Chapter 8

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'I am nervous!'

Blackmailer- 'Don't be. Should I come to pick you up?'

I really wanted to type 'Yes please' instead I ended up typing 'Nope, I'm fine.'

Saturday had come all too soon and the ceremony was just in about three hours. My fingers had made it routine to tap my thighs every fifteen seconds. And I felt fidgety all over my newly bathed skin.

'If you say so.' Colton had sent, instantly followed by - 'Supp?'

I stared at my purple towel-clad body and the small amount of rose and peach moisturizing body lotion on my left palm. The towel was really old, I had been using it since eighth grade and had somehow developed a connection to it. I felt like no other towel could ever clean my body as my pretty old purple one did. It basically knew every fraction of my body. And because it was so old and my height had grown since then, it barely reached up to mid-thighs, just managing to cover the vital parts. I felt practically naked and suddenly shy as if he could see me. Unconsciously I looked at my closed door and windows and sighed, turning back to his text.

What was I supposed to type? 'Hey I'm moisturizing my naked body, come over.'? No thanks!

'Nothing much, you?' was what I ended up typing, even though I hated it when someone replied to me with nothing much. Like seriously? Nothing?

Blackmailer-'Breathing *tongue out*, seriously nothing? You're boring.'

The last two words did something to me. Made me want to prove that I wasn't boring. Because there's nothing worse than being called boring. Boring is discernibly not a depiction anyone would want to fit in. I am fracking awesome!

And impulsively my brain shifted gears from smart to dumb and I ended up sending a text that read- 'Actually I just had a great bath and now I'm moisturizing my naked body. It's fun.'

The second it was delivered I regretted my rash action. What was I even thinking? You don't just say such 'come hither' type things to anyone. Yeah, he was my boyfriend, but the adjective fake before it changed the whole concept.

The one-minute wait for his reply seemed like an hour and the body lotion still lay on my palm, threatening to fall on the bed anytime. I sighed and put it on my leg, might as well moisture since I already told him. The phone vibrated and I dreaded to open the text, scared of his reply. Taking my own sweet time I massaged my left leg and gathering all the courage opened the text.

Blackmailer- 'Whoa, yes that is definitely not boring. Want help? *wink* I have been told that I can be a good masseur. *wink*'

The text was supposed to a flirty pick-up line or something funny. Unfortunately, my brain had still not changed gears and the only words my eyes highlighted were –I have been told. Told by who? How many girls had he massaged? Oh yes, he's a player, the count would be over the fifties.

Again impulsively I typed. 'Oh yeah of course you have been told, I forgot you were a player. I can manage, thank you very much.'

I wanted to scream to frustration and throw something at someone, preferably a chair, with iron bars and bricks at Colton Hastings. Instead, I settled for throwing my pillow at the wall.

His reply came later than expected. I had put the lotion all over my body with less than zero enthusiasm. And was staring at the black set of clothes on my bed with distaste. He had told me to wear black and there sitting on my bed was my best LBD, black lacy bra, and matching panties. The dress was one of my favorites, it had lace from neck to upper chest and the back was cover with lace. It reached just below my mid-thighs and from the waist down it resembled a shift dress.

At that moment I just wanted to grab the dress and throw it on his face and then burn them together. Oh dear, I never knew this violent side of me. Green definitely did not suit me.

Blackmailer-'That was a joke, don't take it seriously. P.S: I like the jealous you. *wink*'

At least someone likes it because I hate it! I screamed mentally and I did. Being jealous meant I liked him and that was not a good sign, not at all. I needed to go to Kevin's house and meet his sister Carol to clear my mind. At least then I could get Colton Hastings out of my system.

So once again impulse and insanity took over. 'Bleh. I'll be going to Kevin's place tomorrow.'

I had finished wearing my undergarments when his reply came.

Blackmailer- 'Your ex?'

I rolled my eyes. 'Do you know another Kevin? But yes my ex, his sister isn't well.' Somehow I felt the need to justify my reason to go.

Blackmailer- 'Great.'

I didn't know what to make of his reply. Did it mean great-great or not-great-but-pretend-great? Deciding not to reply I sat to do my hair when there was a knock at the door.

"What?" I shouted, reaching for my bathrobe.

"I need help." Josh muttered from the other side.

Wearing my blue minion bathrobe I opened the door, coming face to face with an elegant-looking guy. He was wearing a blue-grey tux and a plain white shirt underneath.

