We ended up getting new dresses for the birthday party. Chloe literally dragged me into a store, and made us try on every single dress available. By the time that we each settled on something, everyone in the store breathed a sigh of relief.Chloe stayed back home on Friday to allow herself enough preparation time while I went to work. Party or not, Jordan Kingston walked into the building at exactly 9:00am, barely five minutes after I got in.To his credit however, he swung my door open at 3:00pm and asked me to go home. I protested, but he insisted. He was leaving too. He had to get to his parents' house in an hour, then he would pick us up at 7.I was home in half an hour. Chloe was gone for her spa appointment. After she'd tried and failed to recruit me on her slay mission, she'd decided to just do it by herself.Yesterday, she wouldn't stop talking about how she was convinced that this party was her chance to meet her Mr Right, and how she was tired of going on several dates with
It was Jordan. I smiled at him and nodded. He'd disappeared earlier after his mother walked down the stairs, and I'd wondered where he went.Now, as I let him lead me back to the dance floor, I thought to myself that this night was going a lot better than I'd envisioned. I was actually having fun. The people here weren't stuck up like the people at that party that I'd gone to with Jordan.After the first dance, which for me was really just a chaotic movement of my feet, the tempo of the music changed to slow and sensual.“Nope. Certainly not me." I said with a laugh and made to leave, but Jordan held me firmly in place.“Why are you leaving?"“Because I'm terrible at this sort of thing." I said over the music. “I can't dance to save my life."His hands went to my waist and he pulled my body closer to his. "I can teach you.” He said in a voice that sent shivers down my skin."Just move with the music and follow my lead.” He guided me with his hands firmly on my waist.I didn't have to
Marissa's POVI felt like a thousand butterflies had been let loose in my stomach as his lips roamed slowly over mine. At first, I was too stunned to respond, but then his tongue probed my closed mouth, and as I opened, it felt as if a switch was turned on in me.I placed a hand over his chest, as I let my lips run over his. His tongue sought mine and found them, and I heard myself let out a moan as his hands cupped my breasts through the dresss.It was he who pulled back. He rested his forehead over mine and let out heavy gasps of breath. His hands were still on my breasts.As I fought to catch my breathing, the realization of what had just happened suddenly hit me, and I jumped to my feet. What had I been thinking?I took one step back, and then another. He rose to his feet.“Marissa….”“Excuse me.” I said, and left the enclosed garden in a near run.I went into the hall and walked straight towards Chloe who was at this time, holding a glass of wine in one hand, and staring into Cal
Jordan's POVWhen Marissa ran off after the kiss that we shared that night, I didn't know whether to follow her or to just let her be. I called after her and was about to go to her, then I sat back down, confused.I got into the hall a few minutes after and saw that she and Chloe had left. I didn't understand why, but I sent Dane to find them and get them home safely. If she'd run off on me in the garden and had even left the party, then I wasn't sure that she'd be eager to have Mr come after her now.Over the course of the weekend, I stopped myself several times from sending a message. I just wanted to know what was running through her mind, and if she was open to a conversation about it. I stopped myself, though. Better to talk to her about it in person.Monday came with a lot of work and by the time I managed to get a few minutes away from all the work, she was… weird.There was an air of excitement about her that felt false and when I tried to bring up the kiss, she cut me off. Her
Marissa's POVI looked at my reflection in the mirror one last time before going down to join Chloe who is already set.“All good?" She asks, and I nod. “Great. Whatever happens, you have to keep a cool head. Don't let that asshole get under your skin, and don't lose your confidence. You've got this, Rissa, okay?"I nodded again. “Yes, yes. I won't let him or anything get under my skin. Thank you Chloe.” I said, and we got out of the house and into her car. It was the second hearing for Anthony's and my divorce today, and I was nervous. Outside the courthouse, I clutched the strap of my purse so tightly that my knuckles grew white.Chloe walked over to my side and took my hand in hers. There were no words needed between us. I flashed her a weary smile and thanked the heavens for the day I met her.Chloe's parents were already seated inside. We walked over to their side and Mr Jenkins got up to hug me. Nancy mirrored the action.“How are you, sweetheart?" She asked.I sighed. “I just
The morning after the hearing, I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. My body was heavy and my mind even heavier. Anthony’s words kept replaying in my head like a broken record. Get ready for hell. I didn’t know what he was planning, but I knew him well enough to know he wasn’t bluffing. He’d always been the type to double down when he felt cornered, and now, with the restraining order in place, he was definitely cornered.Yesterday, we'd gone to Chloe's parents, and in those few hours, I had almost forgotten about my predicament. Almost, but I hadn't forgotten. The lies and threat still lingered in my heart.I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower, letting the hot water wash over me until my skin turned pink. It didn’t help much, but I continued anyway. I got out of the shower and dressed up for work sluggishly.By the time I got down the stairs, Chloe was already in the kitchen, humming to herself as she made coffee. She looked way too cheerful for someone who had
