

Wanted Always

(Xander Barns Series Book 2)

BY

Sarah Tork

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Warning: This book contains dark and crude humour, bad language, sexual scenes, and includes scenes that may be offending. Recommended for ages 18+

Copyright ©2020 Sarah Tork

Smashwords edition

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Photo from Dreamstime.com

### TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT PAGE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

### CHAPTER 1

DEMETRIA

Saturday, April 20

Pink clouds, lace and silk, these were the key elements of my room. Some have said that the size of it was massive and that a family of four could have lived comfortably inside, but for a WOMAN of my stature, the room was below average.

Loud classical music played in the background from a pink audio dock. I sat in a purple plush chair in front of a glamorous vanity table with a large mirror, and allowed the entrancing melody of violins to soothe the pain in my soul. My eyelids fluttered closed and I wondered beyond the clouds where my love waited with open arms.

Then the image faded.

Oh, the injustice.

My eyes snapped open, furious there was nothing left to worship, because my love was a God and in a perfect world, he'd always be with me.

But despite growing up with the finest clothes, and the millions of dollars and the lavish trips to Paris, Milan and New York, there were many things a woman of my stature still yearned for. I just wanted one thing in this life, and I was denied it. Repeatedly.

It's been many months since my last encounter with my love, which was wrong—very, very wrong. But I had no one to blame but myself, as I was the one who'd let him get away. Last night, eruption ensued as my anxiety had reached its maximum. My room was in disarray with strips of wallpaper and dust from torn drywall covering the hardwood floor.

However though... my actions left me without remorse.

Life was action – reaction.

And I reacted.

Normally.

Just like any other person would have.

Thank God – thank God, the last time I had seen him, I'd taken a handful of his hair, clipping them after he'd fallen asleep on a couch in a private room at a party. It was a quick snip before he'd awoke, none the wiser. Not that he would have minded if I had asked for a keepsake - surely he wouldn't have minded. The man of my dreams was meant for me, and I for him.

And nothing would ever change that.

Nothing.

Suddenly, a disgusting vision paralyzed my mind. I envisioned another woman sliding her fingertips all over him.

"Silly girl, you reek like a thief. Didn't your mother teach you, that it's not right to steal?" I hissed at a promiscuous commoner who had no business being anywhere near my love.

As my mind blocked every passageway out, her body crumbled to the floor into a little ball.

"You've been caught." I knelt down and whistled sharply into her ear. "Would you like to take a trip out to one of the seven seas? No? Then why do I keep finding you in places you shouldn't be?"

Silence consumed the room. My love had disappeared and it was just the whore and I now.

"That's what I thought." I grunted, and thus, lifted her naked and screaming, and dropped her into a fiery hole leading to hell, where I then nailed six boards over. Sheer elation consumed me. I was so satisfied. Justice had been served.... And the careless whore had gotten what she deserved.

Action – reaction.

The time to wait was over.

The time to start doing things was about to begin.

I was about to get what I've always wanted.

One way or another, my baby would be mine.

"Demetria, darling!" An annoying screech called from the other side of my door.

"Yes, Mother?" I yelled, enunciating each word slowly so she'd understand my annoyance.

The doorknob rattled. Mother obviously thought that addressing her was code for 'please come in; the door is open'.

She thought wrong. My door was locked and would remain locked until I was good and ready to throw myself back into the world.

"Darling, may I please come in?"

Finally, some politeness. Can a day pass where that woman does not harass me?

I got up from my chair and took a seat on my four-poster canopy-bed. "You may enter when I'm good and ready! Take your hand off the doorknob first!"

After a brief moment of silence, Mother spoke. "Darling, my hand is no longer on the doorknob."

Satisfied, that for once Mother actually followed simple instructions, I tiptoed to the bedroom door, slowly unlocked it and then rushed back to my bed.

"You... may... enter."

The doorknob turned and the door opened slowly, creak-free thanks to premium olive oil sprayed weekly on the door joints by our stupid and incompetent maid. Mother hunched timidly under the doorframe.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "What do you want?"

Mother sighed loudly as she straightened her posture and entered my room. Her heels clacked against the cluttered hardwood. She seemed surprised as she eyed the state of my room.

"Oh no, darling, this will not do!" She grabbed both ends of the pink and lime lace duvet and tugged it, despite the fact that I was still sitting on it. "You see how much better it looks? Remember, cleanliness and order makes all the difference."

My eyes rolled as she tugged the duvet one last, annoying time. The entire room was in disarray, and here she was, muttering gibberish about my duvet. It angered me; why was she so stupid? Couldn't she just keep her mouth shut?

This better be a short visit.

"What do you want?" I asked slowly and sternly.

Mother grabbed one of the bedposts. "I wanted to see how you were doing, especially with what happened last night. Darling, it's been so long since you've had an episode like that. Is everything okay?"

My blood pressure rose at an unprecedented speed. "How... dare you! You don't care about me, at all! You just love to disregard my feelings, don't you! How dare you bring up last night!"

Her careless words were an abomination. I was a grown woman who had her moments, but didn't everyone sometimes?

Mother gripped the bedpost tightly.

I was deeply upset by her. I'm appalled. Breathing through my nose, my lips pursed as the rest of my face settled in a scowl. A common expression I used when things had gone too far. Mother knew the look I was giving her; it meant one thing.

Protest.

These lips, these luscious lips – that belonged to my love, and only my love – refused to open. She did not deserve to hear my voice. She deserved silence. A cruel person's punishment, and Mother had been very, very cruel.

Mother waved her arms out in a panic. "No darling, no...remember, Demetria, darling–a young lady does not resort to such behaviours!"

I plugged both my ears to drown out her pathetic and traitorous voice. There was only one thing left to do... and that was to preach my gospel.

I cleared my throat. "I'm not a little girl anymore...."

"No, Demetria! Not again. I'm sorry, darling. I didn't mean it!"

"I'm a woman to me and to the world. Hear my cry. I'm a woman, one with desire and passion. Lusting after a man with strong fingers...."

"I'm leaving. We will continue this conversation later!" Mother declared before leaving the room in haste. I rushed over, slammed the door hard, and then locked it quickly.

"I love that man." I murmured softly. "I love that man."

It felt good being able to say those words out loud, an oath I had no shame in. If I could, I would scream it everyday if it weren't for the weird looks I'd get from Mother every time I mentioned my love, or any other man. Mother was protective of her sweet little girl, even though her sweet little girl was bordering on twenty-nine years old.

"I love that man! I love that man!" I yelled, not giving a damn all of a sudden. I relished joy that engulfed my soul. It was liberating.

The doorknob shook, indicating Mother's discomfort with the fact that I was being loud and that the door was still locked. "Demetria, darling! Why are you yelling? Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine," I declared, hoping that would suffice and she'd go away.

"Darling, you scared me!" Mother rattled the doorknob once more, probably hoping I'd unlock it and let her in to make sure, with her own eyes, that all was okay.

I was okay.

I was always okay.

I wasn't crazy.

"It's fine, everything is fine. You can go away now!" I ordered, and then moved over to my vanity. I needed to touch up my makeup and apply more hairspray; my curls were feeling dull. The doorknob rattled again as I sat on my chair. I eyed the door with annoyance. "What is it now?"

"Demetria, darling, I forgot to tell you that Madeline Barns called just now. It seems her sons are back in town, and she's hosting a small, garden tea party tomorrow. You remember Alexander and...."

A warm sensation exhilarated every inch of my being.

I felt my eyeballs slowly roll back.

Alexander was back.

He came back to me.

To be with me.

And this time, it would be forever....

### CHAPTER 2

MARISA

Saturday, April 20

While the sun set, Daniels drove through a picturesque, suburban, upper-middle class neighbourhood. The vibe was nice, and for the first time since waking up, I felt calm. But then my body began to shake, and well.... I wasn't surprised.

So... here goes nothing.

Have you ever made a mistake?

Have you ever acted stupidly because it was just easier?

If you're saying no right now – you're a liar.

Nobody's perfect.

I wasn't.

I've done a lot of dumb shit in my life, but allowing someone like Xander Barns into my life took the cake.

The beautiful dress and the makeover had blurred my vision, when in fact; I should have stayed mad at him. But I'd fallen for his ways again.

Now, my chest was hurting just thinking about it.

In a way, I was lucky.

I could have been kidnapped.

I could have been taken to a remote location where only he had access.

I could have been chopped up into a million different pieces.

I could have been killed.

And no one would have known.... holy crap.

I was so freaking lucky.... well, besides the almost-getting-cut-into-pieces issue, and Xander turning from suave ice-cream customer to panty-loving douchebag. At least now, I've realized something substantial to my wellbeing... Xander Barns was not, and never would be.... a hero.

He wasn't a knight with a horse coming to save innocents in despair.

He was a kinky rich boy, who had a cellphone with unlimited capabilities, and a gigantic bank account. He was the apple from the Garden of Eden, beautiful to look at; smooth to touch, but once you took a bite, that's when the truth came out. It wasn't a sweet piece of fruit; it was the key that opened chaos and horror. He was Pandora's box. It's as if he was made to make trouble, hiding behind a beautiful model face and godly body.

The blame fell on my shoulders. I was too farsighted, too oblivious with my 'problems' to see him for who he really was.... a giant pain in my ass. My ability to judge needed an intervention, a tutor, a coach, something or someone to teach it, you never ever let a man you didn't know into your room. Because that kinky fuck could have gagged me, shot me, cut me, raped me... and then killed me. And no one would have known. The only person I've been conversing with since I'd left Ottawa was Darcy, and that was through email.

I really was lucky.... sort of.

Well, not really when you think about it. I did wake up hung over, wearing bitch blonde's skanky, cream-coloured lace thong. Why do I have the feeling that was Xander's version of a thank you?

No matter how much I pushed it to the back of my head; I still felt those creepy, crawly tingles. Despite cleansing myself down there, I knew that skank's juice wouldn't go without a fight. I was no lab tech and no matter how much I tried to clean myself, there were for sure one or two specks of her DNA still left on my skin, waiting for the perfect moment to regenerate, just like bacteria. So, in the interest of not wanting bacteria expanding in huge numbers, I spread my thighs further apart, hopefully without making it obvious to Daniels while he drove.

A little fresh air will do my vajeene some good.

As my downstairs "subtly" cooled, I gazed out the window, examining the picture-perfect houses again. My heart felt a hard tug as we passed each house. They all, in their own way, looked like the house I'd grown up in. Life was definitely passing by fast, and whether I wanted to or not, I was growing up. And it was time to put my big-girl panties on before it was too late, and/or before Xander decided he wanted those, too.

I mean... serious shit could have happened. I had to understand this, absorb it, and permanently keep it on my mind for all the other "next times" that would be coming my way. Because surely, knowing who I was, there were bound to be many more "next times" when my intelligence would be put to the test.... yet again.

Xander Barns is not a hero. Learn it. Remember it. Live it.

I glanced out the window as Daniels drove through a very familiar neighbourhood at a reasonable twenty-five km an hour.

Thinking again, I questioned a few more things that left me wary. Like... accepting gifts from people you barely knew. Was that really okay? A smart person would have probably said no.

But all this shit was his fault to begin with. He's the one who'd wanted me to wear my party clothes last night. My clothes for tonight would have been fine if I'd worn my train outfit to the club instead.

So you see, it was all Xander's fault.

He owed me, and it had made logical sense to accept his "generosity".

And it's not like I could show up tonight wearing my train clothes.... so it was what it was. I'd made the best of the situation, and simply... went with it?

Makes enough sense to me.

Yesterday afternoon before finding out his little secret, it was like a scene from a dirty sexy novel. Which was very unlike me to even entertain that random sexy shit. I wasn't that girl, and that's not because I didn't have urges like any other hot-blooded female, and yeah... I had fantasies too, but that's where that shit ended. The reality of the situation was, there was only one thing on my mind when it came to complete strangers jumping each other like random rabbits, and that was a mountain of STDs.

What the fuck was wrong with Xander?

What'd possessed him to traumatize me – a complete stranger – like that yesterday?

If that nasty fuck had just acted like a gentleman yesterday, then this whole thing wouldn't have happened. I would have been chill right now, and not overthinking everything.

And while we were at it, I'd be shocked, extremely shocked, if he was disease free, too. He liked wearing women's underwear – and my instincts were telling me, he liked them pre-loved. Which was nasty as fuck, because if that wasn't an invitation for a puss filled pimple infestation, I didn't know what was.

Which reminded me...Get high quality extra strength douche products soon. My first stop tomorrow was the drug store. The possibility of getting a disease from sharing bitch blonde's thong was seriously depressing, and I wasn't leaving anything up to chance.

But whatever.

I'd worry about all that shit tomorrow.

Curiously, I opened the sapphire clutch to see what Maria had packed for me. My credit card, driver's license, and debit card were in the inserts, along with fifty dollars.

Dad's gift! I worried for a second before I found the gift card hiding behind my credit card. A hundred and twenty five dollar gift card to a Canadian hardware superstore, called CT Mega Superstore. This was a gift I was a hundred percent sure my dad was going to enjoy; he loved that store. Growing up, he'd go there and spend hours wondering about, and then coming home with things that made my mom cringe. So, as you could see... there was no other option. I had to get him a gift card for that store.

I giggled, imagining my mom's stink face reaction.... ahhh sigh... that's priceless.

But back to my clutch... Along with the bare essentials of my wallet, Maria had packed my phone as well. The screen blinked with a new message notification. Before taking it out to check the message, I saw a transparent makeup bag filled with a designer mini makeup kit.

Is this for emergencies?

I guess I'd be touching up, whether I had to or not. Sammy would probably die of shock if I didn't apply an extra coat of everything at least once tonight. I took out my phone and closed my clutch, placing it at my side on the seat.

Xander had sent me a text.

What the hell does he want?

Xander: By the way, you're welcome. Didn't I tell you it was all an easy fix? I dare you to doubt me again. I request the pleasure of your company, after your father's party is over, of course.

Kiss – Kiss

Marisa: By the way, thank you... even though YOU threw my clothes OUT!!!!!! But nevertheless, thank you, and yes, I will never doubt you again. But then again, I probably won't go out with your rich ass ever again. You're too much trouble. As for your request... what the hell do you want my company for? I'm boring; I thought we clarified this in one of our earlier session's, doctor.

Punch – Punch

Xander: Marisa, you've got the stop selling yourself short. You're not boring, far from it, actually. As for your comment about me being trouble... if you continue to speak to me like that in your next text, I'm going to have to change my pants. As for you meeting me after your father's party, it's a requirement since you've got something I want. I've been dreaming all day, baby. So be a nice kitty, and don't make me wait too long, okay?

Kiss Hug Kiss Hug

Marisa: What the fuck do you want from me?

Xander: You know what I want...

OMG! My eyes bulged in horror, that fucker wanted my underwear!

And I didn't care how small his ass was; there's no way this thong was going to glide smoothly up his man ass; it just wouldn't be right.

Marisa: You disgusting pervert!

Xander: Now Marisa.... is that anyway to speak to your benefactor?

Marisa: Benefactor? I'll punch you in the nuts!

Xander: I'm a nice boy. LOL.

Marisa: Bro, you need professional help. There's no way your man ass will fit smoothly inside a thong my size, at least not without ripping the material.

Xander: You're funny. But, I'm still waiting?

Nobody did anything for free, and even though he did throw my party clothes out, the amount of money he spent today on my makeover outweighed my reasons to scold, tenfold. I didn't like being in anyone's debt, so after the party, I would go to Xander's and throw the damn thong at his face, and then happily walk out bare if that meant we were even.

I texted back.

Marisa: Get your head examined, you sick fuck! Fine! How do I get to your place?

Xander: LOL! You're funny. Daniels will be waiting for you in the parking lot of the facility. Just tell him when you're ready. Can't wait to see you... all of you.

Marisa: The only thing you'll be seeing is the ceiling of an ambulance... do you get me now, asshole?

Later, douche!

Xander: Rock-hard status.

I shook my head, and a smile forced its way across my face. I guess I wasn't as offended as I thought I was. This was just who Xander was, a kinky, asshole, douchebag bastard.

On this thought, Daniels drove the car on to the highway.

"Would you like to listen to some music?" he asked while making the turn.

I breathed easy. "That would be great. Rock and Roll if available, please,"

"That's not a problem." Daniels turned the radio dial and settled on the local rock station. A familiar hard-rock tune played; my blood sizzled in inspiration as the lyrics and the beat of the music hit every inch of my body.

Yeah, that's better.

*~*~*

Here we fucking go...

When we entered the parking lot of the Pacific Banquet Hall, the entire place was packed. Jesus, how many people did Mom invite? On our way to the front entrance, the number of cars Daniels drove by hypnotized me. Mom must have planned an all-out soiree with all the bells and whistles. I was under the impression that it would just be a regular little party.

I stared down at my— THANK GOD—fabulous dress, and a chill ran down my spine, thinking about what I'd originally planned on wearing. My outfit had been a nice shirt and nice jeans that had cost me a small fortune. But despite the cost, and them being from a nice store, these fake uppity assholes would have laughed at me, thinking how weird I was to show up looking like that. I'd never hear the end of it.

Another chill shot through me. My bitchy senses were telling me, this was exactly what my mom had wanted. She wanted people to see little ol' me, acting like the goofy good ol' slob that I was, and sympathize with her. She wanted them to give me looks of disapproval. She wanted the confirmation. That she wasn't a crazy, cruel and irrational witch after all, and the problem, as always was me.

Could anyone really blame me for thinking this?

I mean... just look at all the fucking evidence. She clearly told all her dear close friends about the dress code for this shindig, when all I got was a fucking E-invite a week ago with a time and a place. That's it. I was only her daughter, and it's not like I could have used that bit of info, or anything.

The nerve...

I smoothed my dress gratefully for the one-hundredth time. Tonight wasn't going to turn out bad, because I was dressed to impress. My clothes were picked by a top stylist, my hair was done up by a hair whisperer, and my makeup had been applied by a master makeup artist.

Yeah, I was ready – ready to steamroll my way inside and give death glares to anyone who had the gall to address me in any other matter besides pure class.

I was ready.

So freaking ready.

Daniels pulled the car to the front entrance. I stared out, watching the party-guests walk in large groups on the sidewalk, all dressed to the nines, just like I was.

A cold shiver tickled my back again as I examined each of their glossy, primed to a T outfits. The prospect of actually showing up to the party in my original outfit was really fucking with me now.

Like real bad.

But I had to get over that shit.

I was fancy right now.

I was a fucking lady right now.

I looked like someone who would have no problem fitting in, maybe even get a compliment or two, maybe even gawked at in pure jealously. Thank you, Xander.... But you're still a nasty fuck who needs to be stabbed with a sharp heel.

I grabbed the door handle, and as I turned to say goodbye to Daniels, from the corner of my eye, I noticed something that caused my body to instantly freeze.

Ben! I instantly let go of the door handle and lowered my body below the window.

Daniels cleared his throat quietly. "The windows are tinted, Miss Gellys."

Thank God for tinted windows!

I blew out a sigh of relief as I spied the family of five climb up the stairs. The women, his mom and little sister's dresses, were flowing beautifully against the evening wind. The men, his dad and little brother, all decked out in black and navy suits. Ben, however...I couldn't really see what he was wearing; he was too far up the stairs.

So they showed up!

So... mother dearest had the nerve to invite the cheater and his family, but that shouldn't have surprised me, because A: Mom was a traitor who cared more about her bitchy best friend than her daughter, and B: it was all my fault anyway, so why should everyone have to suffer when I was to blame, anyway.

Calm down! I loosened my steel grip on the door handle, forgetting how it got there in the first place. I must have gone somewhere dark; I still felt my blood move in waves, rivalling the rivers of Colorado.

"Is everything alright, Miss Gellys?"

I let go of the door handle and faced Daniels slowly. "I'm fine, well, as fine as I can be. But if you don't mind, Daniels, I think... I'm just going to wait for everyone to enter the building first."

"Not a problem, Miss Gellys. Would you like me to move the car further down?"

I nodded. "Yeah, let's drive down the parking lot. Staying here isn't a good idea,"

Daniels drove the car further down, out of the suspicious eyes of party guests; I could still see who was coming, though. My mom had invited everyone. But then again, she had invited me, so why wouldn't she invite everyone else, too.

Shit was getting too real now. I was back in the vicinity of my family and ex-love for a grand total of five minutes, and I was already losing it. I needed to chill.

My mind wandered back all those months ago, to the last time I spoke and saw Ben.

The night we had broken up. It was the end of November and a sad love song played on the radio. My heart was racing while I drove over to a local park. It was hard to breathe, so I took deep breaths to calm down and parked my car. I spotted Ben right away in the center of the park, sitting on a picnic bench. He looked like any other pedestrian, chilling without a hint of pent up anger. If only he'd actually be chill right now. But I knew better. Though, the sight of him had my stomach churning. I felt so sick, but I needed to calm down. The flutters in my stomach weren't helping either.

Ugh, why'd he have to look so cute right now, too? He wasn't even dressed to impress. He was wearing his university sweater and basketball shorts.

I hated that my stomach was fluttering over the sight of him, looking all regular.

I wish I could just turn my feelings off right now.

Enough! It's show time.

I got out of the car and crossed the grass toward him. The sound of my walking over gave my presence away. Ben turned his head, spotted me, and flipped off his hood. The chill guy was gone. "Wow.... I can't believe it. You actually showed up. You're a real funny person, Marisa."

How dare he act like the victim!

I took a deep breath before letting it rip. "I said I'd come. But let me make something perfectly clear, you don't deserve shit from. In fact, you should thank me right now. I've been far too generous, giving you time you don't even deserve."

Angry, Ben got off the picnic bench and marched over. He stopped in front of me, towering over with his six-foot-one frame. "What the hell are you talking about? You've been ignoring me for weeks. Weeks!"

My jaw dropped. "Why the hell would I want to speak with you, let alone... hear your sad excuse? You were plastering your lips against that... ugly ass skank. Her lips were diseased. I'd bet my life on it."

His eyes widened, as if my words had made no sense. "You're crazy."

But I was nowhere near done; in fact I was just getting started.

Temper cannon number three: Ready to go: Ignite.

I laughed out bitterly. "Did you go see a doctor? No? Well, you should. In fact, I think I see a few red spots around your lips. I think they might be infectious."

"Shut up, Marisa. You're not funny at all!" he snapped back, jerking his jaw from left to right.

Mission fucking accomplished.

"I'm hilarious. I tell it like it is. The reality of the situation is as clear as daylight. No amount of explanation from you will change that. You're not fooling anyone, Ben. I saw what you did with my own two eyes!" I knew my face was red, even though I was trying to play it cool – like I didn't care. I fucking did though – so much so, I was about to burst into tears. One wrong word and I was done for.

"I was drunk out of my mind!"

"Oh – so that's the excuse you're going to keep rolling with? That you were drunk!"

"Yes, it's the fucking truth! I drank like crazy that night. I was all alone – at a party – for the thousandth time, while you were working!"

My jaw dropped. He couldn't be serious right now. "I can't believe you!"

Ben glared at me, perfecting the award winning victim persona to a T. "Well, I can't believe you. You're always late for everything, and expect people to always wait for you. The worst part is, you're fucking twenty-two, and you still work at an ice cream store. All our friends have graduated from university. They're moving on with their lives and getting real jobs. You're not even.... embarrassed."

He was taking things way too far. "There is nothing wrong with my job! I love my job. At least I have a job; you still get money from your mommy and daddy!"

This really pissed him off. He got in my face. "I have a university degree," He pointed to himself. "And I'm trying to start a business! What the fuck are you doing with your life? Nothing! All you're good at doing is acting like a pathetic waste of space!"

Wow.

Spiteful low-blow number two or two thousand?

I wasn't sure at this point. I'd lost count.

"Well then... I guess it was fate," I sighed. "I'm such a waste of space, and you're the one going places with your university degree and business plans. You're doing yourself a disservice by being with a pathetic time-waster like myself."

I tucked my hands into my hoodie's pockets and looked at the ground; this was going to be hard for me to do – officially do. But after what he did, after what he said to me, called me, I had no choice.

I exhaled and continued. "I wish you the very best of luck in life..."

Ben huffed out a loud breath, but I kept going. "I hope everything works out the way you want it to, and I hope you find someone that's at the level you think you're on."

I didn't look up. I couldn't, because if I did, then it was game over.

"What the hell are you mumbling about?" Ben huffed. He was trying to play stupid, pretending he didn't actually hear me break up with him.

I did.

"You heard me – loud and clear. It's over." I turned quickly and rushed toward my car.

"What?" Ben screeched. "Where do you think you're going? We're not done here!"

I heard his frantic footsteps trying to catch up, which he did in no time as he used to be on the track team in high school, winning sprints easily.

"Stop making this all about you!" he yelled from behind me all of a sudden.

"Go away!" I yelled, still running.

"You're making a fool of yourself!" he yelled right at my tail.

Arriving in front of the driver's door, I finally faced him and he had this disgusted look on his face. He just kept shaking his head.

"Go away, Ben. Don't come anywhere near me." I ordered, but he wasn't listening. "It's over. You don't need to worry about me or what I'm doing, not that you did that before anyway."

The memory faded.

I shook my head, trying to disregard the third worst day of my life and how brutal it had been. But I had other things to worry about right now, like going to this party and surviving it with my head held high. It was time to face reality. I checked the time on my phone; it was almost 7:20 p.m. I checked the parking lot; it was void of people now.

"I think that's it for guests, Daniels," I declared, feeling relieved.

"I agree, Miss Gellys,"

"Okay, I'm going to go in now." I reached for the door handle for the millionth time, and this time I pulled it, opened the door and took a step out. I faced Daniels. "Wish me luck?"

"Good luck. I'll be waiting in the parking lot for when you're ready to leave."

I nodded. "Okay, see you in a little bit."

I got out of the car, instantly smoothing out my dress, and then examining it for any wrinkles. Thank God, there were none. I shut the door behind me and made my way to the front entrance. Here goes nothing.

The Pacific Banquet Hall looked like it sounded.

Every neighbourhood had a centre like this, a place where locals could gather and pretend they were rich enough to rent a room for the evening.

It was what it was, and I couldn't wait to get this night over with. There were too many bad vibes associated with this place, this neighbourhood.... this town.

Anyways, the entrance was a bitch to push though, but I managed, even though... it was bullshit. Who even designed those doors? Were they trying to make it difficult on purpose? It took both arms and I prayed to god the sweat fairy wasn't about to show up and hit me with a bucket of water. The last thing I needed was to enter the banquet hall looking like a dripping mess in front of Mom's uppity crowd. Cold air hits me as soon as I entered and it's a blessing and a curse. Potential sweat issues were out the door, but the air conditioning was on full blast, flowing freely though my fab dress and another area, thus... bringing me back to that fucked up mental state.

You're clean; you've cleaned yourself thoroughly! I reminded myself for the millionth time. For fuck's sake, why couldn't I move passed this?

Maybe it's because you woke up, wearing some random skank's underwear! I took deep breaths, stalling in the empty lobby – which I thanked God for – because all the better to get my shit together, and I needed to be quick about it. The staff weren't around to see me right now. I was an open book when it came to showcasing momentary reactions. It would have been pure comedy for them right now. Mom was probably keeping them all busy with her party. God knew that woman was a slave driver when she wanted to be, especially when it came to parties.

She liked to do them all flash and cash, show the people how it was done. I was the only thing she'd usually blame when things weren't going to plan, or if she had a weird feeling her guests weren't as impressed as they should have been. Something must have gone wrong, or rather, someone was ruining the façade she was trying to create.

Like... little old me?

So I didn't act it up like she did. That did not mean I ruined the atmosphere of her parties. In my opinion, I was a welcoming host who tried her very best to make sure things ran smoothly.

"Why do you insist on embarrassing your father and I, Marisa? Honestly! Purple and brown?" I remembered a memorable quote from last year during a little party she was having at the house. I decided to wear a purple sweater, and dark-brown slacks I'd cuffed at the bottom because they had been too long. I'd gotten them on sale, and sometimes you just had to make things work when you bought them on sale. Choices were limited, especially on budget.

And it's not like they'd paid for any of my clothes anyways. When I lived with them, I paid for all my shit. I may not have graduated from university like Ben had, but unlike him, I didn't mooch off my parents for everything under the sun. I'd mooched for absolutely nothing.

But my mom didn't think this was an accomplishment, instead, applauding Ben's goal of obtaining a university degree and making a life for himself, the right way, the respectful way. And if that took a little extra time at home then so be it, it would all be worth it in the end.

