Chapter 13: Chapter: 13

ANDREA

For the next couple of days, I was just going through the motions, going to work, coming home. I thought Jules would fire me as she threatened. She didn't, probably because she didn't get the time to chat. She's been so busy with work.

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought she was embarrassed about her proposition and was avoiding me, but she's Jules; nothing seems to faze her.

She's probably giving me time to change my mind. She still looks stressed, and was for wear. The black bags under her eyes mirrored mine. I didn't know who looked worse between her and me.

Since she intends to do this, she'll find someone if I don't agree. She always sticks to her ideas. I know she will go through with her plans.

Last night I came home after work to find a brand new wedding dress on my bed, white marching shoes, and a G-string.

Bile had risen so fast I'd almost empty my stomach on the dress, after I'd contemplated shredding both I decided it wasn't worth it. I was afraid of the consequences of such actions.

Now, I only have three days before Jericho comes for me; he'd sent several threatening messages to me—I'm sure, but I didn't open them, too scared to see what else he's planning for my future. I seriously don't need more frightening messages from him to add to my misery.

Devastated and desperate I'd come into work looking like what the cat dragged in, my coworkers eyes followed me all day with blatant curiosity.

Maggie and a few others even came to my cubicle, asking if I was sick I'd deny it and made a lie about insomnia—technically it's not a lie.

I was having difficulty sleeping, eating or doing anything. I no longer feel safe in my own place. So I finally made my decision.

I was hoping to talk to Jules.

Yes, I have made up my mind, I'm going to do it. I'm going to have sex with my boss's husband.

Nicklaus Montgomery.

That's if all goes according to Juliette’s plan. When she came into work, I was afraid she would tell me she'd found someone else or change her mind.

I paced anxiously whenever I went to see her about some work, determined to talk to her only to lose my courage.

I even hoped she'd brought up the subject and I would say yes. But she never says anything regarding her proposition.

Then, finally, around four in the evening, an hour after she came back from a meeting she had outside the office. I finally got my chance, grabbing a wedding dress she'd asked me to bring up earlier, I knocked on her office.

Jules waved me in, she was on the phone when I entered her office. I waited until she ended the call, then took the dress and hung it on one of the mannequins in her office.

She thanked me and went back to checking her computer, which I took as a dismissal. Dejected, I turned to leave, then I stopped at the sliding glass door.

Knowing this was my chance, my stomach twisted with nerves and I finally blurted it out.

“I will do it!” Jules looked up from her computer, confused.

“What are you talking about, Andrea?” Her face was blank, thin brows arched. She's going to make me say it. I bite my lip.

“About Friday's night proposition,” I started, fidgeting with the end of my blazer. Jules' eyes widened with hope, but she waited patiently.

“I will do it, I will sleep with Mr Nicklaus.” A smile broke on Jules's face, and she got up, rounded to where I was standing and hugged me.

“Thank you! You don't know how much this means to me. You're saving both mine and the employees' futures. Not to mention Natalie's heart by doing this. You won't regret it, I promise.”

I smile a little, weirded out by this whole situation, trepidation making my heart beat faster. I wasn't doing this for them, at least not entirely.

It wasn't any altruistic reason that motivated me. I'm also doing this for me. So I don't have to marry Jericho; I had no other choice. Jules released me from her hug and sat back in her chair.

“Sit down, Andy, let's talk business.” I sit in one of the brown leather chairs across from me, with the big mahogany table between us.

The situation suddenly feels like a business transaction, which it is. But it didn't make me feel any better than an actual whore.

“Why not pictures, a good photographer can get implicating pictures,” I suggest.

“Pictures can be photoshopped, I'm sure his lawyers would be able to find a way to dismiss them, but a video is undeniable evidence.” I nod, twisting my hands.

“Jules, I just want to be clear. I don't want anyone to see my face, hear my voice, or see any part of me that's private or could be used to identify me. You said you'll blur my face and body, right?” She reaches out and pats the back of my hand.

“You're my friend, Andrea. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you to agree to do this. I promise nobody will ever get their hands on the tape. It's just for my lawyer and Nick's; rest assured, even if it ends up in the wrong hands—not that it will. No one will ever be able to tell it's you, I promise you that.”

Jules continues to reassure me and explains how everything is going to be okay. I still wasn't sure. So I asked the question that has been bothering me most.

“Jules, I have met Nicklaus before. What if he recognized me?”

“He won't,” she replied, typing furiously on her phone. She sounds so sure.

“What if he does?” I insisted.

“I know he won't, he only met you twice, the first time there were over hundred other people at the same place. The second time was from a distance. I remembered. And frankly speaking, Nick's someone who doesn't remember anyone if that person isn't a socialite, he's that shallow.”

I feel bad that Jules thinks I'm that unmemorable; it hurt my self-esteem as a woman, but I didn't say a word. I'm sure she didn't mean it in that way.

“Now, if I've assuaged your fear, let's go. We don't want to miss our appointment.” She straightened and picked up her phone, keys, and her Valentino bag.

“What appointments?” I asked, perplexed.

“Nicklaus isn't an ordinary man, we'll need to prepare you.” I frowned.

“Prepare me how, I thought you said I won't have to seduce him?”

“You won't have to, but I know the kind of woman my husband goes for. It would help our cause if we were prepared,” Jules said, her face twisting with something I couldn't identify, as held the door to her office open for me.

I walk cautiously beside her. “You can't dress too slutty, or too modest.” She gave me a once over and her lips twisted with disapproval.

“Cute as your clothes may be, you can't wear them. So I'll get you some clothes.” We step inside the elevator. “We'll pick them up after our appointment. I was leaving to get a little 'Me Time' when you came in. We can talk more there.”

She flashed me a smile that kind of scares me. And I found why two hours later.

Jules' so—called appointment was at an elegant spa, where we were treated to a massage, a manicure, a pedicure, facials, a body scrub, exfoliation, and waxing—the latter of which Jules had talked me into.

I'd cursed Jules to hell and back before it was over—mentally of course. But I was happy to feel my skin, as soft and smooth as a baby's all over, not that I would ever agree to wax my vajay-jay ever again!

The pain isn't worth it. Even though I had beautiful skin, it's never been this smooth and soft before. I decided I would visit the spa whenever I could, as a way to take care of myself, since I had no one to care for me or to care for in return. It's just me now.

We left the spa in Jules' car, our next stop was a boutique where she bought me a selection of sexy lingerie that made me blush. Jules was not joking; she was in business mode.

All this preparation to appeal to her husband was freaking weird.

But I went along with it, after all, I'd agree to this. I chose the ones I liked most from the lingerie she had picked out, refusing to take them unless I paid for them myself.

She argued, saying she brought us here, that this is a gift from her to me for agreeing to help her out. I decided to accept just one pair and paid for the others.

By the time Juliette dropped me at my apartment, it was late. My feet ached and my head was swirling with so many thoughts from what I was about to do, and the little information I got from Jules about Nicklaus Montgomery.

My prey!

Although part of me feels relieved, there's a new weight threatening to choke me. I told myself to be extremely cautious. I don't know what to expect from Nicklaus, things have a way of blowing up in my face recently.

I just hope everything goes smoothly as Jules assured me it will.