Chapter 15 — Blake on a Trip

Dana POV:

A knock on my bedroom door distracts me from my phone conversation with the interior designer I was trying to come to an agreement with. I quickly wrap up my conversation before inviting whoever it was behind the door in, and it turned out to be Blake.

"Hey pretty boy, what's up!" I greet as soon as he walks in, and he let out a short chuckle like he always does whenever I call him a pretty boy.

"A good morning to you too Dana. How was your night? Hope you're good?" he asks, and I slowly nod.

"Well, I can't exactly say otherwise bro. I'm perfect, just a little tired from all the work I've had to do in the last couple of days. Who knew setting up a boutique would be this exhausting?" I reply, he smiles.

"Good to know you're finally implementing all of your plans. As usual, if you need any help with anything, please let me know immediately. I'll be very happy to help," he says, and I genuinely couldn't be more grateful for his existence.

"Thanks, pretty boy, but I got this. There are only a couple of days left, and I'll officially be opening my first clothing store. Believe me, when I say I'm tired, I mean that in the best possible way," I say to him.

"If you say so, but wait a second, Dana. I thought we agreed you'd stop calling me a pretty boy. You really need to stop calling me that cause it feels like you're mocking me whenever you call me that and I'd like to think we're way past that stage now," he says, and I mentally roll my eyes at him.

This wouldn't be the first time he's complaining about not liking the fact that I call him a pretty boy, but I honestly doubt I can help it because it has become sort of a weird pet name that I love to call him.

"Blake dear, I'm sorry but I don't think I'll be stopping anytime soon and for the billionth time, I am not mocking you. I just enjoy calling you a pretty boy cause you're pretty, simple. Now, can you tell me what exactly brought you here because I know for a fact that you didn't just come here to say hello to me," I reply, earning a mock annoyed glare from him.

"I actually just came over to say goodbye before leaving," he replies, I frown.

"Goodbye? Leaving? Where to?" I ask, not liking how serious he sounded one bit. It almost feels like he's about to tell me he's moving out or something.

"You don't have to sound so serious Dana, it's just a business trip. I'm taking a business trip to South Africa, and I'll be gone for at least two weeks," he explains clearly. I definitely wasn't expecting to hear that, but I was happy it wasn't what I was thinking a few seconds earlier.

"Oh! That's cool but two weeks? Really? Doesn't that mean you'll be missing the official opening of my store?" I ask, not happy about that very major fact. I understand our marriage is a facade and that we can barely even consider ourselves close friends, but I've grown to actually accept the fact that we are married, and it'd definitely feel weird that my husband wouldn't be there for me on such an important day.

"Oh, for real? I actually didn't think of that though," he replies, and I scowl.

"Well, now you better think of it and put your trip on hold because you mustn't miss such an important event," I say to him, subtly warning him that he mustn't dare, and he lets out a shaky breath.

"I think you're gonna be really mad at me, Dana," he says, and I just know for a fact that he's about to make an excuse and give me silly reason why you probably won't make it.

"The truth is, I can't postpone this trip any longer because I already did that twice—for our wedding and for our trip to the Maldives. If I do that again, the company will go through a major loss because we'll probably lose the contract that we've been working so hard to get in the last six months and it would be such a waste. I know it's wrong of me to leave and not be there for you on such an important day, but I sincerely hope you understand," he explains, and I sigh.

"Well, that's too bad then but I guess work does come first," I reply, still not pleased that I won't get the chance to show off my billionaire husband to the world. Aside from the encouragement, his presence would actually be a huge help in promoting the store and bringing in more people because I mean, who wouldn't want to meet Blake Davies? I didn't even realize how popular and influential he was till we got married and I saw myself appearing on several news outlets with half the country crying about how one of the most eligible bachelors has been taken off the market.

"You're making me feel really bad right now Dana, but I promise, I'll make it up to you as soon as I get back but first, I'll have my people promote your store and I'll have them spread the word around about your opening. If you want, I could even get some influential clients and close associates of mine to attend your opening, sound good?" he offers, and my face immediately lights out.

"Really? That'd be great Blake! I wouldn't mind that at all but hold on a second, I'll have to meet by myself? Without you?" I panic in realization as it dawns on me that I've actually not had enough time to fit into his world just yet and I definitely wouldn't know what to do or say around any of his friends.

"Why? Are you nervous? You don't think you can do it?" he asks the obvious.

