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CHAPTER FORTY- TWO
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A deal with the playboy CHAPTER FOURTY- THREE
TRENT'S POVEnzo's meet location was less than a mile away, in an abandoned depot on the edge of town. I navigated the deserted streets, searching for the place listed in the crumpled note.Sure enough, there was Enzo's sleek black car, idling in the shadows of the depot. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves before leaving my vehicle.Suddenly my phone rang yet again, I glanced down to see Ella's name flashing on the caller ID. "Have you met with him yet or not?" Ella sounded at the other end."So impatient, At this rate, your constant calling might get us caught, gorgeous.""Just answer me straight for once!" Ella demanded."I'm literally about to walk up to his car as we speak. Make sure that sexy dress is on for the club tonight. We'll be moving to phase two soon..." I trailed off suggestively."Ugh, you're impossible!" Ella said in exasperation. But before I could tease her further, the line went dead.I chuckled under my breath as I slipped the phone away. I strode up and ra
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER FORTY- FOUR
ELLA'S POVI took a deep, steadying breath as I followed Enzo into his apartment. My nerves were frayed to their breaking point, but I had to see this through - for Susan's sake.Bottles and takeout containers littered every surface. The air hung heavy with stale cigarette smoke. Enzo carelessly tossed his jacket onto the back of a worn leather armchair before turning to me, blatant hunger darkening his eyes.He swiftly closed the distance between us, backing me up against the wall and caging me in with his hulking frame. I tensed as his greedy hands freely roamed my body.No, this is going too far... I had to act now before things escalated.Mustering all my courage, I gazed up at him through my lashes. "Why don't you get us some drinks first to set the mood?" I suggested breathily.I trailed a hand along his muscular arm, using that distraction to squirm smoothly out of his embrace.Enzo's dark eyes flashed with undisguised desire, but he shook his head."Already got plenty of drink
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER FORTY- FIVE
TRENT'S POVMan, this lock picking thing was way harder than it looked in those videos. I had watched so many tutorials at that point that I could probably recite them word for word. "Apply tension to the cylinder...use the rake to scrub over the pin stacks...feel for that subtle give when a pin sets..." Yeah, yeah, I knew the drill. But actually executing it was a totally different story.I stared down at the lock on my bedroom door and tried it again, jiggling it up and down hoping to feel even the slightest hint of movement as the pins set. But nothing. The damn thing wouldn't budge."Come on, you stupid piece of junk!" I growled through gritted teeth, my frustration level rising by the second. Sweat started to bead on my forehead as I strained to make some progress. I paused to wipe my brow with the back of my hand. Get it together, Trent. Getting all worked up wasn't going to help. I took a few deep breaths, trying to center myself.Alright, let's try this again, but slowly an
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER FORTY- SIX
TRENT'S POVI strolled into Coach Robert's office, unable to hide the smug grin on my face. He looked up from his desk as I entered."Trent, have a seat," He said, gesturing to the chair across from him. I obliged, making myself comfortable. "I have to admit. I'm not sure what changed your dad's mind about letting you play again. But I'm glad he came around. You're a heck of an asset to this team."I plopped down and feigned an expression of pleasant surprise. "No kidding? He's letting me play again? That's such great news!" If only Coach knew the lengths I went to in order to get back in my dad's good graces. Not that any of that mattered now that I was safely back on the court.Coach leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk.. "There's a big tournament coming up soon, we need you playing your best. The rest of the guys have already started double-time practice sessions to get ready. You're going to have to work twice as hard to catch up."A proud smile spread across my face.
A deal with the playboy FORTY- SEVEN
ELLA'S POVI released my breath as we stepped outside the police station, the bright sunlight blinding after the dim interrogation room. We had just finished giving our statements about Enzo and his drug dealing, omitting the parts about Susan's blackmail that had started this whole mess. Apparently Trent happened to get photographic evidence of the drug exchange, which I had to admit was useful.My eyes adjusted to the light and immediately focused on Trent standing there with Susan. I studied him, my mind swirling back to the hoodie shown at the school assembly, the one that looked identical to the hoodie I'd glimpsed in Trent's bag when he came over to my house. I was positive it was the same one. But what would he be wanting at the record's office? Surely he couldn't have been involved. But what other explanation could there be?I bit my tongue, tempted to confront him directly, but unsure if I really wanted to know the answer. Susan sighed loudly next to me as we sank onto a wo
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER FORTY- EIGHT
TRENT'S POVI strolled into first period twenty minutes late as usual, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. But the second I stepped through the doorway, I knew something was off. Everyone was out of their seats, huddled in groups and chatting in hushed, urgent tones. A few people shot me sharp looks before turning away to whisper to their friends. What the hell?"Oh God, I even touched him yesterday," I overheard a girl say, looking sick.Another boy chimed in, "Crap, I hope I haven't caught anything...I've been sitting next to him all semester!"Okay, now I was really confused. Who were they talking about? I followed their anxious gazes across the room. My breath caught when I spotted Jackson sitting rigidly at his desk, head down, with garbage and crumpled paper littering the area around him. Alarm bells started ringing distantly in my head.I reached out and grasped the shoulder of a guy passing by who was engrossed in gossiping. "Yo, Miles. What the hell is going on here?"
