6

Ciara Mendes

            The sound of heels clicking against the tiles drew my attention away from the iMac I was working on to the elegant beauty swaying into my small office. She walked with an air of confidence that was utterly justified; after all, anyone adorned in Louboutin heels, a designer peach dress that hugged their figure, and radiating an undeniable glow would undoubtedly exude such assurance.

"Evei—" I started to say, but before I could finish, she interrupted with an enthusiastic, "Surprise!"

This was truly unexpected; just two days ago, she had mentioned she had a packed agenda but assured me she would be there for me once it was complete. I hadn't anticipated seeing her until the end of this week, or at least the beginning of the next.

Getting up, I embraced her tightly in a hug, feeling a rush of warmth and relief. “I wasn't expecting you to be here so soon,” I confessed, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes, which sparkled with excitement.

"I know, but I had my agent reschedule my shoots and interviews," she replied, her voice filled with determination. "You were so down, C, and I couldn’t let you be gloomy on your own, especially since that amoral ass doesn’t deserve your tears." Her fierce loyalty brought a smile to my face, reminding me how lucky I was to have her in my corner.

She settled into the chair opposite my desk, her expression earnest. "Listen, you might not want to hear this, but you do know that there are plenty of men with good standards out there, right? It will be easy to get over that imbecile!" Her words resonated with a mix of hope and practicality.

"I was about to walk down the aisle to that man in two months and three weeks," I admitted, my voice trembling with emotion. "Even though he hurt me, I can't just forget about him, especially when almost everything reminds me of the times we spent together. I probably sound pathetic, but that's just how I feel." The weight of nostalgia and heartbreak clung to my words, a bittersweet reminder of love slipping through my fingers.

She sighed dramatically, her eyes shifting as she searched for the right words. "I might not completely understand what you're saying; I've never had a solid relationship like you did. So, I can't really determine whether you're being pathetic or just afraid to let go of that sucker." Her honesty hit me, blending frustration with a flicker of clarity, making me confront the tangled emotions swirling in my mind

Evei was right; she had earned her reputation as a player back in third form after witnessing Cameron Mc'Nally juggle three of our friends simultaneously without any of them catching on. Without a shred of remorse, she had strung along countless men, leaving a trail of broken hearts in her wake. It made me uneasy to think that when the right guy finally came along for her, she might not even recognize him amidst her games and defenses.

"How about you, Micah, and I go clubbing tonight?" she asked cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she leaned closer, trying to gauge my reaction.

"Tonight is the grand Hope Foundation Charity ball, and I have to attend," I replied, glancing at my watch. "My boss also has a meeting in the next ten minutes, likely about the event. So, I guess it’s a rain check for me?"

The Grand Hope Foundation Charity was held every year at the Sun Gold Hotel in West Hollywood, aiming to support children with disabilities and elderly individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, creating a compassionate space for awareness and fundraising to enhance their lives.

I first attended the Grand Hope Foundation Charity thirteen years ago with my father, who was deeply committed to supporting charitable causes. However, last year, instead of sharing the experience with him, I represented Flare at the event, carrying on the spirit of giving that he instilled in me.

It was essential for a few members to attend the Grand Hope Foundation Charity each year to ensure ongoing support, foster relationships within the community, and effectively represent their organization’s commitment to helping those in need.

Evei announced, looking up from her iPhone, "Most definitely, we can have lunch with Micah at your favorite restaurant after the meeting."

"Sure, KFC?" I ask playfully.

"Of course not, fat ass! I was referring to that Italian diner five minutes away with those hot Italian waiters. It's been so long since I visited," Evei replied with a teasing grin.

I smile at the woman in front of me and tease, "I thought you said my favorite restaurant."

"Well... don't you have a meeting you should be heading to?" she says, flashing me her magazine cover smile, a playful glint in her eyes that makes it hard to focus on anything else.

"Just stay here and be comfortable until I return," I reply.

Giovanni Haynes

    “How about Mandy? I heard she’s in town for two weeks,” my good friend Leonardo Cambellin says as he continues to scroll through my contacts.

He made it his top priority to find me a date for tonight's function, despite my ability to secure my own. I couldn't consider bringing either of the two women I took home last night; I wouldn't want to be seen with someone of such poor character at a high-profile event. Sure, they were beautiful, but it didn't take much for them to show their interest, and they seemed to lack a certain depth.

Mandy Deville is a two-time Oscar-nominated actress; she’s a daddy's girl, rich, and spoiled. I’ve spent more time between her legs than Lionel Messi has on the football field. She was good in bed, and that was it—nothing more, nothing less. The thought of her makes my dick twitch.

She is beautiful and smart, even if she rarely lets that intelligence shine through. Given her charm and allure, she would make an excellent date for tonight's event.

"Yes, sure, let me call her," I said, then quickly caught myself, realizing I sounded desperate. "I meant to say, I think she'd be a great addition to the evening," I added, hoping to sound more relaxed.

Leo laughed as he tossed the phone my way. "Don't stress, bro. I know you find it hard to keep it in your pants, especially with the history you've got with Mandy." His teasing made me cringe, but there was a hint of truth in his words that I couldn't deny.

I flipped him off before placing the phone to my ear, trying to shake off his teasing. Leo had been dating the same woman for over a year without so much as a hint of infidelity, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. If things kept going like this, I had a nagging feeling I’d be attending a wedding soon and I will no longer have a wing man, not that I need one.

"Giovanni? What a surprise," her silk-like voice purred through the phone after the second ring, catching my attention in a way that was purely physical. I couldn't deny the rush of excitement that followed; I found myself drawn to her in a way that was less about love and more about the thrill and chemistry we shared. As our flirtations danced around the edges of desire, I knew I craved the heat of the moment rather than anything deeper.

"Hello Mandy, I heard you were back in LA."

"I am," she confirmed, her tone sharp yet inviting. "I'm here for a few parts in the series of the new 90210; after that, I'm off to Paris. I'm assuming you did not call to check up on me, Giovanni, so what can I do for you?"

Her directness amused me, revealing just how well she knew our dynamic. My smile hinted at the ulterior motive behind my call, and I leaned into the intrigue, ready to suggest we meet up—after all, our casual encounters always sparked the kind of excitement I craved.

"I want you to be my date tonight," I told her, trying to keep my tone light and playful.

She laughed, a sharp sound, almost clinical. "Are you serious? You haven't contacted me in a year, and all of a sudden you're demanding I go on a date with you? I'm sure after you'll want me to get on my knees for you too, right?" Her words dripped with sarcasm, and I couldn't help but admire her boldness. I was caught in a moment of hesitation, weighing my desire against the reality of her sharp tongue.

Two can play the same game, and I’d always been one to get what I wanted; tonight, that was her. There was no need to call and check on her—social media made staying updated too easy, and besides, I was a busy man. "Come on, Mandy, it’s been a while. I know you’ve missed the thrill. What do you say we shake things up a bit? I'll give you that BMW hybrid you wanted."

"My father already got me one of those for Christmas. How about you help me acquire a house in your estate? I absolutely love them, and I know just how hard it is to get one."

I own sixty-five percent of the most popular estate company in LA, where all the celebrities desire to live, which makes it difficult for some potential buyers to secure a home in that exclusive market.

"Fine. I'll look into it. Just text me the details, and I'll pick you up around six. Dress code is formal."

"Okay, I'll see you then," she replies before ending the call.