To Love and To Lust

Chapter 3

Amelia

It had been a few days since my father left for his business trip and told Martin to keep an eye on me. I avoid him in order to keep myself out of trouble and my hands to themselves.

I tried to convince my father that Martin 'babysitting' me was unnecessary, but to no avail. I know where I got that stubborn streak from, though I've barely gotten to know my mother, so I can't compare any of my characteristics or behavior to her.

My father, though, decides that the only way he was going on this trip, is for me to relent on the idea of Martin looking out for me, and after being stubborn for a while, I conceded. I had to. The trip was very important, and would benefit him in both aspects of business and personal. I couldn't let my father lose a business opportunity because of my stubbornness.

Martin has kept his end of the deal, deciding not to invade my space or my life, but I call him now and then, and that is how we exchanged numbers. For some reason, Martin is avoiding me the same way I'm avoiding him.

Yesterday, I invited him for dinner because because my dad told me to, and I didn't want to eat alone. Lily was unavailable at the time, but that’s not the point.

The point is that he declined before I even finished asking the question properly. So, I've decided to let him be because that was what I had wanted in the first place.

Since today is Friday, and I don't want to be alone again, I'm going to accept Lily's invitation to go out after work. I'm committed to my work, but one night of fun won't kill me, right?

I am my father's assistant and with him being absent, I don't really have much to do, which is why I agreed to help out the other associates and partners in any way possible until he is back. After working a full day, I decide it’s time to go home.

Grabbing my things, I head straight to the elevator, then to the the reception desk to see if Lily is ready for our night out. When I see that she is stuffing her things into her purse, I know she is.

"Hey, girl," she greets me, "Are you ready to shake things up?"

"I think so," I reply, sounding as if I’m asking a question rather than answering, "Where are we going?" I ask her as we walk across the lobby and toward the exit of the building.

"I saw a spot on social media that I want to try. They serve food as well as drinks, and they have a dance floor," Lily says.

"OK. I trust you," I reply entering the car after her.

After my ride drops her off and waits for her to get her clothes, we head to my house to get ready. I'm so glad that she decided to do that since I haven't been out in a while and I don't have any idea what to wear.

We shower and choose our outfits. Lily decides to wear a white dress and gold stilettos, giving off the idea that she is an innocent angel, which I know she is not. Far from it actually.

I, on the other hand, decide to wear a skin-tight strapless red dress, that has a split coming up from my knees to mid-thigh. It’s sexy and alluring, though, if I lift my feet too high, someone will definitely get a glimpse of what is underneath.

On that note, I have to shave and make sure my lady parts are well-groomed so that if I have an accident, I won't be embarrassed.

I add gold strappy heels and a small gold chain my dad gifted me when I was eighteen years old. I cherish it so much. It might not be as expensive as diamonds, but the fact that he was the one that gave it to me, makes it priceless.

Looking in the bathroom mirror, I am pleased with who I see. I have on minimal makeup, but I look damn good, thanks to my best friend, who is a makeup expert as well. Lily is good at everything she does.

Walking out of the bathroom, I find her sitting on my bed, texting and looking like the goddess she is. She looks up and smiles when she sees me approaching.

"You look good," she tells me. One thing I admire about Lily is that she always gives complements where it is due.

"You look amazing," I tell her.

"Thank you," she says, standing and coming in front of me. She takes my hand and does a twirl, causing me to chuckle.

"Maybe you'll find someone worthy of taking your virginity tonight," she speaks.

'Here comes the s*x talk,' I think.

"You know I'm not looking for anyone," I say.

"That's because you have your eyes set on one man."

"So what?" I ask her. "So what if I want Martin to be the one to take my virginity?"

"Nothing is wrong with that, babe," she starts, " But first, you are going to have to be brave enough to tell him."

I sigh. She's right. If I want Martin to take my virginity, I at least need to gain the courage to tell him, which I think is a bad idea. I can't afford to shatter Martin's relationship with my dad, or mine and his.

"It's a bad idea and you know it, Lily," I tell her then grab my purse, ready to be done with this conversation. My phone beeps. Saved by the bell, "Are you ready? The car is here."

