Blind Date
1991 Words
WENDY'S POV
My heartbeat started beating steadily as I spotted my best friend grinning like a sixteen-year-old on prom night, "I come bearing gifts." She sings songs sharing coffee and cookies to my co-workers close to my office, the ones she was familiar with.
"Why didn't you call me?" I asked.
"I was so busy I would have tried to visit but I'm swamped this week, anyway you didn't text me or call me. May I ask why?" She scowled but she still looked pretty with her attractive electric blue eyes and plum baby pink lips.
"Don't just stand there, talk to me" She pouted and I giggled while taking her to my office, "We should discuss in private" I replied and she gasped seeing the paperwork on my desk.
"What the hell Wennie, did you go for a long vacation or something?" She picked up some documents and started going through them. She works in another company as an assistant to her CEO. If I'm being honest I was a bit jealous of her perfect life once upon a time but I snapped out of it. She's not the cause of my problems, I am and I did this to myself.
"No, I just made a lot of excuses these days, and I will be done with them this week" I assured myself when I wasn't even sure of it myself, "It's a lot, I'm going to help you while we talk. We can talk but let's keep our eyes and hands busy okay?" She urged and I nodded grateful to my amazing friend.
"So the excuses? It's because of that sucker right?"
"He has a name Caramel, and yes it's because of him" I replied trying hard to keep my eyes on the files but I felt her gaze on me, "I don't understand why you can't leave this asshole, I can't even look at you, Wendy. Do you know why? Because you don't look like you at all, you look like a miserable empty shell of yourself, all because of what, Him?" She whispered and I sighed deeply.
"Do you love him?" She asked with her hands on her hips, breaking her own rules. I ignored that question because I stopped believing in that s**t a long time ago, it's just bullshit and fake.
"I don't and I don't believe in love Cara, it's bullshit" I confessed and she scoffed.
"Are you for real right now? You are gorgeous and there are men out there who will worship you if they are given the chance. You can't give up because of that jerk" She probed but I ignored her.
My heart is already broken and I wouldn't want to let anyone in again just so they can repeat history,
“Dump him, he cheats on you and brings different girls home and that is so disrespectful," She said, her voice laced with anger and hatred.
"I know but he threatened to kill me if I leave him" I blurted out before I could stop myself, her eyes widened as she realized I hid this from her, "Oh my God! Go to the police then" She grabbed my hand.
"I already did, they didn't pay me any attention, "it takes two sessions with a counselor and your relationship will be perfect again" That was what they said to me, Caramel scoffed, staring at the desk. I know the gears in her head were twisting as she was left in her thoughts. “Don't worry about it, let's get to work for now” I mumbled.
The paperwork was almost finished by the time we were done and we left for a restaurant around the corner for lunch.
"Here is what we will do, you are gonna get a fake boyfriend, a hot strong man that will protect you, and make you safe so you won't have to bother about Nate. You will be paying him for his services of course, so what do you think?" She asked, taking a huge bite of the strawberry muffin.
"I think you are crazy, what is this Hollywood? How do I find a single man willing to waste his time like that?" I scoffed at her absurd suggestion.
"Well I can hook you up, you need this Wendy don't pretend like everything is fine. So is it a yes?" She smiled and I rolled my eyes.
"Let me think about it" I replied and she nodded. I was happy she didn't press on the issue, I do need it but it feels so stupid like those things in movies and books. This is reality. What if my fake boyfriend is worse than Nate?
"Don't get obsessed, try not to overthink Wen" She gave me a look of caution and I sighed, she knows me too well and I stopped like she said.
She left and I went back to work getting lost in papers and calls. I left when I was done and by the time I got home a surprise was waiting for me. Nate sprang up from the couch when I walked in, he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug and I winced.
"There she is, my lovely girlfriend" He praised and I shuddered, refraining from his embrace, "Are you okay?" I asked and he lovingly kissed my forehead.
"I got a lead role, everything is going to go back to normal now, we won't have to worry about anything again baby, you can even quit your job and rest at home"
No thanks.
I refuse to become a full-time housemaid, "Ohh that's good news, you should celebrate" I replied putting my bag on the couch, "You mean we should celebrate, what? You didn't want me to get back on track?" His tone is changing fast and I need to deflect.
"I'm happy but too tired, maybe we should order takeouts tonight" I forced a smile and he grinned helping me take off my jacket, my heart was in my throat when he brushed his thumb on my lips.
