My dark secret

Chapter 8

Hello! So, this chapter is a bit shorter than the previous ones but the following one will make up for that, I promise!

Also, if you have read any of my other stories, you will notice a little cameo role!

What do you think of the dress choices? Let me know in the comments!

OK, Byeeeeee and enjoyyyyyyy

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Tom

"I can't believe you have me baby-sitting even more people," I say to Catherine. She's driving the car, almost bouncing in her seat at the prospect of seeing her friends again.

"Tough luck, boo. I haven't seen Charlotte and Nieke since I came over here."

I can feel my temper rising. This is not what I want. I tried talking to my dad but he was having none of it.

"Their flight should be on time," she goes on, oblivious to my mood.

"Please tell me all you plan on doing is having pyjama parties and pillow fights." I start to cheer up at the idea. I wouldn't mind watching that all day long.

"Oh, no. Lots of shopping, partying and sightseeing. Although there will be a girl's night at my place."

I'll have to talk to Pete about swapping shifts that night.

"Girl's only," she says, giving me the side-eye. "Baby sitters will have to stay outside."

Spoilsport.

"Besides. I've already cleared it with Damian. We're getting an extra guy whilst they're here and one each for when we go to Panama."

The bad mood is returning. Please, God, anything but a nightclub. "Are you trying to make my job nearly impossible?"

Catherine's good mood cannot be dampened. As we wait in the airport for her friends to arrive, she's bouncing on the balls of her feet like a giddy child and lets out a high pitched squeal when she sees her friends come through the gate. I exchange looks with Kyle and Home Boy who followed us to the airport on their bikes.

"This is the Baroness Nieke Van Hout. I'll save telling you all her other names. And this is Charlotte Briony."

Dear lord. Nieke's a goddess. Tall, taller than me, blonde, blue eyes, fair skin and legs that go on forever.

"We went to boarding school together," Catherine tells us.

Oh, to be have been a fly on that wall. Out the corner of my eye I see Kyle and Home Boy desperately try not to smirk.

"And I met Charlotte through work."

Charlotte greets us all warmly in contrast to Nieke who bows her head coolly.

I drive us home whilst Catherine talks none stop, telling her friends about all of her plans.

I sigh. This is going to be a long five days.

Catherine

"I cannot believe he would say that to you!" Nieke gasps when I tell her about when I asked Tom for inspiration.

"I know, right?"

"But did you want to know what he would do to you?" Charlotte asks as she finishes curling my hair.

I can't help the smile spread across my face. "Have you seen him? Of course I wanted to know!"

We all giggle like schoolgirls. "Well, I'm glad you've met someone who's managed to take your mind off Adam," Charlotte says.

The room suddenly goes quiet. Nieke glances at me nervously, her hand momentarily stops running through Bach's fur.

I break the tension. "He has done a good job at that."

"Have you kissed?"

And suddenly the fun atmosphere is back.

"No," I answer. "Although I'm not sure if I want to."

They both gasp. "And why the hell not?"

"Right now, anything could happen. In my mind he's the world's greatest lover. If I actually slept with him, I might find out he's just another disappointment."

They both look at me, deep in thought.

"But what if he is the world's best lover? You will go to your grave having missed out on the best sex of your life. Are you willing to risk that?" Nieke asks.

"And besides, no one on their deathbed has ever regretted having too much sex," Charlotte adds.

Nieke nods earnestly. "That's it! A change of wardrobe!" She leaves Bach and goes to her suitcase. She pulls out a red keyhole dress with a dangerously short skater skirt.

Charlotte nods in approval. "Oh, yes, baby! Let's see him keep his hands off you wearing that!"

"Where are your bras?" Nieke asks.

I point to my wardrobe where she pulls out my most push-up bra.

"What are you two wearing?" I ask.

Nieke shows us her almost skin tight black dress which will of course make her look even more like a model and Charlotte shows me her dark grey sequined dress.

"We are going dressed to kill!"

Nieke claps her hands excitedly and tops up our glasses with champagne. It's odd seeing her so expressive; she's usually a lot more reserved.

"Okay, now, tactics to get his attention," she says to Charlotte.

"Drop something and bend over in front of him."

"Yes," Nieke agrees. "But with class. You don't want to turn into another Melissa."

I wince. Poor Melissa.

"Flirt with other men."

"Yes, but not too much."

"And whenever there is even a glimmer of a reason, bounce up and down."

"Guys, what if I don't want to attract his attention?" I ask only to have my question fall onto deaf ears.

I'm not involved in this conversation. They're too far gone, they're back to controlling my life.

I call Bach over and he comes over, wagging his tail. "At least you listen to me, baby."