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
ELLA'S POVI stood inside the doorway, clutching an envelope stuffed with cash. Four gruff-looking men crowded into our small living room, eyeing me impatiently."This is the money," I said, holding out the envelope with a slightly trembling hand. I had sent Susan to collect it from Trent, unable to face him again myself.One of the men snatched the envelope from my grip and rifled through it, face impassive. After a few tense moments, he looked up. "Fourteen thousand dollars? That's not even a quarter of the payment owed."I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "I know it's not the full amount, but it's all I could get together on short notice. Please, just take it for now as a show of good faith."The collector snorted derisively. "Good faith? We don't operate on good faith, little girl. Your old man racked up a massive tab and now it's time to pay the piper."I felt my cheeks burn with shame and anger at the mention of my father. This was his mess, but my mom and I were
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER FIFTY
TRENT'S POVI kept a close eye on Ella and Lucinda from my station at the back of the classroom. Something about the way Lucinda was hovering around Ella lately put me on edge. Like she was cozying up to gain something. My instincts blared not to trust her exaggerated niceness one bit.As the partners worked on their acid reaction experiments, I let Liam handle most of our actual procedure. My gaze kept wandering back to Ella and Lucinda, watching them like a hawk. When Lucinda reached for a tray of chemicals near Ella, my muscles tensed, ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.Sure enough, a second later, Lucinda's gaudy bracelet suddenly snagged on Ella's flowing sleeve. I instantly recognized the downward tug that would send Ella straight into the acid's path. Everyone else froze, but my feet were moving before my brain even fully registered the crisis.In three long strides I closed the distance between us just as Ella crashed backwards. I caught her torso agai
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A deal with the playboy EPILOGUE PART TWO - THE END
ELLA'S POV "Remember when Connor tried to ask out Jessica by serenading her in the cafeteria?" Liam grinned. "He sang so off-key, the lunch ladies thought a cat was dying in the kitchen!"We all burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the luxurious ballroom of the Grand Plaza Hotel. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow over our little group huddled around one of the many round tables. Large flat-screen TVs mounted on the walls played a slideshow of our high school memories.Connor's face turned beet red as he playfully shoved Liam. "Oh yeah? What about the time you accidentally set off the fire alarm trying to impress Dolly with your 'mad science skills'?"Dolly giggled, leaning into Liam's side. "I thought it was cute! Even if we did have to stand outside in the rain for an hour."I couldn't help but smile, taking a sip of my champagne. "God, we were such disasters back then. Remember the great cafeteria food fight of senior year?"Amelia snorted, nearl
A deal with the playboy EPILOGUE : PART ONE
FIVE YEARS LATERELLA'S POV The spotlight blazed down on me as I twirled across the stage, my body moving in perfect harmony with the music. As I neared the climax of my performance, I could feel the energy of the audience pulsing through the air.With one final leap, I landed in my ending pose, chest heaving and sweat on my skin. For a moment, there was silence. Then, like a dam bursting, the applause erupted. The sound washed over me that left me breathless.I straightened up, a wide smile spreading across my face as I took in the sea of faces before me. There, in the front row, sat some of the most respected names in dance. Critics, choreographers, fellow dancers - all on their feet, clapping and cheering.As I made my way off stage, I was immediately surrounded by a swarm of people. Hands reached out, voices called my name, all clamoring for a piece of my attention."Ella! Ella! Can I get your autograph?""Ms. Thompson, that performance was breathtaking!""Ella, when's your ne
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 198
ELLA'S POV The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Before I knew it, we were all outside, the summer sun beating down on our black gowns. I stood apart from the crowd, watching as my classmates tossed their caps into the air, their laughter and cheers filling the courtyard.I looked down at my own cap, running my fingers over the tassel. Then, with a deep breath, I flung it skyward, watching as it spun through the air before disappearing into the sea of black and gold.As I searched the crowd for my cap, a familiar voice called out behind me. "Ella! We did it!"I turned to see Susan racing towards me, her gown billowing behind her like a superhero's cape. She crashed into me, wrapping me in a bone-crushing hug that nearly knocked us both over."Can you believe it? We're officially high school graduates!" Susan squealed, jumping up and down while still clinging to me.I couldn't help but laugh, her excitement infectious. "I know, it's crazy!"Amelia appeared at our side, her perfe
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 197
ELLA'S POV The guest speaker's voice droned on, barely penetrating the fog of my thoughts. I shifted in my plastic chair, my graduation gown suddenly feeling too tight. My eyes wandered across the sea of black caps, finally landing on a familiar pair of figures.Ryan and Susan sat a few rows ahead, their heads tilted towards each other in quiet conversation. A small smile tugged at my lips as I watched Ryan's hand slip into Susan's, their fingers intertwining. Thank God they finally worked things out. As if sensing my gaze, Susan turned, her eyes meeting mine. Her face lit up with a warm smile, mouthing a silent "Thank you" in my direction.I nodded back, genuinely happy for them both. But as I turned away, a familiar discomfort bloomed in my stomach. It started as a dull ache, quickly escalating into a churning sensation that made me grip the edges of my seat. I swallowed hard, willing the nausea to subside.This wasn't the first time. For the past two weeks, these waves had becom