"This looks better with a cut"
I gasped and stepped away from him while he chuckled. I took my jacket and purse before leaving for the bedroom. He didn't follow me and I was grateful for that, I'm not his toy and he shouldn't treat me like one.
I took a hot shower before washing my hair, then I brushed my teeth, staring at my reflection I sighed, then started brushing my lips with the toothbrush when I remembered how he touched them.
I ordered food and pizza before putting on my pajamas then I left the room.
I wasn't surprised to see a blonde girl giggling at whatever he was saying to her, I scoffed because he lied about changing a few moments later he went back to being a jerk.
I ignored them as the doorbell rang, I went to take my delivery before leaving for the bedroom.
I was working on my laptop when the door creaked open and I shut my laptop when he walked in, "Are you done celebrating?" I mocked and he scoffed.
"Don't be ridiculous, you didn't share the same enthusiasm as me when I told you the good news, you enjoyed being in control of everything right" He indicated and I just couldn't believe this i***t.
"Are you for real? You keep treating me like s**t and it's my fault! I can't do this anymore, I can't!" I yelled, getting on my feet as he stalked towards me.
"You weren't happy about my success from the beginning, don't pretend you didn't enjoy me being miserable" He went on and on about how I ignored his s****l advances and how I didn't care about him.
"Wow you are a jerk, not only a jerk but an asshole, who is too weak to own up to his mistakes and I deserve better than you" A hard palm came in contact with my face, and I felt a sharp painful sting on my left cheek.
"Shut up!" He snarled and I chuckled when I tasted a metallic flavor I'm familiar with inside my mouth.
"This is your problem, you keep making me do this. I love you Wendy and I have never for once lied about it, I didn't mean to hurt you but you keep pushing me. My father was abusive and I hated how he treated my mother. I swore never to be like him but you keep driving me crazy" He groaned and tried to touch me but I moved backward, he sighed and left the room it was obvious he was going to celebrate with the blondie.
I dialed the number I could only think of right now, "Hello Cara, I thought about what you said, can I meet him tomorrow?"
So here I am walking towards the cafe I'm supposed to meet with my fake boyfriend/date, wearing a cute sundress and light makeup. I don't want him to see the red handprint on my face.
I entered the cafe and looked around before taking my phone from my purse to call him, then I spotted a handsome man in a white button-down shirt with brown khaki slacks.
Is that him?
I walked towards the table cursing myself for not dressing formally, Caramel recommended a sundress saying it was cute and feminine.
"Hi, I'm so sorry I'm late I didn't know you were already here" I took a seat and he lifted his gaze from his phone.
I instantly panicked, what the hell is Caramel doing?
This man is ten times more handsome than Nate and he must have a woman in his life, he looks like he just jumped out of those magazines and billboards.
Aquamarine green eyes and high cheekbones with a chiseled jawline, he is so good-looking I didn't realize I was ogling.
"It's nice weather, right? Beautiful day" I started and he raised an eyebrow, perhaps silently asking what I was doing here, "Who are you? And what are you doing here?" He asks with furrowed brows, not a talker, got it.
So I went straight to business.
"Wendy, Wendy Campbell" I introduced myself and cleared my throat, so much for acting cool this is awkward.
"Hayes" He replied in a flat tone, his voice sounded deep and velvety, he didn't give me his last name and I just know he is a man of few words.
"Okay Hayes, do you know why you are here? " I asked and I could have sworn he smirked, but it was gone in a blink before I could confirm.
"No, Can you tell me? " He dropped his phone on the table and leaned back into his chair staring at me with a look of interest. Great, I just hope I don't stutter like an i***t.
"You are here for the job of a fake boyfriend, my friend told you some things but I will elaborate," I said and he furrowed his brow again in confusion I think.
"I will pay you a thousand for every time we spend together, there isn't going to be any intimate play just to stay by my side, Mr. Hayes I want you to think about it before you accept and I know you are curious but I will tell you the reasons why I need you after you accept"
Call me desperate but this man is a lot more muscular and taller than Nate and his face alone would make Nate leave, he doesn't hold a candle to him in the department of looks.
He folded his hand on his chest and sighed looking outside the glass frame as pedestrians walked to and fro. I thought he was going to reject me for a minute there, then he looked around like he was certain someone was watching before his eyes found mine again.
"I accept"
And that was all I wanted to hear.
- Writer
