Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
A loud knock sounded at my door.
I groaned as I left my bed and went to open it.
My body felt overly tired, and my knees wobbled. After unlocking it, I saw Devin standing there with a large red box in his hand.
"Good morning. You look like you've been partying all night," he joked, and I rolled my eyes, running a hand through my tangled hair. It was going to take a while to get it back to its original state.
"Julia sent this for you. She told me about the deal you guys made."
My mind froze for a few seconds before I regained my composure. I remembered that she knew about my past, but a part of me had hoped she hadn't told anyone. By the looks of it, I didn’t think Mordechai knew about it.
But why should I even care if persons knew about it?
Because I will be hated, humiliated or mocked.
I also remembered that Zed had seen me. I was so thankful he didn't catch me, or else I was too afraid to even think about what would have happened if he did.
"What did she tell you exactly?" I asked, acting natural, like it was just a random question.
"Nothing much… just that you are the best person for the deal to happen. I don't know why, but I guess she really admires you. Don't worry too much about Mordechai. I'm sure you guys will come up with something to blow Franco away," he replied before handing me the box.
I took it, and he walked away. I closed the door and went to my bed, thinking: why didn't Julia tell him about my past?
Didn't she fully trust him to let him in on everything, even her own son? I bet she told them, but they're only pretending.
But why would they pretend, especially towards me?
I groaned and rubbed my temple.
I needed to focus on today. Doing this was only important to me because I need the job so I can make fast cash and leave this place before Zed gets to me. Nowhere is too safe for me now, I have to be on the look out for anything and everything.
I hated the life I chose those years ago, but I had no choice. And what if everyone finds out? Who are them to judge? I know I wasn't the first stripper in the world and I certainly won't be the last.
I pulled the box open and lifted out its contents. I was greeted with a dress. But not just any dress. A black V-neck made from the finest leather, at least judging by how good it felt. A pair of heels came with it, along with some accessories that perfectly complemented the outfit.
I held the dress up to my body as I looked in the mirror. I turned to see the other side and noticed that the back was open, held together by small diamond strings running horizontally.
I wasn't feeling anxious about wearing the dress, only the heels, since I hadn't worn a pair in ages.
I placed everything back in the box and went to take a shower. I didn't even have a clue when I was going to be picked up. I released a sigh before starting to scrub myself.
After a few minutes, I turned off the shower and left the bathroom. I found some clothes and put them on before leaving the room with a towel drying my hair. I had no idea how I should style it, but I guessed a bun would have to do.
Like always.
I went to the kitchen and saw Devin making breakfast. I sat around the table and watched him.
He was making pancakes by the looks of it and they were looking great. He turned and gave me a glance before putting some in a plate. He handed it to me.
Thanks," I said, taking it, and started eating. A few minutes later, he sat down and began his own, sipping a cup of coffee that, without a doubt, had cream and sugar in it.
"Julia called. Your escort will pick you up at twelve noon," he said, looking up at me.
I nodded, glancing at the clock. It was only after nine. I still had time to get stuff together so that was a good thing. I decided to start a small convo with Devin.
"So, do you know this Franco guy?" I asked, and his eyes flicked to mine.
"Yeah. I encountered him once before and let me just say his looks can kill you on the spot. He can make you tremble beneath his gaze. I've never seen him smile and he was very hard to please."
I nodded before continue eating. This was going to be tough but I couldn't let it get to my head. I wasn't intimated by rich people and I certainly wasn't going to fall beneath Franco's gaze.
"I'm leaving for a few days. I have some business to take care of," he said next.
I nodded once more.
I was going to be here alone. Not that I wasn't use to being alone but the place was pretty boring and I don't want to risk going out.
After I finished eating, I gathered the dishes and started to wash them.
"Have you ever thought, like, far into the future? I mean, do you think about kids or marriage sometimes?" he asked next.
I was thrown off by it. I glanced over at him, but he wasn't exactly looking at me. He was on his phone, scrolling.
"No. Why do you ask?" I replied, but he just shrugged without answering.
I groaned slightly in irritation, thinking we were going to start a conversation. I had never thought about kids or even marriage. Those things weren't for me, and while kids are fun, I still wasn't cut out to be a mom.
"I'm going to take a shower. Remember, twelve noon, and don't be late," he said before leaving the kitchen.
After the dishes were done, I went back to my room. It was only a little past ten so I was thinking of getting some rest. I saw my old phone on the small table beside me and took it up.
No calls or messages. Not surprising. I laid down and closed my eyes but I wasn't in the slightest sleepy.
"Vanessa!"
I got up and went to open the door once more.
Devin was standing there with no shirt on and was only in his underwear. He had a body like Dwayne Johnson but I wasn't affected by it. I've seen a lot more naked chests in life than I could count.
But I wasn't attracted to Devin so I would be confused if I started drooling.
"Change of plans, you'll be picked up the next hour. Julia called saying Franco had to change the time because he has more important things to do after the meeting. He's annoying, I know."
I agreed with Devin before he strolled away and I locked the door.
I took out the clothes and everything else, laying them on the bed. I stripped down to my undergarments before sliding the dress onto my body. After adjusting it, I looked in the mirror and wasn't surprised when it hugged every inch of me and showed off my figure.
I put on the heels and stood up, walking back and forth. I was walking pretty well in them. It was a meeting so basically, I would be sitting the whole time, so no need to worry about falling.
I didn't feel nervous about this anymore.
It felt natural.
Maybe I would have felt differently if it had been in the evening instead of this morning. It just seemed odd to me.
I placed the necklace around my neck and put the earrings in. My hair was the problem now. I used some water since I didn't have any hair products and gathered it to the top. I wrapped it into a bun and was pleased to see it looking very neat. I was ready by now, and it was only eleven a.m.
My phone started ringing which caught off me guard. It was a private number in which I didn't answer.
I swallowed hard when I got this gut feeling that something bad was going to happen. I pushed it away when my ears caught on to the sound of a car pulling up in the yard.
I guess that was my cue to go. I left the room and made my way downstairs to see a guy dressed in black standing there with his hands at his sides. I couldn't see his face clearly because of his shades.
He turned and looked at me before smirking.
I saw Devin at the top of the stairs with a towel around his waist as he gestured for me to go. The guy led the way and I followed him to the car.
Well, here goes nothing.