"Yes," she answers, narrowing her eyes, knowing that I'm trying to avoid the conversation.

We go downstairs, where a black SUV is waiting for us, the driver standing by the back door.

"Good night," we greet him, Lily smiling with him flirtily.

"Ms. Brown," he says with a polite smile.

Again, I don't correct him because it will be futile.

After making sure that we are seated properly, he enters the car. Before the car drives off, he asks, "Where to, Ma'am?"

I turn to Lily, clueless.

"MH Bar and Grill," she tells him with a wink, "Do you know where it is? If not, I can come in the front seat, where I'm sure I could give you better directions, and other things too."

"That's not necessary, Ma'am. I know where it is." Lily huffs at that, disappointed that he didn't give her the chance to eat him up. We buckle up, and as soon as we do, he drives away.

When we pull up to MH, the place looks really good. The parking lot is almost full and it isn't even nine o'clock yet. There are lights strung all over, giving the place a somewhat romantic yet seductive feel.

Upon entering, I realize that each table is at a fair distance apart, giving one the privacy they might need. A bar is at the back of the premises, lined with high chairs. The place is gorgeous.

Lily and I take a seat at one of the empty tables, to which a waiter comes over immediately. Talk about impeccable customer service.

"Good night," she greets us, "My name is Tanya, and I will be your waiter for the night. These are the menus. I will leave you to think, providing you with water while you make up your minds."

"Thank you, Tanya. That would be lovely," I tell her.

Tanya hands us the menu and takes off, coming back with a pitcher of water and two glasses. We tell her thanks and she leaves again.

Five minutes later, she comes back to take our orders. Even though I'm dressed up, and feel like a million bucks, I order a burger and fries. My best friend does the same.

When we're finished eating, we order two slices of chocolate cake and thoroughly enjoy them, moaning at the taste.

Afterward, we go to the bar section and situate ourselves on two of the high chairs, ordering two piña coladas while we listen to music.

I have to say, at first, I didn't want to come here, in fact, I didn't want to go out at all, but now that I did, I'm enjoying myself.

"Let's dance," Lily says and holds out her hand to assist me with standing, though I don't need it. I’m only a little bit tipsy.

"Yeah, let's."

As soon as we are on the dance floor, my traitorous friend leaves me alone to find a male partner. If I knew this was what she meant when she said 'let's dance', I would have declined. I'm not in the mood to rub up on anyone or let them rub up on me.

I decide to dance on my own since I'm already on the dance floor, closing my eyes and getting lost in the music. The alcohol is slowly contributing to my care-free state of mind, and that is when I feel eyes boring through my back. Someone is staring right at me and I can feel it.

Opening my eyes and doing a quick scan of the area, I spot a distinct pair of eyes staring at me lewdly, as if they're imagining me naked. Those pair of eyes belong to Martin.

I startle for a second, because of the intensity of his stare, before continuing my moves, rotating my hips in a way I've never done before. I want to entice him.

He licks his lips as he stares me straight in the eyes, making a certain part of me jump in excitement. Our stare down is interrupted by Lily shouting loudly over the music in my ears.

"He's eye-f*cking you," she says, her breath laced with alcohol.

"I know," I tell her and turn back to where Martin sat, but he is gone, making me feel a pang of disappointment at the loss of the sight of him.

For the rest of the night, I'm in no mood for anything, but to go home, and since Lily has found her man for the night, there is no reason for me to stay here anymore.

A car takes me home, but when I get to the front door, I notice that it's open. I should call the police, but the curiosity in me has me opening the door and tip-toeing in, hearing hushed voices.

I follow the voices to the kitchen, quietly going around the corner, and am shocked by the scene in front of me. My dad is here, but he’s kissing a woman.

"What is going on here?" I ask, causing them to jump apart like kids doing something they're not supposed to be doing.

"Claire," he says to the woman, breathless, "I want you to meet Amelia, my daughter." I get a bad feeling immediately. "Amelia, meet Claire. She’s my wife."

"What the hell?!" I say, mouth agape.