Once again, whatever I was doing, didn't count for shit.

I was and probably still seemed like a failure to the family, to the family friends and most of all... probably to Ben.

Jesus! I frowned at my reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall in the sitting area. I hadn't even made it passed the front lobby and I was already bringing myself down.

This was going well.... NOT.

I glanced down at the white tiled floor, feeling chest pains... but then.... Ooh, pretty shoes! A wide smile instantly turned my frown upside–down. I felt light and bubbly, warm all of a sudden.

My beautiful silver heels did that; they totally did that. I guessed the myths about good shoes really were true; they did make you feel amazing.

No more – you understand – no more! Remember, you're not a loser – and you've got really nice shoes on, and damn it girl, you better work them! I took a deep breath, looked back at the mirror and gave myself a nod. It was time to get this thing started. Time to walk in, and for jaws to drop.

That's right, move over, bitches; Marisa's coming in!

Now, which room were they in?

I walked down the hallway to one of three party rooms. Apparently, at this facility, they could either host one huge wedding, or two medium average-sized parties that would use up two party rooms, but nothing more than that because they only had about a hundred parking spaces. I walked by a pair of double doors; no noise was coming from inside, which was odd because the parking outside was supposed to be enough for two parties booked at a time.

So how many people did Mom actually invite to this thing? Because the last time I had checked, that parking lot was jammed packed.

Way more than a hundred people, that is for sure.

The next party room was further down the hall, and from my field of vision, I could see people hanging out front, and the closer I got, the louder the music became.

Here it comes. Here it comes. I felt butterflies in the pit of my stomach; the nerves were really kicking in now that I was getting closer to this moment, five months in the making.

As I got closer to the double doors, a few kids ran out and began playing tag.

That used to be me...sigh.

The kids ran by me down the hall, screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs, announcing to the entire facility how much fun they were having. As I caught each of their faces, I didn't recognize them to be able to locate their parents in case they went looking for them; I'd happily point which way the kids went running, in case any of the parents lost sight of them. Although, knowing the type of people Mom associated with, I'd probably be blamed for their disappearance.

Keep mouth shut...avoid blame...avoid it like the plague.

I grabbed the door handle, twisted it and opened the door. Loud music instantly surrounded me. I caught a glance of the room, and just like Kyle's Halloween party, this party was packed to the rafters.

Wow! How many people did Mom actually invite? Definitely over a hundred people, that's for sure!

The room's lights were dimmed low as fun party lights moved across the room. I entered the room, oblivious to any of the other partygoers; they were all busy getting down with the music, probably already on their third drink from the open bar. Mom always had an open bar. Not having an open bar was tacky, and honestly, what's the point of having a party if you couldn't provide alcohol freely to your guests?

I kind of agreed with her on that...for once.

I know; it's shocking.

This is perfect. I don't stick out like a sore thumb; everyone's too drunk to notice me! I thought with glee, my eyes circling the room, checking out the decorations Mom carefully incorporated. The theme was gold and blue. A giant banner with 'Happy 50th Birthday' hung over the DJ booth by the dance floor. There were fake flowers painted gold and blue everywhere. How predictable. Even by the entrance there was a small crystal bowl filled with blue and gold mints. My stomach grumbled just as a waitress came by with a tray of fried shrimp. I touched my belly, trying to remember what I'd eaten last.

Last night – My mind regurgitated a moment lost in the fog. Spots of images resurfaced in one swift motion... I saw myself stumbling next to a well-mannered Xander down a hallway on our way out of LETHE... "I um veryyyy ungry, I ungry, Xander," I wiped sweaty hair off my face, blinking twenty times and trying to clear my eyes of the lasers and smoke from inside LETHE that had followed me out. Xander's hand was on my arm, leading me to a door.

"Where we...uh...goin'?" I asked, trying to keep up with him. His sunglasses were still on, but I could see his scowl.

"What's your problammm?" I slurred.

Xander stopped us right in front of the door and faced me. "There's nothing wrong. I'm just concerned."

I hiccupped. "Concerned 'bout what?"

He stood closer and caressed the side of my face. "Darling, you haven't eaten since, since I don't even know. Even on the train you didn't eat anything, and tonight you've been drinking on an empty stomach. That's why I'm concerned."

Xander touchin' me funny again...I smiled lazily at him and bent my face into his palms.

"I'm a hungry, hungry, Xander, need food, need food now," I muttered before breaking into a fit of giggles.

"You're hungry. Well don't you worry, because Uncle Xander is going to feed you," Xander soothed teasingly.

Uncle?

"You're not mah uncle, you're too younguh!" I closed my eyes for a second. "How old you, Xander, I'm a big girl. I'm twenty-two?"

"I'm a big boy, too. I'm twenty-nine," Xander chuckled softly before sighing deeply. Then his phone beeped. "Come on, big girl, our ride's here."

He put his palm down and I fell down with it, but he caught me midway to the ground.

Saved me again...so sweet...so, so sweet. He grabbed my arm and opened the door, letting in a cold breeze that my body gratefully relished.

"Ahhhhh, some fresh air will do you some good!" Xander guided me outside to a taxi running idle in the alleyway. He placed me inside the car and crawled in after.

"Let's get you some food, shall we?" he smiled sweetly, and then turned to the driver... The smell of fried shrimp snapped me back to reality. "Would you like one?" the waitress asked with a welcoming smile. I gulped, eyeing her tray.

Beauty in the form of fried perfection glimmered under multi-coloured party lights panning the room. They shined like magic and my stomach groaned in pain, pleading for me to accept. I gulped again, because being hungry was an understatement, and I wanted to take one.... hell, I wanted to take ALL OF THEM. But I needed to find my family first, and I didn't want the first words spoken between us in over five months to be with shrimp-breath – unless it was spicy shrimp, then HELL YES.

I'm hilarious.

I shook my head. "No, thanks."

The waitress smiled and moved on to the next person who grabbed three. Savage!

I grabbed two mints instead, one gold and one blue, popping the gold one into my mouth. At least now my mouth would be minty fresh when conversing with the people here. Total class play and... so considerate of me for thinking of other people, too. I tucked the blue one into my clutch for later and trudged through the crowd in search for the twins or Dad. I walked by groups of people I recognized as my parents' work friends, well my dad's work friends. My mom did not work, unless you counted spending money at the mall and lunching with her bitchy friends as "working".

I said a quick hello and moved along to the next group, and that's where I found Dad, walking away from the bar with a drink in hand.

"Dad!" I yelled over the music, halting him for a few seconds before turning and making eye contact with me.

"Marisa!" he exclaimed. He placed his drink down and came to me with open arms. "Marisa, I can't believe it. You're here, in the flesh!"

I walked into his open arms and hugged him. Dad's cologne instantly calmed me, like I could breathe again. Weird, but understandable – he was the chill parent.

I stepped out of his embrace. "I told Darcy I was coming. Didn't she tell you?"

Dad nodded. "She did, right away. But we didn't believe it, considering how things have been going on lately. I'm so happy you came."

"I'm happy that you're happy, Dad. There's no way I'd miss your party. By the way, Happy Birthday, the big FIVE – OH, fifty years old, getting old, old man." I joked.

"Hey!" Dad protested, faking his pain with a giant grin. "Your old man has still got some years in him. I'm not that old, I'm just not that young anymore."

I laughed at his mannerism, loving his happy mood.

Dad took a moment and eyed my hair, my makeup, my dress, and my shoes. He seemed bewildered at my transformation. "I've never seen you look this nice before, not even for prom. I'm touched. Did you do this for me?"

I smiled bashfully, a little embarrassed, because he was right, I didn't do things like this. I sighed. "I wanted to look nice for your birthday."

He raised an eyebrow and looked at me in disbelief. "Are you sure about that? Is it really for me, or is it for a certain someone that you haven't seen, or talked to in over five months?"

Ben?

He thought I did this for Ben?

I didn't do any of this for Ben, because it was never the plan.

Xander's team did this for me as compensation.

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't do this for Ben. He doesn't deserve the effort, and as we all know, I don't do things like this for just anyone or anything."

"That's true. But your mom will be disappointed. She's been in constant denial about your relationship, saying you guys just hit a rough patch and needed some time apart before getting back together."

Dad seemed exhausted suddenly. Having to deal with that woman solo would make anyone tired. I felt kind of guilty leaving him alone to go against her temper-cannons, but then again when I lived with them it's not like he was there every second to ward her off when she went crazy on me.

It was Dad's turn.... unfortunately. And anyways, he's the one who married her. She was his problem for life, not mine.

"She knows it's over between us." I sighed, shaking my head in disbelief.

Dad chuckled. "I know that, but she still hopes. I think she just wants the wedding. She and Gwen want to plan one so badly."

At least his festive party spirit was back.

And why couldn't he be like this all the time? I wish it were always like this between us. There was no way Dad would talk like this in front of Mom.

I heard heels clack against the floor behind me.

Uh oh... speaking of the devil.

Attention on deck, attention on deck!

Brain, Heart, Spine, this is a code red: Man your stations with extreme prejudice!

I closed my eyes for a second, imagining puppies and rainbows and the calming serenity of ocean blue....

"Ah-hum."

I opened my eyes slowly and my mom came in full view, walking around me. She took her spot next to my dad and crossed her arms over her chest. She wore a dark lilac, one-shoulder shift dress – knee length, showcasing her gym-sculpted legs. She was shorter than I was, but her five-inch heels brought her height up. Normally, that would have brought her over me, but tonight, my feet were in high heels too. Mom scanned me up and down, her eyes doing nothing to hide the shock that her daughter actually showed up looking beyond polished. Maybe even more polished than the majority of the guests.

I wasn't going to say hello first.

"Hello, Marisa." Mom said calmly and without traces of venom, surprisingly. Well actually, not surprising. We were at a party. She wasn't going to go crazy and show her true colours, not in front of her beloved friends, and the kids of those friends of whom she apparently favoured over her own flesh and blood.

AKA... Moi.

"Hello, Mom," I replied, mimicking her calm façade.

"I'm surprised you actually showed up. You were gone for so long. I'm so – so surprised. You actually look... nice." Mom assessed, scanning my look again. "Who knew you had it in you."

And so it begins....

"It's not a big deal. It's just a dress and some shoes." I responded nonchalantly. I peeked through the corner of my eye, and Dad kept sipping his drink, a bit on edge if you asked me.

"Marisa, I thought that was you!" Gwen, Mom's best, best, best friend rejoiced, gliding toward us in her flowy, peach–coloured, spaghetti-strapped cocktail dress.

"In the flesh," I said as she joined Mom's hip. Mom smiled at her best friend before looking back at me... not smiling. AKA... forced tolerance. Congratulations, Marisa. You've done it again. Mommy is annoyed in record speed.

"So Marisa, we haven't seen you for a long time. What have you been up to? Where have you been?" Gwen asked.

"Oh, I've been around the neighbourhood, here and there. You know, nothing really that special going on," I replied nonchalantly.

Mom glanced back and forth between Gwen and myself, looking confused as to what was going on. For one, why were we even having this conversation? Why in the hell was Gwen bothering to talk to me?

I mean... didn't I break up with her shining-star, prince of a son?

Shouldn't I have been hated on.... yelled at.... told how it really was... that I was so lucky.... and that I didn't deserve the five years I ruthlessly stole from her precious pookie bear. And if that ever came up, I would tell her exactly why her special little man stayed with me for so long. The extra little bit that he could never deny.

I HAD GREAT LIPS.

"You don't work at the ice cream store anymore, do you?" Gwen asked.

"No, I quit five months ago." I answered.

Question number two from Gwen: "So where do you work now?"

"At a place near my house." I answered while using every ounce of control not to laugh. They were getting no info from me.

But clearly my tactics were transparent, and as Gwen faced Mom, I knew her tactics were changing. "Libby, you must love all the extra room you've got now, don't you?"

Mean bitches.

And like a good little puppy, my mom nodded. "Yes, it was dreadful before. The basement was too cramped, especially since the twins wanted a few game tables. So we just cleared some things and put them in Marisa's old room."

"That's great, good use of space." I added, pretending to agree. I knew what they were trying to do, and it wasn't going to work.

Dad cleared his throat. "Ladies, I'm off. Back to the guys."

"Of course, darling, go enjoy yourself." Mom gushed, way out of her normal character, putting on a front for her dearest friend, pulling a stupid façade that screamed.... "I take care of my husband, and I don't belittle him when it comes to our children. And no, he doesn't act like a bitch when it's just us, because after all, he's the man of the house, and has the balls in our family."

Dad faced me before returning to his rowdy friends. "Marisa, we'll have a talk later, okay?"

"Alright. Don't worry. I'm not going to run anywhere anytime soon." I told him, totally ignoring the other two.

He nodded, and I chuckled as he quickly headed back to the open bar to get a new drink. He should have some fun; this was his party. He should be having lots and lots of fun.

The spot I was in was the no-fun zone. Even at a party where it's a requirement to be constantly laughing and soaking in good vibes, I was stuck in a horribly hidden interrogation with the terrible twosome. AKA: The Piranha Squad.

I reluctantly returned my gaze back to the discerning eyes of my inquisitors to find Gwen eyeballing my entire body a bit too long and a bit too obviously. When her eyes finally settled back on to my face, she seemed confused. I could tell by the way her eyes narrowed, she was unconvinced for some reason.

Like there had to be a reason as to why I looked nice, for once.

"That is a lovely dress, Marisa. And the shoes are spectacular!" Gwen gushed, her eyes widening in mock excitement....'Cause the bitch was fake!

Gwen turned to Mom. "Libby, you must have bought them for her to wear, this has your taste written all over it!"

And there's the total switch shift. It's so amazing, that Marisa couldn't have possibly been responsible for putting this ensemble together. It must have been someone who knew what they were doing – which wasn't untrue – but still – I was offended to say the LEAST.

I cut in before Mom could answer...or lie. "Actually, no. I bought them."

Gwen's eyebrows rose again. "Wow, I guess wherever you work now must pay you well. A big difference from before, right?" She began to giggle knowingly. More stupidly, if you asked me.

Mom's eyebrows rose, but I think it was meant for me, even though her friend was acting like me wearing nice clothing was such a novelty, that there must be something more to the story.

The disbelief made my eye twitch... filling me with the courage to give them the low down, the dirty, the dish.

I cleared my throat. "Actually, I'm not being completely honest with you guys about the dress and the shoes. I didn't buy them."

Mom looked slightly confused. On the other hand, Gwen's expression quickly morphed from confused to pure delight. Discreetly, of course, but I could see joy twinkle in her clear, aqua blue eyes. Gwen nodded in slow motion, as if it all made sense now in her 'ah-ha' moment.

Or would it?

I was about to spread that magic juice.... I grinned and let the chaos break free like a giant stinky fart. "Yeah, MY PIMP actually bought it for me yesterday. I was a good girl this week, if you know what I mean."

"Marisa!" Mom hissed.... sounding not so happy.

I was just trying to be honest.

I thought that's what they wanted.

Jeez, you can't please anyone these days, not even with the truth.

I sighed. "Yeah, he just dropped me off out front twenty minutes ago__"

"Marisa!" Mom hissed again.

I supressed my glorious grin as the show still must go on. "Maybe I can introduce you guys when he picks me up later. I've got a late evening appointment I've got to get to after the party, and with the new service I offer, customers have been calling nonstop_"

"Marisa!" Mom growled, her eyes throwing daggers, while her hands clamped into tight, boney fists.

Mission accomplished.

They wanted a piece of me? Well, how about now.

How about now, bitches!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Annihilated.

Game, set, and match!

Winner: Marisa "No Fucks Given" Gellys!

A few chuckles spilled out, no matter how hard I tried to contain them, but this was too funny. I took another glance at the room while Mom struggled to backtrack from a potential meltdown. As for Gwen, she remained silent, perhaps in shock. I spotted Darcy sitting at a table in the back with the rest of the young people.

"Oh, is that where I'll be sitting?" I pointed to Darcy's table in mock interest.

"I cannot believe __" Mom screeched.

"I think I'll go say hello, but we must have another chat later. This one was just too much fun. Alright, see you guys later." I wiggled my fingers at the both of them, and made my way to my thirteen-year-old sister, who was busy playing with her cellphone.

"Libby, she was just joking," I heard Gwen tell my mom; probably trying to console her quickly before she completely lost it.

"I cannot believe her, at her father's birthday party!" Mom hissed uncontrollably, probably loving the attention Gwen was giving her.

Aw, shucks, I did it again. I'd made my precious mother, who worked so hard to put this party together, upset. I was just so mean, just so inconsiderate of her feelings. When was I going to grow up and finally treat her with the respect she deserved?

Maybe when everyone here got PINK EYE, but until then.... It would be a very long fucking time before I treated her with any respect. But, let me just say this – if she wasn't my mom, I'd call her an evil cunt with a best friend to match.

Hash-tag, Lizard Queens!

"Hey Darcy!" I sang.

Darcy's head jerked up in surprise, her brown eyes quickly finding mine as she grinned in surprise.

She shot out of her seat and gave me a huge hug. "Marisa, you actually came!"

I missed you...

I took the empty seat next to her and hugged her again. "As I said I would, little sister. Where's Cam?" I took a quick look around to see if I could spot him.

"He went with Johnny to get a soda," Darcy explained, putting her phone down on the table. Johnny was Ben's fourteen-year-old brother. I gazed over at the girl sitting next to Darcy, Jennifer, Ben's twelve-year-old little sister.

Oh, those two women, they just loved having the same amount of kids, didn't they? Coordinating amounts by gender, perhaps we were matched at birth, a huge three-way wedding. As for their dreams, they'd been talking about it since first meeting a million years ago in the late eighteen hundreds.

Mom and Gwen had a plan.

And I ruined it.

### CHAPTER 3

MARISA

Twenty minutes later, my hunger and thirst made the room shift. Cameron finally graced our table with Johnny, and I came back to Earth with a sweet warm smile plastered across my face. My baby bro and sis were the only people I really gave a shit about. And besides my dad, when he wasn't siding with the devil, everyone else could go fuck themselves.

"Marisa, you're here?" Cameron gasped, shocked to see me.

"In the flesh, little bro!"

Cameron rushed over. "When did you get back?"

"Yesterday," I answered, giving him a tight hug.

Even with heels on, he was only a few inches shorter. I glanced over to Darcy, happy that she was growing just as nicely. I hoped she'd be taller than me, too. I wanted the both of them to be everything I couldn't be.

Cameron stepped out of our hug. "Did you bring me anything?"

"It's not your birthday for another couple of months!" I cried playfully.

"I'm going to get you guys something amazing for your birthday, don't worry." I grabbed my clutch off the table. "I'm off to the bar, anyone want anything?"

They all said no and I headed to the bar, pretending people weren't looking at me and whispering.

"Marisa's back!"

"Marisa was gone?"

"Yes, Libby didn't elaborate. Something about a road trip to find herself!"

"So, is she back for good?"

"Her mother is so disappointed in her."

"Libby was always harsh!"

"She looks lovely."

"What a wonderful colour on her!"

"Where did she get that dress?"

"She must have a good job...Gwen said..."

Good old Gwen! I chuckled and took my place in line at the bar.

"Hey..." a familiar voice called from behind me.

My body fucking froze.

I turned around slowly.

And there he was.

A fucking precious part of my past.

Ben.

This man was a part of me, and I couldn't forget him, no matter what. He stood with his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans, wearing a fitted off-white blazer, which I mentally rolled my eyes at, because who would wear an off-white blazer? Even if the person wearing it looked amazing.

His brown eyes twinkled and his dark brown hair was gelled back, showcasing the beauty of his face.

Damn, my ex-boyfriend looked fine as hell – and damn it – why couldn't he just accept me for me.... love me for me? Because I had loved him just the way he was. Even though sometimes he had acted like a total and complete Momma's-boy-cocky-douchebag.

But the cheating was something I couldn't get over.

My lips hadn't been enough for him.... and that's what killed the most.

"Hey," I murmured back, keeping eye contact.

You can do this!

"How are you?" Ben asked.

I pressed my clutch to my hip and subtly adjusted my stance by bending my knees slightly, just in case I needed the stability. "I'm fine," I replied.

"Did you just arrive?" he asked.

"Yeah, like fifteen minutes ago." I replied.

"So did I. I didn't see you outside. I mean, we arrived practically at the same time..." Ben trailed off.

"I saw you," I confessed.

Ben's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah, I was in the black SUV in front of the steps outside." I explained,

This surprised him. "Oh, you changed your car?"

"No, I got a ride from a friend." I explained and something clouded his eyes, but he quickly reverted back to normal.

Was that... jealousy?

"And I don't have my car anymore...I had to sell it." I explained further.

What the fuck! Why am I telling him this?

"Thought you loved that car?" Ben asked, confused at my confession.

He knew I loved my car and would never sell it. Even when he had asked me to sell it because it was old, and promising to drive me anywhere, I had still refused. What was mine was mine, and no one, not even him, would tell me otherwise.

I exhaled slowly and shrugged. "I didn't have a choice."

Ben's eyes twinkled a bit, looking smug. "Needed the money, huh?" He sounded arrogant as hell, too.

There's that guy... I forgot about him for a second.

"You could say that." I gulped, slightly raising my voice. Ben took his hands out of his pockets and folded his arms across his chest, and then not so subtly scanned me from head-to-toe.

"You look like you're doing fine. More than fine, actually," He gave me a small smile. "You said you got a ride from a friend? Someone new?"

"You could say that," I replied without flinching.

The smile was gone, replaced with the beginnings of a sneer. "Making new friends wherever it is you moved to, right?" His tone of voice was slow, like he was explaining something to himself that made no sense.

"Tons." I replied.

Confusing the shit out of me, the slight sneer went away and he went back to being chill

"You look nice though," Ben murmured.

I gulped. "Thank you."

"Never seen you look like this before,"

I crinkled my eyes in confusion. "Okay..."

He gestured at my attire with his hands. "You never dressed like this before, or fixed your hair like this when we dated."

I shrugged. "Well, it's been a while since I saw my family, and I wanted to look nice for my dad's birthday party."

He seemed unconvinced with my answer. "So you fixed yourself up for your dad's party?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah."

"No one else?"

I exhaled a small breath and answered. "Nope... priorities, remember?"

He nodded slowly. "I remember."

The bartender called my turn and I ordered a cranberry and vodka cocktail. I took a sip as soon as the bartender placed it on the counter. The cranberry juice's flavour exploded across my tongue.

I turned back to Ben. "Alright, well – I'm going back to my table."

Ben unfolded his arms and nodded slowly. "Okay."

"Okay," I said and walked away, feeling like my legs could collapse at any second. Don't Fall!

### CHAPTER 4

DEMETRIA

It was 8:30 p.m.

No one called me.

My phone never rang.

Something was wrong.

It didn't make sense.

He should have called me hours ago.

I'd even called my cell phone provider and yelled at them for their disgusting service, demanding them to test my phone's signal five times, because there had to be some mistake....

Much to my disappointment, my phone service was fine.

I tried reminding myself that he was probably busy and would call when his free charity work for the city of Ottawa was done.

I sat in front of the mirror and caressed my lips, thinking of his beautiful face. "Sweeter than honey!" I growled passionately. "More caring and giving and generous than Mother Teresa! That's the kind of man he is!"

Everything I wanted in a life partner.... Suddenly, an idea came to mind... a brilliant one. If he wouldn't come to me, than I would go to him.

I scurried to my door and unlocked it. "Mother!" I yelled into the dark hallway. "Mother!"

After a few seconds, the sound of her heels clicked against the marble staircase. "Yes, darling, I'm coming. No need to shout; Mommy's coming!"

"Hurry up! I don't have all day!" I commanded curtly as she came to a halt in front of me.

My mother was an older version of myself.

Wild, beautiful dark-brown curly hair.

Creamy white alabaster skin that could rival the best in the world (thanks to the best dermatologist in Canada).

She wasn't as tall as I me. I was five foot nine inches.

And we had similar deep blue eyes.

"Yes, darling, is everything okay?" Mother panted.

I stared at her for a few seconds, shocked at her stupidity. "I need a ride downtown in half an hour. Do you understand?" I hissed, narrowing my eyes at her.

"You would like to go out now?" Mother asked, obviously confused at the sudden change of my nightly habits. Normally, about now, I would have been preparing for bed, considering most nights I got about twelve hours of uninterrupted beauty sleep.

I tilted my head to the side, making it crack loudly. "Did you just question one of my requests?" I asked her slowly, holding a hand to my heart as my jaw literally dropped. It could have been a few seconds or a whole minute. The next words out of her mouth had better be an apology.

"Of course not, darling, my apologies. You know Mommy is not like those other mothers who want to get in the way of their daughter's fun!" Mother exclaimed, horrified at the mess she almost got herself into.

That's what I thought.

"I need a ride in half an hour, do you understand?" I ordered, slowly enunciating each word so she'd understand with great clarity, these were instructions I didn't have time for her to dwell on and configure. Mother took a deep breath and nodded. I took a step back and slammed the door in her face, locking it at once.

Not even the devil himself would deter me from my love tonight.

I collapsed against my door and held my chest as my heart fluttered in glee. "Alexander darling, hold your arms wide open... I'm coming to you now."

### CHAPTER 5

MARISA

Smells of savoury tomato sauce and meat had my eyes rolling back. Across the dance floor, in the corner of the room, I spotted a long and narrow table with platters spread across. Steam flew out and I followed the clouds to a problem: Ben's table was next to the buffet table.

My table got up and joined the growing line. The line moved and the DJ played a big-band track. I leaned against the wall as Darcy and the rest of the kids grumbled how hungry they were. I snuck a peek at a few spots down the line at Ben and his tablemates.

Did he get taller? Did his shoulders grow wider? Has he been pumping iron? What do his biceps look like now? What about his penis size, did that grow too? The last time I touched him like that was....

"Hey Johnny!" a familiar voice said, interrupting the aftereffects of remembering the last time I had sex. Unfortunately for me, the familiar voice belonged to the person who just gave me a mind-blowing orgasm in my memory.

Ben.

What the hell does he want all the way over here?

"Johnny, don't forget to take your pills." Ben reminded.

"Dude, I know, you don't have to remind me!" Johnny replied, exasperated, clearly embarrassed from the call out.

Yeah Ben, he knows!

"Alright, alright. Just, reminding you, little bro." Ben chuckled, stalling for a few seconds before heading back to his spot.

Thank God! I glanced up quickly, finding Darcy and Jennifer staring at me with knowing smiles.

"Why are guys staring at me like that?" I narrowed my eyes and looked down at them.

I looked over at Cameron, who was in the direct line of sight of Ben, who just happened to turn his head right at that moment. His beautiful eyes took control over mine in an instant, and for a moment, I thought I spotted sadness.

I blinked away.

The line progressed and before I knew it, I stood in front of the cutlery and plates. I grabbed one of each. My hands were shaking with excitement. I'd never been this happy to eat.

First table: Salads, a mixed green, and a Caesar. I smiled happily, approving both choices. I chose Caesar salad and moved on.

Next table: There were a few trays and it smelled like they had something tomato saucy and cheesy inside of them.

Dear God, please let it be lasagne or pasta.

Workers from the kitchen stood behind each tray, spooning equal amounts onto everyone's plate. I stood in front of the first tray and looked inside. Steam flew out and it smelled so good.... But then I saw what it was and cringed in disgust.

"What is that?" I asked the food attendant, horrified at the cheese-covered pancake shaped vegetable.

"Eggplant Parmesan." the food attendant quickly answered. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

I pulled my plate back. No! I, fucking hate eggplant! Mom knows this!

"No, thank you." I quickly moved to the next tray. It's a rice dish, but it looked gooey with some sort of white meat sticking out.

"What's that?" I asked the next attendant, trying to mask the look of confused disgust on my face.

"That is squid risotto." the attendant answered and my plate jerked back in response.

Squid!

How could she!

This time I couldn't hide the look of distain from my face. I had fucking stomach issues when it came to octopus or squid.

Mom knows I can't eat this shit!

Next table: There were three covered trays and I stopped in front of the first one, praying to seven gods that it was something I could actually eat. I exhaled and asked the million-dollar question again.

"What's that?" I asked the third food attendant, an older woman who looked like she was on the cusp of retirement. She lifted the lid and.... lots and lots of ONIONS!!!

"Chicken and onions," she answered tiredly, which was also code for 'Bitch, if you don't want it, move on! Fucking hell!'

