Chapter Twenty Three - And The Hell Begins

Chapter Twenty Three - And The Hell Begins
Everly

And the hell begins… 

Today is move in day. Well, pretend to move in. I agreed to his offer, and despite my reservations, it makes more sense. We haven’t found me a new apartment yet because everything has moved quickly over the last week. I still have my apartment for now because I can’t get out of my lease for another month. It worked out well because it gives me somewhere to escape to if Orson gets too much, which I know he will. 

I don’t have many of my things with me. Some clothes, beauty products and some odds and ends to make the room that will be mine feel more homely. I am stuck bringing everything in myself because Orson is busy. I sigh and head to the bedroom, dumping the case and two rucksacks onto the bed. I groan, sitting on the edge. My eyes fall to the ring on my fingers. The damn thing caused sixty thousand dollars! I tried to convince him to get me something cheaper, but he refused. The sixty thousand was a compromise because he picked one that was close to two hundred thousand. I made sure he kept the receipt and obtained the warranty, so when our “engagement” ends, he can return it. 

I toss myself back on the bed. How did I end up here? I shouldn’t be here. If he never found out about what I do, things would be normal between us. My world wouldn’t be upside down. I will meet his family for the first time this weekend. We are going out for dinner. I am looking forward to that, not! I swear this plan of his better work, especially with everything I need to do. I never thought the first time I would be engaged would be fake. I knew it would happen sooner or later, but not anytime soon. When it happens for real, I will keep my fake engagement to myself. 

I pull it together and begin to unpack. It shouldn’t take long, maybe an hour. I don’t know when Orson will be home. There are a couple of positive aspects to being here. One, the queen size bed and two, he has a pool and a jacuzzi. I could fit four of my apartments into his one. I put some music on to dance around to as I unpack. Music is a good distraction. I sing terribly as I find a place for everything. 

Orson wants us to get some photos taken together to put around his place. I can’t imagine his family coming by often since he doesn’t have a good relationship with them, but they could show up at any time, like his brother did that night last week. 

I finish up and glance around. What do I do with myself now? Orson told me to make myself at home, but how am I supposed to do that in a place that doesn’t feel like home? A place that isn’t home. I stroll to the kitchen to make some coffee and head outside to sit since it’s a lovely day. I sit by the pool, my feet in the water and enjoy my coffee. The damn ring keeps distracting me. I should take it off. I don’t have to wear it all the time, only when we are around his family or out in public. 

One thing I am concerned about is work. The news will get there eventually. How do we explain it to everyone there? They often see us fighting and yelling at one another. How are they going to believe we are engaged? It is his job to work these things out since it is his ridiculous idea. 

I roll my eyes, set my mug down and head back inside, only to take the ring off and put it somewhere safe. I will be better if I don’t see it every two seconds. It's crazy to me that he chose to spend so much money on a ring for a woman he doesn’t like for a fake engagement. He has more money than sense. 

I return outside to my coffee, feeling better already without it. I can relax now. I rest back on one hand, letting the sun beat down on me. My peace is short lived. I hear the front door opening. 

“Sweetie pie, I am home,” Orson calls out, laughing. 

Eww! Those words coming from his lips sound wrong. 

“Hi,” I call back. 

He wants to see me; he can come and find me. I am not going to greet him. Sadly, he finds me quickly. 

“Did you get everything sorted?” he asks, coming to sit next to me. 

“Yes, everything is unpacked. I appreciate all the help.” I reply sarcastically. 

“You keep reminding me it is a business arrangement, sweetness. I don’t need to help you with anything.” 

“Go screw yourself.” I huff. 

He finds my annoyance amusing. I should have known he would use my words against me. 

“Where is your ring?” 

“In a safe place. I refuse to wear it constantly. I will wear it when I need to.” 

“It makes sense. Have you had something to eat?” he asks. 

“No, not yet. I wanted to get unpacked.” 

“Okay, let me shower, and I will make us something.” He smiles, springing to his feet.

He disappears back inside. Even with this fucked up arrangement, one thing I have gotten out of it is a relief. With all my debt paid off, it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It stressed me out almost every day, but now I don’t have to worry about it. I still haven’t given up the call girl thing, not entirely. I have two clients to see this week, and then I will be done. I want to tell them in person, it will be the last time. The rest of them, they don’t have to know. I can do without them in my life. Jonah understood. He was happy for me even if I didn’t tell him the entire truth. All I told him was that I have a new job that pays me what I need, but we agreed to catch up from time to time when he’s in town. I will miss him. 

Even after my agreement with Orson is over, I won’t have to worry about money. I won’t have to go back to selling my services. And no matter how much I dislike Orson at times, a part of me is grateful, even if he did blackmail, because it has changed my life in ways I could never imagine.