Nancy threw a birthday party a week after I got the car gift from Sam. She was turning 55, and she wanted to spend the day with friends and family.It was a Tuesday, and Chloe and I came straight from work to the house which was already bubbly with people. We'd been in the house over the weekend, and had also come after work yesterday to help with the planning.Of course, helping with planning basically meant that we'd planned the entire party, and Nancy had squealed excitedly over the stuff that she liked, and vehemently crossed out the things that she didn't.The party seemed to be in full swing, and we joined in on the fun. Chloe's parents had never been fans of alcohol so there was none available at the party. Instead, we had mocktails, juice, and some nonalcoholic wine.We both hugged Nancy tightly and gave her the presents we'd got her. Her eyes watered when I said I loved her and was so grateful for her existence. Some old friends soon came to pull her away.Chloe went outside
I woke up to find Nancy in the kitchen dancing and singing along to some country music. I smiled at the sight. I'd picked up the habit from her. I danced in the kitchen too.I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “Morning, Nancy."She turned around to hug me properly. “Morning, baby. How are you?"“I'm okay. I'm gonna be late for work." It was almost 8. The distance from their house to Kingstons was almost an hour.“Well then, pour yourself a cup and go get ready." She said.I opened the cabinet and took out a cup. I poured some coffee, and Nancy handed me a slice of leftover cake. With how much I loved my fluffy chocolate cake, I wonder how I survived on Anthony's blasted wheat cake for three whole years.He'd talk down on all the things that I liked and would always go on and on about how they were unhealthy and I had to pay more attention to my health. Not like he cared much, anyway.As I ate, Nancy turned down her music and watched me for a few seconds.“So, how do you feel?" S
The house felt gloomy. Chloe and I returned with her dad to their home on the outskirts of town, but now, for the first time since I'd first stepped foot in here, the place didn't feel like home. It felt… empty, like there was a cloud hanging over it. Even the atmosphere felt gloomy.As I poured boiling water from the kettle into teabags in small mugs, I wiped at a tear that had managed to escape. This was Nancy's favorite tea. She always said it had a soothing effect that was second to none. Now, standing here, making three cups that didn't include hers squeezed at my heart again, reminding me of the gnawing feeling I had felt at the hospital yesterday.I placed all three cups on a tray and carried it into the living room where Chloe sat curled up in a small armchair that she'd always liked to sit in. I looked around for Sam but couldn't find him. Chloe followed the movement of my eyes and signaled upstairs telling me that he'd gone up. I nodded and carried the single mug up the stur
We were on the road in mere minutes. We'd hurriedly packed up the basket and the blanket and made our way to Jordan's car. Now, he tore through traffic and drove as fast as possible to reach the hospital.As soon as he found a spot in the parking space, I was out, running through the reception. I had pulled on Jordan's shirt over my jeans. He was behind me in his white tee shirt. Both our hairs were still wet, but that didn't matter as we raced through the hospital entrance.“Nancy Jenkins" I said to the nurse at the reception and she pointed me towards the ICU. I saw Sam first. He stood with his back against the wall, down the corridor. He had a blank look on his face. Chloe sat on a chair outside the hospital room, her knees drawn up to her chin and her shoulders heaving.Caleb stood opposite her, resting slightly against the wall as he watched her and struggled not to break down at how broken she appeared.“Chloe." I said, and she raised her eyes to mine, rushing to her feet and in
We ordered Thai and stayed in my small, creaky bed through the afternoon. We were wrapped around each other with the sheets tangled at our feet. Chloe texted sometime around noon to say that she would be going to work from Caleb's and I rolled my eyes. At this rate, she could as well just move in with him. She was there most of the time anyway.Later that afternoon, Jordan asked me to get dressed because we were going out. He went into his car for a change of clothes which he claimed he always made sure to leave there ‘just in case'. When I asked what to put on, he said to look casual. We were just going to have fun. Nothing serious. He wouldn't say what kind of fun, though.I pulled on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. I made him pick between two sneakers and finally settled on the one he least liked. By the time that we got into his range rover, it was already past 3:00pm. No matter how much I tried, Jordan refused to tell me where we were going.We rode with the windows down. He