I. Fucking. Hated. Onions!

Mom knew.... she fucking knew.

She knows I hate onions!

What a sinister human being!

I gulped my distaste back and held my plate out. "Can you give me a piece of chicken with absolutely no onions on it?"

"I'll do my best," The attendant peered into the tray and moved things around with her tongs. Finally, she grabbed a piece of chicken with the least amount of onions and placed it on my plate. No fucking way! I looked back and forth between the chicken – that still had onions on it.... and the woman.

The attendant shrugged. "Welcome to the pain and misery of life, my dear. It's all down hill from here. Now scoot over for the next person in line."

I quickly turned my head and searched the room for my mom, finding her seated at her "special table", laughing it up with her people, eating this poor excuse for food.

Look up and face me, you she-devil!

I wanted her to see my death glare and cringe in pain. But she didn't, as she was too busy being happy.

"Are you going?" the person behind me asked, breaking my focus.

"Sorry." I said and moved down, peering inside the next tray and sighing in relief at a selection of roasted potatoes in which I happily held out my plate for. The next tray had lemon infused fish. Fuck no.

The next and last tray was pasta, but I wasn't sure what kind.

"What is that?" I asked an older man, who also looked like he was on the cusp of retirement. Trust Mom to pick a place that employed senior citizens, making them work for practically nothing while being made to work like slaves. Fucking selfish.

"Eggplant—" he began to say.

NOOOOOO!

"What?" I croaked, horrified.

"Lasagne," he finished saying.

Eggplant lasagne!

How could she!

Fucking eggplant lasagne!

WHY!

Mom took my hate list of food and made a buffet out of it.

"No, no, no, no, no.... no thank you!" I jerked my plate back and turned away from the buffet, coming face-to-face with Ben's table, where Ben was happily munching on his overloaded plate. That momma's boy loved and ate all kinds of food. He wasn't picky with food like I was. He wasn't picky with lips either.... you know, just pointing that out, too.

He picked this beautiful moment, while I looked like I was on the verge of cracking, to look up and make eye contact. He looked at my plate and began to snicker. Taylor, another kid we grew up with, looked up at the sound of Ben's laugh, followed his line of sight to me, glanced at my plate, and began laughing.

"All your favourites, right, Marisa?" Taylor laughed out loud with food in his mouth. "Come join us."

I narrowed my eyes at them, annoyed at the sound of their laughter. "No, thank you. I'm going to sit with my sister."

"You're going to sit at the kid table?" Taylor asked in disbelief, looking at Ben and me. Ben stopped snickering and leaned back in his chair, looking at me, waiting for my next answer.

"That's right, the kid table." I told them and walked away. Back at my table, all the kids were already there, happily eating with no problem. As I dissected onions from my chicken, I went down a spiral of self-doubt.

How come, out of everyone, I was the only one who was a picky eater?

Why am I always the one who has to be different?

"How is everyone doing here?" Mom's high–pitched, fake happy voice towered over us. I looked up and her eyes were wide with excitement.

Everyone muttered 'good', hoping that would be the end of it, but it wasn't, because her eyes settled on me. I didn't join the 'good' mutters with everyone else.

Fuck self-doubt.

I placed my fork down on the table.

"The food, oh my God, it is absolutely amazing. I don't know how you did it all, simply wonderful. So good!" I yelled in faux joy, also using a thumbs-up to illustrate how yummy the food was.

The traitor queen narrowed her eyes for a moment before returning to.... "That's lovely, I'm glad you're enjoying it!" she yelled back using the same faux joy tone. She moved along to the next table and did the same thing. I glanced around the room and everyone was staring. I looked across the dance floor at Ben's table. He wasn't looking, but he was shaking with laughter. He probably saw what happened and loved it.

Prick.

Scowling, I looked away and everyone at my table was staring at me, too.

I picked my fork back up and speared at my salad. "Why are you guys staring at me?"

Jennifer, Cameron and Johnny quickly looked away and smirked at their plates.

Darcy giggled at me. "You and Mom, acting crazy in public. Sigh... I've missed it."

I got busy eating and ignored everyone. When I looked up, most tables were empty with the dance floor crowding up by the second. The music changed and Darcy jumped up and pointed at me.

I patted my belly. "I ate too much. Maybe I should sit this one out, Darcy."

"But this is our song, Marisa!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming." I got up, smoothing my dress and allowing her to push me to the now-crowded dance floor. I slowly swayed to the heavy beat of the song, as Jennifer and Darcy danced wildly to the track. Behind them, I saw Mom and Gwen busting a move with their friends like it was 1980 again.

After dancing to a few more songs, my feet were killing me and I wanted to sit down. A minute away from foot comfort, I glanced up at high-pitched squeals and saw Mom and her friends coming over, shaking their hips around us. So embarrassing.

I searched for Mom's partner-in–crime, surprised she wasn't there with the crew busting a move like they were back in the good old days. Mom danced her way over to Darcy, leaving me to awkwardly dance by myself.

That's when I realized something was about to happen.

I looked up and Gwen was dragging Ben through the crowded dance floor with her. My mom out of nowhere started pushing me and before I knew it, Ben was in front of me, looking more confused and uncomfortable than I was. The song ended and the DJ played a slow song next. Mentally, I was out of it – so out of it, that my ex-boyfriend circled his arm around my waist and pulled me in.

We were touching everywhere – everywhere. And I wasn't sure how I felt about that. But I wasn't angry.... which was shocking because ten minutes ago, he disgusted me.

"What are you doing?" I asked, circling my arms around his neck instinctively.

"Let's just dance," Ben said back, staring at my lips like nothing had ever changed.

And a part of me wished it never had....

Stay strong, Marisa!

### CHAPTER 6

MARISA

His soft brown eyes held me hostage for about a minute.

"What do you think you're doing?" I murmured.

"Dancing, isn't that obvious?" he answered softly, showing me sweet Ben.

Sweet Ben was a deadly assassin in the emotion department.

I could not let him win.

I stared hard at him. "It's obvious, but you know what I mean."

He didn't even blink. "Do I?"

"Whatever," I sucked in a deep breath, keeping myself in rhythm with the music, as apposed to his hard body.

Crap.... there's that good old trouble inside me, stirring.

"Can you like.... give me some space, please?" I pulled my body away from his, but his arms tightened in response, pulling me closer again.

"I'm good where I am." he murmured.

"Yeah? Well, I'm not, so a little space, please." I pulled back again, and this time he stayed still.

He grimaced. "Better?"

"Much better." I replied, noticing his eyes were clouded with anger.

"What?" I asked defensively.

He looked away and shook his head.

"What's the problem now?" I asked him, and he turned his eyes back to me accusingly.

Good ol' Marisa, ruining the reunion with her shitty attitude, again.

Someone give me a gold medal for being the ultimate bitch.

But if that's the case then he'd better hold on, because I was just getting started.

"It's going to be okay," I cooed him, patting his shoulder. "I understand, though."

"What are you talking about?" he asked warily and I leaned in a little.

"I know what it feels like to chafe down there. Be sure to tell your mommy to use baby powder tonight when she's changing your diaper right before you go night-night, okay?" The urge to open my mouth and laugh out evilly was strong, but I did my best to keep a straight face. It was really hard, though.

Thankfully, the music faded and a faster beat livened the dance floor, which was my cue to bounce.

"Song's over, nice dancing with you." My exit was abrupt and I left him on the dance floor, heading back to my table without looking back. I had balls, but I was still human at the end of the day. Staring straight with no regrets was a mission of great importance. But making the right moves was not my preferred MO, or maybe it was just me being dumb again. Taking a seat and automatically looking back to the dance floor where I'd left Ben hanging was a bad move. He was still there despite the dance floor crowding up again. The music was hype and fast, energetic. Hands were up, so were Ben's, but his flailing arms had nothing to do with the music, and they were pointed my way.

Yeah, I did that.

His reaction was bullshit. If he thought I'd feel guilty right now, than he could go fuck himself. He had no right to be angry right now, because this was our story, and in our story, he was the villain, not me. And those were hard facts.

The crowd cleared away, Mom and Gwen were in front of Ben, doing their best to comfort him. Their efforts were pointless, because that idiot huffed his way off the dance floor. It wasn't over just yet. The terrible twosome turned around, their greedy eyes scouring the room for the criminal.... AKA, Me.

I felt the sting of their eyeballs when they finally located my ass, giving me their signature death/poor-excuse-for-a-human-being glare.

Adding a shake of the head and a roll of the eye, mission completed. They returned to their friends and got jiggy with it. I imagined their conversation would go something like this....

"Marisa's not going to ruin our night!" my mom was probably saying to Gwen. "Ben's too good for her!"

"I know!" Gwen would agree without hesitation. "Let's just ignore her! She's a loser."

"I'd slap you, but you're right!" my mom would cackle and hug her best friend....

They weren't going to let me ruin this fabulous evening like I'd always done in the past.... supposedly. They weren't going to let me win this time. I didn't deserve their time.

So inconsiderate and rude of me.

Jesus, why couldn't I just open my eyes? Ben was a catch, a sweet and generous man who I should have worshipped daily. I mean, who else would see me like he did?

A prized possession, the rose of his flower garden, the Earl Grey tea in his tea collection, when I was really just an Orange Pekoe, the store brand version, but I was graciously being treated as if I was Earl Grey. I should have considered that and appreciated it.

No.

Fuck them all.

I may have been just the store-brand version of Orange Pekoe in their eyes, but I knew I was more than that. In fact, I was the store-brand version of Orange Pekoe that came in a packet of twenty, wrapped and rivalling prices of the top-selling tea in the aisle.

So suck on that, bitches!

"A cola, please." I ordered at the bar, leaning against the marble countertop. As the bartender filled a glass, I thought I heard someone whisper my name. I glanced at the entrance and noticed Daniels peeking in from the hallway.

"Daniels?" I mouthed, surprised as he waved me over. I grabbed my drink from the bartender, quickly glanced around the room and joined Daniels in the hallway. "Is everything okay, am I taking too long?"

Daniels shook his head. "No everything is okay. I'm fine. It's just, Mr. Barns has been trying to contact you for the last thirty minutes, and he's called me to pass along a message, considering my near location."

I cringed. "He called you to come and tell me to pick up my phone?"

Daniels shook his head again. "I'm sorry, Ms. Gellys, but if you can just give him an answer, all will be okay again."

I shrugged. "Okay."

Daniels breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "I'll be outside when you're ready."

He walked away and I took a deep breath and entered back inside. The DJ kept the dance theme going, and there were empty seats everywhere, with guests all busting a move/or bruising a hip on the dance floor.

Good, nobody noticed me leave. I scoured the room for a few seconds as I made my way over to the table to get my clutch so I could see how many missed calls I had from Xander, AKA that sneaky son-of-a-bitch.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Gwen and my mom by the dance floor. Ben was in front of them and they were obviously consoling him again. He was pointing in my direction again.

What's wrong with him now?

Mom caught me looking. She gave Gwen a nudge and they narrowed their eyes at me, while their injected lips did their version of a snarl. Ben turned to see what they were scowling at, and once he saw it was just little old me, he shook his head and walked away.

Awww.... What's the poor thing upset about now? Is he upset about having to stay at the party when he could be out.... making out with some more short, redheads?

I grabbed my clutch when something in the air switched. I felt a certain danger approaching, and my heart began to beat faster.

Shit.

"Where were you just now?" Mom screeched behind me, but not loud enough for any of her precious guests to hear her lose it. I slid the clutch underneath my arm and raised an eyebrow.

Hold the fuck up, in that tone – yeah, I don't think so. I turned, finding Lizard Queen one and two scowling at me, like I'd annoyed them beyond the limit of tolerance, crossing some line.

Simultaneously, they folded their arms over their chests.

Oh Mom, you never will learn, will you? You can't talk to me like that anymore. I inhaled some oxygen, getting my motor running to annihilate.

I had a treat for them.

Well, a treat for me, punishment for them.

What could I say?

They should have known better.

They're going to get it.... Soul-destroying style.

Activating Marisa in humiliation mode... COMMENCED.

I gave them a small smile. "I was looking for the bathroom when I realized I forgot my bag," I held my clutch up to them. "I need to change my bloody tampon_"

"Marisa!" Mom hissed, interrupting me rudely while looking left-to-right in case anyone heard.

I hoped they all heard.

I kept going. "My flow these last few days has been off the charts, crazy heavy. I'm bleeding everywhere, thank God, I brought extra TAMPONS!"

A few people around us stopped what they were doing, pretending they weren't listening. It wasn't the whole room, but a few people listening in on my period rant was enough to get Mom's blood boiling.

Her eyes bulged out, seething. Her head twitched and Gwen held her shoulder to calm her down, to reassure her, that yet again, I probably was joking.

"I'm... not... joking." I growled quietly to Gwen and then hurried out of the room with my heart beating like crazy. Wow... I just did that. I just freaking did that and if felt fucking amazing!

If my mom really knew me, she would have known what I'd just declared was a lie. She should know that my cycle started at the beginning of the month, not in the middle.

Shouldn't a mother know when her daughter's period cycle was?

So, shame on her for forgetting when I got my period. She deserved that lie. I didn't have my period, in fact except for the whole cream coloured thong fiasco; I was clean as a whistle down there.

I douched regularly.

My clutch vibrated underneath my arm, reminding me of Daniels impromptu visit about missing Xander's calls. I took my phone out mid-buzz and went to the bathroom at the end of the hallway.

Inside the ladies bathroom, I checked each stall for security reasons and picked the handicapped stall. The toilet had a seat cover, which was great because I needed to sit. My feet were killing me.

Xander: 7:30 p.m.

I can't wait....

Xander: 7:32 p.m.

Answer me...

Xander: 7:50 p.m.

You know I always get what I want...I'll be seeing you later...it's a fact.

Xander: 8:10 p.m.

Tried to call you....hope your dad's party is going well...I'm having a good time too, a real good time...

Xander: 8:15 p.m.

Tell me how good of a time you're having...then I can tell you about mine...it's so good right now...

Xander: 8:35 p.m.

Why will you not answer your phone? I find it ridiculous that you can't answer a simple phone call or text! I need a status update...when are you coming over?

Xander: 8:45 p.m.

Be a nice kitty and give Uncle Xander a ring...he misses you.

Xander: 8:50 p.m.

I'm not that perverted...I just like what I like...can't you understand that? When are you going to get here? If I must be honest, the wait...it's a bit torturous. Come over...soon.

Xander: 9:01 p.m.

Answer your phone or else I'm going to call Daniels to come in and get you. I need to know when you're coming over.

Xander: 9:18 p.m.

Baby, please...give me something. I was good to you...No?

Marisa: 9:20 p.m.

Fuck you, mother fucker! I can't just leave my father's fiftieth birthday party to come and give you the thong I'm wearing. I'll be leaving within the next hour...but I won't be coming over. I'll give Daniels the thong in a plastic bag and I'll go straight home. Do as you please with it. I don't owe you shit after this.

Xander: 9:22 p.m.

Normally I wouldn't object to a simple delivery; sometimes I prefer it like that. But on this occasion...I'd say there's nothing better than having 'It' as fresh as possible. There's nothing I want more than to watch you glide that treasure off your temple of creation, right here, in front of me.

Baby, it's part of the deal, one that I will not back down from.

So please...don't make me miss out on... what I've been salivating all day for.

I can't wait to smell everything.

Kisses and caresses

Marisa: 9:28 p.m.

You are so annoying. Fine! I'll come, but I'm not staying for more than a few minutes. You get the thong and I'm outta there!

Got it?

Xander: 9:29 p.m.

Baby...you made me so happy...see you within the hour.

A stampede of heels entered the bathroom, followed with drunken howling.

"Ruthie!"

"Shush! Don't bring attention to us, Francine; it was an accident!"

Ruthie and Francine?

A memory flashed from last summer. Mom was having one of her summer parties, and one of her many divorced friends came over wearing a scantily short dress with her boobs popping out. No wait, there were two of them, and the dresses they were wearing were a size too small for the both of them.

They were out on the hunt, and Mom had taken them around introducing them to all the singles. Mom was a Madame in her own right that night. In fact, I should have expressed that thought that night in front of everyone.

"Ruthie, I know it was an accident, you dirty girl, but I can't believe you! You just had sex with that sexy food attendant in the back room! That was on purpose... don't you deny it!"

My jaw dropped. No way! Uh-oh, ladies, the cats out of the bag. Ruthie, you dirty slut, having unprotected sex with one of the waiters! How scandalous!

"It was amazing; we did it in the broom closet and he came all over me. My vagina is still throbbing. Ohhh, baby. I want more!" Ruthie purred.

Oh God...graphic images...no!

Francine gasped. "He came all over you? OMG, you're still wearing your thing, right?"

"Of course I am. I had one put in after Marcus and I divorced," Ruthie answered. "I do not need a pregnancy scare. I already have two little ones that I can't stand to be around for too long; and thank God, they're at their father's for the entire month!"

Fucking.... bitch!

Francine squealed. "That's fab. We should totally go to Vegas next weekend!"

Totally?

"That's an amazing idea! It'll be like so much fun. A spur of the moment trip, maybe some of the other girls would love to come as well." Ruthie rejoiced.

"I'm so excited, shopping, dancing, gambling, late night fucking fests with gorgeous younger bachelors." Francine slurred loudly.

"Ugh, all this talk about sexy bachelors has me riled up all over again." Ruthie moaned, stomping up and down. "I'll just take this off... don't need it now that I've decided to go catch Donald again."

Francine gasped again. "No, you're going back for seconds?"

"Darling, I'm going back for thirds." Ruthie purred. "Give me that small empty blue plastic bag from your purse."

Plastic crinkled.

"He came all over them!" Francine screeched.

What?

Disgusting!

Shake it off, shake that image off like your life depends on it!

"Among other places, and I loved it!" Ruthie hissed before making weird noises. It sounded like she was extending her tongue in and out, and then clicking it, adding a few kissing noises at the end.

No! Anything but that, please God, make her stop!

My eyes bulged in panic. Shake it off, Marisa... shake it off!

"You are so bad," Francine giggled. "Oh my God, your black underwear has a zebra print now."

"Why do you think I'm throwing them out? I love it on me, not on my clothes." Ruthie answered, and the plastic crinkling stopped.

"You are so bad!" Francine hollered.

"Now that that's been dealt with, how about you help me find Donald? I've got something I need to tell him." Ruthie purred.

Francine gasped. "You're bringing the girls out again!"

"He seemed rather fond of them before. Why not bring them out more and watch him explode with desire? I can't wait," Ruthie purred. The sound of Francine giggling in disbelief and sheer joy dimmed as they left the bathroom.

What.... the hell was that?

I feel so violated... I should sue... The images... The words.... ZEBRA PRINT.... I can never go to the zoo again.... NO! I love the zoo! CURSES!

My phone rang as I exited the stall. Fuck-face is calling me now?

"What now, Xander?" I hissed into the receiver, pausing before the exit.

"Run in the parking lot before coming over." he ordered, sounding like he was trying not to laugh. "I want them nice and sweaty."

I growled into the phone, hoping his ears bled. "I'll shove them down your throat you disgusting bitch. Goodbye, Xander!"

Ass-wipe!

I zoomed out of the bathroom, still seething, so much so, I charged right into someone mimicking a huge brick by the entrance. Making eye contact with the brick, or should I say BEN, added to my annoyance. That traitor looked untouched, unlike me who was still reeling from the collision, trying to control my racing heart and sporadic breathing.

What is he made out of.... steel?

"Why were you standing there? You scared me." I snapped at him, beginning to walk away. He grabbed my arm, stopping me.

I stared at his hand like it was poison. "Take your hand off of me."

"No," Ben shook his head. "So, it makes sense now. The new dress. The new look. The ride from your 'new friend'. Was it all from that guy, Xander?"

I leaned closer, looking him dead in the eyes. "Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Why the fuck do you care anyway?"

"Stop playing with me," Ben growled quietly, pulling me closer.

"I'm not playing with you. You were set free months ago, so run along. There's nothing for you here," I hissed. "Besides, don't you have a date to get to?"

Shit.... now he's going to know I read his email.

"So, you have been reading my emails." Ben smiled snidely, like he knew shit. "And you didn't feel the need to respond to them at all? That's nice, real nice, Marisa."

"I had nothing to say to you; and honestly, it confused the shit out of me, wondering why you were taking your princess-time emailing me," I declared. "I mean, didn't you have things to do? You know, like make out with some more short, skanky redheads? I'm sure there's bound to be more than just that one from Kyle's party. What do you think, at least five left in Ottawa alone that haven't had the privilege of kissing your precious cashmere lips yet!"

Ben's face turned red.

Goal one for me!

"What did you just say?" he asked me slowly.

"You... heard.... me." I whispered back.

"I didn't cheat on you with multiple women. The girl at the party was a drunken mistake!"

"Not my problem anymore, what you did or you didn't do. Go kiss, go fuck, whatever, just leave me alone,"

He grimaced, looking hurt. "Is that what you really want?"

"Made that clear months ago. Guess you didn't hear me loud and clear back then when I moved to another city." I hissed, jerking my chin up at him.

"You're full of shit." He shook his head. "You've lost it completely. Psycho status."

I scoffed at him. "Among other things, but sure, add that to the list. I know how you love adding every con about me to it, with anticipation. You were always ecstatic, seeing me crash and burn, and failing at life."

Looking like a deer in headlights, Ben finally released my arm and stepped away. "You're crazy. Delusional."

"That's right... AND PROUD OF IT!" I sang that last part. If he wanted psycho...I'd give him PSYCHO. "So step aside, golden boy, and don't let me catch you anywhere near me ever again. You've got that disease still I see, bet you thought those red spots around your lips were just pimples. My opinion, the way you've been acting lately, you best get that checked, like now."

I took a deep breath.

"You have a problem, Marisa," Ben whispered, looking at me like I was unstable.

Maybe I was.... wouldn't have it in any other way.

I wanted him to think twice before speaking to me ever again.

The psycho ex-girlfriend.

"No – not just 'A' problem, correction, a lot of problems. I'm a changed girl. That's right, I twitch now, and say 'Fuck' and 'Shit' more when I get angry. Fuck you, by the way."

Ben smirked. "Oh, so this is you angry?"

"No baby, this is not me angry. Trust me, you'll know when I scream your ear off in front of every one of those fancy-pants ass-wipes back in there who think they're hot shit. Then you'll know what humiliation really feels like, what feeling like shit is like.... Golden Boy. Now, get out of my way."

Ben shook his head. "No."

I tried moving around him, but he blocked my way. "I said, get out of my way!"

Ben shook his head again. "No."

"I will move you myself if I have to; don't play with me, Ben." I threatened.

Ben scoffed at me. "Go ahead; let's see you do your worst."

"You know, you're lucky I'm wearing a dress that I love, or else I'd have tackled your ass right out of my way,"

Ben took a step closer, leaning in. "Trust me, baby, I almost wish you weren't wearing that dress either so you would. God knows, I've been waiting."

"What?" I muttered confused.

Ben shrugged, giving me a snide smile. "It's too bad, different place, different time..."

I shook my head, interrupting his delusions. "Stop saying things like that; you can't say things like that. I don't like you anymore."

"You're lying." Ben stated.

"I'm not. I actually hate you."

His eyes turned serious as he leaned closer. "You might, but that doesn't mean you don't love me anymore."

"Stop talking to me." I ordered, quickly turning and facing the wall. Ben moved in a flash, standing right behind me, his hot breath on my neck.

"You still love me." he whispered.

"Stop talking," I ordered, barely choking out the words. He circled his arms around my waist and tucked his face into my neck.

Oh.

My.

GOD!

"I know you still do," he murmured.

"Stop." I pleaded.

"Baby, please. I never stopped loving you."

I shook my head, frantic. "Stop, Ben. Don't say stuff like that, you can't."

"I'm dying without you, baby." he whispered.

"Ben... please don't." I pleaded as his arms tightened around my waist.

"I fucking love you," he said into my neck.

"Stop." I jerked my head away from his face. "You don't. You cheated, people who cheat, don't know what love is."

Don't cry! Shit, I'm going to cry...shit...my makeup!

"I fucking love you." he declared again. "I made a stupid mistake. I was too drunk. We had that fight a few days before and I was at that party all by myself. Everyone had their girls with them,"

He's making it my fault again!

I found my strength and yanked out of his arms, but as I turned, he pressed me against the wall with his body.

"So we're back to that again, huh? It's my fault; everything was all my fault. My lips weren't the ones on someone else's." I hissed a breath away from his lips. "Get away from me, Ben. It's not going to work."

Ben's eyes darkened. He leaned back, turned abruptly and quickly walked away, leaving me paralyzed against the wall.

### CHAPTER 7

MARISA

It was time to bounce.

But telling my siblings I was leaving early had not been easy. My little brother offered to beat up Ben for me in case he was the reason I was leaving early, but it wasn't and my heart squeezed at the loyalty. I spilled the truth to them, that I lived in Toronto, and that I had a job and a place of my own. I promised I'd be back for their birthday in July.

I found Dad next. He was chilling by the bar with his buds. I ran the same speech and promised coffee before my train left tomorrow.

I opened my clutch and pulled out the gift card, and gave it to him.

"A gift card, for me?" Dad smiled, opening the envelope the card came in. "Holy moly, a hundred and twenty five dollars? This is too much. You should have saved your money."

My luck ran its course.

Mom showed up. "What's going on here?" she announced, tucking herself beside Dad, like the unfortunate 'package deal' they were.

"I just came to give Dad his gift." I smiled at her.

"Oh really, what is it?" Mom peered at my present in Dad's grip. "A CT Mega Superstore gift card?"

Restraining the shit-eating grin I wanted to blast right in her face had been excruciating. She looked annoyed as fuck and I knew exactly why. My mom hated that store; especially when Dad came home with things they didn't need.

Special sponges anyone?

I loved that place.

"Yep!" I chirped, smiling brightly. "I hope he buys some good stuff – oooh maybe you two can go together one night next week. You can have a date night. They don't close 'til nine, so it's all good; and get some hotdogs afterward at the little food hut they have out front. There's a special on Wednesdays, I think. Two can eat for five dollars– it's uh-mazing."

If looks could kill, I'd be vapour right now. My mom hated that idea. Her eyes bulged, disgusted to the max. Wasting a precious date night at CT Mega Superstore, scouring the aisles for cleaning supplies and cutting boards in every size known to man was her worst nightmare.

Not mine though, I could literally go there everyday and spend hours looking for things I definitely would need.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Mom snapped, her eyes flaming, obviously trying to keep it in for the sake of Dad. But if he weren't here right now, I'd be getting more than an eye roll and a silent fuck you.

"Anyways, it was just a suggestion. I actually came to also say I have to go," I explained as Mom stopped mid-eye roll, jerking her face back to me, looking panicked and horrified.

"What?" she screeched.

"I told you before. I've got an appointment I need to be getting to," I nodded and grinned, making her eyes widen.

Hilarious, she thought I was being serious.

I rolled my eyes. "Geez, relax, I'm meeting a friend."

"You can't leave! What about Ben?" Mom screeched.

"Yeah, what about him? I had a talk with old Benny-boy back in the hallway. Nothing's changed, so stop it," I warned. "Stop whatever it is you guys are trying to do."

Mom looked frazzled. "I don't know why you insist on keeping up this behaviour. Ben said he was sorry. What more do you want?"

She's such a traitor. The urge to throttle her was strong, but I kept that shit locked down. "His apology can go to the dogs for all I care. It's about as genuine as all the puffed up lips in this room."

Her eyes widened, borderline humiliated. Her lips were puffy courtesy of Dad's wallet. That shit was expensive; and there was probably a dent in the finances due to it.

And I'm the selfish one? Woman, look in the fucking mirror.

"Well, this was fun, Dad." I leaned toward him and gave him a hug. "I hope you have a blast for the rest of the party, and we'll talk tomorrow. I'll call you."

Dad chuckled. "Okay, but I better hear from you tomorrow."

"Don't worry," I assured him. I glanced at Mom who looked like a fish out of water. "Goodbye, Mom. Have a nice night."

She said nothing, not that I waited to hear anything come out of her poisonous mouth anyway. I was a girl with tunnel vision, and once I was in the hallway, it was only there that I could finally breathe properly again.

The night was over, well, almost. There was still one part left before I could officially call it a night. Until then, my anxiety levels would remain high.

Halfway down the hallway, a strange banging noise came from a pair of doors that read employees only. I slowed down to investigate.

