Chapter 13 - Confuse and anxious!
1682 Words
It's been two weeks since Kimberly started her way to be part of an elite society. After working at the Restaurant, she practiced more at Nathan's condo. She walks around with a book on her head to balance and has some statements to memorize on how she will answer Nathan's friends' questions, which Nathan himself wrote. She recites it over and over again.
And like every night, Nathan arrived with bags of food.
"Hi!" She greeted.
She removed the book from her head and took off her shoes. She also helped him prepare the food like always.
"How are you doing?" he asked as he sat on the chair.
"Great, I also memorize some of my lines now." She said while placing some plates on the table.
"Well then, let's practice."
"Can we do it after eating? I'm kinda hungry." She said, turning to the food.
"Fine." He smiles.
"So, how about your work? What time did you get here?"
"About five o'clock sharp, my work, nothing changed. I'm still a dishwasher." She answered with a smile.
"You said once that being in a restaurant is more important. Why?" He asked again while taking a spoon of food from her plate.
"It's something personal." She turned sad.
"Too personal, okay." Nathan stopped the topic since she didn't want to discuss it.
After they finished dinner and cleaned the dishes, they went to his bedroom. Kimberly continued the modeling practice with Nathan as her audience.
"Wear this." He requested, handing over the dress.
"Okay." Then she walked around the room like a ramp model. But Nathan recalled something as he sat on the bed with crossed legs. And it was the first night they met, wherein he badly treated her. He shook his head as he thought about it, feeling guilty again.
"What is it?" Kimberly stopped and asked him, worried. "Don't you like it? Still bad? I guess." She added and sat beside him.
"No, it's not. You're doing great." He said, wearing a forced smile.
"Really? But you look unsatisfied." She disagreed and slapped his thigh softly.
"I'm sorry about what I did." He suddenly said and lay on his bed.
"Still not good, I know." She cried, having no idea what he meant.
It was a long pause, and Kimberly thought he was already asleep. She lay beside him, whispering.
"What is keeping you busy?" Nathan suddenly spoke and faced her as she recited some of the statements.
"Hah?" She said in surprise.
"Answer it; it's on number three." He said, pointing at her notes.
"Ah, right."
"Again." He demanded while moving onto her pillow.
"So, what's keeping you busy?" He asked, pretending to be one of his friends she'd encountered.
"I'm a third-year Business Administration student at St. Paul College." She said breathlessly.
"Say it naturally."
"I'm trying."
"How long have you been dating Nathan?" He asked again.
"We've been together for three months____" She paused and glanced at her notes to find the words she had forgotten. Nathan took a deep sigh.
"Forget it. I'll answer that one for you." he said.
"Can you just answer everything?" She sneered and got closer to him.
"You wish." He chuckled and kissed her quickly, then laid back on his pillow.
"Hey, Nathan." She cried while shaking him.
"I'm tired. Continue practicing until you perfect it. You only have one week."
"Fine."
Nathan smiles as he turns back at her. This was the first time she informally called his name.
Kimberly didn't show up the next night. Nathan was worried but still confident that she would never withdraw their agreement. And besides, he hasn't paid her yet. But it's not really about money. He called her many times, but got no answer. He had the feeling there was something wrong. And he had no idea what it was that made him upset.
Then his phone rang...
"Where have you been?" He asked, almost with a shout.
"Nathan, I'm sorry... but I must talk to you now. Can we meet? It's urgent, please..." She speaks breathlessly.
"Where are you?" And now he's worried.
"I'm outside your apartment. I thought you were still here."
"I can't go back now. I have a scheduled meeting at nine."
"I will drop by your office, Conner Marketing, right? Along the main road, I'll be there in a minute."
"What! No!" He stood, shocked.
"I'm riding in a cab; I'll call you again when I arrive."
"What! Why in such a hurry, Kimberly?" He asked, but she had already hung up. He sat back on his chair while tapping his shoes, thinking about her.
After a few minutes, Kimberly calls again.
"I'm here, outside! What floor are you on?" She asked, still breathless.
"No, stay where you are. I'm going down."
"I'm at the entrance."
He went down to the first floor as quickly as he could. Kimberly walked forward to meet him, but he grabbed her arms and pulled her outside, where people would not see them.
"What the hell you're doing here?" His tone sounded a bit upset.
"I'm sorry..." She quickly apologized.