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 196
ELLA'S POVThe summer sun beat down on us as we streamed out of the auditorium, a sea of black gowns and square caps. I squinted against the brightness, my hand instinctively reaching for Tom's. His fingers intertwined with mine, warm and comforting, yet not quite right.I forced a smile, trying to ignore the hollowness in my chest. "It's so awkward, right? Us being together like this."Tommy's eyes met mine. "We'll make it work, Ella. We have to."And we did, in a way. The past few months had been a whirlwind of pretending, of plastering on smiles and playing the part of the perfect couple. It was easier than facing the truth - that Trent was gone, possibly forever. The pity in people's eyes when they thought about 'poor Ella' was too much to bear. At least this way, I could pretend everything was normal.I'd thrown myself into the charade with a desperation that surprised even me. Late-night study sessions with Tommy, learning every detail of Trent's life. Practicing his mannerism
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 195
ELLA'S POV I placed my trembling hand in his, still stunned by his sudden appearance. As he led me to the front, my mind raced with questions. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, their excited whispers creating a noise around us.We glided across the floor, and I couldn't help but stare at Trent. He moved with such grace, showing no signs of the injuries that had kept him hospitalized. Something felt off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.As we stepped onto the stage, the spotlight bathed us in its warm glow. Trent's eyes sparkled with an intensity I'd never seen before. Just as we were about to begin our dance, he dropped his crutches. I gasped, instinctively reaching out to steady him.But he didn't falter. Instead, he swept me into his arms with a flourish, spinning me around as if he'd never been injured at all. The crowd erupted in cheers, but their excitement felt distant, muffled by the doubt growing in my mind.As we swayed to the music, I studied his face closely. T
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 194
ELLA'S POVI stood before the mirror, my reflection staring back at me.The dress hugged my curves perfectly, its deep purple fabric shimmering in the light of my bedroom. My fingers traced the beadwork along the bodice, memories flooding back of the day Trent had bought it at the store."You're beautiful," I whispered to my reflection, trying to summon the confidence I once had. I smoothed out a non-existent wrinkle, remembering the day Lucinda had "accidentally" spilled punch on it at the couple's dance. It had taken three trips to the dry cleaner to remove the stain completely, but I didn't care. This dress was more than just fabric and thread; it was a symbol of everything Trent and I had been through.Let them stare, I thought defiantly. Let them whisper about how I'm wearing the same dress. This isn't about them. This is for Trent.As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I caught sight of Mr. Matthews in the living room. He was pacing back and forth, his fingers drumming nervo
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 193
ELLA'S POV"Ella!" Susan's arms wrapped around me like a vice. "We've been worried sick about you!" Her voice cracked, and I felt her shoulders shake. "It's been like walking through a ghost town without you here."I hesitated for a moment before returning her embrace, burying my face in her shoulder. The warmth of human contact after so long in isolation nearly overwhelmed me.As Susan pulled back, I caught sight of Amelia hovering a few feet away. Our eyes met for a split second before she looked down, her fingers twisting the hem of her sweater. The pain across her face made my chest tighten.Susan followed my gaze, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She's been like that for days now, Ella. Ever since... well, you know." She bit her lip, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I think she blames herself for what her dad did. She won't talk about it, but I can see it eating her up inside."I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This wasn't going to be easy, but I couldn't bear t
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 192
ELLA'S POVI opened my eyes to another gray morning, the sunlight struggling to penetrate the heavy curtains I'd drawn weeks ago. The silence in my room was deafening, broken only by the occasional ping of my phone - another message I'd ignore. Everything wasn't okay. It hadn't been for weeks.Trent was still in the hospital, and I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty. The worst part? I didn't even know how he was faring. Some ridiculous ban on visits had been imposed, cutting me off from the one person I desperately needed to see.I dragged myself out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. My reflection in the mirror was a stranger - hollow-eyed and pale. I barely recognized myself anymore.For the umpteenth time, I found myself outside the Donovan mansion, my fists pounding against the imposing iron gates. "Please!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from overuse. "I just need to know if he's okay!"My cries echoed in the empty driveway, met only by the rustling of leaves. As always, th