"Oh!" someone moaned loudly from the other side. What the.... I pressed my ear to the door and my jaw dropped.

"Fuck me, fuck me like that!" someone screeched, sounding like a hyena being shaken. The door started to shake, the floor started to shake, hell... my heart started to shake.

What the fuck was going on in there?

"That's right, Donald, that's right!" another moan blasted. "No, don't come inside me... there; come inside me here. That's right, big boy, right in my mouth."

Donald?

OMG! It's Ruthie!

"That's right... that's right... fuck, baby, you suck me so hard," Donald moaned. "Fuck...fuck...fuck...ease it with the teeth...fuck!"

"Oh, Donald, I knew you'd be great when you served me fried shrimp earlier. But I didn't know your cock was this big, you savage beast! I want it in my ass next!" Ruthie moaned, not sucking cock anymore.

"Why aren't you sucking? Baby, my dick needs your mouth... fuck... that's right. Suck it... lick it... suck me... baby!"

Was that...yes, I think it is a... home run!

"Fuck me, now!" Ruthie hissed. "Fuck me. I'm ready Donald...right in my ass...now!"

"Fuck! Baby, hold on for a second. I need a minute...or two," Donald panted. "Where's your underwear?"

Ruthie giggled. "I threw them out. They would have just been in the way. Isn't it better like this? Easy access, all day, everyday."

This woman is fucking horny.

The hilarity of the situation was mind-boggling. But it was fucking funny and I struggled not to laugh out loud when music began to play. The beat was slow and smooth, definitely a soundtrack to lovemaking. They were falling to that beat, as was I, grooving against the door. Work it, Chica!

"Yeah... that's right... my big boy... ohhh! Big boy likes playing with his old lady's ass, round and round... have mercy on me, oh my god, I take it all back! Use me, you savage!" Ruthie moaned like a banshee. "Fuck me... fuck me... let's get nasty... get nasty with me... get faster... faster... faster! Why can't you go faster? I need it faster!"

This is the highlight of my night and my life....

"I'm going as fast as I can!" Donald panted, sputtering like a used car after a thousand-kilometre drive.

Yeah, Ruthie, he's going as fast as he can! Give the poor guy a break, his dick's about to go limp.

"Wahhhhh! Ruthie needs her big boy to go faster! How are you going to be later?"

"Later?"

"Yeah, later, big boy. We're going back to my place and getting this party really started. How do you feel about taking codeine with cola?" Ruthie hissed. "Hey, why'd you stop? Fuck me... fuck me now!"

The door began to shake again, but this time it was earthquake status.

"Fuck yeah. My ass... it wants more... go in me more... I need you inside of me... fuck!" Ruthie moaned loudly and I jerked away from the door, looking down the hallway for anybody walking this way.

"I've got to go home," Donald said abruptly. "I need to go!"

"What! Why?" Ruthie cried. "What about later?"

I heard footsteps fumbling around, knocking against some sort of shelving.

"I need to go," Donald said again and it was enough for me to move my legs and burn rubber, before he opened the door, finding me creeping.

I needed a fucking cigarette after that show.

I was keeping that memory for life.

And I might need a laugh after having this visit with Xander. I walked by the bathrooms and stopped instantly; an idea striking like lightning. My mind was going crazy, trying to make sense of a genius idea.

The ultimate payback... and the perfect revenge against Xander. And perfect timing too as I was in the right place at the right time for a reason. Someone had wanted me to be listening in on the conversation between Ruthie and Francine earlier. I rushed inside the ladies bathroom, and sure enough, sitting nicely on top of a pile of discarded paper towels in the trash bin, was a small, blue, plastic bag.

Yes! I stared, mesmerized at the plastic bag.

It was exactly what I needed to restore balance. An eye for an eye, and something dirty for something dirty.

I hoped he shrieked like the bitch he was. It's not every day you came into contact with a woman's underwear covered in another man's cum. He wouldn't see this coming. I knew he liked used women's underwear.... supposedly (Still unsure), but how would he feel about a little something extra on top?

An extra condiment if you will. I was generous like that.

I pulled out a few paper towels from the dispenser and wrapped it around the plastic bag. Now that my hands were protected from specks of man juice that may have potentially escaped, it was lift off.

This was going to be amazing.

I glanced at myself in the mirror and did my version of a victory dance. Laughing at the entire situation, I exited the bathroom and heard my name being yelled from down the hallway.

"Marisa!"

I looked down the hallway and it was Ben, looking frantic. As soon as he saw me his pace quickened.

Oh no! I did not have it in me for another heart-to-heart.

"Marisa! Wait!" Ben yelled.

I ran out of the building as fast as my high heels allowed me to. As soon as I was outside, I waved my hands out, hoping Daniels could see me from wherever it was he parked. An engine roared from somewhere as I hit the steps.

That had better be Daniels.

The building doors slammed open. "Marisa, wait!" Ben pleaded, panting like crazy.

"Leave me alone!" I shouted, not bothering to look at him.

"Wait, stop running from me!" Ben yelled, his voice sounding closer than before.

Shit!

"Stop following me, geez!" I yelled back, crossing the bottom step. I looked ahead at the parking lot and the giant SUV was on route to me. Hurry up, Daniels!

The next second, Ben's strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me back and twisting me around to face him. His forehead glistened with sweat as he scowled with fury.

Yeah, I do that to people, too!

I tried to yank my arm out of his grip, but he was too strong. "Get your hand off me," I hissed.

"No." Ben snapped. "Why did you run?"

"Because I'm tired," I snapped back.

"Tired of what?" Ben asked, clearly frustrated.

Don't cry! I ordered myself when the corners of my eyes began to feel moisture. "I'm so tired, Ben; tonight's been horrible. I've been under attack since arriving. You, my mom, your mom."

"That's because you've been gone for months, and no one knew where you went. We need answers."

"I don't owe anyone explanations of how I live my life, or what I'm doing, especially not you. Have you forgotten that we're no longer together?" I reminded him, my voice calmer; all fight inside me gone.

His eyes softened, looking sadder. "You're the one who wanted to break up, not me."

The SUV arrived finally and Daniels popped out, joining me on the curb. "Ms. Gellys, is everything okay?"

Ben lets go of my arm as I turned to face Daniels.

"I'm okay; just give me a minute, okay?" I told him and he nodded, getting back inside the car. I faced Ben who was staring at Daniels.

"Ms. Gellys?" Ben murmured, confused. "Who's he, Marisa?"

"I told you, I got a ride from a friend."

"Right," Ben murmured, unconvinced.

"I don't care if you don't believe me." I snapped. "What are you doing out here? Go back inside and join the party with people who are more like you."

"I tried to talk to you inside, but you're still shutting me out, not willing to see things from my side."

"I don't need to see things from your side. We're over. I don't like you anymore. I don't want you in my life anymore!" I snapped. Ben then grabbed my face, bringing me to his.

"No," he pleaded. "No."

"Yes," I hissed back. "I don't want you. You're a liar and a cheat. Those things are not the recipe for love, or for an honest relationship."

"Baby, please, I'm sorry," Ben pleaded. "I don't want you to go."

"Well, tough, and I'm going back soon," I told him. "I don't live here anymore. I live in Toronto."

"Toronto?" Ben released my face and jerked back in shock. "That's over four hours away!"

"I wanted to get as far away from all of you as I could," I said. "What's the point of being in the same city as people who always look down on you and treat you like shit?"

Ben stepped back in front of me and grabbed both sides of my face again, looking deep into my eyes. "Baby, please. I'm so sorry. Please. I'm so fucking sorry."

Oh no! I felt my defenses wavering, my body wanting nothing more than to give in and let him consume me.

Because the truth was... I loved this idiot.

But that shit that happened in the past, it's not like I didn't still have those horrible memories. I couldn't help but be reminded of all the bad times.

His love came with a price, and that was my dignity. So unless he decided to change and become more respectful, being together again would never work. It might be good in the beginning, but soon his real side would come out again. Following him would be my mom and Gwen, ready to pounce. Just like old times.

"No," I shook my head. "I can't."

"You can't?" Ben repeated. "Please, I'm sorry. I swear I'll change. Just don't go."

"You're still the same," I said, trying not to cry. "You don't want to change."

"Why can't we just go back to the way it was before?" He caressed my cheek. "It was good back then."

"No it wasn't!" I jerked my face out of his hands. "It wasn't good. It wasn't good for a long time."

He stepped away, looking at the ground before back up at me with a scowl. "Fine then... leave."

"Ben, I'm not right for you. I'm not what you want. You need to be with someone who's like you: driven, with a university degree, and all that stuff. I'm none of those things. There would always be a problem between us." I caressed his shoulder. "I can't make you happy."

Ben stayed silent, staring at my hand on his shoulder.

"I was never good enough for you," I whispered. "Go find someone and be happy."

He still didn't say anything.

"I'm going to go now, okay?" I told him.

He nodded and looked up, staring deep in my eyes. I leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Bye, Ben."

"Bye, Marisa." he murmured.

I let go of his shoulder and opened the car door. Ben helped me inside and shut the door for me. He stood on the curb and stared at the window, like he was lost.

"Ms. Gellys, is everything okay?" Daniels asked, twisting his body to face me.

I watched Ben run back up the stairs, feeling my heart hammer, because it felt for real now.

This was our closure.

I looked at Daniels and smiled. "I'm okay; this was just a long time coming. I just... I don't know. I was kidding myself into thinking tonight would go smoothly."

"I'm sorry." Daniels said.

"It's all good." I sighed. "So, are we going to Xander's now?"

Daniels turned on the car and shifted gears. "If that's okay with you?"

"Yes, it's a requirement, apparently," I sighed again. "He is a demanding bastard, isn't he?"

Daniels chuckled quietly. "Shall we go, Ms. Gellys?"

I took one last look outside my window, catching Ben enter the building. "Yeah, let's go."

As Daniels drove away, I leaned over and placed the paper towel-wrapped treasure down between my feet.

Package secured.

En route to Xander's, here we go.

### CHAPTER 8

DEMETRIA

I don't care if I have to stay here all night. I'm not leaving until I lay eyes on Alexander Barns.

Tonight was the night.

The long drought had ended. It was time to take life, and love, into my own hands. To make what I wanted manifest, at last. That's the way of the world. If you wanted something badly enough, you had to do whatever it took. Letting no man or woman distract you from your goal.

Given my current mood, I pitied any man, and especially any woman, who dared stand in my way tonight. I'd been waiting for over an hour for Alexander to come home. How long is his charity work business going to take him?

I glanced down for the first time since arriving. My hot chocolate had finished, leaving me cold with a barren cup for company. Empty. Like my heart. The only way I could fill these voids, my cup and my heart.... was with a refill. I yearned for a refill of my Alexander.

Desperately.

And, as if by the hands of the very love gods, I witnessed a sign. An answer to my silent pleas. A familiar car pulled up to the curb in front of the hotel. A black SUV.

I'd ridden in that car.

That's Alexander's car!

Oh, my baby!

Trembling, my fingers gripped the empty cup. Slowly sliding off the stool, I discarded it into the trash bin nestled beside my table.

I felt as if my blood was frozen. And after so long in the cold, I was about to come face-to-face with the love of my life. He would make my blood warm and flow once more. I would endure anything to be with Alexander. Even sitting in a pedestrian coffee shop for over an hour, sipping commoner beverages in order to shave off the nightly chill.

Goodbye, you vermin-infested hub for the drug-addled, disease riddled, whoring, lowly masses. I hope I never have to set foot into one of you ever again. Though the hot chocolate had been quite delicious, a lady of my stature must never lower herself to patronize these locales. No, she had those foods freshly prepared in time for brunch at a high-class hotel, after a night of passionate love making with her beloved.

A cool breeze struck me, refreshing my senses from the foul odour of that dreadful establishment, as I strolled outside.

Ugh, revolting! The trials I undertake, for love. My eyes were transfixed on the car as it sat idle by the curb. I zipped my waist–length, creamy-white, mink jacket while I waited for the crosswalk to turn green.

I followed the rules, sometimes.

But, not all the time.

### CHAPTER 9

MARISA

"Ms. Gellys?"

The clouds parted.

"Ms. Gellys?" Daniels spoke again, a little louder.

The fog that had consumed me for the last forty minutes parted and gave way to Daniels' patient voice. "Yes." I cleared my throat. "Sorry, I was out of it."

Daniels chuckled quietly. "That's quite fine. We've arrived."

I glanced out the window at the hotel Daniels had brought me to. "So, this is where that bastard is staying?"

"Mr. Barns often frequents the Ogall Hotel during his visits to Ottawa." Daniels explained.

I looked up to see how high the building went. It looked to be about twenty floors.

Damn.

"I see." I faced Daniels. "So, what am I supposed to do?"

"Mr. Barns has obtained his usual suite on the fifteenth floor. Room 1501. Simply head straight in, and towards the elevators."

"What if they stop me?"

"Not to worry, just tell them that you're a guest of Mr. Barns. They'll understand, right away."

"Okay," I nodded. "Well, I guess this is it, Daniels. Thank you for the ride."

He smiled. "You're welcome, Ms. Gellys. I hope the rest of your evening is pleasant,"

"I hope so, too." I said, picking up my little present for Xander. "Are you finished?"

"Yes, I can retire for the evening," Daniels replied.

"Well, thanks again." I grabbed the door handle. "Goodbye, Daniels."

"Goodbye, Ms. Gellys."

I stepped onto the sidewalk and waved at Daniels before he drove away. As I headed toward the beautiful brass doors, the doorman opened them for me.

"Thank you," I told him as I set foot onto sleek marble floors. The lobby was the most extravagant place I'd ever seen. A giant chandelier was centered in the ceiling with many crystals glistening on it. I made my way toward the elevator hallway, pretending as if I belonged here. I made it successfully to the elevator hallway and pressed the top button.

As I waited for an elevator to arrive, another guest joined me.

Which wouldn't be odd, except for one small detail, she had stopped right beside me. There was enough room for about twenty people in the hallway.

So why was this person standing right next to me?

I turned my head slightly, and from the corner of my eye, I inspected her.

Her white fur coat, which stopped at her waist, caught my eye first. Then the curly hair spilling from underneath a blue beret that stopped after her shoulders.

She's tall.

I glanced down at her six-inch high heels. As my eyes made their way up to her face, I caught her openly staring at me.

Creepily.

I focussed back on the button pad, feeling the side of my face heat from her continuous, creepy gaze.

Why the hell is she looking at me?

Thank God, the elevator arrived. The doors opened with a cheerful 'ding'. I walked inside, and the tall, curly-haired girl followed right behind me. I pushed the fifteenth floor button as she entered and slumped against the back mirror.

I cleared my throat. "Um...what floor?"

Silence.

"Sixteen, please." she murmured beneath a bundle of curly hair.

"No problem." I murmured back, pressing her button. I stared at the elevator number pad as floors lit up, wishing it would go faster, so I could get off the creepiest elevator ride of my life.

What's with the people I'm meeting today? Did Ottawa turn into a safe haven for the fucked up, while I've been gone?

Canada's creepiest people, please, head to Ottawa. You're safe there!

Envisioning the imaginary new tourist ads by the government made me chuckle a little. I turned my face away from the girl so she wouldn't think it was about her.

Though, it kind of was.

I didn't want any more crazy vibes from her.

The less I offended, the better.

From the corner of my eye, I could see her still staring wide-eyed at me.

The elevator rang, arriving at the fifteenth floor.

Thank God!

The doors opened. Giving a small nod to the strange girl, I walked out. She continued to watch me as the elevator closed.

I shivered a little.

What the hell is wrong with her?

Whatever.

Moving on.

I headed down the long hallway, following the numbers on the doors. Further ahead, I heard R&B music echoing into the halls and getting louder as I approached room 1501. The sound of the elevator rang.

Shit!

It could be security or something!

I stopped in front of his door and knocked.

No one answered.

What the hell was he doing in there? And why was he playing that kind of music? I thought he was just seeing me tonight.

Does he think we're gonna.... Oh God! I grimaced, realizing that this might not be a party of two. Xander probably didn't mind. I mean... just ask Bitch Blonde from last night.

Ugh, I don't want to think about her.

I waited for a few seconds before turning the doorknob. Surprisingly, it opened.

Xander didn't lock the door? I entered his room and a blast of sexy music hit me as I closed the door.

On another note, his room was amazing. My room back at the B&B could fit inside his suite, about four times. But then again, he probably paid more than twenty times what I'd paid for mine.

Xander is rich as fuck. But what does he do for a living?

Someone giggled from the open door of the bedroom across the large living room.

Xander probably timed having sex so I would walk right in on it.

That pervert!

All I had to do was give him the thong, and then I was free to go.

I dropped my clutch and the 'paper towel surprise' on the side table beside the door. I bent over and yanked the thong off. Cold air instantly hit me down there. I noticed a pen on his coffee table and skipped over to it, trying to make the least noise possible. I grabbed the pen, but when I made my way back, I tripped.

"Ow!" I hissed, holding my knee.

"Oh my God, what was that?" I heard a girl screech from the room.

"Don't move!" I heard Xander bark sharply. "Who's out there?"

I lay on the ground, practically paralyzed.

"It's me!" I yelled, holding my knee in pain.

"Who's me?" Xander asked, now clearly amused.

"Marisa, you idiot!"

"Hold on a second, my dear." Xander exited the bedroom in a pair of tight black boxers.

My jaw dropped at the sight of him. Muscles sculpted every inch of his lightly tanned body. Xander's eyes narrowed at my expression and I snapped out of it as memories from the last twenty-four hours resurfaced.

"Well, what do we have here?" He grinned, stopping in front of me. "You're early."

I hissed at him. "I said I would be here within the hour. It's not my fault you decided to squeeze in a quickie with one of your hoochies."

"Hoochie!" a girl yelled from the bedroom. "Who are you calling a hoochie, bitch?"

Stomping out of the bedroom came a familiar face. Bitch Blonde!

Dressed barely, she stopped underneath the doorway, glaring at me with fury. "You, again?"

Xander grinned. "Irina, I thought I told you to stay put?"

Irina pouted like the spoiled, bratty hooker that she was. "Xander, why is she here? Every time I've seen you, she's been there."

"Yeah, Xander, why am I here? Especially when you have a guest? Rude behaviour, much?" I growled, rubbing my knee. I tried bending it a little. My knee hurt a bit, but I was okay to get back up, and get the fuck out of here.

Xander cringed as I got up.

"No, don't help me up. I'm good, you piece of shit." I grabbed the coffee table and pulled myself up. Xander started to come towards me, but I held out a hand to stop him.

"No – no, I'm just kidding. Don't touch me. Especially, since you've been touching that." I pointed to Irina, whose jaw dropped.

"Are you saying that I'm dirty, you cockroach?" she yelled.

I rolled my eyes. "How about you go put your G-string back on, and then we can have a talk like serious, mature adults."

"Now, now, ladies. Come on. There's no need for this kind of attitude with one another. Why can't we all just be friends?" Xander interrupted, holding his hands in-between the two of us. As if that were enough to hold us back.

I've been holding a grudge against this skank since the first, undeserving scowl she shot me at the club last night. Then there'd been that slight shove to the shoulder.

Nobody touched me, and the fact that I'd been drunk was the only reason she'd gotten away with it.

Trust me.

She would have been on the ground if I had been sober.

Like I was now.

"Oh, I remember you now, you dirty skank. Shoving my shoulder last night, just so you could enter Xander's private lounge first."

Irina smiled, "Ladies first."

My blood boiled at her ugly smiling face. "Keep talking. I'm going to skull-fuck your ass out of this room. Trust me, those wild screams I heard earlier will be traveling into the hallway. Everyone will hear and wanna come out and investigate. Seeing your naked, jiggly ass, like the cheap whore that you are."

"What did you say to me?" Irina screeched, coming towards me with her arms flailing.

Oh yeah, I'm ready. Especially after the night I just had. I could use a punching bag.

I wiggled my fingers to her. "Come and get it, bitch. I've been waiting all night for this, maybe even my entire life. That's right, I time-traveled from the future. I've just come back from visiting you at the hospital where I put your nasty ass!"

Okay, what the hell? Even I know that doesn't make any sense.

Xander stood between us. "Stop it, the both of you. There's plenty of me to go around for the both of you."

Behind us, the door shut loudly, making us all jump. We followed the sound to find the creepy, curly-haired girl from the elevator at the front door.

"Well, what about me.... Xander?"

### CHAPTER 10

MARISA

Creepy Curls! Fuck!

She followed me here!

But, wait a minute, she just called Xander out.

Of course, Xander would know who she was.

Creepy, meet creeper!

I faced panty boy and he was wearing ONLY tight black boxers and nothing else. There were also no signs of guilt on his face. It was blank.

That sneaky little prick!

I turned back to Creepy Curls, who still hadn't shed the shocked look off her face. I opened my mouth to say something, but was interrupted by her loud cry. Mascara tears streamed down her overly distraught face.

"Xander, what's going on? Why are there other girls in your room?" she cried louder, lips trembling.

Oh God, please don't pass out. I don't want to be questioned by the police. I don't have time for this shit.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Xander beat me to it.

"Demetria Williams?" Xander said, sounding surprised by her name and presence.

Demetria Williams? Creepy Curls has a name!

"Demetria." Xander repeated, as if he had to remind himself who she was again. Like he was mentally flipping through a Rolodex of all the "lucky" ladies he's had the privilege of fucking over the last few months. "I thought we talked about this before. It wasn't supposed to be anything serious, just some fun."

Fuck! Clearly, someone didn't get the friends-with-benefits, or booty-call memo.

"Why are you practically naked?" Demetria screeched in disbelief at bitch blonde, AKA skank face.

"You're just jealous of me." Irina hissed in the midst of yanking on a tiny satin violet robe to "cover" her body. Xander on the other hand remained unbothered by the situation, and by his "appearance", or lack there of.

"Jealous of you?" Demetria screeched. "I'm not jealous of you – you drug infested, foul smelling stripper."

"How dare you! I don't smell foul!" Irina screeched back. "My body smells luxuriously delicious. Just ask Xander. He's mine."

"No, he's mine." Demetria vowed louder.

I shook my head at the both of them. Did they think his hard, chiselled abs were for their eyes only? Clearly, neither of them got the fucking memo. Xander Barns wasn't a one-woman man.

I scowled in disgust at Xander. "Well, obviously your talk with creepy curls meant shit all. She didn't understand a goddamn thing. You were wishy-washy with the terms of your disgusting arrangement, weren't you? Fucking hell, she thinks she's your lover."

I looked at Demetria, who just stared off into space.

Oh God, she's one of those easily-traumatized types.

Irina huffed and puffed behind us. "How is that possible? That thing looks like it needs a leash."

Wait just a fucking second, who's bitch blonde talking about right now? It better not be me, or else I will punch the lights out of that skank!

All of a sudden, Demetria began screaming bloody murder. "On a leash? I'll put you on a leash, you drug infested, disease-ridden whore! I'm his everything!"

"Now, now, Demetria, there's no need to raise your voice. Remember, we talked about that, too." Xander said, sounding unbothered yet again.

Demetria then began to cry like a child whose toy had been taken away from her. "But... but... but...."

This girl is fucked in the head... Mentally imbalanced, or some shit.

I'm talking psych ward \- The red zone - Padded rooms – Straight jackets - Tired orderlies carrying little cups filled with pills and piss.

Demetria was not all there. It was obvious, but if that's the case, then what the hell was Xander thinking by hooking up her?

He really was a disgusting fuck.

I growled at him. "It's bad enough you hooked up with that skank over there," I pointed at Irina before pointing at Demetria. "But, oh my God. You were hooking up her? A girl with serious mental issues? Have you no shame? What's wrong with you?"

"Serious mental issues?" Demetria hissed, pointing right at Irina. "She's the whore suffering from impedance, not I!"

Irina growled. "Fuck you! He was making love to me beautifully before you ugly dogs barged in interrupting! ME!" She turned to Demetria. "Go home to Mommy, psycho!"

Go home to Mommy, psycho? I turned back to a shaky, ghost-faced Demetria. A smart person could see she was about to blow.

"What did you just say?" Demetria asked Irina slowly.

Shit!

"Fuck off," Irina snapped back, oblivious to the quick change in tone.

Demetria roared, literally, and my jaw dropped. Holy fuck! The roar died down to silence as Demetria breathed heavily in and out.

Then she did it again.

"I'm a grown woman! I don't have to listen to my mother anymore!" Demetria screamed, making me jump.

Xander took a step towards Demetria. "Alright now. Calm down. There's no need to get all worked up."

"Yeah, let's just... calm down." I added.

Irina literally stomped her foot in protest. "Xander, what about me? We were having such an amazing time."

I was about to slap that hoe. Was she dumb?

"Bitch, this isn't about you anymore!" I yelled at Irina. "We have to calm the princess down before she does something crazy."

"I don't care about that ugly bitch, or you!" Irina screamed at me. "Fuck her, and fuck you!" Then she did a one eighty and pouted at Xander like she was the helpless victim. "Xander baby, can you kick them out? They're harassing me."

Xander stood frozen. He was clearly overwhelmed and didn't know what to do. It looked like I'd have to be the one to take care of things.

With pleasure.

"Shut the fuck up. We've got a crisis on our hands and your loose libido isn't helping. In fact, if I recall, it isn't required anymore," I snapped at her. "Xander, contain your plaything before I call security and have her removed for solicitation."

"Plaything?" Irina screeched.

I sneered at her. "Bitch please, we know you're about that life. Clearly."

"Plaything?" Irina screeched again.

A loud whimper interrupted us. Simultaneously, we turned back to Demetria. "But Xander, what plaything? I'm supposed to be with you. You're supposed to be with me. I love you."

Oh shit!

"Oh shit." I faced Xander. "What have you done?"

Xander's eyes widened. "I haven't done anything. Demetria and I had an agreement. One night of fun, and that was it. How was I supposed to know she'd take it... differently?"

I snorted. "Well, obviously you didn't explain it well enough, considering you've got a stage one-thousand stalker on your hands."

"What about me, Xander?" Irina cried from behind.

"Oh my God! Xander, are you done fucking this bitch yet?" I snapped at him, pointing at Irina.

He nodded.

"I'll take that as a yes." I faced Irina again. "You hear that? He's done with you. Finito. So go away. Don't talk. You don't matter anymore."

Irina turned bright red. "Fuck you! I matter. I matter to him!"

It was Demetria's turn to scream. "You liar! How dare you! The only person who matters to Xander is I! Me!"

"Seriously?" I muttered to myself.

"He loves me and I love him!" Demetria added dramatically in the midst of choking on a sob. "Don't you even.... deny it. Because if you do, I swear, I won't stop myself this time."

"I'm not scared of you!" Irina belted out and stomped towards Demetria. Xander jumped in front of Irina, holding her back as I jumped in front of Demetria, who was a good few inches taller than me. Demetria backed away and grabbed a small figurine off the side table next to the door. She hurled it across the room at Irina, who screamed bloody murder while holding Xander for dear life.

"She's trying to kill me, Xander! Save me!" Irina screamed.

I cringed, wanting to puke. "Bitch, save yourself."

Demetria eyed another figurine and grabbed it. I jumped right in front of her. "Demetria, right? Girl, you've got to calm down. Xander won't like it if you keep acting like this."

"I'm a lady!" she snapped. "I'm a proper lady!"

Okay?

"That's right, you're a lady. A proper, classy lady." I assured. "Now put the figurine down. Ladies don't throw shit."

"Ladies don't say shit," Demetria snapped, lowering her arm that still held the figurine.

"Yeah, well... I'm not a lady." I said, taking the figurine from her hand and placing it back on the side table. "There, that's better."

Irina giggled, and Demetria looked first and snarled with fury.

"Get your filthy hands off him!" Demetria screamed. She tried grabbing the figurine I had just put back. Luckily, I grabbed it at the same time, stopping her again from creating a crime scene.

"Let go!" I yelled. "Let go of that fucking figurine!"

She started to cry again, not letting go of the figurine. "He's being taken. She's taking him from me."

I groaned. "Calm down, he's not letting anyone take him. He's a grown man with his own mind, and he's going to do things with her because he wants to. Because they both want to."

She eased up on her grip, and using an extra tug of strength, I yanked it out of her hands. "Why can't you see the truth?"

Demetria collapsed to the ground and curled into the fetal position, and sobbed.

"Nobody died, bitch. Quit crying like something horrible happened. If anything something amazing just happened. God pitied you and your vagina. Congrats, no STDs for you tonight." I turned back in horror to see what Xander had to make of this, only to find the living room empty. "What the fuck!"

