Chapter 13

Shaquille POV

Whoever it was on the phone, it surely ruined Lynn's mood, it must have been someone she didn't want to hear from, an ex-boyfriend maybe. Well if it is, I do hopes you tell him off him a message, I can't her ex-lovers poking around our new relationship, which even the other employees seem to believe, they have been whispering about themselves and I am sure it's about the promotion and the nature of our relationship and that is what I wanted, even though soon as this news reaches the public ears, they will rip this place open, one being they didn't know I owned this place and two if I was having unethical relationships with all of my employees, I knew these media outlets, I have been plastered across their pages before with not very kind words, so now I know this just a scandal breaking point.

The plan is simple, and the media will do the job for me, my father will see this all over the news, and he will open my accounts and them this store can do better and I can make some changes, first thing first, I hated the uniform and this office could us using some redecorating, soon as all of that is done, Lynn can take place as manager, and I can focus on other areas in my life, and just let everything takes it course, including Lynn.

Looking down on my cell phone, I realized it was time to close us up, the day pass on so quickly and I didn't even notice, and I didn't feel hungry either, what I did feel with anxiousness, I don't know to feel about going to Tibbiz with her, and I know what you must be saying, I am a hypocrite,

A liar,

But I didn't lie to Sherri. It was stupid to go there so early in the morning, plus... the little money I have in a safe deposit box, along with a secret bank account was the only money I had left, and soon it will create to exist. And it's not like Lynn deserved it more than Sherri, it's just that... This was important, very important. Standing from my desk, I went out in the store, but no one was there, they already left, why did she leave without telling me she was going to, at least make it seem more convincing, that we are a sneaky link as nowadays kids would call it,

"I didn't leave if that's what you're thinking," I heard her voice behind me, so I turned to face her,

"I wanted to look suspicious like I wanted to stick around so I pretend like I was going to use the bathroom... I never use the work bathroom and they know that... So, I guess part of your plan did work,"

Chuckling lowly, I dip my hands into my pockets,

"That's smart, good move,"

"So, I about Tibbiz... I was thinking that maybe we cancel until the bank clear my cheque, I mean if I am going to be your girlfriend, I will at least have to look the part,"

"What are saying," I stared at her with eyes of concern,

"I am saying if the date can wait until I can buy a new dress," she looked away, she was ashamed, of course, she couldn't afford a new dress, Mr. Brown was robbing their money and it unfair to me and them,

"It's okay, what if I take you shopping, you can grab whatever you need," course I couldn't afford it, I had about thirty grand the account, and about ten in the box, a good outfit for was going to cost about two grand, but it's okay, I guess it will be all worth it the end,

"No... No, no, that's not what I meant at all, I can buy my own clothes—"

"Lynn..." I rest my hands on her shoulders, "You don't understand how desperate I was, and how grateful I am that you have decided to help me, and this my thank you for what you're doing for me... So please let me buy you this dress and take you on this date, please..."

"Alright," she mumbled,

"And the more sighting of us out in public, our relationship will be more believable, don't you think?"

"Yeah, I guess go, "

"Alright, let's got then."

Saying nothing left the store, we said very little on the way to the Gucci store, driving into the parking lot, Lynn pressed her face against the window,

"Whoa... Is this a bit too much, I said I wanted a dress... I was thinking about a nice local brand that was going to cost me around three hundred bucks,"

"This is my local brand," I smirked parking the car,

Holding her hand, I smiled as we walked into the store, eating the glares from shoppers and clerks,

"Hi," I walked up to the counter, Lynn attached to me like another part of a puzzle piece,

"Mr. Jensen... Long time no see, what can I do for you today," the woman addressed me and only me, Lynn was still in cheap work uniform, so to her, she is a nobody,

"Oh, it isn't me, you see... It's the woman in charge of the spending. Show her your finest dresses,"

"Oh, sorry... My bad, this way Miss,"

"Nothing too loud, baby... I am a jealous man. Can’t have the whole place staring at what's mine," I said loud enough.

