Chapter 3

I woke up with the water hitting the shore, which is a beautiful sound early in the morning. It's something I could get used to, but I don't think I can with Mr. Grumpy living here.

I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, and the sight I saw shocked me. My hair looked like a bird's nest—luckily I don't have a real marriage, otherwise I would have chased Martin away. Haha, maybe I should let him see me like this.

I took a quick shower, which relaxed my tense muscles. I will try to avoid the devil today, but knowing him, he will find a way to rile me up.

I put on a pair of skinny jeans and a black t-shirt. I wonder what I can do next. People who just got married are usually on a honeymoon, but Martin said it was useless to go on a fake honeymoon so here I sit thinking about what I should do.

I decided to make some breakfast even for him, although I know he won't eat again.

I was just about to enter the kitchen when I heard something. That can't be Martin—I just can't imagine him cooking so I decided to walk in and found a young girl with black hair busy cooking, maybe one of his one-night stands?

"Good morning," I cheerfully greeted the girl.

"Good morning, Mrs. Taylor," she said, turning around.

It feels weird being called Mrs. Taylor. "Please just call me Brooke; I feel like an old woman," I told her with a smile.

"I will try, but I don't think Mr. Taylor would approve," she told me, already putting her attention back to cooking.

"What's your name?" I asked her, not knowing what to do.

"Georgia, Mrs... Um... Brooke," she said.

"You have a nice name; how old are you?" I asked her again because she looked quite young.

"I am nineteen years old," she told me, making me frown.

"Aren't you supposed to be in school?"

"Yes, I am, but today I don't have class early so I decided to help my mother," she said, putting plates on the counter.

"Oh, that's good. Who is your mother?" Yeah, I know I ask a lot of questions but that is how I'm going to get to know the people.

"Her name is Thalia. She's been working for the Taylors for a very long time now."

Wow, why didn't I see either one of them whenever I went to visit Daniel?

"That's a long time then," I said, looking at the coffee machine.

"It is. I wasn't even born yet when she started working for the Taylors and when Mr. Martin moved out, my mother came with him, saying, "A man can't look after himself." She laughed.

"Your mother sounds lovely," I said, making myself some coffee.

"I almost forgot—Mr. Taylor said to tell you he won't be here for a week or two," she said, placing food on the plate.

Okay, not that I'm bothered with him not being here but man, why does a man leave his wife so soon after marriage? Oh yes, we aren't a real couple.

"Did he say where he went?" I asked, not that I cared.

"I think he went to England."

"When did he leave?" Gosh, Brooke, you sound like a concerned wife.

"Early this morning, I think it was around four," she replied.

Oh yeah, probably taking himself on a honeymoon. But hey, each to his own.

"Thank you for letting me know," I smiled as she gave me a plate.

"Thank you; please get some breakfast for yourself as well. I don't like eating alone," I told her.

"I'm alright, M... Brooke, please eat," she said.

"Georgia, I insist you have breakfast with me," I said, standing up to bring her to the table.

She smiled at me. "Thank you."

We sat down and enjoyed the delicious breakfast she made. We talked about what she's studying and I came to know she wants to be a lawyer, which is a good thing. I also came to know that Martin does have a heart after all; he pays for her education.

"Thank you for this delicious breakfast, Georgia," I said, standing up.

"It's a pleasure Brooke, and thank you for breakfast," she smiled.

I helped her clean the kitchen before going back to my room. I can't go to the office because people think we are on our honeymoon. Yeah, what a fucking honeymoon.

I switched on my laptop and read a few emails that my secretary sent to me. I quickly replied to the important ones, and then I decided to read what the news is saying about my dear husband and me.

No, I'm not stalking him, but if he is with another woman, it won't just be his name on the stake but mine as well and I will be damned if I let that happen.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE?

I knew I wasn't going to like what I saw but me being me pushed on the article, where a photo of Martin at the airport showed.

The Hollywood billionaire and heartbreaker was spotted at Heathrow Airport alone after his wedding two days ago. We tried to spot his famous fashion designer wife, Brooke Jones but we didn't see her there, which makes us wonder why the two aren't together. Is the golden couple already struggling with marriage, or is there something more to the story?

Oh, I hate journalists. Why do they always have to make something small big? Can't they mind their own goddamn business?

I closed my laptop as I had enough of the update about the devil.

Two days later

I have nothing left to do for today and I'm bored out of my mind.

I take my phone and dial Payton. After a few rings she finally picks up. "Hello, Mrs. Taylor," I hear her voice.

"Very funny, what are you doing?" I ask her.

