The Rebound

The Deal

Tiana

The next day I woke up early to get dressed. After our last meeting, I wanted to make sure Bryce Andrews remembered why he picked me up that night from the bar.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror with a satisfying smile. It’s been a long time since I fixed up myself this much. I guess I’ve been so used to being with Bryan, that I never really took time to dress up for him. Besides, we never really went anywhere fancy. Occasionally, we'd catch a movie or go to the beach. But we normally just hung out here or at his place. 

I wore my long brown hair down... curling the ends. Given that it was an early meeting, I only put on light make-up... making sure to cover any traces of my crying fest. I chose a sleeveless skin-toned dressed that hugged my curves at the right places. The hem of the dress ended just right above my knee. I paired it off with a pair of brown weave wedge sandals.

Kylie knocks on my door. “Ti! Your ride is here.”

Her mouth drops as she pops the door open. “I thought we were just joking about round 2.” She giggles.

“We are." I chuckled. "Wish me luck. I’m off to get divorced.” 

“Not sure if Mr. Bryce Andrews would like to divorce your ass looking like that, Mrs. Andrews.” Kylie teased.

I laugh. “Who are we kidding, Ky? It’s THE Bryce Andrews.” I roll my eyes at her.

She grabs my hand and says, “Well, you look hot, babe. Not even THE Bryce Andrews can deny that.” 

“Thanks babe. See you later.” I give her a peck on the cheek before I head to the door.

I thought we were going to meet at his place again. But Michael was driving towards downtown LA instead of Beverly Hills.

“We’re not meeting at his place?” I asked Michael.

“Mr. Andrews is expecting you at his office, Ms. Walsh.” He politely replies.

“Oh.” I was a little disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing his beautiful home again.

It wasn’t long before we reached the skyscraping towers of Andrews Estate. The architecture of the building was impeccable, as expected. Andrews Estate was the biggest real estate developer in the whole of California. They specialized in developing high-end communities for the rich and famous.  

Michael escorted me past the security check and reception. We went straight to the elevator - which I assumed was Bryce’s private one. People were giving me weird and gossipy stares the moment I entered the lobby escorted by Michael. I thought…so, this is how it feels like to be Mrs. Bryce Andrews... or at least as the woman they’re all assuming he’s f*****g right now. Thankfully, I’m dressed the part now. I couldn’t imagine if we met here the first time and I was in my hoodie and leggings.

When we reached the topmost floor, Michael leads me through a hallway filled with photos of the various projects of Andrews Estates on one side. And on the other side were the various awards they received throughout the years. From what I know, Andrews Estates was established by Bryce’s grandfather and was later on passed on to Bryce's father. When Bryce graduated University, his father passed on the company to him. But they say that it was only when Bryce took over that the company grew into what it is now. Oddly enough, I felt a weird sense of pride knowing that. Haha. Who am I kidding? It’s not like he’s really my husband or anything. 

“Ms. Walsh. Mr. Andrews is expecting you. Please go in.” A tall, beautiful blonde girl says as she smiled at me. His sexy secretary… so cliché.

“Good Morning, my husband!” I chuckled as I entered his office. I was nervous as heck. I’m not sure if it was the impending divorce or the mere presence of Bryce just intimidated me. I tried to joke around to try and make light of the situation. That’s why I normally do to feign confidence.

Bryce looks up from whatever he was working on his desk and I catch him eyeing me up and down. A small smile forming across his lips. He likes what he sees. Not that it would change anything. But c’mon... he’s Bryce Andrews. If Bryce Andrews finds me hot, that’s a sure confidence booster. And after what happened over the weekend, this girl's confidence definitely needs a boost!

He looks at me straight in the eyes and smirks. “Now... I do remember checking you out at the bar.”

“So... Bryce Andrews was checking me out.” I giggled.

“I did more than check you out. Obviously. I even married you.” He teases.

Man. This guy is just gorgeous. When he smiles, his eyes - which are usually a darkened shade of blue, turns to a light shade of blue green. His smile also reveals a pair of small dimples right at the corner of his lips. Oh  and those kissable lips. I find myself biting my lower lip just thinking about what it feels like to be kissing those lips.

“Don’t do that.” He smirks, breaking my trance.

“Do what?” I say, as I unconsciously run my tongue across my lips.

“That Tatiana. Your tongue. And what you do with your lips.” He says as he moves out from behind his desk and gestures the both of us to the sitting area. “We might not get to what we’re supposed to be doing right now.” He teases.

I chuckled as I took the seat across from him. The stoic expression he normally carries is back on his face as he lays out three sets of documents in the table in front of me.

“These here are the divorce papers. The lawyer has marked the areas in which you need to sign. It’s plain and simple. We both gain nothing. And we both lose nothing from this divorce. The second set of papers is a non-disclosure agreement. Just as we discussed last time, this incident is just between us. It also stipulates that we would have nothing to do with each other after all of this.  And third.. although the divorce papers did not include a settlement. I wanted to compensate you for all the trouble…” He smiles as he adds. “…and for that black underwear that I tore apart.”

I grab the settlement document first and read through it. I really didn't expect anything from him.

“Really Bryce… a million dollars for a piece of underwear?” I chuckled. "Thank you. But I don’t need your money. You don’t have to pay for my silence. I’m not a hooker. Although I don’t remember anything... I’m pretty sure it was consensual s*x. This was never about money. I hope you know that.” I say as I rip the settlement document apart.