I raised my eyes impressively. "Who knew you could clean up so well?"

He grinned cheekily. "Back at you." Pointing at the bathrobe he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't make me slap you. I'm elder remember."

"By age not brains."

"So you say. Anyways what was it?"

He held up three ties, one was complete navy blue with no design, one was cobalt blue and had a white dot-like design on them and the last one was grey with brownish stripes on it.

"Put them on the shirt." I ordered and watched as he put them patiently.

"The stripes one." I finally said and he nodded turning to go. "You gonna wear the blazer?" I asked pointing at the blue-grey blazer.

He turned with a scowl. "Yeah." then he paused, rethinking. "Should I not?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, wear if you want."

"Some help you are."

"I did choose the tie."

"I was going to wear that one anyways."

I twisted my lips at his lie. "Oh yeah? Then why come to me?"

"Second opinion." He simply replied, walking to his door. "And no I'm wearing a blazer, in case I find some hot chick who dig men in blazers."

I shrugged and rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

"What are you wearing?"

"LBD."

Josh nodded then frowned as if thinking of something. "You know for someone of your age, you two sure hate PDA." And with that he went into his room, shutting his door with a bang.

I stood there frozen, his words ringing like a constant bell that made my head scream in agony. It was true we had never touched each other for more than a few minutes, never kissed not even on cheeks, definitely not in private. And suddenly I felt the need to feel his lips on mine.

I craved to know if it could be everything I had wished for. Would his lips feel as soft as they looked? Would he let me take control? Was his skin smooth? His chest as hard and tanned as the female population claimed? I wanted to run my fingers through his hair. See if I could affect him as much as he affected me. But then this was all fake. So would the kiss be? Fake.

Groaning I shut the door behind me, leaning on it. The thought of meeting him in less than two hours was not welcoming and most definitely not thrilling.

His next text- 'Look forward to seeing you.' Did absolutely nothing in rising my spirits, it didn't even make me smile.

Mom's peach-colored dress was half-selves and almost backless. It was like a gown, long yet classy with a slit on the right up to her upper thigh that showed off her lean tan leg. The neck was real low and to top the look, she had worn blood-red lipstick. She looked incredibly gorgeous. Better than me, unfortunately.

"Okay let's go." Mom clapped, picking up her car keys and walking out, her dress flowing behind.

"Shouldn't she be wearing something that covers everything?" Josh mumbled from beside me, looking with a pissed-off expression at mom's naked back then he turned to my barely covered legs. "So should you."

I rolled my eyes at his possessiveness. "Come on Josh, it’s okay. You are used to seeing girls wear just plastic bags too."

"They aren't family." He simply stated, walking out.

I smiled at his retreating back. Maybe Simone was right, Josh wasn't really so bad at times. Still smiling, I locked the door and stepped into the back seat of Lamborghini. Every time I saw it guilt ripped me apart and I had to bit my tongue from saying aloud that it wasn't our Julie. Then mom's lawyer face came in sight and I solaced myself that it was just a teeny weeny white lie.

“Julie smells different.” Josh sniffed, looking around the car.

I scoffed, scared that he might suspect something. “No, she doesn’t. Julie smells like Julie.”

Josh raised his eyebrows, looking at the defensive voice in me. "Okay then. So mom how's work?" Josh changed the topic, drumming his fingers near the AC vent.

"My work? Why are you suddenly interested?" Mom asked curiously.

He shrugged mildly. "Just."

She sighed. "Hectic, this is one hard case and the accused is a hotshot who is extremely rude but looks innocent to me." She took a right. "In fact everyone in this case, accused, witnesses, suspects are all rich people. Which makes this whole thing tougher than I imagined."

"Why did you take the case?" I piped in. Usually, she took cases that weren't so attention-seeking, a middle class murder, a bank theft, smuggling small drugs, stuff like that.

"I found it intriguing. And the defendant's wife was in my college so when she came up to my office begging me to save her husband, I couldn't say no."

"What's this case about?" Josh inquired, looking at mom intently.

She turned to us with a frown. "The world knows about it and my own children don't. Read the papers for a change, it's all over them."

"Come on mom." I whined. "You tell us, the media adds too much cheese to the pizza. The pizza is rarely savored."