I woke up to small kisses being scattered across my face. The feel of his whiskers against the smooth skin of my face felt hot as hell. I smiled as I blinked my eyes open.“Someone's up early."“You look like an angel when you sleep" his voice still sounded a little groggy.As he reached for my lips with his, I rolled away from his reach, forgetting that my small bed was just spacious enough to accommodate the both of us. I landed hard on my butt, and a belly rumbling laughter exploded out of his chest.“It's not funny." I said with a pout but he wouldn't stop laughing.After a short while, I found myself struggling to keep my own smile in check. I liked the sound of his laughter. It was raw, and genuine. It occured to me that I never saw him like this when he was dealing with the outside world, just when it was the both of us. Mysterious billionaire to the rest of the world, crinkly eyed, laughing man to me. I felt my smile grow bigger.As his laugh ebbed, I picked myself off the gro
The credits rolled on our third romcom of the night. There was a saccharine pop song playing over black and white stills of the happy couple who in the real world, truly would make a terrible match.I turned to say something to Jordan and found him slumped against the head of the cushion. His head was tilted back, and his lips were slightly parted. There was a quiet rhythmic snore from deep within his chest that made me smile.He was out cold. Looked like this knight had decided that the damsel wasn't in any real distress and had chosen an easier battle: sleep.I smiled, reaching over to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead. His breathing didn't even hitch. Careful not to wake him, I went quietly up the stairs, got an extra blanket and threw it over his still, peaceful form.My fingers lingered at his shoulder, tracing the hard line of muscle beneath his t-shirt. Even in sleep, he looked like he was ready to spring into action at any moment. The muscles in his arm were taut, I
The court hearing between Kingston Enterprise and Anthony Smith of Smith Assurance rocked the internet like a storm. The Kingstons took up the case with a vengeance that Anthony hadn't expected. The hearing didn't last long. Anthony was being accused of several counts of misdemeanor with evidence that made it impossible for him to wiggle out of the situation this time. Even his shiny suit lawyer stuttered as he tried to defend his client.Good. I don't know how they'd hoped to win against the entire Kingston family with such glaring evidence incriminating Anthony, but whatever it was, they learnt quickly why the Kingstons were considered one of the most formidable families in all of New York, and perhaps, even the United States. They had connections in all the places that mattered.The ruling was for Anthony to pay a fine of one million dollars for damages against the integrity of Kingston Enterprise. He and his lawyer made it clear that they were going to appeal, but the truth was in
The air was alight with joy. There was loud music playing from a state of the art sound system, and an old man stood at the grill seemingly enjoying what he was doing. Children ran about excitedly, and adults exchanged smiles and hugs. There was a table filled with cupcakes and food close to the man at the grill and everyone had a glass of wine or a bottle of beer in their hands.It was beautiful. It was the sort of beautiful chaos that I thrived in. I looked on with a smile on my face as the couple danced happily and the woman laughed at something her husband said.Brenda Lynn's 20th wedding anniversary was going perfectly and I couldn't help the contented smile that played on my lips at the sight of the fine job I'd done.I walked back into the kitchen with the empty tray in my hands. I'd taken out the last batch of canapes to add to the already full table. Already, a few guests had come in here to compliment the chicken skewers and one little girl had asked if I would make her a gi
I didn't go straight home. I headed instead to Jordan's single storey home in SoHo. I rapped on the door repeatedly until he pulled it open in a tank top and knee length shorts. He was sweaty and breathing fast, telling me that he had most likely been exercising.“Hey." He said, a little surprised.“I texted you last night." I said, my hands folded against my chest.“Okay?"“I texted you this morning too."He ran his hands through his hair. “Okay, and?"“What do you mean okay and? Why aren't you responding to my messages?" I exploded.“Because last night you asked if we were good. I didn't want to lie that we were and I didn't want to start a fight by saying that we weren't so I thought I'd let off steam and call you after.""And today?”"I've been working.”“That's not okay." I said plainly. “If you have a problem with me, we talk about it, and we trash it out. You do not ignore me to let off steam and then call me after. That's not okay.""Okay. “ He said, shoving his hands in his f
I had never seen Chloe as nervous about an outing as she was while she prepped for dinner with the Kingstons.Her hands shook as she tried to wear her earrings and I took them out of her hands. She brought me her makeup bag and asked me to do it because she wasn't sure she could do a good job. She was about to change her mind about the blue dress that we'd picked out days ago when I stepped in. I insisted that she looked perfect and helped her out finishing touches to her look.“They're going to love you." I said as I hugged her goodbye.“They better, cos they're stuck with me either way." She said in that typical Chloe way.Caleb was waiting at the door with a bouquet of flowers which she oohed and ahhed over, then handed to me to put in a vase. When they left, I breathed a sigh of relief.I loved Chloe, but on days like this, I realized why she went to parties during our college years and I stayed at home. I was just a tired girl who preferred to binge watch romcoms in her pajamas t