I heard a wild giggle echo out from the bedroom and instantly pieced together where they'd gone.

Those mother fuckers! They left me to fend off this crazy ass girl!

"Xander! Xander! You better get your ass out of that room right now!" I yelled at the bedroom. "This is your problem, mother fucker. You get out here and fix it! You hear me, bitch dick!"

The volume of giggles escalated as they ignored me. I had half a mind to march right into that bedroom and scream bloody murder, but I didn't want to leave Demetria just in case she got another burst of wind and decided to take deadly revenge as a viable option.

How did I get myself into this mess? Why me? Why fucking me? I'm a bullshit magnet. I can't run away from this shit. It follows me everywhere.

I curled down right next to her, smoothing her hair back, trying to calm her down. "Stop, don't be like one of those crazy girls who can't take a hint. Trust me, it's not a good look. Don't you have any pride?"

Yeah... my calming down methods are shit.

Heavy footsteps barged through the doorway. I was so busy trying to calm Demetria down, I didn't notice when those footsteps came to a halt behind me.

"What the fuck?" a deep, masculine voice blurted.

I slowly faced whoever stood over me and a fucking song played, like a soundtrack on cue. Love... by Nancy Adams. My eyes instantly focused on black dress pants that fit perfectly. I followed the leg-line upwards, settling for a few seconds extra on the crotch area. I couldn't allow myself to think about that, let alone describe. My eyes continued upwards to a deep-blue dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled to the elbows, showcasing long, muscled, tanned arms, with beautifully-groomed hands that were about as feminine as a football player's.

They were all man.

I slowed down when I reached the first sliver of chest hair. Whoever this was had left three buttons undone. I followed to his neck, then to his face.

Wow!

My eyes instantly focused on his beautiful, deep-blue eyes that looked like they were laser beaming into my soul. I felt something stir down there as I stared up at his lips.

Lush and puffy, perfect kissing lips.

Lips that I wanted everywhere.

Right here, right now.

Xander, Irina, crazy girl Demetria, all be damned.

I wanted to say hello to this gorgeous Adonis, wearing clothes that looked as if they were made to accentuate every single inch of his manly body.

"Who are you? And why are you in my brother's room?" he asked quietly, but sternly. Crossing his arms across his broad chest, he asked this next. "Why is this girl crying on the ground?"

"Um," I stumbled to say anything, still in shock over his beauty. And those gorgeous blue eyes, I was desperate to swim in... to do anything with. "I, um... I'm trying to calm her down."

His deep-blue eyes turned furious. "Yes, but who are you, and why are you in my brother's room?"

"Your brother is Xander?" I choked out, blinking.

"Unfortunately." He sneered. "Where is he?"

"The bedroom," I choked out again. He snapped to, heading towards the bedroom. I suddenly remembered that Xander wasn't alone in there. "Wait! He's in there with someone."

"Like I care." He kicked the bedroom door open. "Alexander!" he roared. "Get the fuck up, and fix this mess!"

I heard Xander gasp. "Liam?"

"Alexander! Move, now!" Liam growled, entering the bedroom. "And you... get out. Get the fuck out!"

"Why do I have to leave? I was here first!" Irina whined. "This isn't fair."

"Who is that, out there on the ground, crying her eyes out? What have you done now?" Liam growled.

I heard the bed squeak.

"I didn't do anything." Xander replied. "I'm innocent."

"Like you always are." Liam scoffed. "Why was I called by hotel security again, then? What the fuck is going on?"

Xander chuckled a bit and then sighed. "Oh, Liam... how you amuse me with your line of questioning. I'll keep this short. I'm a grown man, who can, and will do... as he wishes. I do what I want, how I want... when I want. Within reason of course, as I am a law abiding citizen."

All of a sudden, Demetria stopped crying. She quickly wiped the tears off her face, smearing wet mascara marks across her cheeks. She sat up, but my hands were still on her.

"Get your filthy, peasant hands off of me," she shrieked, glaring at my hand with disgust. "How dare you put your grubby, low-class hands on me. Get them off of me, or else... I'll sue you into the ground."

I gasped. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

She yanked her arm away. "Don't you ever touch me again!" She furiously wiped the spot on her fur jacket where my hand had been, as if my DNA was on the verge of contaminating it.

"You dumb bitch. You've got a lot of nerve." I hissed at her in disbelief. "How dare you fucking treat me like shit. I was trying to help you."

She got up, holding on to the side table for support. "I don't require your aid. And I never asked for it either. Why would I need your help? Who the hell are you? You're a nobody."

My eyes bulged.

"You're crazy, you know that." I hissed as I struggled to stand up. "Bat-shit status."

"Call me crazy again and I'll sue you clean. My lawyers are the best in town." Demetria hissed, walking away only to stop in front of the mirror to fix her hat and doing nothing about her face being covered in mascara. Then she turned abruptly and rushed toward the exit.

"Hey!" I called as she walked out the door. "You can't just leave! You made this mess!"

She shut the door behind her.

"What's going on out here?" Liam growled behind me. "Trying to leave without anyone noticing? Where did that other one go?"

I'd had enough of these "classy" assholes talking shit to me. "First of all, don't talk to me like I'm trash. And second of all, I don't have to answer to you."

"Oh, really?" His eyes glowered, and I blinked.

"Yeah. I don't owe you anything, unlike your stupid, piece-of–shit, good-for–nothing brother." I snapped, and then took a huge breath before speaking again. "He's been nothing but trouble for me for the last twenty-four hours."

Liam's expression softened a little, amused now. "He's been nothing, but trouble for you? Yet you're here, in his hotel room... late at night?"

Ok, it sounded wrong, but he didn't know the whole story. I had a debt and I intended to pay it, and then move on, forgetting that this horrible mess had ever happened.

"There was a problem. He helped me out. I owed him a debt. I'm here to pay that debt and get out. Understand, now?" I snapped.

"Well, consider your debt paid. You can leave now." Liam snapped back. "A reminder: use your brain in the future before you trust yourself with the likes of people like my brother."

"I'm not leaving, not until I pay him back." I stated. "I promised him.... something, and.... I intend to keep that promise."

"Oh really? Well, what promise is that?" Liam asked, sounding snide. "Come on, hurry up. I've got a mess to clean up."

My jaw clenched at his tone. "It has to be done in.... private."

His eyes widened. "Oh, I get it. One of those kinds of deals. Well, I'm sorry, it seems... someone else has beaten you to it. It doesn't seem like my brother will be in any kind of state to be performing again tonight."

Performing?

Oh my God, he thinks I'm here to fuck Xander.

"I'm not here to... sleep with him." I gulped nastiness back. "I just have to give him something, that's it."

"Then give it to him and leave." Liam snapped. "I want this over with now. Get to it before I call security for you, too."

For me, too?

The sound of high heels stomping across the floor came crashing out of the bedroom, incoming into the living room was a red-faced and furious, skank faced bitch blonde.

"I can't believe this!' Irina screeched. "Never in my life have I been treated like this!"

I tried to hold back my smile, but shucks.... I couldn't. Adios, bitch! Hope to see ya never.

Liam scowled at her. "Get out, this is your last warning. You still have time to make the right choice."

Irina stopped in front of Liam and smirked at him. "Don't you ever, ever, ever talk to me like that. I don't know who you think you are, but nobody talks to me like that. I make my own choices in life, and I'm staying right here. You may think you have all the power, but the scandalous video on my phone says otherwise. My lawyers will be in touch shortly, Mr. Barns. That is, unless you pay me to delete it. And before you try and grab my phone to delete the video, think again. The video's been saved online, protected via password. Ten thousand dollars, or else the world will know exactly who Xander Barns is, tarnishing your family name for good. We wouldn't want that, now would we?"

Holy shit. When did Irina, skank face, bitch blonde, maybe prostitute, turn into a fucking undercover agent? All this time, I thought she was just a plain ol' hoe, when it actually turned out; she was MI666, code name HOE instead. Honestly, I was shocked right now.

A knock on the door interrupted.

"Time's up." Liam said to Irina and then faced the door. "Come in."

The door opened, and two large men wearing dark blue security suits marched in. "Mr. Barns, you called, sir?"

"Escort the blonde prostitute out, please." Liam ordered in a surprisingly calm voice.

Irina gasped. "Fuck you! I'm not a hooker!"

Liam paid no mind to her and glared at security. "Now."

Security quickly brushed passed me, heading towards a now-frantic looking Irina.

"What are you doing? Get away from me!" Irina shrieked as the security guards circled her. "Don't you dare touch me!" They grabbed her arms as she flailed her body. "Get your hands off of me!"

Then, all in the blink of an eye, her shoulders slumped down as if she were about to fall into a deep sleep. "What's going on...inside me...you did something to me." Irina slurred. "I'm sleepy."

And with that, her entire body fell into a slump over a security guard's shoulder. He picked her up.

My jaw dropped in shock as I faced Liam. "What did you do to her?"

Liam glowered at me for a moment, before returning his attention back to the guards. "Take her to the other room. Scan her phone for anything incriminating and replace the SIM card with a duplicate. I'll brief Max in a few, he'll know what to do about this secret video hidden online, if there even is one. When she wakes up, call the front desk. They'll send Howler and Sons, the in house attorneys to fix the rest as they see fit."

HUH?

The security guards nodded and walked out with Irina, snoring loudly on one of their shoulders.

I felt like I didn't hear a god damn thing Liam just said.

"What did you guys just do to her?" I blurted in disbelief, but scared out of my mind.

Question: what the hell are they going to do to me?

Seeing the alarm in my eyes, Liam's eyes softened. "Mind yourself and you won't share a similar fate as the blonde escort."

I was still in shock. "I don't think she was an escort. I think they were just having fun together, you know, mutually."

Smiling, Xander walked out of the bedroom in a white hotel robe. "Well, that was fun."

Liam glowered at me again. Then out of nowhere, he turned quick, firing a bone-clenched fist right at Xander's smiling face.

### CHAPTER 11

DEMETRIA

I'll show them!

Show them who they've decided to meddle with.

Then I'll have.... Alexander.

No... I'll have Xander.

And this time I'm going to keep him all to myself. Forever. I needed to cool off before I did something... dangerous.

I pulled out my phone and called Mother. "Where are you?" I snapped into the receiver as soon as she picked up. "Pick me up, right now. Same place."

I ended the call and walked toward the cockroach-infested coffee shop they'd dropped me off at earlier. They'd better be there by the time I got back to the coffee shop.

Or else, there would be hell to pay.

### CHAPTER 12

MARISA

My legs were glued to the floor as Liam's fist met Xander's cheek. Xander yelped painfully as Liam's knuckles swiped deep into his skin.

"It's time for you to learn your lesson, brother. Once and for all." Liam snarled at a bent-over Xander, who cradled the side of his face. He moaned deeply from the pain of Liam's hard hit.

"Oh my.... God!" I yelled at Liam. "You just hit him!"

Liam looked up from Xander and glared at me, his jaw clenched hard. "Stay out of it!"

Xander's moans quickly turned into battle–talk. "Yeah, Marisa, you stay out of this. My brother and I have got some business to work through."

Xander lunged towards Liam, wrapping his arms around his waist and knocking him to the floor. Liam's arms were quick to respond, pounding Xander's back as they began this wrestling/boxing thing on the floor beside the couches. My eyes widened as I witnessed the two brothers violently brawl. I didn't know what to do. I'd never had to break up a fight before, let alone between two giant idiot rich boys.

"Stop it!" I marched in front of them wrestling on the ground. Blood was spilling everywhere. "Stop it, you guys. There has to be a better way. You're grown men for crying out loud!"

They didn't stop. Xander punched Liam's side. A painful moan left Liam's mouth as he moved over to escape Xander's repeated hits.

Xander's found his sweet spot. Liam's side hit the ground hard when Xander attacked him. The fighting wouldn't stop.

I didn't have these problems. I had a little brother and sister who loved each other. I'd never had to deal with sibling rivalry. Even being the fuck-up that I was, my siblings and I were cool.

How did these two get like this?

"Stop it!" I screamed at them. I went in circles trying to find something in the expensive hotel room to stop them with. I noticed the figurine Demetria wanted to throw earlier and I grabbed it, and threw at the ground right beside them. The porcelain statue broke into a hundred little pieces. The sound echoing throughout the room was enough to stall the fight for a moment.

"Stop fighting!" I demanded, pointing at them as they struggled to catch their breaths. "Xander, get your hands off him. That goes for you too, Liam."

Using their shock to my advantage, and the fact that they were no longer on top of each other throwing fists, I marched in between them. They couldn't hit each other with me in between them.

I hoped, at least.

"Move, now!" I ordered them.

"He started it." Xander mumbled, pushing his body across the floor away from us.

I stared at Liam's face. His jawline was badly bruised and bleeding. He grabbed the side of his face and slowly got up, his eyes never leaving mine. Standing up, his shirt was completely torn from the side, showcasing his six–pack. I briefly glanced at the bruised skin before looking back up at him. As if he'd noticed me staring there, something in his eyes changed.

"Are you okay?" I asked Liam, which sounded weird coming out of my mouth. Why was I asking Xander's brother if he was okay? Considering the guy was a huge dick to me a few minutes before, I should have kicked him in the balls instead.

I might be the world's dumbest bitch, but I swear on everything, this man's deep blue eyes were looking at me softly. At least for a few seconds they were, because by then something in him snapped and his focus went back to Xander, who was still moaning on the floor.

"This was a warning. This shit better not happen again." Liam growled at Xander. He looked back at me briefly and marched out of the room.

Okay, what the hell just happened? Liam's presence still lingered in the room even though he left.

Xander moaned, still lying on the floor. I gazed down at his bruised face as he sat up. Blood dripped out of his nose, sliding down to his lips. But the blood did little to mask his annoyance at me. "I'm the one who was attacked, and you ask him if he's okay? What about me?"

I sneered at him. "I guess I'm not the only one...."

"You're... not the only one, what?" he hissed, wiping his nose. "Don't tell me you're on his side. You don't even know him."

"I know what it's like to want to hit you. I've had to deal with you... for over twenty-four hours now, and you've been nothing but a menace to me. Laughing and giggling, like you're so smart! You're the villain in this story. The fucking villain."

"I'm the villain? I can't believe what I'm hearing. After all I've done for you!" Xander spat back.

"Done for me?" I yelled back in disbelief. "I've been in constant pain since meeting you!"

He was trying to get up, but was struggling. The compassionate side of me wanted to help him, but the bitter side quickly said FUCK NO.

He held the side of his head. Liam's knuckle marks were still visible. I hoped this rich prick learned a valuable lesson: that not everything in life was funny, especially his stupid tricks.

There was a knock on the door.

"Hello." an unfamiliar voice called from the other side. "We're entering the room, Mr. Barns."

The door opened, and three men in power-suits entered. Their expressions were worrisome as they eyed the state of the room.

The living room was a mess with couches out of their planned positions, pillows thrown about, broken figurine pieces everywhere, and blood sprinkled across the flooring.

The bill is going to be crazy high...

"Mr. Barns, would you like some assistance?" One of the suits asked as soon as they saw his bruised and bloody face.

"We've received multiple calls for a loud disturbance," another man stated as he eyed the room.

"Everything is fine." Xander told them calmly. "There was just a little misunderstanding. It's alright, now."

I gaped hard at Xander.

Misunderstanding?

This guy is a straight up sociopath!

Xander walked over to the three power suits and began whispering. They nodded their heads and quickly vacated the room.

My jaw dropped in shock. "Wait... what? Where are they going? How did you do that?"

A knowing smile broke across Xander's face as he turned back to face me. "Because, like I said, I get what I want. And you and I... well, our business is far from finished."

Oh really? He thinks he's a big fucking man now.

"First of all, stop staring at me like that. The smile on your face makes me want to puke." I snapped. "And as far as our business goes, don't you fucking worry, because I haven't forgotten. I would have been in and out thirty minutes ago if I could have. Every single fight in this suite has been because of you. You. So fuck you, Xander Barns."

I searched the room for my thong, eyeing the coffee table where I had placed it last, but it wasn't there. It must have fallen during the fight, so I searched around the couches.

"You're not going to give it to me fresh? That wasn't part of our deal." He walked toward me, now in just his black boxers after discarding his robe. Despite his face being bruised, his body was perfect. I tried not to gawk, not wanting to give him any ideas about where we were never going to go. That ship sailed when I found out who he really was.

Panty-fetish boys are not my thing!

"I came to do that, but you were busy fucking Irina. What was I supposed to do, interrupt you guys? Ummmm, excuse me? Uh, Xander, I know you're busy drilling this bitch, but can you just take like.... a five-second breather, and come out here so I can take off my panty's for you like a stripper?'"

"Honestly, yes." he said calmly.

"You can go fuck yourself. That would have never happened. Not even if I owed you a billion dollars. There's no way I would ever walk in on you doing the nasty with that skanky bitch."

"How I love it when you use that tone on me." he whispered lustfully.

This guy can't be serious right now... My eyes rolled as I looked away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was annoying me again. I got down on my knees to search underneath the couch.

"Oh, hello. I like where this going," Xander smirked.

"Dare to dream, pervert boy." My hand crept underneath and stopped when it brushed against fabric and plastic. The plastic bag must have fallen underneath with the thong while the boys were fighting all over the living room. I grabbed both and pulled them out.

"Found it, thank God." I sighed in relief. "Now, I'm done."

"You're not done." Xander declared as I stood back up. "Far from it, actually."

"Go fuck yourself. I'm as done... as done can be." I told him sternly. "Especially with the likes of you."

There was a knock on the door.

What, now? I looked back at him in horror. "That better not be another scorned individual, wanting their turn at a revenge. You really do have a way of making people insanely angry, don't you?"

Xander looked away as if he was innocent. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

He walked over to the door and opened it.

"Yeah, I bet you don't." I snapped as a beautiful, tall brunette, wearing a black trench coat sauntered inside.

"Melania." Xander grinned. "It's about time you showed up."

Melania giggled as she hugged Xander. He pressed his lips to her neck and whispered something, obviously dirty. Her face turned crimson as she bit her lip.

"Go to the bedroom. I'll be right there." Xander told her. She nodded and walked to the bedroom, swaying her hips and paying no attention to me.

Hello, I'm here too, bitch!

I turned back to Xander, who had his usual Xander-twinkle back in his eyes.

"Well, it looks like you have company, again. When did you arrange that? I doubt Irina would have been okay with a threesome, seeing how she reacted to Demetria and me."

"Melania was an afterthought when Irina was about to leave. I couldn't just let the night go to waste, especially with the present... I've been waiting all day for. And knowing how up and down you are, I wasn't sure if you'd want to play."

I cringed. "How 'up and down' I've been? I'm an open book. I've never given you any indication that I'd be a willing participant in whatever... fetish bullshit you stroke your yoke at."

"How eloquently put by you." Xander eyed the thong, and blue plastic bag in my grip. He turned serious. "Well, now that we've cleared that issue out of the way. Are you going to give me what you owe, or do I have to come and get it from you? Non violently though... I am a gentleman, at the end of the day."

"A gentleman? You should be locked up, or sent to mandatory therapy for the next ten years. You're seriously fucked in the head." I shook my head, ready to get this night over with.

But I was faced with a conundrum. Now that he had company, I wasn't sure if I wanted to subject her to the grossness that was in this bag. But then again, she did just walk by me, totally ignoring me like I was nothing. So I say, fuck that bitch. She deserved a nice wake-up call for agreeing to hang out with Xander.

I held the thong out to him. "There you go. Take it. It's all yours."

Xander took the thong out of my hands, but eyed the blue bag curiously. "What's in there?"

I looked at the blue bag and then back at him. "It's another present I have for you.... you know, to say thank you. But now, I'm thinking you don't really deserve it."

His eyes widened. "Another present?"

I nodded. "I don't know if I want to give it to you now."

"What's... in... there?" he asked slowly, sounding serious.

I tried not to smile. "Something I know you'll love. Something you'll have a lot of fun playing with."

Something in his eyes changed. Determination, maybe. "I was a good boy, wasn't I? Don't I deserve another present?"

I had to play it up, so I sighed in confusion. "I don't know. You've been very bad. I'm not sure you deserve it,"

"Give... it... to... me." Xander demanded slowly.

"Oh, alright." Pretending to concede, I held the bag to him. He slowly took it out of my hands. "Alright, I'm going now."

"Till we meet again..." Xander murmured, staring at the bag, transfixed with what possibly could be inside, considering I told him it was something he'd love.

A small lie?

A half-truth?

More like sweet revenge... HELL YES BABY.

I walked to the front door, but stopped before opening it. I turned back to him, still eyeing the bag as if it was gold. "Remember this: if you want to have even more fun, get your new plaything to open it first. It'll make things more...exciting!"

His eyes snapped up and narrowed.

"Goodbye, Xander Barns." I told him, opening the door.

He didn't say "bye" back as I left. Instead, I heard him run to the bedroom. "Baby, tonight is going to be the craziest night of your life."

I waited in the hallway for a few seconds before hearing a disgusted scream, "Ewww!"

I laughed and ran for the elevators, pushing the button. Luckily, the doors opened and I rushed in. I pushed the lobby button, and then repeatedly pressed the close button. I heard a room door open and footsteps running out.

"Marisa!"

But he was too fucking late.

He made it to the elevator, as the doors were centimetres away from closing. He'd either have to crush his fingers or accept defeat. Either way... I would win.

I blew him a kiss and waved. "Good bye, darling! Hope to see you never!"

The doors shut completely and I burst into laughter that felt so justified, my stomach began to hurt.

Oh, so this is what sweet revenge feels like. I thought happily as I arrived to the main floor. I quickly checked my reflection, making sure I looked okay. There wasn't a hair out of place. Whatever product Gustavo had used for my hair, it really was magical. The doors opened and I walked out feeling happy and content for the first time since this trip had started yesterday.

The party was over.

I had dealt with my mom, Gwen, and Ben.

I had repaid Xander the debt I owed him for the makeover.

I was home free and it felt great. I was free to do what I wished. It was liberating knowing that from here on out, I had nothing holding me back.

I walked as fast as I could through the beautiful front lobby without seeming suspicious.

"Goodbye forever, Mr. Barns. It's been a fucked up twenty-four hours." I murmured as the doorman opened the door for me. "Thank you."

A cool gust of wind enveloped me as soon as I hit the sidewalk. I opened my clutch and pulled out my phone, checking the time. I'd received no emails. And it was just after eleven-thirty.

Time had gone by fast in there. Now that I was free, I had to decide what my next move was going to be. I had a coffee date with Dad tomorrow, which should be chill and relaxed since it would just be the two of us. But as for tonight, it was safe to say that I was DONE. I was going back to my room at the Inn and calling it a night.

I walked to the curb, eyeing the busy road for a taxi. Saturday night in downtown Ottawa was always really busy.

Eek, another taxi. The cost for another taxi was going to put a small dent in my savings again. Tomorrow, I'd just walk to my childhood home and Dad could give me a ride back to the train station.

I was eyeing an available taxi when a sleek black SUV rolled to the curb, pausing right in front of me. The window slid down, and I couldn't help but look, since it stopped right in front of me. Sitting in the backseat, was a brooding, bruised, and ripped-shirted Liam.

"Get in." he ordered as his deep blue eyes glared hard at me.

"Why should I get in your car?" I sneered at him. "I don't even know you. I'm not getting in a car with a stranger. So forget it!"

"Get in the car!" he ordered brashly. "You know who I am."

"No, I don't. You're Xander's brother. That's all I know about you." I leaned closer to the car so his dumb ears could hear me better. "And you're pissed off. Why would I get in the car with a pissed off stranger?"

"Get in the car." he demanded once again. "There's a matter that needs to be discussed with you."

"What matter? I paid my debt to your brother, and I sure as hell don't owe you anything." I hissed, careful not to raise my voice and attract onlookers. "I'm not getting in your car, so stop bothering me. I'm leaving."

I turned to leave, but the two security guards that had handled Irina corralled me back around. One pulled me to the side, as the other opened the door and motioned for me to get in.

"Please, Miss. Just get in and it'll all be over with shortly."

I'm shit out of luck again! I faced Liam. "You get one minute, and that's it. We're not driving anywhere, either. Got it?"

Liam nodded and I reluctantly entered his car. The guard shuts the door, and the window rolled up, making me nervous right away.

"What's going on?" My heart raced as the car locks snapped down. I faced Liam, feeling scared. "What's going on?"

The driver, who I couldn't see because of a shield, drove the car out into traffic. "You, fucking liar! I thought we agreed that we were going to stay put?"

Liam looked at me, giving no fucks that I was panicking. "You're going to tell me exactly what's going on with you and my brother, right now."

I gulped. "And if I don't?" My eyes widened, feeling my heart hammer one slow beat at a time.

Something about his demeanour changed, those deep blue eyes darkened, meaning business now. "Trust me, you don't want to find out."

### CHAPTER 13

MARISA

"Tell me, now," Liam ordered, using a tone of voice best suited to intimidating weak ass people, ready to succumb to his manliness. A.K.A... not me.

This guy was in for a shock. Because I wasn't like any of those people. At least, I hope I wasn't. But if I was, that was changing. Right here, right now!

Liam, watch out. You've just awakened an angry tiger!

"Tell you what?" I gulped, trying to think of a way out of this. Perhaps if I stroke his ego, he'll let me go? Make him feel like the big bad man in charge right now! "You've made your point, and I've learned my lesson. I won't talk back next time. Now pull over."

Liam looked disgusted. "The car will not pull over. Not until I get some answers."

Fuck this motherfucker!

He doesn't know what crazy is. And I'm about to show him!

I pounded the back of the passenger seat like a mad woman. "Don't you dare drive away! I forbid you. This is illegal! I have rights! I'll scream! I'll let the whole world know what you're doing! You tell your driver to fucking pull over, right now!"

Strong fingers clasped my hands and put a strict stop to the pounding. "Stop shouting and contain yourself!" Liam roared. "You will tell me right now. What are you and my brother up to?"

I felt like I was losing my mind.

"I'm going to pretend like you didn't just use that tone with me. But for your benefit, I'll play along anyways," I was gritting my teeth now. "I don't have to explain myself to you. I am a Canadian citizen and I know my rights, asshole!"

Judging by the way his nostrils flared and his deep-blue eyes widened, "asshole" wasn't the right thing to call him. But then again, I wasn't sorry. Champions never say they're sorry, and I was a champion now. Never surrender, never give in. Stand my ground till the last moment. And if the ship sinks, then I'm going to go down with it.

Clearly exasperated, Liam shook his head and leaned forward, pressing a button behind the driver's seat. "Raymond, pull the car to the curb, please."

"Finally," I exhaled in relief. The car pulled to the curb and as soon as I felt it stop, I pulled the handle, but it was still locked. "It's not opening!"

Liam sat there calmly. "Tell me what's going on between you and my brother. Once you do, I'll let you out."

I leaned back in my seat in a huff, blowing out a long, deep breath. Hopefully conveying how aggravated and violated I felt.

These Barns brothers! Who the hell do they think they are? They're psychopaths!

"It's messed up," I whispered in pain. "I can't explain it."

"Why not? What's really going on between the two of you that's so bad, you can't discuss it?"

Fuck it.

I'd just lie to get him off my ass. "Alright, I'll tell you. It's so embarrassing, though."

"I don't care. Hurry up."

I exhaled first. "Your brother, Xander, well, he lent me a hundred dollars yesterday. We were sitting next one another on the train to Ottawa. I came over tonight to pay him back. I got the money from my parents."

Sort of true... Xander did give me a hundred dollars.

"What?" Liam cringed, sounding unconvinced. "That makes no sense. All this trouble for.... a hundred dollars? I know my brother, and that is not what really happened."

"So, I'm a liar now? Well, Mr. Smarty Pants, what do you think happened, since you seem to think you know everything?" I snapped. "Go on. Lay out what you think happened!"

"I know that you're lying. That tells me one thing, it's not nothing," Liam spat back. "What has my brother done this time? What has he got on you?"

My eyes widened in surprise. It seemed this was not the first time Xander had gotten himself into an unusual situation. "I was paying him back. I just walked in at a bad time. I'm not lying."

It was practically the truth.

I was paying him back.... in a way.

"I didn't want to explain what happened between us back at the hotel, because I was embarrassed. I don't like borrowing money, from anyone. I have too much pride for that. It practically killed me taking his money yesterday. But I had no choice."