"True that." Mom agreed. "Okay so this defendant, his name is Rodrigo Barrett, he owns a huge textile industry and earns in thousands each hour by just saying 'yes' and 'no'. No wonder he is such an obnoxious ass. His wife, on the other hand, Anita Barrett is sweet and loyal and loves Rodrigo desperately. Rodrigo has a best friend, Nick Mills, he is his business partner too." She paused at the red light, looking at us.

"Rodrigo and Nick had a fall out two weeks back. Nick cheated and was going to steal millions from the company. Rodrigo found out, they had a fight in the office with over twenty employees to witness it. Rodrigo punched him and threatened to kill him. He is extremely bad-tempered." She turned to start the car as the green light came on.

"After three days Nick called Rodrigo and apologized, as bad-tempered as Rodrigo is he is also a softie so he instantly forgave his best friend and invited him over to dinner. They ate and drank a lot, Nick was worse, he couldn't even stand properly. So Rodrigo went to drop him off at his place. The next day Nick's maid found Nick dead on the floor, next to his bed. Of Course, the first suspect was Rodrigo but I know he didn't kill him."

"How so?" asked Josh.

"Forensics say Nick died around 3.30 am and Anita says Rodrigo was home before 3 am."

"Maybe she is lying." I told, thinking over the situation. "And Rodrigo sure sounds guilty. He had the motive, the time, the place, and no witnesses too."

Mom scowled at me through the rear-view mirror. "Yeah cost me almost $80 thousand."

Josh and I choked on our breaths. "$80 thousand?"

Mom grinned smugly at our reaction. "Told you this is a hotshot case. Can be more if I prove him completely innocent."

"Wow." Josh whistled, resting his head on the headrest. "I really really hope Rodrigo is innocent."

"Me too." I agreed, a dollar sign shining in front of my eyes.

"The suspects are rich too, this case is really stressful. Apparently, around six people have motives for murdering Nick and three have good alibis." Mom said, parking in front of our destination.

"The other three?" I inquired not getting down.

"Two live alone and were supposedly sleeping so no alibi and one is still not found." She said and got out the car, closely followed by Josh.

I stared at the long-range of expensive-looking cars. There were four Limousine's too. Then I stared at the decorated Four Seasons Hotel. Of course, the party would be held at such an affluent place.

"Racheal." Josh hissed, opening my door as a Valet waited patiently to take and park the key.

"Sorry." I muttered, getting out hurriedly. I stared with longing. Now I couldn't even back out and go home.

Time to meet my fake boyfriend, Colton Hastings. Yay!

"Let's go sis." Josh bumped his shoulder with mine as stepped into the lobby of one of the best hotels in the world. A man dressed in a luxurious black suit welcomed us, politely asking for the card. Mom showed it to him and he pointed at the end of the lobby. "Please go to FIFTY7. Have a great night." He smiled at us, turning his attention to the couple behind us.

A young woman dressed in a short white skirt and a blood-red shirt with the top two buttons opens sauntered towards us with a huge tray in one hand which had glasses of some welcome drink. I elbowed Josh, making him cough innocently like he was never drooling over her.

"Our special drink." she spoke with a seductive voice through her red lips. She handed us a glass each and pointed to FIFTY7, "Have a great night."

"T-thanks." Josh stuttered staring at her ass as she walked away to serve other guests.

Mom slapped the back of his head with a churlish glance. "Pathetic Joseph, pathetic" And she walked off ahead leaving me laughing at Josh's sullen face.

"I am a guy, okay." He muttered arrogantly, marching after her.

I chuckled softly, looking around. Not surprisingly almost every guy was staring at the red lipstick woman and her friend, their clothes and make-up were the same but face structures were different. Both walked with confidence and pride, not spilling a drop of the drink. My eyes turned to the other guests, everyone seemed extremely rich, rich enough to take spa treatments thrice a day. And spas are ridiculously costly.

Their attires, their stride, their appearance, their physique, their demeanor, their attitude, everything screamed opulent and obnoxious. They were used to having their way done.

It's a strange world. Some people get rich and some eat shit!

The sudden feeling that I didn't belong here was penetrating and made me want to crawl behind their thousand dollar velvet couch and hide for the rest of the night. I so didn't belong here.

Turning to follow Mom and Josh, I gasped as I saw the second most heart-stopping, mouth-watering, jaw-dropping, knee bending and pupil dilating sight after Ryan Gosling's naked chest.

Colton Hastings in a full suit, staring right at me.

Dear Lord! Now wouldn't be the time to hide behind a couch, would it?

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