Wild

IN THE AFTERNOON~

Dressed in a modest black knee-length dress, Samira walked down the stairs. She hoped her conservative outfit would make Chris think twice about pursuing her. As she was about to leave, Mike stopped her. "You look lovely," he commented.

"Lovely enough to make your boss lose interest in me," she replied, half-jokingly.

"Why? Didn't you like going out with him last night?" he queried.

"I didn't, and I want to put an end to this. I don't like your boss, Mike. He frightens me," Samira confessed, sharing her own feelings rather than what Delly would have said. Mike, looking at her seriously, she had spoken matter-of-fact.

"You can't call it off with the boss. You've got to make it work with him."

"Why? Why can't I call it off with him? Just what are you keeping from me?" Samira asked, her curiosity piqued. Mike was about to reply when Delly called her. Mike collected her things and took them to the car while she followed. She noticed the manager staring at her oddly and wondered what Chris was hiding.

She got into the car and waited until they were driving through the busy streets of Brookside before asking, "Where are we going?"

"Mr. Ray is in another town for a business deal, but he told me to take you to his apartment where he'll join you in two hours," Mike replied.

"If he knew he'd be busy, he should have just canceled the whole thing," Samira said in annoyance.

"He wanted to, but he didn't want to get you angry. He also told me to give you this credit card. He said you can use it to buy whatever you want," Mike explained, handing her the card.

"Trying to make me forget that he's standing me up by giving me this? What does he think I am?" she muttered to herself, not realizing Mike could hear her. He smiled, not that she noticed.

Mike had been working for Mr. Ray long enough to know most of the women he dated and bedded, and he could firmly declare that Delly was different. She was open-minded, friendly, and even when angry, she was like a kitten—still cute, he thought as he continued driving.

"Since he's given me his card, why don't we shop?" she suggested, staring at Mike through the mirror. One of the traits she had mentioned of Delly was her love of spending, and it was time to show him that.

"I don't think Mr. Ray will....

"Come on, he's in another town and can't stop us. Take me to the nearest, most expensive mall," Samira declared. Soon, she was ushered into a well-furnished mall. She headed straight to a boutique where a single item on display cost a fortune. Remembering from his file that Chris was allergic to silver jewelry, she made sure to buy the most expensive male jewelry and watches. She also bought a shirt and a watch for Mike.

"You really shouldn't bother," Mike said, trying to refuse.

"This is my fiancé's credit card, and it deserves to be used. Don't worry, I'll take all the blame if he gets angry," she said, pulling Mike to choose a watch.

As they were walking out, she saw an advertisement for a motorbike. Fascinated, she made her way to the motor section and almost dropped her jaw when she heard the price.

"What did you just say?" she asked, bewildered. Never in her life had she heard of such an amount of money. She wondered if the platinum credit card in her hand could cover it. When the sales attendant saw the card, he politely explained everything about the bike, knowing the card had no limit.

"Do you want it delivered, ma'am?" Samira was asked. Mesmerized and unsure if the card had enough funds, she just nodded, hoping it wouldn't be an embarrassing situation. Her thoughts were interrupted as Mike gave the address, mentally applauding Samira for spending his boss's money.

Samira watched from a safe place, and when everything was finalized, they promised to deliver the bike in the morning. She mentally laughed, wondering how an egoistic man like Chris would feel when he found out she didn't even know how to ride the damn thing. Carrying tons of bags, they returned to the car, and soon he drove her to Chris's penthouse, where he carried in all the stuff she bought before leaving.

It wasn't until Samira saw all the bags that she realized she must have spent a fortune. Never in her life had she spent this much, she thought as she decided to look around the house. She had to admit that Chris Rays had taste. The interior decoration of his penthouse was something she would have done if she had one herself.

She sat around, went through the things she bought again, and switched on the television but couldn't stop feeling restless. She was always busy back in Brookside, and now she found it hard to sit idle. Moving to the kitchen, she saw some veggies and decided to cook something to keep herself busy.

While trying to reach the oil, which was a bit too high for her, she got on an island chair. She was in the process of taking it when the chair gave way. She screamed as she lost her balance but didn't fall to the floor as she expected. She felt someone's arms around her and opened her eyes to stare into Ray's.

"Saved you a second time," he told her, still holding her. "I can say, you have a better way of welcoming your soon-to-be husband." Samira wanted to get out of his arms, but he tightened his grip instead.

"I didn't get to hear a thank you last time. I want to hear you say it now," he told her, and she forced her lips to say the words he wanted to hear.

As soon as she spoke, Ray released her, but not before he let his fingers trail down her arm, sending shivers through her body. She tried to compose herself, but his proximity was making it difficult.

"You know," he began, his voice soft and low, "I find it quite amusing that you think you can push me away by buying extravagant things and dressing conservatively. It's not going to work, Samira."

"Why are you so stubborn?" she snapped, stepping away from him. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Because," he said, closing the distance between them again, "I see through your act. I know there's more to you than you're letting on, and I'm determined to find out what it is."

Samira felt a mix of frustration and fear. His persistence was wearing her down, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up the charade. The lines between her role as Delly and her true self were beginning to blur, and she was losing control.

Before she could respond, Ray's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "I have to take this. Stay here. We'll continue this conversation later."

As he walked out to take the call, Samira felt a surge of desperation. She needed to find a way out, a way to regain control of the situation. Her eyes fell on the bags of clothes and jewelry she had bought. An idea began to form in her mind. If she could convince Ray that she was nothing but a materialistic, high-maintenance woman, maybe he would finally give up on her.

She hurried to the bags and started pulling out items, draping herself in the most ostentatious pieces she could find. She layered on necklaces, bracelets, and rings, and changed into a sequined dress that screamed excess. When Ray returned, she was a vision of gaudy opulence.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his eyebrows raising in surprise.

"Isn't this what you want?" she challenged, twirling around. "A woman who loves spending your money and flaunting it.

Ray's eyes narrowed as he studied her. "If you think that dressing up like this will make me lose interest, you're wrong. It only makes me more intrigued."

Samira's heart sank. Her plan was backfiring spectacularly. She was running out of options, and Ray's determination showed no signs of wavering. Desperation clawed at her, but she forced herself to remain calm.

"Fine," she said, crossing her arms. "But don't say I didn't warn you. I'm not the woman you think I am.

Ray took a step closer, his gaze intense. "I look forward to discovering exactly who you are, Delly."

As he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the middle of the opulent penthouse, Samira felt a shiver of apprehension. She was in deeper than she ever intended, and Ray's relentless pursuit was far from over. The game she was playing had taken a dangerous turn, and she wasn't sure if she could find her way out unscathed.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing. She glanced at the screen to see Delly's name flashing. With a heavy sigh, she answered, knowing she had to keep up the act a little longer.

"How's it going?" Delly's voice chirped through the phone.

"Complicated," Samira replied, glancing at the doorway where Ray had disappeared. "Very complicated."