He nods and a small smile appears on his face. I know that he knew that I wasn’t after his money. I’m assuming his lawyers put him up to this. 

“Well then, please feel free to read through them. Excuse me, as I have to take this call.” He enters another door in his office as he answers his ringing phone.

I go through the divorce papers and the non-disclosure agreement. Bryce was right. They were pretty straightforward. We divorce with nothing to gain and nothing to lose… well, maybe except the fact that I always thought I’d be married once and it would be forever. I guess it’s too late for that now.

I read everything and I sign the papers. Brycé's signature was already on both sets of papers.

I am now officially Tatiana Walsh, divorcee.

After a few minutes, Bryce enters his office again and he’s looking at me.

“I signed the papers already, Bryce. It was nice knowing you. I guess this is goodbye.” I stood up and reached out my hand to him.

He doesn't take my hand and continues to stare at me.

“Okay. No handshakes then.” I say as I retract my hands and grab my purse ready to head out the door. “Please just send me a copy of the papers. Goodbye, Mr. Andrews.”

“Tatiana, would you like to have dinner with me?” He blurts out.

“What happened to not having to do anything with each other after we signed the papers, Bryce?” I arched my eyes curiously at him as I turned around to face him.

“I know, Tatiana. But this is just a one-time thing. Sorry, I just really need your help.” He looks at me intently.

I raise my eyebrows at him, urging him to continue.

“You see, that phone call, was from a very important client. It’s his wife’s birthday tonight. He invited me and asked me to bring a date. Normally, I wouldn’t mind going alone. But I know how much he values marriage, companionship and all of those things. So if you could just help me out… just this once.“ He explains.

“Why me? I’m sure you have a handful of girls that you could take.” I quipped.

“You’re different, Tatiana. You’re beautiful, decent, witty and intelligent. You’d be the perfect….”

“Trophy wife?” I interjected.

“No. You don’t have to go as my wife. Just as my amazing date.” He smiles.

I arch my eyebrows at him. “Thanks for the flattering words, Bryce. But you don’t even know me.”

He puts his hand on my shoulder as he says, “I can read people well, Tatiana. That’s how I was able to grow this business. And I can tell that you’re a good person."

“Thanks Bryce, I think. But if I go with you, what do I get out of this?” I ask.

“Dinner? A dress? What do you want, Tatiana?” 

He's really serious about this. I take a few minutes to think. Right.. That would be perfect.

“I’ll go to this dinner with you. But you’ll have to attend my best friend’s wedding next weekend as my date. Deal?” I said excitedly.

“Why? I have to know why.” 

“Remember the boyfriend that cheated on me? He’s the best man. And the girl he f****d in Vegas is one of the bridesmaids. I’m the maid of honor. Of course, I can’t go there alone.” I explained.

“But what were you planning to do if I didn’t ask you to the dinner tonight seeing as you were just about to leave after signing the divorce papers?” He asks.

“I didn’t have a plan yet. But thanks to you, I do now.” I smile at him. “So is it a deal?”

He looks at me intently as it takes a few minutes for him to decide. “Okay, deal.”

We shake hands. I know it’s crazy. But I can’t wait to see Valerie and Bryan’s face when they see Bryce. Oh right, I have to call Kylie to tell her that I now have a plus one.

“What do I need to wear for tonight?” I ask Bryce.

“I’ll have Michael pick you up at around 4 in the afternoon. He’ll take you to this dress shop. You can pick whatever you want to wear. And there’s a salon that a friend of mine owns right beside it. You can have your hair and make-up done there too. I'll book an appointment for you.”

Right. Of course. Typical rich, playboy moves. I wondered how many girls he’s already sent to that dress shop and salon.

“Okay... I’ll see you tonight, Bryce.”

“See you. I’ll pick you up at 6 pm from the salon.” He smiles. “And Tatiana, thank you!”

I smile at him as I leave the office. Michael wanted to take me back home, but I insisted on taking a cab. I had to talk to Kylie immediately. And I really couldn’t do that with Michael in the car.

“Ky!” I say as she answered the phone.

“How’s the ex-Mrs. Bryce Andrews?” She chuckles.

“Well, we signed the papers.” I tell her. “But that’s not important right now. I’m going out with him tonight.”

“Wait what? Details, Ti. Details.” I could feel the excitement in Kylie’s voice.

“Well, he needed a date for one of his business events and he asked me.” I said nonchalantly.

“Andddddd?” I’m pretty sure Kylie could sense that I was hiding something from her…. And she was getting impatient.

“I said yes. And in return, he’s going with me to your wedding.” I tried to sound as casual as possible.

The phone was silent for a whole minute.

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!” Kylie shrieks. “Oh my God, Ti. Oh my God!”

“Is it okay that I bring him to the wedding, Ky?”

“Of course, yes! I cannot wait to see the look on Bryan’s and Valerie’s faces when they see that Bryce Andrews is your date. You never disappoint, Tiana. You never do.” Kylie gloats.

I chuckled. I tell her about the plans for tonight. We giggle together as she reminds me to wear sexy underwear just in case round 2 was on the table. I told her I doubted it. But I heeded her advice anyway as I was preparing myself in the afternoon.