her mouth dropped fully open as an entire band sat on stage and the gold and crimson colors complimented everything beautifully. The distinguished guests as well as the drinks and conversation she saw and heard while moving around were almost too much to bare. Feeling somewhat out of place, she had snatched a glass of champagne and taken a seat at the table with her name card.

Checking her phone on several occasions to appear busy, she saw a shadow behind her and the sound of someone clearing their voice. Turning, she saw it was Hudson, looking exceptionally dapper. Standing up, she offered him a hug before he raised a brow and let out an unbelieving sigh.

"I do not believe you have ever looked more beautiful."

"I thought you didn't desire lavish clothes..." She shot towards him.

He moved his lips to her ear. "To be honest, I was imagining it off of you." He said with a cocked brow as the band began to play. Extending his hand, he pulled her to the floor as they swayed back and forth to the sound of live music.

"Is this alright?"

"Of course. I must remind myself to resist touching you in anyway but this, and we'll be just fine."

She smirked as they moved perfectly in sync with one another.

"This is all amazing-like something from the medieval times." She continued. "Have you been to many of these?"

"Well...being the husband of the woman who orchestrates it...it feels like a second job actually. I have seen every color scheme you can imagine from blue and silver to black and white. Having to hear about the difference between creme bru le and yogurt is the absolutely most boring thing I have ever endured."

She chuckled. Pulling him slightly against her, he rested his chin on the temple of her head before lowering his voice.

"Can you sneak away in about twenty minutes?"

She nodded. "Where?"

"The courtyard." He motioned towards an exit with a sign speaking directions as she nodded. He was then pulled by Rochelle and forced to deal with one of her minuscule dilemmas. To her surprise, she had been pulled into the arms of someone else. But immediately, she recognized to overpriced cologne and sense of ownership over whatever he touched.

"David...

"Good to see you sweetheart."

"What are you doing here?"

"My dad wanted to donate and I wanted to get laid...so...I'm here..."

Quinn rolled her eyes and attempted to pull away before he grabbed her face.

"You should know me by now, I don't give up easily."

"There is a difference between giving up when it is worth it and being a prick....guess which one you are-"

"Really? I am the one being a tool? How about you? Homewrecker."

The phrase made her freeze where she stood. With his hands now at his sides, he gave her a look of achievement.

"What are you-"

"The fact that he is married with kids and you swooped in and let him screw you is the exact definition of one, is it not? Will you truly deny it when I personally saw him call you babe? And that kiss-"

"What do you want?"

"It's simple."

"I'm not getting back with you-"

"I don't want that either."

"Then what do you want?" She asked, aggravated.

"I want everyone to think we are together. When I say I slept with you, you don't deny it. When I invite you to a party, you wrap your arm around mine and discuss crepes and yachts. Do you get it?"

"What do YOU get out of it?"

"The reputation of getting the one girl no one else could."

"And you'll keep my secret?"

"If you pull it off and pretend you don't detest me, I will help you marry the guy."

"Fine..."

"Oh...but you can't be seen with him in public. Even if he does divorce her."

"What would be the point in keeping the charade if everything is known in the open?"

"Well it would be a shame if everyone discovered their loved friend was screwing someone almost twenty years his junior..."

"We aren't-" She stopped, realizing it was hopeless. "Fine."

"I see you two have met." Rochelle said as she offered David a smile.

"Met? We have known each other since childhood-we have been dating since junior high-"

"That is the sweetest thing!" She said placing her hand over her heart. "Truly inspiring. You know, I find it amazing how couples do stay together. Like Hudson and I for example. 18 years and still going strong."

Quinn rolled her eyes on the inside before looking back towards the door. Seeing how it had passed twenty minutes, she grew anxious that he thought she stood him up. Frustrated with the pain she had, she tried to find him while trying to get fresh, but Quinn found he must have already returned inside. As she came back in, she saw David speaking with Hudson in the main lobby as the conversation grew heated.

"You have no idea the mistake you are making by doing this..."

"I'm not the one who can't keep it in my pants." David shouted.

"From what I hear, that's the nutshell of your reputation."

"She isn't even a good lay, I don't know why you are working so hard for her-"

"Just the fact she didn't give it up to you doesn't mean she's bad...it means she's smart."

"From what she said, she hasn't with you either...so what does that make her now?"

"A good woman-who enjoys to take things slow. And if you know what is good for you, you will leave now and leave her alone-"

"Or what?"

"Or I promise you will see a side of me you won't like."

"Like last time?"

"Worse."

"Prove it. Seriously. Just do it!"

By now, she came into view and was beside Hudson.

"Can we just go...before we cause a scene?"

"Go ahead...go f*ck each other...you already have to everyone else."

Within seconds, David was on the floor as a crowd gathered around them. Shaking off his hand, Hudson brought his gaze up to see Rochelle glaring at him.

"You take Quinn home and when I get home, we are going to talk about these outbursts." She said as they waited for the valet to bring back his car.