"I see," Liam murmured. After a brief pause, he leaned forward and pressed the driver's button behind the front seat. "Raymond, unlock the door, please."

The door-lock snapped back up. The sound was music to my ears. It represented my freedom from yet another mess I seemed to have dragged myself into.

Yeah. I do that, too. I attract trouble.

"Are we done here?" I grabbed the door handle, but was still staring at Liam, who'd slumped into his seat looking exhausted and defeated.

I'm the one who had to go through all that shit. First his brother, then him! I'm going to need therapy for six months just to get over tonight!

"Yes, you may leave." Liam responded curtly, not sparing me another glance.

I exited the car, simmering on his farewell tone. As I turned to close the door, I thought he needed a little "tone" thrown back in his face.

"Thank you, sir! And don't worry about your limp shrimp. Next time, just take some of those... big dick pills! It'll change your life and your longevity." I hollered this out in record speed and then slammed the door as his jaw dropped in surprise.

Fuck you, motherfucker!

Laughing like a hyena, I struggled in my heels, speeding down the sidewalk. My feet were killing me. These shoes are beautiful, so suck it up!

A SUV pulled up to the curb. The door opened and Prince Douche Numero Deuce – A.K.A Liam – A.K.A Mr. Asshole, stepped out. He was shaking his head, looking amused and disgusted at me, like I was his fucking child who needed a timeout for being disrespectful.

He smirked. "Well that was rude."

"Boo fucking hoo, like I care. You're the one who practically kidnapped me!" I yelled as he exited the car completely with his hand following last, pulling out a sapphire clutch.

My fucking clutch!

"Forgetting something, princess?" Liam grinned, holding out the clutch. I flew for my clutch, trying to snatch it back, but the guy was too tall, pulling his arms up high. At over six foot tall, he towered over me, even in my six-inch heels.

"Give me my shit back." I snapped, flailing my arms and jumping for it despite his height advantage. "I won't stop thrashing until you do."

He smiled snidely, as if he knew something I didn't. "You think you can tire me out? Think again." He bursts out laughing, reminding me of an evil dictator.

"Not only can I tire you out, but I'll kick your ass in the process too." I hurled my body closer, paying no mind that his dress shirt was still ripped, showcasing his tone stomach.

Ugh fuck... Why does he have to have nice abs, too?

I gulped and got back to business. "You might as well give up right now. It'll be easier for the both of us."

I jumped up, but his arm extended higher. My body came dangerously close to smothering his. The potential situation was very dangerous. But I didn't give a shit if my entire body mushed into his, practically melting into him, feeling every ripple, every obviously... hard.... gosh darn... muscle.

Fuck my life! This has got to be the worst time to get horny.

"Easier for you, you mean," Liam said. "I was actually just going to hand it to you. Considering the foul statement you made upon leaving the car though, now that I'm thinking about it, I think a punishment would be more suitable to that horrendous lie you belted out in public about me. You're lucky I don't pursue a more suitable resolution, but after dealing with my brother, I'm feeling a little generous."

"Give me my shit back!" I jumped for the clutch for the millionth time. "Now!"

"Your shit?" Liam repeated, as if he thought it was funny. "Is that any way for a lady to speak?"

"I'm no lady, fuck face. I'm a psychopath." I panted, on the brink of collapse. Liam wasn't panting at all. He stood comfortably while I did all the work.

This fucking asshole was chilling.

Tall people have it easy!

"You're so lucky you're tall, or else..." I panted, barely jumping a few inches. My feet were killing me now.

Liam smirked, not lowering his arm. "Or else, what?"

His smirk had me angrier. I felt a volt electrocute my legs, giving me the push I needed to get my clutch back. "This, you bitch!"

I jumped again and Liam was stumbling back to keep the clutch from my grasp. He smirked at me mid-air, knowing I'd failed again. As soon as my heels touched ground, something went wrong. My foot slipped and I stumbled forward into Liam's hard, muscled chest. My hands instinctively clasped onto his shoulders for stability. He grabbed my waist with the clutch still in hand.

"Whoa, there." Liam murmured as I stared at him, feeling flustered. His deep-blue eyes hardened. It wasn't an angry expression, but something else, something that traveled deep inside me.

Fuck my life.

"I'm sorry." I whispered inches from his face. His hands were not letting go of my waist.

Snap out of it.

The seconds that went by were making this into a bigger problem than I needed. I did not need to be feeling all hot and bothered over another Barns' boy. They're related and the menace gene was probably in the both of them.

I don't even know him and this is happening. Shit!

And the award for the most stupid girl in the world goes to... Me!

I let go of his shoulder and he let's go of my waist. And like normal people, calmly, we both stood back up.

"Sorry." I said again, not looking him in the eye because I felt embarrassed for acting like a drunken monkey high on mushrooms.

He quickly returned my clutch and I said. "Thanks."

He cleared his throat and our eyes connected. Softness had replaced his anger. "I'm sorry, too. That behaviour was out of order. I was...It's just been a long night. I'm sorry for holding your bag away from you."

Liam's apology had my insides turn into mush.

But I had to shake those feelings off.

Whatever this was, it wasn't going to happen.

Not in this lifetime.

Liam Barns was Xander's brother. Those two came from a different world than mine. They were leaders, and despite Xander's "hobbies"... I was what I was: a work in progress.

And anyways, too much had happened tonight. Our thoughts weren't processing the way they normally would. Mentally, we were not all "there" tonight, and that's why it seemed like anything could happen.

Anything.

But it couldn't.

Because it was a bad idea.

And that sucked, from a purely fantasy aspect, because damn those heart stopping blue eyes were aching as bad as my own, wanting that sin without a damn.

I glanced around, confirming there was no audience watching our little show. Thank God. Besides a few cars driving about, we were alone.

I took a second and exhaled hours of distress out. "It was a crazy night, and the both of us had to deal with a lot of shit. We both said stuff, and did stuff that wasn't cool."

Liam shook his head. "Me more than you. I practically kidnapped you. I have no idea who you are and I let my anger blind me into believing you were up to something with my brother. He's known to have something up his sleeves at all times. I've had enough of his games."

Oh yeah.... that's right. I was practically kidnapped. I should have been angry, but looking into Liam's eyes erased any sort of resentment I might have toward him. The only thing I felt toward him was empathy. Both of us had been through the wringer due to Xander's obnoxious behaviour.

I sighed again. "Well, I guess, I just get it. I just went through twenty-four hours with your brother and his choice behaviours. I can't believe he's your brother. Who's older again?"

"I am, but only by ten minutes. We're fraternal twins," Liam explained. My eyes bulged in shock. There are two of them. Two Xander Barns?

Holy shit.

But they weren't the same. One came out normal from what it seemed. Or maybe I was wrong. Maybe they were both weird and perverted, and Liam was just better at hiding himself. I knew what Xander liked doing, supposedly. But what was Liam's thing?

"There are two of you? Jesus Christ, what are the odds? Well, thank God, you both didn't turn out the same," I sighed in relief. Liam stayed quiet. "Or maybe you are the same as him."

His deep-blue eyes hardened again, briefly scanning my body as he leaned back onto his SUV. "That depends on what you're referring to."

A few seconds of silence passed. His innuendo had me at a loss for words. Well no, I did know what I wanted to say. It just would have been stupid to.

"Well, let's leave that a mystery now, shall we?" I smiled at him, feeling the power come back. I wasn't a slave to my body after all. "I'm sorry you were dragged into all of this. I'm going to go now." I turned and walked around the car to the curb, waving my arm into the air to hail a taxi over. I felt a hand pull my arm down softly. "What are you doing?"

"Let me give you a ride home," Liam offered. He was staring into my eyes. They were doing things to my body that made me feel mushy. "I feel terrible for how I treated you."

I smiled and shook my head. "Dude, it's all good. I'm over it. I get why you did it. And I would feel more comfortable taking a taxi. I mean... I barely know you."

He stared at me for a few seconds before nodding. He didn't know me either. I could be a Demetria-in-hiding, waiting to have my way with him and then keep him forever tied up in my basement.

I waved a taxi over. I opened the car door as Liam rounded the taxi and spoke with the driver. I looked through the passenger door's window and noticed Liam hand over some money to the taxi driver. He finished with the taxi driver and came back around, stopping in front of me.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, my insides melting all over again. That was nice of him, even though he sort of kidnapped me earlier. I really should be demanding bigger compensation than a free taxi trip home, but I wasn't like that. "You didn't have to do that. I have money."

Liam caressed my shoulder briefly, looking into my eyes. "I did something horrible. It's the least I can do."

I can think of a few things you can do to make it all better. A lot of things.

Don't blurt that out!

"All right then, thanks." I said to him softly. "Well.... enjoy the rest of your night. Goodbye."

"Goodbye." Liam replied. I tucked into the car and Liam shut the door.

The taxi driver turned in his seat to face me. "Where to, Miss?"

I gave him the address. "You know where that is?"

"Of course." he stated, and shifted the car into drive. I looked out the window and stared at Liam. As the car pulled away, I gave Liam a wave, and he waved back.

As we drove away, I turned from the window and settled with my clutch on my lap, and then I sighed. There was a problem. My body didn't feel at ease. Quite the opposite, it felt restless and antsy.

The taxi drove away from downtown. I wondered how the rest of the night would go. I had to wake up early tomorrow to go have coffee with Dad, but the way I felt right now, falling asleep seemed impossible.

Shit.

Those Barns' brothers. Both a problem in their own ways.

Thanks a lot, Liam.

*~*~*

Twenty minutes later, the taxi pulled in front of the Inn.

"It's all been paid for, Miss," the taxi driver said.

"Okay, thanks. Have a good night," I told him and then exited the car.

"You, too." he said as I shut the door. The taxi drove away and I sighed, taking deep breaths while I walked down the pathway toward the Inn's entrance. I opened the front door and the lobby was quiet, the only sound coming from the air conditioner. I went up to the front desk where the security guard had his feet up on the desk, with his back leaned into his chair. His eyes were closed.

"Hi." I whispered, careful not to make him jump. His eyes snapped open and he quickly peeled his legs off the desk. "I'm here to pick up my key for room 306. My name is Marisa Gellys."

The security guard grinned. "Yeah, some lively people dropped the key off a few hours ago. They were interesting." He pulled out my key card and placed it on top of the desk.

"Yeah, they're something." I chuckled back, knowing exactly what he meant. I slid the key card off the desk. "Good night."

"Have a good one." he said back, tucking himself back into his previous position. I headed down the long hallway to my room. I inserted my key card and opened the door, walking into darkness.

"Where is that light switch?" I murmured, closing the door behind me. When I finally found it, I gasped as the room brightened.

What the hell? My eyes bulged at the state of my room. There were things, lots of new, beautiful things, scattered artfully around my room. I closed my mouth and quickly marched to my bed, now covered in tagged clothing.

All these clothes! There were jeans, shirts, skirts, dresses, and shorts, and they were all clearly expensive. I checked the tags, but the prices had been cut off. Based on the brands, themselves, I knew that everything on my bed could probably pay for my rent for the entire year. Beside the bed were three pairs of shoes: a pair of plum ballet flats, a pair of black Chucks, and a pair of leather boots with a skinny heel and a red sole.

OMG, is that what I think it is? I can't believe this... I can't breathe! I held the boots against my feet. They were to the knee.

Why did he do this? Bewildered and sceptical, that's how I felt. I glanced down beside my bed where a brand new, dark green luggage sat. I carefully placed the boot back beside its twin.

Why's he given me all of this? I knew one thing; Xander Barns didn't do things because he was the generous type. The bastard wanted something from me, just like he had for the makeover.

Well, he has another thing coming if he thinks I'm doing anything for him ever again.

I placed my clutch on the desk, and sat on the chair to take off my heels. I then checked my own bag, making sure everything was still in there, just in case Xander asked the three stylists to go on a scavenger hunt for some mementos.

Everything was in check, but I did a double take when I noticed a large shopping bag on the other side of the bed. I grabbed it and pulled out a leather bag.

Oh my God! My mouth dropped as I inspected the bag. It had two parallel zippers that circled the bag, and a tassel made of leather strips that were tied together at one end.

I love it! I hugged the bag as if it were my newborn baby. I knew right then and there, the bag and I were meant to be. We were one. And whatever that bastard wanted in exchange for it, I'd consider... if it was harmless enough. The things we freaking do for pretty things.

I squealed loudly, holding the bag's strap over my shoulder. I marched to the full-length mirror on the wall to examine its glory.

At first glance, I sighed long. So this is what love really feels like.

Screw Ben. Screw Xander. And fuck it, screw Liam, too.

Thoughts of Liam and screwing took over.... Damn it, don't think about that.

"Screw" and "Liam" should never be in the same sentence!

I grabbed my clutch and pulled out my phone. Chances were, there'd be some text messages from the panty king, requesting a few favours for the amount of clothes he'd given me, even though I'd never asked for anything.

There was only one text message.

Xander: You're welcome again. I want pictures...and a few other things. But that will be discussed later...

Sweet dreams, my trusted little sidekick. Tonight was so much fun.

Hug, kiss, hug... other things.

Other things?

My eyes narrowed at the last few words.

What the hell did that mean?

I shook my head, because it didn't matter.

I was done.

I didn't owe that guy anything.

These clothes and shoes and (gulp.... HOLY MOLY!) the bag, they were given without my say so. I accepted the makeover this morning, but these things were given without my acceptance.

I'm not doing anything else for him. I'm already feeling cold down there because I'm sans underwear.

Speaking of underwear. I pulled out a fresh pair of plain black undies from my carry-on and slid them on. I carefully pulled off the dress and placed it on the bed with the rest of the clothes.

So pretty... I stared at it all, transfixed for a moment. I broke the stare when I realized that I still had the bustier on. How am I going to get it off?

After a few minutes of playing with the back, I figured out a way to get it off. It was like a bra, but with way more clasps down the back. I placed it with the rest of the clothes and went to the bathroom wearing only my underwear. My back was covered in red lines thanks to the bustier, and some parts were sore to the touch.

Home tomorrow.

The weekend, which couldn't have gone fast enough, had finally come to its conclusion. I put a plain black bra on with a soft green shirt. Then, I carefully examined each piece of clothing before folding and placing them inside the brand new luggage.

Now it was finally time to get some sleep. I climbed into bed after turning off the lights.

Wow, what a night. My body settled into the mattress. But all of a sudden, the calm and relaxed feelings quickly vanished as my mind settled on a more problematic thought.

Liam.

Imagining his large, strong fingers skimming my inner thigh had me wet in an instant.

This was wrong and so not the plan for tonight. I just wanted to get some sleep. But I knew that wasn't going to happen, unless I nipped the lust-filled feelings in the bud. Then Liam could get out of my mind and I could go to sleep. I wanted to leave it tonight, here and forever, before I moved back to my regular drama-free life.

My hands slid down my stomach, imagining Liam grabbing them, showing them where to go. I arched my back in response. His fingers intersected mine, sliding down into my panties.

I moaned quietly, imagining his slightly ripped shirt falling off his hard muscled body. Every inch of his perfect body was on display as it rested slowly over top me. His other hand glided over my stomach, then up around my breasts. I imagined his other hand orchestrating the symphony of all orgasms deep down in my core. They moved methodically, knowing exactly what to do, which had me moaning louder. I wanted each moment of ecstasy from his touch to last forever. With each stroke, each firm caress, I was on the verge of exploding. That was very, very bad, because it was going to be over, and I didn't want this to be over.

I moaned as his fingers moved deeper inside me. His face over mine, his beautiful lips touched mine with his tongue entering. I felt a wave overtake me. Everything went white as the biggest orgasm I'd ever had shattered my body.

I buried my face into my pillow, moaning loudly. I had no other choice, suppressing it only made it worse.

I had to let out the fucking song.

*~*~*

I woke up with the sun shining on top of me, feeling refreshed and alive. I wiped my eyes and pulled the blanket off me as my phone buzzed. I reached for it, and grimaced noticing Xander's number.

Fucking, mother fucker. My eyes jerked open. I thought this shit with him was over. I had no intention of spending any more time with him, or any of his family.

Err...Liam.

I declined the call. I wasn't going to be picking up any calls from him. Not today, not ever. If he wanted the clothes and shoes back, he could get them back in Toronto.

But what about the bag? I stared down at the beautiful leather bag I was about to transfer all my things into.

I was keeping it.

I deserved that bag for all the shit he'd put me through. Especially with what happened last night with skank face Irina and that demented, love–sick puppy, delusional chick, Demetria.

I was owed this bag.

And no matter what, I was keeping it.

I'd resort to blackmail if I had to.

Smiling, I got off the bed. Checking the time, just after 9 a.m. I had to call Dad and set up a time for coffee before my train left for Toronto at 1:30 p.m. I had until 11 am to check out, which was enough time to fix everything and take a shower.

My cell buzzed again and it was Xander.

Declined, bitch.

I took a nice twenty-minute shower, feeling the steaming hot water wash away all the bullshit from last night away. I also washed my downstairs extra carefully. Once the shower was over, for the first time since meeting the bastard, I felt less contaminated.

I dried my hair quickly, and left the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body when three hard knocks on my front door made me jump.

I went to the door and placed my ear to it. "Who is it?" I asked, apprehensively.

No answer.

After a few seconds of silence, I asked again. "Who's there?"

"Who do you think?" a familiar voice replied from behind the door. I jumped away from the door, shaking my head in horror.

No!

That bastard!

He's been calling me all morning and I've been declining his calls, thinking it would get me away from him. But no, he's come to me. Shit, shit, shit!

Xander was here, waiting behind my locked door with whatever it was he now wanted.

"What the hell do you want?" I shouted at the door.

"Let me in and I'll tell you." Xander said. "I promise, I won't bite."

"I don't owe you anything. I didn't ask for all these clothes!" I snapped, feeling trapped. "I'm not doing you any more favours. Last night was a nightmare."

"I promise, you don't owe me anything. The clothes were an extra 'thank you' for spending so much time with me. They're yours to keep, no strings attached. I just want to run something by you. Now, will you please let me in? I'm creating a disturbance in the hallway." Xander said.

I rolled my eyes. Now he's worried about creating a disturbance? What a laugh!

"Fine. But wait, I have to put on some clothes."

"I don't mind waiting inside while you change." Xander chuckled, probably grinning.

"Dream on, perv boy!" I called out while rustling through my bag for a fresh pair of underwear and bra. I put them on, and then slid on a blue shirt, and a pair of jeans. Once good and ready, I marched to the door, stalling for a moment as my hand hovered over the knob.

He has five minutes, and then he's out. I ordered myself. I slowly opened the door, finding the bastard standing with his arms crossed over his chest with an irritated expression. He leaned his body forward, bringing his face a few inches from mine. I stayed still. This was my fucking room.

"It's about time." he said.

Bastard!

"Alright, out with it. What the fuck do you want?" I hissed. He smiled and the sketch factor hit the roof. He was so guilty of something.

Oh no... shit!

Alarm bells rang and then everything went black.

"Marisa!"

CHAPTER 14

MARISA

What was wrong with him? Or the better question: what the fuck was wrong with me?

How could I let him in again?

I was in the homestretch and I opened the.... door?

I opened the door and let trouble back in my life... shit, shit.... SHIT!

"Marisa?" a worried voice echoed through the darkness, bringing me closer to the light.

"Who... what?" I choked out as my eyelids slowly opened to a pair of familiar, ocean-blue eyes that seemed wide with fear.

"Oh, thank God!" Xander exclaimed, the relief in his voice unmistakable. "I was worried for a second that I'd have to call an ambulance."

My eyelids snapped open, staring up at Xander. "Why?"

"Because... it wouldn't be the first time I've had to call an ambulance because a girl fainted." He gave me his signature sketchy smile. And like a few moments ago, it didn't work. Fuck him; it would never work on me again.

"What... get the fuck off of me." I jerked my body out of his arms. "That's because you're trouble; everything you touch turns to shit!"

"That...is not fair!" Xander growled from the floor as I got up. "It wasn't my fault!"

"When isn't it?" I snapped over him. "You're you! You're the one who makes everything into a huge mess! And you don't even care!"

"Lies!" Xander shouted, standing up. "You weren't there. It was a worst-case-scenario situation."

"Oh really? Then how come I'm not the only one who thinks this about you? What about Liam?" I declared, jerking my chin forward. Xander's mouth shuts; his jaw twitched as if he were trying to contain himself.

Well I don't care if he's angry; I'm going to keep going until he pops a vein!

"That's right. Older brother isn't too fond of you either," I sneered, slowly enunciating each word.

"Well, isn't that swell...." Xander smiled bitterly, his eyes going dark. "I see you've had the pleasure of spending time with my charming brother. I'm sure you've already noticed all the glory that is Liam. I bet you're already swooning at his precious golden feet."

Jealous much? Yes, I think so. Judging by the hard look in his eyes when I mentioned Liam, there is definitely some major sibling rivalry going on.

One of them acted perfect to get attention, and the other acted like a crazy pervert to get attention. I wanted to know, between the two of them, who's been winning up until now? "You're the messed up twin and that bothers you. Admit it."

Ha! It's my turn to abuse you, Xander Barns. Prepare your fragile psyche; I'm coming in, muhahaha you fucking piece of shit!

Xander needed to prepare for a mental thrashing so severe, that when he left to go home, he'd cry like a little bitch. I hoped he'd remember this moment the next time he decided to be a stupid idiot and fuck with people's lives.

He would remember this moment.

Trust in that.

Silence. Xander didn't make a sound, so I continued. "It all makes so much sense. Why you are the way you are, your fucked up shit... it's all been a result of your jealousy toward Liam."

"Shut... up." Xander growled quietly.

I don't care, bitch! "You're jealous of him; he's perfect and you're the leftover shit."

"Shut up." Xander growled louder and charged toward me. I backed up, falling onto my bed. Xander leaned over me and growled through his teeth, "You don't know... anything."

I stared deep into his eyes and scowled. "Move back!"

His nostrils flared. "No."

"Bitch, I said move back!" I demanded.

He shook his head and sneered. "You think you can mouth off to me knowing the sensitivity of that subject and I'd concede to your commands?"

Oh, I've had enough of this shit! I swung my leg up quickly, hoping to hit the target that was his peanut penis and grape-sized balls. He moved out of the way just in time.

Lucky prick! I jumped off the bed. "And you think you can create havoc and misery into my life, play me like a fiddle, then pop in right afterwards and demand a request from me!"

He stepped away from me. "What happened last night was unfortunate; that wasn't how I planned things to go."

I grunted. "Well, knowing you, even after only thirty six hours, there probably wouldn't have been much of a difference."

"Well then, I believe we're about even now." Xander said all of a sudden, catching me off guard.

Ugh...excuse me?

"Fuck you! There's no way we're even now. What the hell have I done that would equal the shit you've pulled?"

"You made unsympathetic low blows at me regarding the relationship my brother and I have." he explained softly, trying to sound sad, but I knew better, the sketch factor was through the roof.

"Low blow? You're lucky that's all I did to you after yesterday morning. The nasty thong... remember that?" I snapped, pointing to my crotch.

"And I remember, I helped you transform into a glamorous, gorgeous princess. Tell me now; were you the belle of the ball last night? Could people not take their eyes off you? Were you not showered with endless compliments? If you say no right now, then my dear, that would be the biggest lie you've ever declared in your life. I'd bet my life on it." Xander grinned smugly.

Shit. He got me....

The fucker smiled like he'd won.

"Your silence speaks, Marisa...we're even." Xander grinned. "And I'm only throwing in the low blow about my brother and me as a measure of good faith. Do I have to even mention your main infraction? Now can we please move on?"

I shook my head in protest. "It wasn't the same. It was not the same!"

"You're right. It wasn't. I believe your retaliation last night far exceeded whatever I unfortunately did to you. You actually owe me." Xander smirked.

My jaw dropped. "What. The. FUCK!"

I owed him?

Was he delusional?

"Dog shit!" I yelled.

"Oh really? Speaking of shit." Xander sneered.

Shit, the blue plastic bag from last night!

But it couldn't be that, there was no shit in that bag, just a little man-juice.

"There was shit in that bag." Xander declared.

I shook my head, "No, there wasn't. It was man-juice all over one of my mom's whore-bag friend's underwear."

"Ah, yes, thank you for reminding me...shit...man juice, the blue bag you played as a gift last night. I must say Melania wasn't too happy when she opened it; but I quickly took her mind off of it." he smiled suggestively at the end. "So you see, you still owe me for that stunt you pulled last night; but because I'm nice, I'll just ask you for one more favour and we'll call it even."

I gulped. "And if I don't want to?"

He shrugged. "Well, let's hope... not."

Shit...fuck! I was backed into a corner. I couldn't tell him to fuck off now. I probably should have taken into account that Xander had the money, and probably the influence to make my life a living hell. There was no way out that didn't involve me getting into some sort of shit. I had no choice but to concede.

"What do you want?" I grumbled, barely getting the words out of my mouth without snarling.

The grin on his sneaky face made me want to vomit.

"A date for my mother's spring garden party."

I cringed. "A garden party?"

"Yes, a garden party."

"When?"

"Today at 2 p.m."

"Today!"

"Yes."

"But I have a train ticket for 1:30 p.m.!"

"I'll get you a train ticket for later, business class."

"But I also made plans with my dad to get coffee."

"Reschedule it for another time; this event takes precedence."

"You want me to blow off my dad...to go to a party with you?"

"Correct."

"A garden party?"

Xander nodded.

Groaning loudly, I plopped over my bed and cradled my head in my hands. "This is not fair!"

My head snapped up as another brilliant realization popped up. "I don't have a fucking garden party outfit!"

"That is not a problem." Xander stated slowly, smiling a cocky grin.

"Don't even say it. It's an easy fix, right?" I sneered.

His grin widened, showcasing his pearly whites.

Yeah... that's what I thought.

*~*~*

The next few hours went by in a blur. I quickly called Dad and informed him that I had to cancel our coffee date, that something unexpected came up.

But I couldn't tell him a pretty twenty nine year old menace was holding me hostage over supposedly 'owing him'. So I told him my train was reschedule for earlier and there was no time for coffee.

Dad accepted the reason, but was still not happy. So to ease the guilt I felt for cancelling our coffee date, and after hearing the sadness in his voice as he reminded me of what little time we'd had to connect after my five-month absence, I gave him my phone number. I instructed that it was for his use only. This seemed to calm him down, and now I'd be getting weekly phone calls from him to make sure 'I was okay'.

After the phone call, I packed the rest of my things and checked out of the Inn. As I brought my carry-on and the brand new luggage out to the SUV on the curb, Daniels helped me place them in the trunk.

You know who wasn't helping? Mr. Princess, AKA Xander. He was busy chilling in the back, on his cellphone, completely oblivious.

"Aren't you a chivalrous gentleman? No – no sit... I got this." I snipped as Daniels and I slid in the rest of my things in.

"What was that?" Xander asked after Daniels opened my door, stifling a smile as Xander shut off his phone.

"Oh nothing, just observing." I climbed inside the SUV. "Wouldn't want to get your delicate fingers all roughed up by helping me with my bags."

"What was that about bags?" He pointed to my brand new leather bag. I pulled it away from his nearing touch.

I cradled the bag closely to my chest. "This is my bag."

Xander chuckled. "It is.

"And completely well deserved." I added.

"Absolutely." Xander smirked, turning to face his window.

As Daniels drove us away, I turned to Xander. "What now?"

"Now, we get you ready."

"How? Where?"

Xander looked away from the window and grinned. "We're going to see Gustavo."

My eyes widened. No!

*~*~*

I. Hate. My. Life.

Have I mentioned that lately? Because I do. I hate my life!

"Hold still, girl!"

I glared at the madman in the mirror as he pulled and tugged and ripped my hair with a round brush, as his other hand held the world's hottest hairdryer. Swearing to God, any hotter and it would become a kitchen appliance.

Fuck my life! I groaned loudly as my hair was pulled one last time.

"My... you're a troubling one!" Gustavo groaned, turning off the hair dryer. Was he the same sadistic guy I actually thanked yesterday for turning me glam?

Yep! It sure is, unfortunately.

Asshole! I stared at his perfectly put together reflection in the mirror. From the moment I sat in his white leather salon chair, I didn't hide my distress, and showcased every single time my body withered in pain. I wasn't a hide-your-emotions type of girl. If I was being abused, I was gonna show it.

"You're lucky you're pretty, girl! Because if you weren't..." Gustavo trailed off, not so under his breath. I scowled at him again as the hair dryer abruptly turned back on and my head was painfully jerked back. The torturous round brush yanked my hair back.

