Chapter 18 CHAPTER 18

Chapter 18 CHAPTER 18
MICHELLE

I spent the entire day gisting with Lisa, telling her how Andrea booked a private reservation for dinner just for the two of us, even promising to take me to Paris the next weekend.

“Gosh, you are so lucky, Elle,” her voice resounded as I watched someone take off her makeup. “So he did all that after the bags of clothes you bought?”

I fell flat on the bed, my eyes glittering like stars. “Yes,” I said, a smile on my face.

“Then maybe that stripper means nothing to him,” she added suggestively.

“I am certain she doesn’t,” I answered, turning sideways. Lisa was now seated on a chair, receiving a beauty treatment. She had won the role of Best Actress of the cast in the movie they just released, so that was part of the benefits to be enjoyed.

“Hmph,” she breathed. “You still need to be careful, Elle…”

“She’s a nobody. A rag from the streets,” I snapped.

“Alright, girl… watch your back regardless. And nevertheless, when are you resuming back to work? Haven’t you been away for too long?”

I chuckled. That was Lisa’s way of saying she missed me. “Maybe if you had listened to me and gotten a boyfriend, you wouldn’t have been so cooped up with me… Remember,” I added, trying not to break into a laugh, “I am straight.”

She rolled her eyes as she crossed her legs, patting on her face mask. “I just like having you around… that doesn’t mean I’m lonely, Elle,” she gave a light frown.

“But I’d rather be lonely than be with a man… those beings aren’t fucking worth it,” she hissed, her brows rising in malice. “Fuck them when it’s necessary, then discard them.”

My brows arched with a wink. “You never can tell unless you try.”

She shook her head in disagreement. “Thanks. But no thanks.”

I knew it was useless trying to convince her, so I switched the topic and resumed laughing again. After an hour or so, we got off the call.



I spent the entire day thinking about what Lisa said, and my own instincts as well. I couldn’t get why I was so worked up over a nobody.

I picked up my phone, dialing Frank. He picked up almost immediately.

He chuckled softly. I could already imagine the grin on his face. “What would you like me to do?” he asked.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. “And how do you know I wanted something from you?”

“You don’t call when things are alright, Ellie,” he chuckled. I pressed the phone tightly in my grip. Frank was so annoying, jeez.

“Fine, there’s no pretending I called to exchange pleasantries with you,” I answered back. “I want you to do something for me.”

“Name it, Ellie.”

“Michelle!” I snapped, my voice louder than I anticipated. “And I am your boss, so know your place.”

“Ooouu,” he laughed again.

“It seems you aren’t ready to talk,” his voice was stern, and from the sound of it, it seemed he was about to end the call.

“Wait, wait…” My voice softened. “It’s important, and I really need your help.”

He said nothing, but I could tell he was still listening.

My eyes scanned around my room, hoping there were no extra ears, as my voice came out softly. “I want you to do some digging into someone’s life.”

“Who?” he said, urgency in his voice.

“A stripper. Her name is Emilia,” I said cautiously. “That’s all the information I know about her.”

He exhaled deeply. “You know I don’t do that kind of job—”

“Please, Frank… do this. For me,” I added in the softest voice I could muster.

It was silent for a bit. “Who is she, and why do you need her information?” he finally spoke.

“No questions, Frank. You know how this works… do your job and get paid.”

“You’re still a nasty bitch, aren’t you?” he chuckled darkly. “You and I know I wouldn’t be doing this for the money.”

“It doesn’t matter the reason—you’ll be doing it. Just get it done and be discreet about it.”

“Hmmm.”

“Two days… that should be enough. Bye, gotta go now,” I said and ended the call.

A satisfactory smile settled on my face after that. The best way to get rid of a weed was to curb it at its roots, and that was what I was going to do.

It was the previous night that Andrea got home drunk and upset. I figured it might have been a failed deal, and when he ordered that no one come after him on the top floor, I knew it was bad.

I sighted Rosa with a glass of liquid and headed upstairs as the bodyguard was no longer blocking the passageway, meaning Andrea was awake.

“Good morning, ma’am Michelle,” she greeted.

“Where are you headed with that?” I gestured toward what she was holding.

She smiled, turning to the cup. “This is cinnamon tea… it will help with Sir Andrea’s hangover.”

“Did Andrea ask for it?”

Her eyes twitched a bit, but she quickly lowered her face. “No, ma’am, but I thought it might—”

I took the cup of steaming liquid from her, watching as she was reluctant to let it go. She should be happy I was in a good mood, so I was going to let this slide—and not the hot liquid over her face. I bet she hadn’t recovered from the previous encounter she had with me.

“Go on… I will take it from here,” I displayed my perfect pearl-white teeth before her.



Andrea was seated on the edge of the bed when I arrived, his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes shut as he massaged his temples.

Oh my. He must have a terrible hangover.

Andrea wasn’t one to drown himself in alcohol, let alone get drunk. Whatever had happened last night must have been serious.

“You’re awake?” I said, stepping fully into the room.

He lifted his head slowly and looked at me. “You’re here,” he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he took the glass from my hand.

I sat beside him, watching as he took a careful sip… then another.

“I hope you enjoy it,” I said softly. “I made it specially for you.”

“Yes,” he nodded, his voice low. “Thank you… Emilia.”

My perfectly practiced smile froze, as the air in my lungs seized.

For a second, I thought I’d misheard him. My fingers curled slowly against the bedsheet as I searched his face for laughter... anything to tell me it was a mistake, or a joke.

But he looked calm. Comfortable and familiar.

“Excuse me?” I said lightly, though my heart had begun to pound.