Taking a seat, I grabbed a magazine from the stack next to me, crossing my legs as I read through it, nothing interesting going on I see, nothing interesting yet, by the end of the evening I sure Lynn and I will be plastered all over these.

"Shaquille Jensen... My man, how are you doing?"

Great, I groaned, out of every fucking body in had to run in this mother fucker, Billy fucking Johnson, I haven't seen this fool since college and I wasn't looking forward to seeing him now,

"Billy, long time no see... Still doing drugs,"

"Ha-ha... Good one Jensen... Speaking of that, how is the old man, he dead yet?"

I stared at him filled with hatred, how did he know?

"You know my father talks a lot after two rounds of brandy right,"

Right. And his dad and my dad, go way back, can't say the same for us though, he was a real trash bag in college, the spoiled arrogant asshole who cared for no one but himself, and yeah I just might have described myself too, but trust me when I say, he was way worse.

"Shaquille I was thinking..." Lynn scrambled out locking eyes with Billy, she was dressed in a low cut... A very low-cut white dress, exposing her perky breast, the slit was so long it exposed her navel which had a playboy rabbit ring in it, well at least I know about that, I wondered where else was pierced. With wide hips and a snatched waist, she modelled for me, twisting and turning, and the stylist in the back grinned, Wow, I thought she was hot, and her skin... The parts the uniform hid was breathtaking, she had a small beauty mark on her inner thigh, and I could see it from here because of how spotless her skin is in those areas,

"You okay man?" Billy patted my shoulder, placing his face in front of mine, blocking my stares of Lynn, and I was probably for the best, I lost my self for a second there, forgetting the real purpose of her,

"Get the fuck out my face," I hissed,

"Good, you're okay... Because now, I want you to tell me who this lovely lady is," she stared at her biting his lips,

"This is my girlfriend, Lynn. Baby, this is nice and all, but I am not really feeling it," I spoke, at this point, I was sure if it was a show, or I was really jealous, I didn't like the way Billy was looking at her, and I could only imagine the other men that will join in on that later,

"The name is Billy... Billy Johnson," he gestured for a handshake which Lynn seem uncomfortable taking,

"Nice to meet you," she pulled away, I wonder what's that about,

"Umm... Yeah, I am going to change. Didn't like it either," she laughed nervously,

"Throw a pair of heels too," I added, "Tonight is special," I smiled, as she ambled away,

"Girlfriend... Special night? What's going on Jensen? Did you knock the girl up? Pops forced you to marry her to cover up your shame?"

"What? Look around you fool, this isn't the 1940's, no one gives a shit about that kind of stuff anymore."

"Girlfriend out of now where? Sounds shady Jensen... Finally giving the old man his wishes," he taunted, causing me to glare at him,

"I told you," he shrugged his shoulders, "My dad talks a lot,"

Shaking my head, I chuckled, pulling out my cell phone, while I played it off because, in reality, I felt like I was about to piss my pants, it's Billy, once something looks off to him, he will inquire further about it, even if it means sticking his nose in places it doesn't belong.

"We have been dating three months, on and off but I just knew she is the one I want to with," I explained, lying through clenched teeth "Right. I am on to you Jensen... I am on to you, so watch your back," he walked away,

Talk about unnecessary enemies, I thought.

"How about this one," I turned to the direction her voice came from,

Wear a knee-length, strapless black dress, with matching high heels, she walked confidently, modeling,

"II love it, you are gorgeous. The dress is gorgeous."

"Good, I love it too,"

"Well go get changed, and let's cash these, I already made reservations," I smiled, waving my cell phone around.

"Alright," she mumbled.

After getting the items cashed, I drove her home, told her to be ready by seven, it was now 6:00 PM, we have reservations for 8:00 PM but I would be a fool if I told a woman the exact time, they get dress slower and they are always forgetting things, trust me, I know these. Driving back home, I scurried through my closet, bought a $3000 outfit today, and couldn't get myself a new suit, because if I did we would be having dinner at chucky cheese. I was a little embarrassed to say this at first, but I am on a budget, I don't have money to waste but as I said earlier this is important, Lynn is important.

