PRETEND WIFE FOR HIRE

Chapter four

ONE WEEK AGO

CATHERINE POV

loud music drowned out the sound of voices, everyone was beautifully dressed, competing against themselves about who dressed better, looked richer, was more successful.

And as much as they were gathered about, some in groups of three or more, I could still see how they silently checked each other out, trying to figure out how rich the other person was.

I smiled at the server, taking a glass of champagne, before sipping from the drink, my attention on my old classmates gathered around.

I had no fond memory of schooling with these pompous assholes, and if not for my debt, or loan sharks acting like my shadow, nothing in this life would make me be here, a fake smile blasted on my face, as I made small talk with my bullies.

It was ironic really, I had everything, I was supposed to be better than them, but life had other plans for me, now I was back here, looking for who I could loan from.

What a pitiful existence.

“Welll…., welll, welll. Is that Catherine Price?" a shrill voice cried out behind me.

I clenched my teeth tightly, smiling wide as I turned to face Madison Red, my top bully.

“Hello Madison. It’s so good to see you, how is traveling around the world going?” I asked.

“What can I say, what use is money if it’s not to witness the beauty of this world. And you, what have you been up to? No one’s heard anything about you, frankly speaking I am surprised you decided to attend this reunion, seeing as you ignored the previous invitation.”

Of course, that was what money meant to these people, meanwhile I was still struggling to pay off my debt.

“Oh…, you know business and so on. Matter of fact I came because I have a new business I plan on launching, I need investors. And where would I find the investors I need, if not here, among New York elites.”

Madison, Bree and Sharon laughed, sharing a look among themselves.

I knew that look, it simply meant I needed to prepare for whatever humiliation they decide to put me through, before investing in my fake business, not that they needed to know it was fake.

“Really, I am into the business of investing nowadays, how much are we talking about?” Madison asks, feigning interest.

“About 20,000 dollars.” I told her, my expression calm and indifferent, while my heart was pounding. “I promise you won’t regret investing. Proper research has been made, and with your influence and mine, I promise great interest.”

“Ok, I will invest 40,000 dollars, but under one condition.” Madison says, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Really, Madison I am speechless. What condition would that be?” I asked, praying that it was at least something I could do.

Madison looked around, smiling, before turning to face me. “You see that big glass of champagne at the center of the room, I want you to finish it all. No stopping.”

Sharon and Bree laughed loudly. “Madison, that's harsh, nobody could ever finish that. Let’s just forget this, I heard Calvin sallow is back in town, hopefully he comes to the reunion.”

Madison smirked at me, turning to walk away with Sharon and Bree.

“Wait….,” I cried out.

They turned, a smirk on their face.

“I will do it, and you promise to invest in my business right?”

“Catherine…, I give you my word.” Madison says.

I nodded, looking at the big glass of champagne filled to the brim.

I expected this, I was prepared for something like this.

I wasn’t an alcoholic in fact, I was a lightweight and drinking that much liquor……. Dammm, tonight was going to be a long long night.

I walked towards the center of the room, nervously glancing around as everyone stopped their discussion, looking at me.

I climbed on top of the table, thinking of how best to drink from the big champagne glass. Obviously I couldn’t carry it, which meant I had to dip my head into the glass.

Mutters were already buzzing around, some already laughing.

Fuck you poverty, f**k you loan sharks, f**k this life.

I ducked my head into the cup, drinking the champagne.

I nearly choked, almost drowned which was ridiculous, but through the laughter, the claps, maybe a video or two, I finished the whole glass of champagne.

I screamed loudly, whooping and clapping, before jumping down from the table, walking towards Madison and her minors.

“I did it Maddie.” I screamed out, laughing and also staggering, the alcohol flowing through my body, straight to my brain. “You promised 40,000 dollars.”

Madison laughed, shaking her head.

“I promised a business woman 40,000 dollars, not a con artist. Did you really think we didn’t know you worked as a sales girl in Brownlux shopping mall? Come on, you should be smarter than this.”

“I…, I, please I am sorry, I need this money, Madison please.”

It was pathetic, my begging, while everyone watched.

But I was drunk, desperate and out of options.

“You should have thought of that before lying to me.” Madison spat out.

I knelt down, my hands holding her gown. “Please, my family, please Maddie I really need this money, I am sorry for lying or trying to trick you, but without this money, my family, me, we could be killed. Please…”

“Get up.” A cold calm deep voice rang out behind me, stopping the laughter immediately.

I closed my eyes tight, praying that I was wrong about the voice.

“Calvin…,” Madison cried out, pushing me away. “I didn’t know you were back in town.”

“Now you do.” Calvin spat out.

He walked towards me, dragging me from the floor, snatching my bag up, before dragging me out of the hall.

I didn’t say anything, too embarrassed and drunk out of my mind.

He pushed me roughly into his car, getting into the driver seat, before driving off.

“Do you know how embarrassing it was to see you on your knees, begging for money, at our school reunion for that matter.” Calvin screamed out.

“I don’t see how whatever I do is any of your business. Last I checked, you are no better than Madison or the rest of those assholes. I am sorry my father went bankrupt, I am sorry I don’t have millions of dollars lying around, I am sorry I am nothing but a sales representative with nothing to my name, but most of all I am sorry I know any of you.” I screamed back.

“Catherine, I…”

“I don’t need you Calvin.” I whispered out, "I didn't when you hid the fact we were dating from everyone, or when you broke up with me when I needed you.”

By this time, we were parked in front of a luxurious hotel I knew belonged to Calvin’s dad.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked him, turning towards him.

It’s been 8 years, and he still looked as handsome as ever, still had a way of making my heart beat fast.

“Catherine, can we just go in, have a peaceful talk, I am sorry for everything.”

I laughed coldly, “I don’t need you Calvin, and I know you only want s*x from me, stop involving yourself in my business.” I opened the car door, slamming it hard, almost falling as the world tipped slightly off balance.

“You are drunk Catherine, come in with me.” Calvin insisted.

“No, I don’t need you.” I say, staggering as I tried to walk home.

“Fine, when you are done acting like a b***h, you know where to find me.” He threw a thick envelope at me, before driving off.

I stared at the envelope, at the 100$ note scattered about.

Bending down, I picked them up, shoving the money back into the envelope, before walking.

At one point, I got so tired, I didn’t know where I was, but damn whatever I was laying on was so comfy.

“Alexa what the hell are you doing?” Someone mutters, bending down over me.

“Leave me alone,” I whisper.

“You are laying down on the ground, on the sidewalk, and if not for my guards, I wouldn’t know you were here. I am sorry, I understand you don’t want this marriage, but getting drunk and embarrassing yourself this way isn’t it. Do you know what would happen if the paparazzi got hold of you like this?” The man screams out.

I opened my eyes finally, staring up at the unfamiliar man in front of me.

“I don’t know you, leave me alone, and don’t touch me, I don't want to sleep with you.” I muttered out, rolling on the floor.

“I know what the contract says, I have no intention of sleeping with you either.”

I groaned as I was lifted up, the movement making my stomach protest violently.

I threw up on the man, clutching my stomach as I rained curses on stupid Madison.

I was in and out of consciousness, but that man was always there, apologizing as he changed my clothes, throwing up again, soft hands running through my hair, and most importantly soft deep voice calling me Alexa.

“My name is Catherine, not Alexa.”

That was the last thing I whispered out, before falling into deep, dreamless sleep.