After a few more minutes of torture, the hair dryer was shut off.

Thank God!

Gustavo swivelled my chair around and pulled out the hairspray, getting to work spraying every inch of his masterpiece.

Why? Why me? I thought, holding my breath. After turning my hair rock-hard, he finally placed the hairspray down.

"Sammy! Get over here now; it's your turn! Thank goodness!" Gustavo screeched at the top of his lungs.

Sammy jumped out from nowhere, wearing a black jumpsuit. "Here boss!"

"She's all yours." Gustavo swivelled my chair towards her and marched away.

"Got it." Sammy chirped.

The makeup was less painful to get through than the hair treatment. I sat patiently and quietly as she applied everything from her kit onto my face.

"It's going to be spectacular, Marisa." Sammy gushed as she brushed powder onto my cheeks.

"Thanks, Sammy." I murmured underneath the stroke of her brush.

"No problem." She continued spreading the powder. "Did you take pictures last night?"

Shit!

"Sorry... forgot." I explained. "I had a lot on my mind yesterday."

"S'okay." she mumbled, dropping the brush down and picking up lip-gloss. "Pucker, please."

As Sammy applied gloss to my lips, the door opened. Maria entered the empty salon holding a stack of dresses. The salon was empty and was normally closed on Sundays. But thanks to Xander, it was opened for me.

I didn't even want to think about how much that was going to cost him.

These people clearly didn't do things for the cheap.

I stared at Gustavo's alligator-skin loafers as he hurled himself off his white leather sectional.

"Maria, finally!" he exclaimed, sounding relieved.

"Darling," Maria gushed as Gustavo leaned in for three air kisses. "What...a...morning it's been!"

Gustavo sighed dramatically and nodded. The both of them turned to face me; Maria raised a perfectly penciled in eyebrow, making me feel guilty.

Not fair, they should be blaming Xander for having them work on the rush and on their day off.

"Done!" Sammy declared happily. She took off the salon cape around my neck. Maria and Gustavo gave each other knowing looks as I got out of the chair and stretched my joints. I'd been in that chair for a long time.

"What?" I asked as they turned facing me, raising one eyebrow each.

Maria sighed, tilting her head to the side. "Really? That's what you picked to wear... after everything I left for you yesterday?"

She shook her head, a mixture of disgust and horror at the sight of my plain flared jeans and regular ocean blue shirt.

I shrugged, unapologetic. "I was in a rush."

"Sure you were." Maria stated, unconvinced, giving Gustavo another one of their infamous exasperated looks.

Whatever! Deal with it!

They're the stylists, not me.

"So... I take it you brought me a dress?" Jerking my chin to the hanging dress cover on the wall. Maria's eyes brightened as she nodded happily.

"And fabulous shoes!" Maria said, and then turned to unzip the cover. "My, you're a lucky girl... outfits galore!"

Maria took the hanger off the hook, turning around to face me with it cradled safely in her grasp. She eyed everyone. "Are you all ready for the most amazing dress ever?"

Everyone nodded enthusiastically.

Satisfied, Maria unzipped it the rest of the way, then reached in and brought out the dress.

"Magical!" Gustavo whispered in awe.

"Gorgeous!" Sammy added.

My jaw dropped. Ugh...wow!

It's blue... actually blue this time, not just on the outer edge of the blue colour-wheel. Maria held the hanger up high and a beautiful, midnight blue, sleeveless dress took our breath away. The sheer lace on top covered a sweetheart style bodice and an A-line skirt.

It was pretty.

"It was the best I could pull on such short notice. Thank God for my connections; they always pull through." Maria gushed while staring at the dress, clearly as transfixed by its sparkling beauty as we all were.

"Now..." Maria said breaking the trance. "Let's sort out the undergarments."

My eyes widened. Oh no... not again!

*~*~*

After struggling into another bustier, which I needed the help of Maria again to put on, I slid the dress over the nude-coloured undergarments. I wore a simple thong, and this time it was staying on. Even if Xander begged for it, I'd rather die with it still on than give it to him.

Perverted bastard!

Maria handed me a pair of beautiful, black, open-toed sandals with a golden cuff at the ankle. I happily slid them on, finishing the look.

Wow!

As I stared at myself in the mirror, just like yesterday, everyone made exaggerated noises, expressing their joy at my transformation. My hair was styled to perfection, falling into waves around my shoulders. My makeup was lighter than last night, but just as beautiful.

I was handed a black clutch, which I transferred some of my essentials from my fab leather bag.

I was ready.

After doing a few twirls, testing the flowy-ness of the dress, I gawked one more time at how amazing I looked.

Then the front door opened.

And as if the sun knew he'd be walking through at that exact moment, Xander glided in, wearing a well–cut, dark-navy suit as sunshine framed his entire body, making his ocean-blue eyes sparkle.

Wow! My jaw dropped a little, and for a moment, he looked drool-worthy. But then he grinned suggestively as he eyed my entire body, and I remembered who he was.

"Ready, my dear?" Xander purred, stretching out his arm for me to take.

Here goes nothing!

### CHAPTER 15

MARISA

A little after two, Daniels drove us into an exclusive neighbourhood where electronic fences and high hedges occupied most of the curb of the clean empty street. He pulled the SUV into a short driveway in front of a large white fence. A small, dark-grey box with a button was nestled beside the driver's side door. Daniels pushed the button, and after a few seconds, sounds of rust and chalkboard scratches overtook our ears as the gates slowly opened. As Daniels drove the SUV through, I rolled my window down. Cold air came breezing inside and my skin broke into goose bumps.

The land between the front gate and the house was vast and filled with vibrant green grass. A game of football with a crowd could easily be played here.

As we entered onto a coloured stone driveway, my jaw dropped at the view of a luxurious mansion. No... a castle.

The SUV slowly rolled around a large, extravagant, stone swan fountain in the center of the driveway. Circled around the fountain was a bed of red roses that looked too perfect for this time of year.

Could they be imported? I stared at the stone swans as they sprinkled water from their beaks into the crystal-blue pool surrounding them.

"Welcome to my home." Xander said as the SUV stopped in front of two large, bronze doors.

"So this is where you grew up?" I peered out the open window at two large, leaf-engraved pillars standing on opposite ends of the double doors.

"That it is, Marisa. This home here...it was a part of my life." Xander explained breathily, as if he's rediscovering a long lost cave.

I rolled my eyes at him. "You're unbelievable. Are you ever serious?"

"Shall we go?" Xander smirked as Daniels opened his door first.

Really?

Whatever happened to ladies first?

Then again, being here at the 'palace' where he grew up, it's becoming more and more obvious he was actually a princess.

"Yes, let's go, but after you, since your door was opened first...princess boy." I sneered.

Xander exited the car, giving me a raised eyebrow before shutting his door. I smirked as Daniels opened my door and offered his hand as I stepped out.

"Thank you, Daniels." I exaggerated as Xander met us on the other side. Xander gave me his arm and I looped my arm through it.

"Let's do this." I grinned mischievously. "Lead the way, princess."

"You think you're so funny," Xander whispered, leaning into my ear. "Have you forgotten, that sort of feistiness turns me on? So if you dare to continue, we'll have to make a detour to the bathroom. We'd be late for the party, which would be very, very bad."

He eyed me knowingly.

God, he's a pervert!

Exhaling a frustrated breath, I conceded, "Fine! Xander, please lead the way, why don't you!"

He smirked and nodded, and then led the way. As we crossed through the open doorway, he whispered into my ear, "That applies to your tone of voice as well."

He blew hot air into my ear, making me shudder. I jerked my shoulder into his as he chuckled. "Will you please shut up and lead me to this fucking party? And stop blowing in my fucking ear, you perv. I don't want to get a disease."

He gave me a suggestive smile.

"Asshole." I murmured, disgusted.

"Stop it." he mouthed, biting his lower lip. My face heated as I looked away, embarrassed. We were in the home he grew up in, and where his parents' still lived. Had he no shame?

Did he respect his mother and father so little that he'd carry on with such crude behaviour?

Wow...hypocritical much, Marisa?

"Whatever." I grumbled, refusing to look at him as he led us over a green marble-floored hallway that ended with two open glass double doors. We entered into the equally enormous backyard that could pass for a serene sanctuary fit for Greek gods.

A variety of flowers in every colour of the rainbow hung from poles circling the party. Fifteen tables were decked out with soft peach table settings. Beautiful aquamarine flowers in tall glass vases were the centerpieces of each table. The tables surrounded a huge dance floor that was covered by a veranda. Women and men dressed to the nines in luxurious cocktail dresses and casual, but pristine, well-cut suits filled each seat and the surrounding areas, huddling together enjoying the party already. An instrumental quartet was set up on the small stage right behind the dance floor; they began playing.

I'd only ever witnessed a party like this in the movies.

"Impressed?" Xander murmured into my ear as we followed the paved pathway to the tables.

I nodded in awe. "Extremely; it's so beautiful. It's like a dream."

Xander led me into a throng of people, all of whom, he said a quick hello to, but never stopped until we reached a woman about my height, wearing a soft pink, knee length dress. Her top was a delicate lace that was fitted to her body, and her skirt flowed out in a silky fabric cut in an A-line.

"Mother." Xander called to her. Her short blonde hair flew in the air as she abruptly stopped talking to a man in a grey suit, and turned around to see who was calling her.

Noticing Xander immediately, her deep blue eyes sparkled happily. "Alexander! Darling, it is you!" she exclaimed happily, rushing over and giving him a kiss and a hug.

"Hello, Mother." Xander said. "The party turned out beautifully, breath taking; as always, you have exceeded yourself."

His mother's face lit again. "Thank you, my darling."

"Mother, I'd like to introduce my date, Marisa Gellys." Xander pulled me forward.

Here goes nothing!

"Mrs. Barns, how do you do?" I said politely as she shook my hand. "You have a lovely home."

"Thank you," she purred, and then looked over my shoulder. "The three of us will have to catch up later. I must go and greet the rest of my guests."

She laughed, motioning the expanse of the party with her hands. "If the two of you will please excuse me."

"Of course, Mother." Xander replied, stepping out of her way. I smiled at her. She turned to leave, but then stopped right beside Xander.

"Oh, Alexander darling, Mrs. Williams and her daughter are here."

Mrs. Williams and her daughter? I stared at Xander's face, which stilled for a second but quickly resumed back to normal.

"Oh, really? Well, I'll have to be on the lookout then." he replied with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Yes, be on the lookout; I hear her daughter is quite smitten with you. What was her name again?" Mrs. Barns asked.

"I'm not sure; but I'm sure it'll come to me when I see her." Xander said.

"Yes, of course it will. Hopefully the poor thing won't be too disappointed once she sees your beautiful date." Mrs. Barns smiled at me before heading toward a group of her peers.

She's nice. Never would have guessed that.

"How many admirers do you have?" I asked Xander as he watched his mother walk away. "Bet she'd be interested to know her precious little boy is dipping his stick in more than one pudding."

"As for your first question," He leaned in. "many... and for your second question, my business... stays my business."

He stared sternly into my eyes.

Asshole!

"Got it, chief." I replied and like a soldier, gave him a quick salute.

His lip quivered and won, turning into a wide grin. "The things I could be doing in the privacy of one of those empty rooms back at the house right now..." he purred breathily.

My eyes rolled. I hope he wasn't including me in that daydream, because that wasn't going to happen. EVER!

"Alone, you mean. I'm staying out here, with or without you... princess." I sneered. "Maybe I should keep speaking to you like you're an asshole; then you'll have to walk around this party with a hard-on and everyone will notice and laugh at you."

Xander leaned closer to me. "Or maybe, I'm already walking around with a hard-on right now."

I instantly jerked away from him.

"There will be a three-foot rule between us if you don't stop that shit!" I hissed, feeling disgusted and in need of sanitation wipes.

Xander smiled suggestively and leaned in again. "Stop what?"

"Yeah, stop what?" a familiar voice asked from behind, making Xander and me jump. We twirled around to find Liam towering over us in a dark-blue suit with a white shirt underneath that had two buttons unbuttoned. As if on cue, the clouds parted and sunshine spilled out, framing his entire body, making his deep-blue eyes sparkle. In an instant, my heart began beating faster.

Liam!

"Well, don't you two look... close?" Liam accused, glaring at Xander and then shifting his hard stare to me.

I raised an eyebrow.

"William, I'd like to introduce Marisa Gellys, my date for this afternoon," Xander said, interrupting the stare-off.

William, held out his hand; I reached out to shake it but he grabbed my hand, pulling me into his embrace. His cologne and body wash quickly invaded my nostrils, making me a little dizzy. He smelled so good. And in the interest of not swooning or fainting in his arms, it would be best if I pulled back.

Like now.

But his grip was firm around my waist.

"What do we have here?" he murmured quickly into my ear. My eyes met his dark-blue ones as he lets go a little. "You're not supposed to be here."

Xander grabbed my arm, pulling me back into his side.

"This is my date, Liam." Xander stated quietly, glaring angrily at his brother.

Liam smirked. "Never stopped you before, little brother."

Ugh oh! He went there!

I gulped as Xander's hand dropped from my arm and curled into a bone-tight fist. Noticing the hand change, the smirk was wiped off Liam's face, replaced with a ghost of a snarl. His hands also curled into fists, nestling tightly against his hip.

Are they really doing this right now? I stared back and forth at the twenty-nine- year-old twin brothers, who were supposed to be GROWN MEN! Instead, they were acting like competitive teenagers in some... sort of.... fucked-up sibling rivalry.

I stepped in-between them, holding up my palms against them, hoping to ease the tension.

"Alright you two...stop...we're at your mother's spring garden party." I whispered, wide-eyed.

Wow, I'm the one actually breaking up a fight? I really have changed! That makes me so happy. I grinned to myself.

"Why are you so happy?" Liam asked, narrowing his eyes at my smile.

"Well, being around the two of you has literally transformed me into a more mature woman. I mean, compared to the two of you, twenty-nine year-old grown business men, it's all just so funny." I giggled.

"I bet it is." Liam murmured, taking a step back. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my date."

Xander unclenched his fist and gazed around the room with that evil twinkle in his eyes. "Oh, really? We must have an introduction then."

Liam's jaw clenched; my eyes traveled across his body. He was holding himself back. "Don't count on it."

"Count on it." Xander declared.

These two are exhausting!

"We'll see about that." Liam declared before walking away, disappearing through the party.

I looked back at Xander, who glared with a new determination in the direction Liam was last seen going.

"Forget about it." I leaned into him and hissed into his ear. "Don't even think about intruding on Liam's date."

Xander slowly looked away from the crowd and faced me. "We'll see about that."

Jesus!

"Stop being a trouble maker; and as I seem to recall, you already have a date for this party." I pointed to myself.

"Never stopped me before." he whispered into my ear. "That's what makes these things so much fun."

"Fuck off." I hissed, leaning back. "That's your brother. Have you no loyalty?"

Something in his eyes changed, they widened, seemingly appalled. "Don't you low-blow me again. I'm warning you now."

"I thought you liked it when I spoke to you like that? If you act like an asshole, I'm gonna talk to you like an asshole." I glared right back at him. "You can't pick and choose how I'll retaliate, or reply with. Whatever I think you deserve, I'm gonna hit you with. And right now, you're being a prick."

"Oh, really? I'm being a disloyal prick right now? Were you here just a second ago? Do you think I forgot how golden boy just grabbed you and whispered things into your ear right in front of me? How come it's okay for him to do it?" Xander snipped, his blue eyes clouded with darkness.

Yep... he's mad.

Shit! I had nothing... silence it was.

"That's what I thought." Xander sneered. "Come on; let's find our seats and get this thing over with."

He grabbed my arm delicately and led me to our table. Before sitting himself, he pulled out my chair. Which was odd, considering he was a natural-born princess boy. This guy didn't make sense: one minute—one thing, the next—another...usually something fucked-up. I couldn't keep up.

"Why'd you bring me here? You've got all these girls, probably on speed dial, that would have come with you and conceded to your ever demand." I asked, feeling confused and slightly deflated as he took the seat beside me.

Xander avoided my gaze. He grabbed a crystal glass filled with ice water and brought it to his lips. "I have my reasons." he said after drinking his water.

"Yeah, you always do." I looked away, placing my clutch onto the table.

None of this made sense. Why was I here? He could have brought with him a hundred other girls who were probably waiting beside their phones for his fake ass.

Whatever! I'm not asking any more questions. I don't fucking care.

My stomach gurgled loud enough for me to hear. I turned to him, "Is there food at this thing?"

"Yes." Xander responded curtly.

"Well, where is it?" I replied, irritated. "I'm starving."

"A late lunch will be served shortly." Xander explained, not bothering to look at me.

"I'm hungry now." I whined, not caring if I made a spectacle of myself.

I didn't fucking care anymore.

I was sick of it, sick of him...of everything, and if I wasn't given some food, there would be hell to pay. If he thought I was bad before, he'd seen nothing yet.

I was famous for being bad at parties, after all.

His nostrils flared; his eyes widened at my tone and volume.

Yeah, I do that too, bitch! I silently told him with my eyes, which I hoped were also reading 'crazy ass bitch'.

"I'm hungry. I need food right now. I need to be fed. You dragged me out for this whole adventure without even feeding me." I hissed at him.

I mean business. I'm sure he's regretting bringing me here now.

I smiled a little inside.

Xander leaned closer. "Well, if I knew you were hungry before, I would have fed you." He leaned back, smiling to himself.

What is that smile for?

I don't have the energy to decode his shit right now.

"You're a shit date, you know that?" I groaned, finally looking away. Xander's phone rang, interrupting the tension between us. He took it out of his jacket pocket and quickly got up.

"I have to take this privately; I'll be back shortly."

"Wait – what?" I spat out, taken off guard. "You can't leave me."

"I'll be back soon." he promised and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone.

Hmmmm...what is he up to now?

*~*~*

Fifteen minutes later, there was still no sign of the asshole. The pervert had completely disappeared from the party.

I was starving, especially with how little I'd eaten yesterday, then eating nothing today, too. If I didn't get some food inside me soon, I'd pass out. Which would be bad considering I was at a lavish party, in a dress I never could have afforded on my hourly wage back at 4Scoops.

Don't think about work. Thinking about returning to my dead-end job was depressing.

Ugh... I hate my job. I stared at the rich crowd around me. I didn't belong here as a guest; if they all knew who I really was, I'd be stripped of this fab dress, ordered into a uniform, and handed a serving tray.

My shoulders slumped. Wow... I need a self-help book right now!

"Hello, testing. One, two, one, two." a hushed but amplified voice echoed out all of a sudden. "Thank you all for coming today. Will you all please help yourselves to the hors d'oeuvres table prepared by the one and only Chef..."

What? Did I hear food, available now? I scoured the area like a hawk for any signs of food. From the corner of my eye, ten servers walked out of the mansion holding large covered trays.

"There is a god...." I hissed to myself.

Fuck Xander.

I wasn't waiting for his horny-ass to return. I was going to get some food right now. No fucks' given.

I gracefully got up, smoothing out my gorgeous dress in the process, and headed toward the veranda.

I'm going to eat...I'm going to eat! Half the party crowded around the hors d'oeuvres table. I squeezed through two older men and grabbed a plate.

Now what do we have here? I eyed the selection of colourful items and grabbed the first thing I recognized: pink macaroons. I took three.

"Treat me like that again and I'll sue...." a familiar voice hissed behind me, causing me to stop chewing.

Where have I heard that before? I swallowed the sweet bite. I turned around, catching sight of an older woman with wild, curly brown hair. She's stalking away with a glass of rosé champagne from a red–faced female server who held her empty tray tightly against her chest. She stared at the woman for a few seconds before walking away.

Why is my heart beating so fast? I faced the old woman again. She wore a side–strap, violet dress that clung to her knees, decorated with small roses along the hem. Something about her wild curly brown hair stirred something within my memory, something that didn't feel right. But nothing came to mind.

"What's on your mind?" a deep voice murmured into my ear, startling me. Before I turned to see who it was, a hand caressed my arm. My head turned and a pair of deep blue eyes held me captive, turning my stomach into a butterfly sanctuary.

It's that damn Nancy Adams again...her 'Love' song played in my head as I lowered my gaze to his lush, plump lips. The small tip of his tongue made an appearance. I felt my jaw drop a little at the drool-worthy sight of him.

Why did he have to be so gorgeous?

And the fact that he was normal made it worse.

How was I going to get through this?

I felt flushed, hot... and dizzy.

All because he was hot.

So hot.

I wasn't going to make it; it's as simple as that.

Maybe I should hold on to his hard, muscled arm for support?

You know... just in case I passed out.

Which would be bad...very bad.

Snap out of it! He's Xander's brother, nothing more! And close your fucking mouth; you're worse than a dog panting for a bone.

His bone?

Stop it!

Deep breaths! I closed my mouth, not wanting him to know that he affected me.

"Well, are you going to answer me or not?" he whispered, leaning in closer, still holding my arm. I wasn't looking though; my eyes were busy somewhere else. Like for instance, how his deep blue eyes were piercing at me.

Get a grip, Marisa. I placed my plate of food down on the buffet table.

"I was thinking," I faced him, giving him a knowing smile in the process, "where the fuck did my date run off to?"

"Must you use that language at my mother's home?" Liam sighed, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Spoken from the man who screamed everything but the phone book last night. And let us not forget that little display of affection you shared with Xander earlier."

Grinning widely now, I leaned in and whispered. "I didn't forget; but maybe you did, old man."

His nostrils flared as I leaned back. "Last night, we weren't at a civilized party; there's a time and a place to act certain ways."

"Are you sure about that? Because I'm sure there was a 'fucking' party going on last night too, and you were clearly interrupting." I tried to yank my arm out of his warm grasp.

He was too strong and unwilling.

"Oh, really? So you lied about your involvement then?" Liam stated smugly.

"What? No." My eyes bulged. "I was there to a pay a debt."

"And you paid it? How? By lying on your back?"

"No!"

He grinned. "Stop lying."

"I'm not. I had nothing to do with his 'party'!"

Liam smirked. "I'm sure..."

"You know what," I began, exasperated out of my mind.

Liam interrupted, getting right in my face, "What?"

Why did he care so much about what happened last night in Xander's room?

I exhaled a deep breath. "Nothing. Forget it."

"I'm not forgetting anything. You were going to call me something bad." Liam sneered.

"No, I was going to skull-fuck you in front of everyone. So yeah, inappropriate." I glanced at the party that was unaware of us fighting. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a pervert to go find."

Liam stayed put, so I walked around him; my shoulder brushed against his arm, instantly growing goose bumps.

Deal with that!

I made it three steps before a firm hand grasped my arm again, pulling me to a stop.

"Don't run away from me; I won't bite." Liam whispered into my ear.

"What do you want from me, Liam? I told you the truth; what else is there?" I stressed to him.

His fingertips glided up my arm and stopped at my jawline, where he began to caress me. "Why are you here, Marisa? I told you last night, you should stay away from the likes of my brother."

"It's not that complicated, Liam. Xander asked me for a favour and I said yes." I explained.

He looked at me like he wanted to shake me. "He's trouble, Marisa; I thought you realized that by now."

"I know, but we're sort of friends now." I told him. We're friends now? I can't believe I just said that.

"Friends?" Liam laughed in disbelief.

"Yeah... friends." I retorted.

"Xander doesn't do friends; I doubt he knows the definition of loyalty." Liam said, shaking his head, looking at me like I was a stupid idiot. "Your friendship is fictional; it doesn't exist."

I yanked my jaw out of his reach, "Well, it seems like he's trying. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find my date."

I swirled around quickly, leaving Liam.

Don't look at me like I'm stupid! I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I was sick of people looking at me like I was a fool.

I wasn't.

Honest.

On my way back to my table, I looked over my shoulder to see if he was still looking. Liam was gone and for some stupid reason that disappointed me. I turned my head back to face forward, only it was too late and someone barged right into me.

"Woah." I grunted, trying to balance myself from falling.

"If my dress is ruined, I'll sue!" a woman screeched, wearing a pink and white frilly dress, with a mess of wild brown curls on top of her head.

"Oh, Xander darling, Mrs. Williams and her daughter are here."

"Yes, be on the lookout. I hear her daughter is quite smitten with you. What was her name again?" Mrs. Barns asked.

"I'm not sure; but I'm sure it'll come to me when I see her," Xander said.

My eyes connected with her eyes and I gasped in shock.

Demetria.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

She was the girl Mrs. Barns was talking about.

Demetria's eyes widened. "What are you doing here?" she hissed.

"I'm here with Xander... you, psycho princess, bitch." I hissed while my heart raced.

"You're lying." she hissed back.

"I'm not." I hissed and walked around her before I knocked her out cold. My legs were shaky, but I'd make it back to my table and promptly find that prick.

That.

Mother.

Fucker.

He knew...he fucking knew she'd be here! That's why he wanted me to come! To keep her away from him, by using me as a shield!

Wait till I get my hands on him! That piece of shit; he thinks he's so smart! That's why he was so adamant that I come with him today!

I stalked back to my table, hoping that perverted menace was back so I could give him a piece of my mind, and maybe a kick or two in the nuts.

I knew we were at a party; so I'd be subtle as I caused him huge amounts of pain in his baby making parts.

The table was empty.

"Where are you?" I hissed to myself as the band began playing music; guests paired up and headed to the dance floor. When tables around me were empty, I pulled my phone out of my bag and texted the prick.

Marisa: You mother fucker! You didn't think I'd find out did you? I pieced it all together; you better get your ass out of hiding and face your mess.

Demetria is here at your mother's party! And don't tell me you didn't know. You have five minutes, or else I'm leaving!

Asshole!

My feet were already killing me, so I took a seat and stared at my cellphone, waiting for a message to pop up.

Five minutes went by.... and there was still no response.

Shit!

He's left me here alone. He's disappeared.

And I'm fucking panicking! What if that bitch comes over to me? I can't deal with her; she's crazy! Well no, that's wrong; I can do crazy too. But we're at a classy party. It isn't right.

My face was heating up.

Fuck Xander Barns.

I needed to get out of here.

I grabbed my clutch off the table and headed towards the house.

I rushed inside, my high heels clicking loudly against the marble hallway, in search of a bathroom. I needed a mirror and some cold water now. I found a bathroom down another hallway. After checking that it was empty, I opened it and was taken aback by its over–the-top beauty. It looked like something you would find at the Palace of Versailles. There was gold leafing everywhere.

Oh my God... I glided my fingertips over the edging on the marble vanity.

Who lived like this?

Not me, that's for sure.

I placed my clutch down beside the sink. I turned the gold tap on, letting cold water out.

I've got to get out...but I can't... All my things were back in the SUV with Daniels, who was under Xander's command. There's no way I could get my shit with that fucker controlling everything around me.

Damn it!

How have I gotten myself into a mess like this, again?

Moron alert...and her name was Marisa!

Just relax for a few minutes and a plan will to mind.

I leaned against the vanity, holding my fingertips underneath the faucet. I brought them to my neck, soothing my heated skin. I looked up from the sink at my reflection, seeing someone enter the bathroom and slam the door closed.

Horrified, I whirled around, finding psycho-nut Demetria leaning against the door.

Her hand was on the doorknob.

The lock snapped shut.

Shit.

### CHAPTER 16

MARISA

Damn it... I knew I should have locked the door!

Whatever. Like I'm really scared of her? Well, not unless she has a weapon.

I scanned her once; she had no bag with her, and her pink and white dress was so tight that the only place she could have hidden something would have been up her ass or in that crazy hair of hers.

"Do you mind? I was here first." I scowled at her, grasping the edge of the vanity tightly. Her hand shot up, pointing at me with her index finger.

"You!" she hissed, giving me a nasty glare. "You!"

"Yeah... it's me." I replied, then hissed back, "What the fuck do you want?"

After everything I'd been through with this girl, I'd had enough. She just crossed the mother fucking line by walking in here and locking the bathroom door.

"How dare you!" she raged, her eyes flaming with fury. "You dare come here, the same party as Alexander?"

"Yeah, he's my date!" I snapped back.

"Lies!"

"I'm not lying. In fact, we're probably going to__"

"You're not a lady!" she screamed, then slumped against the door, burying her hands through her crazy curly hair, showcasing her hairy armpits for the first time.

Oh God! Her mother didn't teach her how to shave?

"Yeah, I'm not a lady; but you're the one with the hairy pits." I told her in disbelief, pointing to her underarms.

