The Arrangement

4: A Week After the Eventful Evening

I shook my head and tried to focus on what I was doing, but my head was elsewhere. Scenes from last Tuesday kept replaying in my mind I could barely think about anything else. The kisses, his touch, his tongue. . .

The one thing I really couldn't forget was how dissatisfied I was when Adrian refused to. . .have sex with me. He teased me until I could no longer take it then just said no. To me! He said something about running but I wasn't listening. I was still in shock from what he'd said.

"What?" He smiles and kisses me on the cheek. "I wanna wait."
"Are you doing this to frustrate me? Because I am frustrated!"
"No." He pulls the bedspread over us and pulls me into his arms. "What about your little game, I thought you wanted me. . .I thought this was the goal. . .you win, Adrian. You've won the game. Take the victory. . .take me." I plead, while he laughs. "The game? How can I win when I haven't even started playing?"
"Wah?" I say, confused as hell.
"This isn't a sprint, Amelia. . . it's a marathon."

I also hated the way I'd left the next morning. Sneaking out like a little girl after a one night stand. This man was to be married to me for heaven's sake. I should've stayed for breakfast. . .or at least waited until he woke to excuse myself. I had just been so. . . ashamed. Firstly, for screaming like a pornstar the previous night (I was afraid of the looks his staff would give me, as they realised it was me who woke them from their slumber). Secondly, for being such a brat about not getting what I wanted. I had decided, when I woke, that the best thing to do was go to home and never look back.

"Hey, Lia," said André, walking into my room. "What you doing?"
"Working. You should try it sometime."
"Hey, I work!"
"Running around with models and having 15 million followers on Instagram isn't a job."
"It makes money though. I heard you have a new boyfriend." His tone was hard, as if he was saying explain yourself. "Who told you that?" I asked cautiously. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that I know and you're explaining."
"I don't have to."
"Are you sleeping with him?" I almost choked on my own saliva. "What? That's personal."
"Personal?" He tried to remain calm, but anger was close. "I want to meet him."
"My father is not dead. Stop trying to be him."
"I'm not trying to be him, I'm being your older brother and I want to meet the douche who's fuc-"
"Stop it! If you're going to stand there and continue to spew the crap you're currently spewing, I suggest you leave before I make you." He was taken aback by my sudden boldness, honestly, I was too. "Okay, sis. But if I find him first. . .I'll kill him." He walked out, slamming my door closed behind him. I should've been more prepared for that. He was always like that to my boyfriends. One of them, Ben, ended up in hospital after André beat him up for grabbing my ass. He was arrested for assault and released after my father made a generous donation to Ben's parents, to drop the charges. I knew Adrian wouldn't be that nice. . .

Later that day. . .

"This way, please. Right here." I heard my mother say, and wondered who she was ordering around now. Then my door opened. A woman dragging a suitcase and holding a suit cover. "Mother, what is all of this?"
"Your dress, hair and makeup, honey."
"My dress? Is there an event that nobody told me about?"
"No. You're going somewhere with Adrian."
"What?" Was everything regarding this husband of mine supposed to be kept from me until the last minute?
"We were invited to the wedding of, Lord Braham. The media will be there and I think it would be a good time for you two to make your first appearance as a couple." I wasn't ready for that at all. I'd come to terms with the fact at some point in the next two months I'd be someone's wife, but I hadn't thought about people finding out. Maybe I'd be a bad actress and let it slip that our little, affair, was indeed fake. That we were not in love or even happy. "Mommy, I can't!" I complained, trying to soften her heart. "You can and will. Adrian will be here to pick you up in two hours. Get started on her please, and make sure those bags under her eyes are invisible, she looks like she hasn't slept in days."
"I'm right here, Mother."
"I know, I can see you darling."
She left and shut the door behind her, leaving me in the hands of the stylist.