Kimberly realized it was a disgrace on his part. He's the son of the company's owner, the elite. How can she ever forget the truth? After all the good things he shows, treating her nicely and making her comfortable. She can't erase the reality that she is just a prostitute! Suddenly, she felt rejected and just bowed her head.
"If anyone sees you here, especially my dad, the plan of you being my girlfriend will be ruined." He explained and pulled her chin up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think of that." The reaction she felt earlier quickly disappeared as she looked into his eyes, showing his concern. Right then, she thought Nathan was her hero. A hero that she hopes and prays for to come into her life. No one else would help her in this situation, only him!
"Nathan, there's something I need to ask you a favor." She started.
"Is it crucial that you have to run this far?" He asked and reached for her hands.
"Yes." She nodded.
"What is it? Tell me."
"Can you... lend me some money?" She asked softly.
"What?!" He was surprised and disappointed as he let go of her hands.
"Well... just think of it as payment for the girlfriend thing, please..." She insisted, begging.
"You ran this far asking for money?!" His tone changed, making her nervous. "How much is it then?" He added with a sarcastic smile.
"Fifty... fifty thousand..." She almost hesitated to speak after witnessing Nathan's reaction.
"Whoa!" He exclaims and places his hand on his head. Then he recalls what Henry said, the scam issue.
"Please... I know it's too much, but I'm willing to do anything, just ...please..." She begged again since there was no one else to run for help.
"NO.." He refused coldly.
"What?" She cried in disbelief, hurt, and mixed emotions while staring at him.
"I said no!" He raised his voice and ignored the feeling that bothered him. Then he quickly walked past her.
"But... Nathan... please..." She insisted desperately and held him. He grabbed her arms hard.
"Get yourself out of here! You won't get anything from me until the deal ends!" He commanded angrily and left her. Kimberly's tears quickly ran down her cheeks, thinking perhaps it was too much to ask for more.
Nathan returned to his office angry and disappointed, thinking Henry might be right.
Everything is all about money!
Kimberly was devastated after Nathan refused to help her. She walked away so disoriented that she didn't even notice it was raining. She continued walking and was about to cross the street. But the lights quickly changed, and the car was about to hit her. Luckily, the driver steps on the break and only hits her legs.
"Oh my God, are you okay?" The passenger went out quickly and helped her.
"It's nothing," Kimberly said and walked away again.
"Are you sure, Ms.? Don't you want us to take you to the hospital?" The passenger asked again, but Kimberly did not answer and just walked away.
"Are you sure the girl is okay?" Mr. Nielsen Conner asked as he arrived at his office.
"What happened, Dad?" Nathan asked.
"Arthur just hit a girl."
"What?!"
"She looked broken but still stood quickly. She doesn't seem hurt, Sir." Mr. Conner's secretary said she was the passenger who talked with Kimberly.
"Are you sure?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, Sir."
"Then it's fine, Dad; there's nothing to worry about."
"I hope so, son."
"Ma'am Kimberly?" Mackey's Restaurant's manager, Ashley, was shocked to see Kimberly soaking wet.
"What happened to you?" She quickly grabbed a towel and surrounded it to Kimberly's back.
"Where is Aunt Brenda?" Kimberly asked, shaking.
"She went to the bank. It would be best if you dried yourself first. I have extra clothes in the locker." Ashley was worried.
"Thanks."
Ashley gave her coffee and soup after she changed her clothes.
"The house and restaurant are all mine in exchange for the fifty thousand," Kimberly's Aunt Brenda demanded as she asked for her help.
"Okay," Kimberly agreed. She had no choice at all. After receiving the money, she runs off again.
Kimberly didn't show up at Nathan's condo after what happened. Henry arrived yesterday, reminding Nathan about tomorrow night's victory party and about curiously meeting Kimberly.
Nathan was a bit pressured and had no idea how to tell Henry what he'd been through with Kimberly. He will surely laugh, since Henry is maybe right. Perhaps Kimberly backed out because he didn't give her the money she asked.
"Damn that money!" Nathan sighed desperately and threw his shoe hard on the door, frustrated. He loosened his tie and crooked his face.
Then suddenly his phone rang...
"Where are you?" It was Kimberly and he was trying to control his temper.
"I'm sorry for not showing up lately. I swear I've been practicing all the time." She explained.
"So you're still coming!" There was sarcasm in his tone.
"Of course, that's a deal, right?"
- Writer