Finding a suit for myself was easier than I thought, thank God, I was the kind of man who buys things and forgets he did, I found over 20 casual shirts, 10 pants, 15 suits and 5 pairs of shoes, Well, thank the heavens again. Starting down at my watch, it was now 7:05 PM, my bedroom is a mess, and I cannot be bothered by it, I really need to rehire the maids. Rubbing my hands through my hair one last time, I left the house. I wanted to drive a different car tonight, why? I don't know, maybe I wanted to show everyone how special she is, or maybe I wanted to impress her who knows.

Pulling up in front of apartment, I blew the horn a few times, before I saw her ambled her,

"You are late and did exactly what I knew you would do, show up here with a bouquet or chocolate. But instead, you picked me up like some booty call... I thought you wanted this to work," as she fixed herself in the passenger seat,

Shit, she is right though, but I am not a romantic man and I guess, I will have to step out of my box to be a little more convincing,

"I am sorry," I muttered, "I will try to do better," I apologized,

This is starting to feel more like a real relationship already,

The drive to Tibbiz was a quiet one, I don't know if she is genuinely mad that I didn't bring her flowers, or was something else bothering her, maybe that phone call, I want to ask her about that so badly, but I don't know if it was my place to do, well I better leave it alone. Pulling up the Tibbiz, I got out of the car, hurrying to her door to open it for her,

"Thank you," she smiled, I wasn't sure if it was for the crowd that was staring at us, or not, but she's one hell of a pretender, and might I add “damn” was all I could think about as I stared at her, yes I saw in the dress earlier, but I can't really compare that to now. That was her playing dressing up but this... Wow. Throwing the keys at the valet, I winked at him as he stared at us, and who blames him... Who blames everyone else who was staring too, I came to this restaurant, with potential business partners, offering me their shares in companies, but that story is for another day, I am here with a beautiful woman.

"Good evening," I spoke to the host,

"Mr. Jensen," she smiled brightly when she saw me, which dimmed Into a frown when she saw Lynn,

"Umm... Your table is ready sir... And miss. Please, follow me,"

Leading us to empty the table to the middle of the room, the young host nodded before she hurried away, poor thing, I thought.

"This is nice," Lynn looked around, "Nicer than I expected,"

"Good, then let's make the best of it."

Dinner was interesting, Lynn was a great girl, and I am glad I choose her, and that I why I paid the valet a little extra to get something for me, while she went to the bathroom, I wanted to surprise her. I learn many things tonight about her, she is adopted, doesn't want to talk about it, so I am guessing childhood trauma, and I am okay with that, we are getting to know each other and there is nothing wrong with taking it slow. She also loves to read, and she hopes to write someday too, but will you look at that, a girl that reads, shocker.

Pulling up to her apartment, I got out and opened the car for her as well,

"Thanks, Jensen—"

"Shaquille," I looked over my shoulder,

Standing close to her, I tucked her hair behind her ears as I gazed into her eyes,

"Don't look now but... Silver Audi... reporters."

"What—"

"I said don't look now," I grabbed her chin, stroking her cheeks lightly,

"Just follow my lead,"

She nodded in agreement.

"Which reminds me," I ambled back to the car, "I got you something... Well, I paid someone to collect it for me," I reached into the back seat, pulling out a bouquet of red roses,

"Oh, Jen—Shaquille. They are nice," she took them, smelling them.

"Smells great too,"

"Yeah," I mumbled ogling down to her mouth Slowly, I leaned in, and I could see the hesitancy in her eyes at first but then she closed her eyes, allowing our lips to touched, moving in perfect sync, I am too deep in, and I am lost in our kiss.

Pulling away she looked at me, gazing into my eyes,

"Was that convincing enough?"

"Yeah, it was."