"I'm drinking coffee and trying to draw a bit; I just don't feel like doing anything today," she sighed.

Payton and Mondays aren't best friends. She's an artist and owns her gallery.

"How about we go on a ladies' night?" I suggest not feeling like sitting at home.

"Sounds wonderful, I will call Katherine. Where do we meet?" she asked me.

"Meet me at Martin's place," I told her.

"Great, see you at seven," she yelled, making me laugh.

"See you, chicka," I said before hanging up.

I looked at the time and noticed it was still early. I can get my clothes ready for tonight and sleep for a while.

I walk to my closet, going through my dresses. After an entire hour of debating what to wear, I finally picked a blue dress that ended at my mid-thigh with my black stilettos. I might want to take them off after the amount of alcohol I'm planning on having tonight.

Satisfied with my choice, I carefully put it in the bathroom before going to my bed. I lay there just staring at the ceiling and in seconds I feel my eyes closing.

I woke up with my alarm going off and I sat up, stretching my body. I quickly took a shower and wrapped the towel around my waist. I put lotion on my body before putting my underwear on.

I slip into my dress and shoes before going to my mirror, where I apply light makeup. I decided to leave my hair down for tonight.

Looking at the time, I noticed that it's almost seven; the girls will be here any minute.

I just got my clutch when the doorbell rings, knowing it must be Payton and Katherine.

"Hey girls," I said, opening the door but I only saw Payton standing there.

"It's only me. Katherine called and canceled at the last minute; something came up," Payton explained.

I took in her outfit; she was wearing a strapless black dress with red heels. Her hair was also left down in its natural curls.

"It's okay," I told her, closing the door.

"I ordered a taxi; there's no way we are driving tonight," Payton said as we walked to the gate where the taxi waited.

"Fantastic, because no way in hell I'm going to be sober tonight," I said as we got in the taxi.

The drive to the club was short and we talked about everything. I decided I was going to forget about the devil just like he did to me and pretend I'm single just for tonight.

We arrived at the club and luckily we got the VIP section since Payton and the owner are friends with benefits. I was scared someone would recognize me, but luckily no one did.

The music was blasting and I could feel the bass blasting through my body. Payton ordered us tequila shots and we downed five of them, and I could feel myself getting tipsy.

We went to the dance floor and started dancing; some men came and danced with us. I could feel myself letting go, just enjoying the moment and forgetting about everything that's going on in my life.

It feels like hours that we are here or shall I say I had a few too many shots, and I started to feel dizzy. Payton must have seen it and started dragging me out. "I'm calling a taxi; we had enough for one night," she said as we walked out of the club.

"Can I help you, ladies?" a very attractive guy asked as we stood and waited for the taxi to arrive.

"No thanks, we are good," Payton politely told the guy.

"Are you sure?" he asked again.

"Positive," Payton gave him a tight smile.

"Alright, but if you need anything, I will be in one of the VIP sections; just ask for Shaun," the man said.

"Will do, thank you, Shaun," Payton said as she dragged me to the taxi that just stopped.

"See you!" the man shouted as we got in.

I could feel my eyes closing as the taxi drove away and I laid my head on Payton's shoulder.

"Thank you for tonight," I said, yawning.

"It's a pleasure; I'm always here for you. I know you needed someone to be there for you the moment you called me. I know you don't talk about your feelings easily and would rather just have someone to hang out with," she said as she put her head against mine.

"You are a great friend," I smiled as I felt myself drifting off to sleep.

"I will always be there for you, hun," was the last thing I heard, or maybe I imagined it.

Payton's POV

I feel Brooke's head getting heavy on my shoulder and know she's asleep. I do feel sorry for her situation; she gave up everything for her family.

I promised to protect her the day we met at kindergarten when we were six years old. She was the first friend I made after she beat a kid up for bullying me. I grew up poor and that made children tease me when they found out we lived in a garage, but it didn't bother Brooke one bit.

When she told us about the marriage, I was scared of what would become of her. I know she always puts someone else's happiness above her own and I know she's unhappy, especially since she had to marry her enemy. I for one think the two of them might have feelings for each other, but she always said the day that happens hell will freeze over. Daniel just used her to get into the popular group in school but I couldn't prove it. I know she won't listen to me; she's very attached to him. That's something he made sure of. I know that he knows she's got feelings for him, but he always seems to do something that she doesn't tell him. You know he wants her in his life but as friends with benefits except for the sex part and that angers me.

Well, here's our stop. I must get drunk Brooke to bed and it's not a joke getting her to do anything when she's drunk.