Her head snapped back up as she regained her posture. "Alexander's favourite place to go to is France!"

The fuck?

Alert! Alert! We have a code-red warning!

"What does France have to do with... hairy armpits?"

"You wouldn't understand!" she snapped.

"The mind of a demented stalker? No, I wouldn't." I spat back.

"What did you just call me?" she hissed and pushed herself off the door, stopping right in front of my face, looking down on me.

Ugh, I don't think so!

"Bitch... step back!"

"How dare you mock me? I am the future wife of Alexander Barns!" she said haughtily, her stinky breath assaulting my senses. I waved the air away.

I scoffed. "Sure you are."

"Don't you dare!"

"Don't I dare what, you crazy bitch?"

"Speak to me like that, how dare you!"

I jerked my chin at her. "Go ahead, try me one more time; I'm daring you now!"

Demetria was on the verge of malfunctioning. "I'm above you, you, you...you commoner!"

Gasping, I faced the wall. "Tell me this, bat-shit-crazy bitch, did not just call me a commoner?"

"Who are you rambling to?" Demetria asked, confused.

"Someone who has been there for me, again and again! Talking me out of doing crazy shit that'll put me in jail!" I snapped, facing her again.

"The likes of you do not belong here at Madeline Barns' home!" Demetria yelled, appalled.

"Well, I was invited by her son...Xander. I'm—his—date." I declared, enunciating the last few words so she'd get it.

"Lies!" Demetria screeched, her wild curly hair flying around her shoulders as her head twitched uncontrollably.

Okay, maybe she didn't get it.

I needed to convince her.

My way that is.

The fucking fun way.

"I'm not lying."

"Stay away from Alexander!"

I grinned at her. "He's my date...and I won't leave him; we have plans to fuck later."

Demetria growled. "Lies!"

"Nope, I'm telling the truth. If you want, I can record it and send you the video later." I offered.

"You lie; he'd never do that with you! He belongs to me!" Demetria screamed again.

I shook my head. "Well not anymore; I've stolen him from you."

Demetria froze like she saw a ghost. "You stole him?"

Really?

After everything, she's choosing to believe that?

All right, I'll play along.

I nodded. "Yep."

"You thief!" Demetria accused, screeching loudly.

"Guilty as charged; he's mine now." I declared.

"You scoundrel; you're the reason he looked so lost yesterday with that other whore. She's part of your schemes, too! She's your partner!" Demetria added as if she's piecing everything together. She's had her ah-ha moment.

Irina? My partner? Eh, why not...

Now let's make this story a little more interesting.

"That's right; she's my partner. When you walked in last night, we were in the middle of hypnotizing him." I confessed dramatically.

"But... she was practically naked." Demetria stated, shocked again.

It was time to take this thing up another notch.

Initiating Fucked-Up Vault #303 in my mind. I commanded it to open and spill its madness. "That's right she was...she was...she was using her witch-tits to lure him in!"

"Devil worship!" Demetria gasped. "But I stopped you!"

I smiled evilly. "You were too late; if only you had gotten off on the fifteenth floor with me, you could have saved him."

"I could have saved him... I could have saved him! You tricked me... with your sorcery, made me go up to the sixteenth floor first!"

"That's right; I played you with my eyes." I widened my eyes and twitched my head, strictly for artistic purposes though.

Demetria quickly shielded her eyes with her hand. "Don't stare at me!"

Taking a step closer to her, I chanted slowly, "Look into my eyes... look... look at me!"

"No! No, I won't!" she screamed, backing into the door, looking desperately at the ground. Anywhere except my eyes.

We needed to change that.

"There's no fighting this, Demetria; sooner or later, you're going to fall for the power of... the power..." I stumbled to think of something good. Then it hits me. Genius! "The power of the Lesbian Witches Council!"

Her head snapped up and she gasped as her jaw dropped in horror. "Lesbian? No! No, I won't be possessed!"

I did something weird with my hands, jiggling them above our heads. "There, I've done it!"

Demetria looked around the room in horror. "What have you done!"

"I've sent Irina a message. She's on her way over here...now!"

"Irina?" she screeched, confused.

"Witch–tits." I quickly reminded her.

"No!" she screamed again.

God, she's making this easy. It's as if she's playing, too.

This is fun.

"That's right. Soon her naked breasts will be shoved into your face and a ritual that sacrifices your love of cock will take place." I informed her, looking away dramatically.

"My love of cock? My love of man... Alexander!" she cried in disbelief.

"Especially Alexander! He'll be gone forever, and the only thing you'll ache for from now on.... will be pussy!" I purred breathily.

"NO!"

"And titties!"

"NO!"

"Yes! Now look into my eyes!" I demanded, taking another step toward her.

"No, I won't. I won't let you cast a spell on me!" She melted herself onto the door; even I felt trapped looking at her.

Why didn't she just unlock the door and leave if she was so 'scared'?

Whatever. This crazy bitch would not be my problem for much longer.

"Are you going to stop me?" I asked.

"I will. I will do anything to save the love I have for Alexander. Your sorcery won't stand a chance, not against the power of love!" she announced loudly, looking up at the ceiling as if 'love' was there hanging.

Oh, well, the fun shall continue.

"Look into my eyes; Irina will be here soon." I purred breathily again, leaning closer to her.

"No!" she screamed, looking back down, her curly hair flying over her face. "No!"

Streams of tears poured from her eyelids and swam ferociously down her face, ruining all her makeup. It's not pretty anymore. She didn't look like a fucked-up pageant contestant anymore; instead, she looked like a mental patient who trapped herself in a room filled with makeup and decided it was pretty – pretty time. Only it wasn't, far from it.

She slumped down the door, landing on the floor on her ass.

Still crying.

Jesus, did I do that? I looked at her as she choked on her sobs, her hair now caging her in.

Fuck, yes I did.

Okay, bored now, and her screams were starting to give me a headache anyway. I caressed my forehead and sighed. "Alright, alright. Calm down. Fucking hell..."

"No, lesbian!" she choked out in the midst of her sob.

I wanted to laugh, but I held it in. "Calm, the fuck, down."

"I do not want to be a lesbian!" she announced nasally.

"I was just joking with you." I reassured, leaning over her.

"I can't be a lesbian; I love Alexander," she sobbed. "I love Alexander; I can't love him if I love girls!"

Fucking hell. And she had her ass planted in front of the door, too. Without kicking her out of the way, there was no way to escape.

That actually wasn't that bad of an idea. I pondered it for a moment before completely disregarding the idea. I wasn't that violent or that cruel to abuse a distressed, lovesick fool. I had compassion.

Really, I did.

"I'm not a girl to you...." all of sudden she began to sing.

What the hell?

Was singing her coping mechanism?

Holy fuck, I've driven her to her breaking point. I was going to be held responsible for her break down!

"But I'm a woman to me," continuing to sing behind her curly vines. "All I need is Alexander, because I love Xander."

I cringed. "What the fuck are you singing?"

"I'm not a girl to you...." she sang again, "but I'm a woman to me."

"You already sang that part." I informed her.

"All I need is Alexander, because I love Alexander." she continued her fucked-up melody. "I'm not a girl to you..."

I rolled my eyes. I couldn't look at this bitch anymore. "Yes, we get it. The world gets it, Demetria. You love Xander. You want to fuck him and marry him, and blah, blah... blah. Finish the song and get the fuck out. I'm tired of dealing with you and that menace."

I had to get out of here before she started another verse.

"But I'm a woman to me..." she continued in her low, meek voice. I felt my body starting to have the shakes.

"Please, I'm begging you, don't sing anymore!" I cried. "I can't take it!"

"All I need is Alexander—" she continued again, but loud knocking interrupted her.

Thank everything good and holy. I sighed in relief.

"What's going on in there?" a voice yelled through the door,

Demetria stopped crying, turning towards the door. "Mother?"

"Demetria!" someone shrieked from the other side. "Demetria, Mommy's here!"

"Mother!" Demetria yelled, struggling to get off the floor in her high heels. She finally got up and unlocked the door, opening it.

"Demetria!" the older lady in the violet dress yelled. She held her arms out and Demetria slammed herself into them, crying hysterically on her shoulder.

What a mother.

There for her kid, even though her kid was old, probably thirty.

She'd raised a thirty-year-old head case.

"What happened?" her mother cried, then looked at me accusingly. "What did this whore do to you?"

Ugh, excuse me?

I don't fucking think so!

"What did you just call me?" I snapped, striding out of the bathroom toward them, and stopping a step away.

"Don't you speak to me... and don't you breathe a word of this to anyone...or else I'll sue." she hissed through her teeth as Demetria sobbed on her shoulder.

EXCUSE ME! I'd had enough with these crack pots threatening to sue me.

I had no money anyway, but that's not the point. It's the principle. "You'll sue? I'll sue you and your fucked-up, bat shit crazy daughter for harassment and stalking, you stupid bitch!"

"What did you just call me?" the mother hissed in disbelief. "How dare you!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. That's not your real name?" I mocked, and then faced Demetria. "Demetria, what is your mother's name again? Oh yeah... Acid Queen!"

Her mother gasped loudly and pushed Demetria away from her embrace. She took out her cell phone from a pocket next to her ass and dialled. "Charles, get in here now!"

She disconnected and glared at me with daggers. "How dare you!"

I cringed. "How dare I what?"

She pointed to her demented daughter. "You...you trapped my precious Demetria!"

"I didn't trap her; she came in voluntarily!"

"Lies!"

I shook my head. "Nope, it's the truth."

"Why would she want to trap herself inside the bathroom with the likes of you?" she hissed, looking at me like I was a cockroach.

Fuck this old bitch. She's about to get it.

"Why? I'll tell you why." I sneered. "Because... well actually, maybe Demetria should tell you; it's quite a delicate subject."

"What?" The mother stammered, looking at her daughter who had stopped crying. "Demetria, what is this whore saying?"

Whore?

That's it, game over!

"Mother, I have no idea!" Demetria cried.

"Alright, I'll come out with it and say the truth." I said quickly before the mother had a chance to speak.

"What?" her mother screeched.

"Demetria and I... we're in love!" I claimed dramatically, smiling brightly at Demetria whose jaw dropped in shock.

"What!" the mother cried out hysterically.

I nodded. "That's right, we love each other. In fact, she was going down on me in the bathroom before you rudely interrupted. And I was really close to having an orgasm."

"Orgasm...what on earth?" the mother gasped in disbelief, and then looked at her daughter in confusion, "Demetria?"

Demetria shook her head ferociously. "She's lying. I would never!"

"I'm not. Smell her breath; I'm sure it smells like my vagina." I assured.

"What?" the mother cried again.

"Mother, she's lying!" Demetria panicked.

"Oh, but don't worry about finding any pubes stuck in between her teeth; I shaved around my cooch this morning." I informed the both of them of this most important detail.

Her mother's eyes widened. "Stop talking!"

Demetria grabbed her throat, "Mother...I can't breathe!"

Her mother rushed to her side. "Demetria...baby, breathe; Mommy's here!"

Umm, did she just forget that her daughter and I were in love and that she just went down on me in the bathroom? Demetria was good; she's diverted the attention of her mother.

She was good.... but I was better.

It's time to switch things up some more.

"Hey, what are your views on same sex marriages?" I asked as she tried to soothe her daughter, helping her breathe again.

"What?" she hissed, looking away.

"I don't know. Maybe one day, one day...your daughter and I can get married and have a family." I explained thoughtfully as if it's an actual possibility.

I smiled at her mother, who had her hand to her heart, with her mouth opened wide, gazing back and forth between Demetria and me.

"Mrs. Williams?" a deep voice called from down the hallway. Her head snapped in that direction.

"Oh Charles, thank God!"

"Charles! Save us from this lesbian; she's in love with me!" Demetria added dramatically.

Wow, for the first time in my life, I'm being taken seriously. But as a lesbian in love?

Really?

Do I look like a lesbian? I'll have to check the next time I'm in front of a mirror. Maybe it's my attitude? Aren't lesbians strong, capable women who take no shit? That must be what they see in me too right now.

I smiled as Charles ushered Demetria and Mrs. Williams quickly down the hallway.

"The car is out front?" Mrs. Williams asked worriedly, her voice echoing down the hallway.

"Yes, it is." Charles replied.

"Wait, what about me?" I called out, my arms wide open.

"Go now!" Mrs. Williams ordered.

"Hurry!" Demetria cried loudly as Charles pushed them to go faster, their high heels making more noise against the marble.

"No...stop...please. Don't go...." I called as they exited the hallway.

Well, there goes another one.

Damn it.

What was wrong with me?

Tsk, tsk... I was always driving the people I 'loved' away with my antics.

I guess it was fate.

Oh well.

But on the plus side, problem Demetria: solved. Surely I scared that crazy bitch away for good.

Case closed. Sigh...I should work for the President; I've got skills.

I have.... skills? The smile was wiped off my face. Where was Xander during all of this? He wasn't here. He had left me alone.

There was a sinking feeling in my stomach.

I had skills; specific skills that I used against Demetria and her mother, resulting in their sudden flee.

And that's probably what that asshole wanted.

He planned the whole thing!

Fury contaminated every inch of my body. I wanted to punch the wall. I wanted to damage something; especially considering it was his home.

I pulled my phone out and there was a text message waiting for me.

Xander: Relax. I do something for you, you do something for me. It's a great thing we have going on here. Call me when it's done.

Love, Master Xander

I couldn't believe this guy!

I dialled his number, hoping my anger didn't obstruct my ability to speak.

Because I needed to share some feelings with that asshole.

Pronto.

"Why, hello there." Xander purred, picking up after the second ring.

"You're a fucking asshole!" I hissed. "You knew she'd be here!"

"Of course I did." Xander replied nonchalantly.

"Then why did you leave?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"Because, if I had stayed, she would have caused a scene; and knowing you, you would take care of the problem once an altercation between the two of you would start." Xander explained.

"You're messed up; you left me to clean up the mess you created." I hissed. "You left me clueless and unguarded."

"Is that all?" Xander sighed.

"Excuse me?" I hissed again.

"Is the Demetria situation diverted?" Xander clarified.

"I scared that bitch miles away." I announced.

"That's fine." he said.

"No, it's not fine; what about me? I'm mentally damaged because of it!" I yelled.

"Well, I'm sure five thousand dollars will cure the extent of that damage." Xander said nonchalantly.

"Five-thousand dollars?" I gasped. "You're paying me off?"

"No, I'm being the generous guy that I've always been with you. And it's about time you realized it." Xander explained. "Anyway, your part is done; you are free to leave."

"Leave?" I repeated, confused. "Where are you?"

"Oh, I left already."

"Left already! Where did you go?"

"Downtown. I had a matter come up that needed my immediate attention."

"Fuck you! One of your fucking whores probably called you!" I accused. "You left me to that deranged lunatic to go fuck!"

Xander groaned. "I don't see what the problem is. You handled the Demetria issue amazingly and I got something out of it, too."

"You're so selfish!"

"And you have five-thousand dollars because of it." Xander reminded me. "Daniels will be waiting for you out front when you're ready to leave."

"What?" I breathed. "I can leave?"

"'Until we meet again, Marisa Gellys." Xander purred, and then disconnected the line. I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it in shock.

What...just...happened? I leaned against the wall across from the bathroom, completely stunned. My heart pounded ferociously, to a point where I might have a heart attack.

He left me to her.

What if she had been really dangerous instead of a crackpot?

I could have died.

Shit.

"You lied to me." a loud voice growled behind me, making me jump. I turned apprehensively, making eye contact with a pair of angry blue eyes.

Liam!

Fuck.

I did not need this shit right now.

"Liam?" I murmured, shocked. "What are you doing here?"

"You lied to me." he repeated, looking apocalyptic. "You are a prostitute."

My jaw dropped. "I'm not!"

"You are; that's why you were in Xander's room last night." Liam accused, his perfectly styled, dark brown hair all over the place.

"I'm not a hooker!"

"Then why did I just hear you accept five-thousand dollars from Xander over the phone?"

Shit.

"It's not what you think." I explained, worried now. How was I going to get out of this situation?

"Oh, really? Then please, do explain," he spat out, his hand raking through his hair, making it more dishevelled. "I can't wait to hear the lie you tell me next."

Wait a minute!

Why was I standing here trying to prove my innocence to this guy? I barely knew him, even if I did think he was fine as hell.

I didn't fucking need this.

"You know what? I don't care anymore." I snapped. "I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone else."

"So you are a hooker." he declared with scorn.

"I'm not." I stated, feeling tears in my eyes. "But even if I was, fuck you."

I quickly walked around him as the first few tears spilled down my cheeks.

Damn it!

I made it three steps before he grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop. He pushed me to the wall and caged me in with his body. His anger altered as my tears poured out in full blast.

"Fuck you, Liam." I cried quietly. "Fuck... you."

"You lied last night," he stated softly.

I sniffled. "I don't owe you anything; I don't have to explain myself to you."

Shit, I hate crying.

"Tell me the truth." he whispered an inch away from my lips. "Tell me what he's up to."

"I'm not a hooker, Liam. That's honest." I declared. "I really went there last night to repay a debt to him."

"And today?"

"I was here as a favour, but it turned into something else." I explained, feeling lifeless.

"And what was that?"

"He left me to take care of... Demetria."

He grimaced. "Demetria?"

"That crazy girl from last night. She's Mrs. Williams' daughter; you know, the one who's smitten with Xander, just like your mother said." I explained, looking deep into his eyes. His body melted a little closer to mine.

"She was here?" Liam asked, horrified, breaking eye contact and glancing up and down the hallway.

I wiped tears from my face. "She was, but I scared her and her mother off."

"How?" he asked, then raised his hand to my cheek and wiped away straggling tears from my face. His touch stirred something deep within me. But I had to fight it.

I mean... he just verbally attacked me. I can't be having these thoughts about him!

"It's messed up; trust me, you don't want to know." I looked away, jerking my face out of his grip.

"Maybe I do," he said.

"Trust me, you don't." I said bitterly.

Liam caressed my face. "Marisa, now it's your turn to trust me. Stay away from Xander. Things like today, they follow him around like the plague. He gets the people around him to do his dirty work, fixing his problems while he walks away, smiling,"

I was lost in his blue eyes. "I know that now."

He is so pretty. His touch feels amazing.

"Tell me, right now; promise me that you'll never talk to him again; that you'll never do anything else for him."

"I'm done after today. I can't handle his shit anymore." I leaned into his hand; the feeling of his touch on my face was driving my body crazy. I stared up at him. His entire body was now plastered against mine. I felt every hard edge as his mouth came within an inch of mine.

"Marisa..." he whispered as his eyes heated.

"Stop saying my name like that...." I breathed, looking at his lips.

His hand wrapped the back of my neck, while the other circled my waist, pulling me as close as possible to his body. I leaned my head closer to his and his lush, plump lips planted softly on top of mine. He began kissing me slowly as my arms circled his neck, pulling my body even closer. All of a sudden, his soft kisses turned frantic. I felt his fingers make their way into my hair, massaging my scalp.

My body was buzzing with sexual energy.

It felt amazing.

I fucking needed this... badly.

He pulled back, breathing hard. "Bathroom?"

I nodded in agreement. With his arms holding me up and my legs around his waist, he took us inside the bathroom, shutting the door with his foot. My back hits the back of the door as Liam continued to kiss me hard and wild. His tongue forced its way into my mouth as he grinded against me, making me feel things in places I hadn't felt in a very long time.

I could explode just by doing this for a few minutes, but Liam had other plans. He lifted the skirt of my dress and glided his fingers inside my panties. Just like in my fantasy last night, his fingers worked me amazingly. I groaned loudly against his mouth.

"Liam...Liam, I can't. It's too much." I panted against his pounding lips.

"Come for me..." he panted wildly, his fingers moving like the pros they were.

"Liam... I can't hold it...please."

He buried his face deep into my neck, licking and sucking my skin roughly.

"Liam..." I groaned one last time before everything went blank. My body shook violently, relishing in a long orgasm. "Oh my God."

"That's it... that's it." He breathed against my neck. "Enjoy it."

As my orgasm wore off, I grabbed his face and pulled it close, kissing him with everything I had, making sure he knew I appreciated what he'd just given me.

He pulled his face back and gazed at me bewildered. His hair was all over the place. Just as quickly though, something changed in his face and the moment escaped us. He sets me down slowly. I pulled my dress down as he checked his reflection, fixing his hair after he washed his hands. He turned back and faced me with a blank stare.

As we stood staring at one another, I said nothing. What was there to say? Thanks for the good finger fuck? He wasn't my boyfriend. I wasn't expecting a cuddle.

Without saying anything, he opened the door and left, closing the door behind him.

Goodbye, Liam.

A normal person would have felt screwed over, but I knew better. I knew the truth. He was the brother, the DNA sharer of Xander Barns. Liam was kidding himself if he thought he was nothing like Xander. At least Xander wouldn't have just left like that; he would have at least given me another orgasm and bid me a polite farewell.

Okay, I was lying.

I was affected.

Liam could have at least said goodbye.

But there was no point in feeling bad; it was over with and finished for good. I was finished with these brothers. It was time to move on and forget any of this shit ever happened. I checked my reflection, fixed my hair and straightened my dress. I checked the hallway and it was empty.

Thank God.

I left the bathroom and headed out of the mansion. The party was officially over for me. The SUV was waiting out front. Upon seeing me, Daniels quickly jumped out of the driver's side and opened the back passenger door for me.

"Hello, Ms. Gellys." Daniels said.

"Hello, Daniels." I replied, exhausted.

Daniels smiled warmly. "I trust everything went well this afternoon?"

I nodded, sliding into the car. "It did."

"Very good."

After shutting my door, Daniels slid back inside the SUV and drove us away from the mansion.

"Ms. Gellys, Mr. Barns wanted me to give you this." Daniels handed me a thick yellow envelope. I took it from him and opened it. Bringing me back to life, my jaw dropped at the contents. There was a stack of hundred dollar bills inside.

Five thousand dollars?

Daniels eyes were on the road ahead. "Ms. Gellys, Mr. Barns also instructed me to take you to the train station, and to buy a business class ticket back to Toronto for the next available train. Is that all right?"

Placing the envelope on my lap, I leaned into my seat and sighed. "Yes, that's fine."

"Very good." Daniels said, driving us toward the train station.

What a weekend.

I was going home.

*~*~*

I changed into regular clothes at the train station. Daniels bought me a business class ticket back to Toronto for 5pm. After Daniels said his goodbye, I sat in the half-filled waiting area with my luggage and carry-on stowed between my legs.

The events of the weekend simmered on the back burner in my brain. I knew once I began going through each of those memories, I'd be struggling.

I have five-thousand dollars in my bag right now! I thought for the thousandth time.

Xander had given me five thousand dollars because I scared away his lovesick stalker, risking my own life in the process.

But it's not like he cared about that anyway. He must have had faith that I could get the job done without a scratch. At least, I hoped he did. But knowing Xander, my safety probably never even crossed his mind.

It was so messed up. I cradled my head in my hands, breathing in and out slowly to stop myself from hyperventilating.

It'll be okay. It'll be okay. It'll be okay. I chanted slowly in my head for the next twenty minutes until the gate to my train was opened.

I ushered my luggage and carry-on onto the train tarmac, and made my way to my seat. It's much different than the seat I sat in coming to Ottawa.

Bigger.

More comfortable.

Better quality.

I relaxed in my expensive seat. The entire car was practically empty with no one sitting beside me. It's nicely quiet and very peaceful; for the first time since this trip started, I could finally breathe. As the train moved, I pulled out my phone.

Dad: I'm glad you gave me your phone number; now I can call you and text you anytime I want. Guess what? Cameron and I are going to CT Mega Superstore tomorrow and we're going to spend your gift certificate on a fancy drill. I can't wait. Please give me a call or text when you get home so I know you've arrived safely.

Love, Dad.

I smiled, because at least he was happy. If only he knew what I'd gone through since Friday. He might not be so happy anymore.

But that would never happen.

Scouts fucking honour.

I texted Dad back, telling him I was happy that he was happy and that I'd text more later. I placed my phone back in my pocket, wanting to nap and shut off my brain, and pretend for at least an hour everything in my life was boring. As my eyes closed, my phone buzzed, chiming with an incoming text message. After pulling out my phone, I cringed; it was that fucking guy again.

Xander: You should be on your way back to Toronto now, but I've been thinking.

Maybe this thing we had...or could have, it doesn't have to end with this weekend.

X.

Marisa: What do you mean, 'doesn't have to end'?

Xander: I mean, I want you to come and work for me as my personal assistant. We could do great things together, Marisa. I could really use someone like you.

I seem to get myself into peculiar situations, and you did such an amazing job with handling the one today. It just makes sense that you come and work for me.

X.

Marisa: Yeah...okay...I don't believe you. You've lost your damn mind. Be serious for once in your life.

Xander: I'm serious! Anyway, take some time to think about it. Think of it as an amazing, life-changing opportunity. It's a game changer. Think about that when you work your next shift at the ice cream place. Did I mention the pay? It's quite handsome...just like yours truly.

X.

Amazing, life-changing opportunity?

He was offering me a job?

Really? I pondered for a moment, as if the proposal could actually be real.

No way.

There's no way.

He wasn't a serious person, and his promises were all bullshit.

Instead of texting him back, I switched my phone to silent and tucked it back inside my pocket. Setting all things Xander aside, including this fucked-up weekend, it was time to get back to the real world. That meant going back to work tomorrow night.

My plain, low-paying job.

Lovely.

*~*~*

Monday, April 22

I was closing tonight, alone.

Things that didn't bother me before were painfully bothering me now, like waiting on customers while they chose what flavours of ice cream they wanted, then cleaning up spilled ice cream across tables.

All for... minimum wage?

The constant reminder that I worked for minimum wage killed me as the hours dragged by. As I closed the store on my own, cleaning took longer than usual.

I really was going nowhere in life.

If Mom, Gwen, and Ben could see me right now, they would have been proud. Because I was proving them right.

Arriving home after locking up, the bass from Sheila's room was vibrating her door. I shook my head in disgust and unlocked my door. Sheila being a maybe prostitute didn't bother me before. Now it maybe, kind of, did.

I lived next door to a hooker.

Could it get any worse?

I was no different than a cockroach, slumming it in an abandoned building with a bunch of junkies getting high.

Entering my room and locking the door, I still heard the bass from Sheila's room. I had to fucking live with that shit, because there was no way I was knocking on Sheila's door right now, interrupting whatever business transaction she had going on. I slid the leather bag Xander gave me off my shoulder and placed it on my desk. I stared sadly at it for a second.

I could have never afforded something like this prior to this weekend. I would have had to work sixty hours to pay for it.

The thought depressed me. I bet if Xander worked for sixty hours, he'd have a lot more money to buy more than just a leather bag. We're probably talking tens of thousands of dollars. I had a brief glimpse of his lifestyle this past weekend, and that took big money.

Money I wasn't well acquainted with.

Geez, even Dad's birthday gift knocked me back a few.

My bank account balance was the least of my worries now, thanks to the money Xander gave me. Five thousand dollars could last me up to a year, maybe less with the way things were going. And with my savings dwindling down, something had to change or else I might need to get a second job.

Or would I? I stared at my phone. I opened Xander's text messages from this past weekend, looking over the last few sent between us on the train. I stared at them, hypnotized.

Xander carried trouble with him, but he also carried something else, something life changing. And that was a job that paid a lot.

But what about Liam?

I promised him I'd stay away from Xander.

Yeah, well he also finger fucked me in the bathroom, and then ditched me without another word. So it was safe to say, that I didn't owe him shit.

What other options did I have?

I had no university degree, no trade skills. I could become a manager at 4Scoops, but that would take years. Living in downtown was expensive; my savings were dwindling down as each month passed.

It could be life changing. And it wouldn't have to be forever, just until I saved enough to get me by without having to work shitty jobs. Just until I found out what I really wanted to do with my life, which I still had no idea of. If I became Xander's personal assistant, the life I had now would change forever.

There will be no going back. I pondered for a few seconds before opening and typing a new text message.

Marisa: I accept.

I hesitated before pressing send.

This was it, the moment that would change everything.

Could I handle it?

I mean, how bad could it be?

Taking a giant breath, I pressed send.

Here goes nothing!

*****

Thank you so much for reading Book 2 of the Xander Barns Series

The next book in the Xander Barns Series is....

Calling Forever

(Xander Barns Series Book 3)

Check out my pages online for more information about all my upcoming books!

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