"Well, duh. What do you think? We've only been married for a short while and I'm only just getting the hang of this whole pretty girl lifestyle. Imagine me dealing with your friends without you around. What am I supposed to say to them? How am I sure I won't only end up embarrassing myself and what if they start asking questions like how we met or even worse, about my personal life? What am I supposed to say to them?" I reply with a question, and he chuckles.

"You can relax Dana, calm yourself. I won't be foolish enough to invite the nosy ones. I'll only invite a few people who I know love to shop and enjoy anything closely related to fashion and I'll make sure they're serious-minded people. One thing you need to understand though is that, I won't always be there for you especially for moments like this and I know our marriage is a facade and all but I still wish you'd make the best connections through me that will help your career and if you want to do that, you need to put yourself out there without me in the picture," he says and I hate the fact that he always had a point.

The truth is, I couldn't afford to get carried away with the lifestyle knowing very well that it was only temporary for me and if after the next few years when we get a divorce and part ways, I'm still able to use his connections for myself then that would definitely mean my time as his wife was worth it.

"Blake, what if they question me and one way or another, they find out I didn't actually go to college? Cause I know I'm a good actress and all but then, I'm not a pretty girl so sometimes, my shitty side tends to come out and if you won't be there to put me in check, I could end up embarrassing you," I say to him and I think my words were really starting to irritate him judging by the scowl on his face.

"Okay Dana, I'll say this to you for the last time. Your background is not an embarrassment for me, and I could care less what anyone has to say about it. If they ask, shut them up by ignoring the question and if they still find out, own up to it. It's too early for you to feel intimidated by these people cause you haven't even met them just yet and here's my advice, you need to develop a thick skin if you want to live as my wife cause they'll be countless rumors about you all the time and they'll be people waiting patiently to judge your every move but you need to be ready to ignore them and keep your head up. Is that clear?" he replies in a very bossy tone that actually surprised me.

"You do realize you basically just sounded like you were giving me instructions rather than some advice, right? Have you always been this bossy and impatient?" I ask, not exactly surprised with how impatient he sounded but his slightly irritated and very bossy tone did surprise me.

Chuckling lightly, he replied. "I've always been bossy Dana, was raised to be and I apologize if it made you uncomfortable, but I just need you to be clear on the fact that you shouldn't be ashamed of your background and try to compare it with mine all the damn time. Trust me, besides the comfortable lifestyle, it's still hell over here so, get over your inferiority complex and be ready to show people what you're made of. You don't always need to have a college degree to be successful Dana, keep that in mind,"

I let out a sigh as soon as his words hit me. As much as I knew we weren't really a thing, I couldn't help but see myself slowly become dependent on him for the next few years. Although he seems like the kind of person that will only concern himself with you if it benefits him, he does have a really good heart and he's also pretty trustworthy which is one of the reasons I'll never regret helping him keep his secret.

"Okay Blake, I understand you. So, about your trip, are you leaving today? Like immediately?" I ask.

"Yes, I am. In fact, If I don't leave here in fifteen minutes, I'll be late for my flight," he replies, and I sigh.

"So, I'll be all by myself in this big house for the next two weeks? Well, that's not scary at all," I hiss, and he frowns.

"What do you mean you'll be by yourself? Jason will be home as well," he replies, and I deadpan for the first three seconds.

"Wait, really? I though you two would be going together or something?" I say to him, and he chuckles dismissively.

"It's not a vacation, Dana. It's work and he has no business with my work. Besides, he has an exhibition coming up so he's also pretty busy with his work, so you don't have to worry about being alone. He's here for you," he replies, and my heart did a little flip as soon as I heard his last words.

The truth is, I'd rather be by myself than be around Jason because for some weird reason being around him makes me feel really weird and I didn't like the nasty thoughts that popped in my head whenever he hung around me.

"If you say so buddy. I better stop wasting your time so how about you heard to the airport, and I continue to settle things with my own work?" I reply and he lets out a short laugh before getting up from where he was seated.

"Good luck with that dear wife and take care of yourself. I'll let you know as soon as I get there and if you need anything, just let me know. You know I'm here for you," he says, and I smile at him before getting him up briefly to give him a quick hug.

I let out a tired sigh as soon as he leaves as thoughts of being all by myself with Jason for the next two weeks made me feel weirdly uncomfortable. It's not like I had anything against the guy cause so far so good, he has been really nice to me, and we've been getting along just fine but strangely being around him makes me very uncomfortable and it's not even him, it's me.

The fact that I'm mentally undressing a man who I know doesn't like women makes me feel absolutely stupid. The only thing I can think of doing right now is avoid him as best as I can until I can finally get over whatever the hell is wrong with me.