Chapter 31

Chapter 31
Have you ever felt as if your life is moving so quickly like someone else is living it for you? That was exactly how I was feeling right now.

First Elliot admits to feeling the same, and now this? Harvey, same and Dylan (with whom I kissed and then masturbated to) Layla, and now Ray? What in the hell was going on?

I had no idea I was staring into Ray's eyes till now, I immediately turned away and cleared my throat.

“I know men like us get judged, but trust me, I'm different," he chuckled. Yeah, right. I didn't fall for it. Every man says the same thing and ends up the same.

I turned to stare out the window, attempting to distract my brain even though knowing that we were near my college. He was still talking but I wasn't listening.

A few minutes later, we arrived. Ray begged me to wait so he could get to my door, but I declined.

"This will look like an act if you treat me overly nice," I advised. He grinned, so I rephrased, "What I mean is, we want them to believe this fake relationship, so let's make it realistic." I got out on my own, and he had to get out as well — just to be seen. And he was. Fellow students appeared to recognise him; they all lingered and drooled.

"I'll pick you up and take you to work at one, right?"

“No, twelve. But you cannot do that. That will give it away."

"But we left your car."

"I can take a cab. I'm almost late for..." I paused as he kissed my lips.

"Well, alright then." He said, ‘Bye,’ and walked back to his car. I observed silently until they drove away, then turned to find myself surrounded by a crowd of people all asking questions, some of which made no sense.

I pushed through the crowd, and if that professor hadn't shown up and sent everyone to class, I could have been stuck outside.

The popular girls — or whatever they called themselves — who had never spoken to me since school began, approached my locker and asked about the celebrity parties.

"I just don't get how she got so lucky."

I wished I could tell them they were wrong, but I couldn't, so I just let them chat and walked to my first lesson, which I completed successfully.

I'm not going to lie: the rest of my lessons were great. Almost everyone wanted to be my friend, which was not surprising given how I was always friendly. But it felt different when I was treated like a celebrity. Even when we needed coats for an experiment, I was requested to choose first.

After class, I left and found my cab waiting outside. I got in and responded to Sandra's message asking me to meet her at the diner after work. I felt like I hadn't seen her in days, so I scheduled it for later.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, Elliot sent a message. He asked me to give him some time, because he didn't want Chloe to abort his kid. I understood him. I was happy to get the message, so I replied quickly, urging him to take his time.

I'm not sure why I said that when all I wanted was for him to be with me, but it would give me enough time to finish the contract.

Before I knew it, we'd arrived at Gia's. After paying the cab fare, I got out and went inside.

As usual, the receptionists were courteous, and because I wasn't needed anyplace, I walked to my office with my belongings. Honestly, I didn't have much to do anymore; my job was essentially to be seen with Ray. Did I still need to manage his socials? I wondered.

I had nothing to do, so I began working on an assignment. It was difficult to focus with everything going on, but I tried.

Then I remembered the tennis game he had invited me to. I knew nothing about it, so I began researching. My phone rang when I was busy learning to play tennis.

It was Ximena, Elliot and Dylan's mother.

I recalled how the previous conversation went, so I picked up the phone and told her I wasn't going to do what she requested and that if she tried, I'd tell Elliot.

"You sound foolish. You and I both know that having this baby would make it difficult for Elliot to be with you — and you have always loved him.”

“That's why I'm letting him keep his baby. You would never let me be with him, even if he didn't have this baby."

"Oh sweetheart, don't take that personal. I'm just protecting my family and your mother well, you know her image is bad.” I sniffed as that was the painful truth. “But I also know you'd prefer anyone rather than Chloe. If you help me, I'll make sure he marries someone with a radio face so he can still see you attractive." I wasn't surprised she said that about her son.

"I'm sorry. I am not doing it."

"I heard she dated people during their relationship issues. I am not doing anything wrong.” Her voice sounded manipulative. “I'm just seeing whether she's truly pregnant and if it's my son's. All I need is your help in figuring out which hospital confirmed her pregnancy."

"Again, I apologise, but I will not go behind my friend's back. Now I need to get back to work. Have a nice day.”

I hung up the phone without waiting for her response and nearly threw it away when I realised there was someone else with me.

"I didn't... didn't see you there," I began nervously, clearing my throat and fixing myself.

"I realised. I came to give you a special task." It was Gia's personal assistant. She approached, and I gave her my complete attention, wondering what this duty could be—finally, something that would make me feel worthy of this money.

"Of course, I am all ears. What can I do for you?"

"Not me. Gia."

"Oh, okay. Anything, just let me know." I said accepting the flyer. Just the bold headline made my eyes widen.

It stated that Layla was hosting an openly gay pool party. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do there.

"Gia's daughter is hosting a pool party to collect donations for the LGBTQ community. She has run out of helps, and you are required to assist."

"H-how?"

“A server, yes, more like a waitress. Gia said–”

"You'll be serving my guests drinks," Layla's voice cut her, making me look towards the door. She stood there, arms crossed over her chest. "Or are you against the LGBTQ community?" She lifted her brow, daring me, and I swallowed hard, knowing exactly what was going on.

I looked down at the flyer again. The party would take place in roughly an hour. But what happened to the planned party trip to Saudi Arabia?

My gosh, Layla was doing this only to get back at me for something I hadn't done. Okay, now there is drama. Damn.