Faking It Till Forever

Chapter Eighteen

CHARLOTTE

“Vodka please” I lean on the bar counter with a smile at the bartender. I sit on the stool blowing my hair off my vision and looking at the grand hall. We’ve been at this fundraiser event for two hours now.

I don’t think this event is to save dolphins but for the rich and bougie to flaunt their riches. On the elevator, Andrew gave me his suit because of how my skin is exposed. He tried adding me in the conversation of the rich but it just felt out of place.

Everyone and their mum’s were shocked that Andrew has a girlfriend which got me asking…who is Andrew?

“Here you go” the bartender named Sam smiled at me after dropping the drink. I nod at him and swirling the drink in my hand. I do not intend on taking it because I do not want to make fun of myself.

“What an event” I look to the guy sitting next to me. He looks short yet broad and looks to be in his early 50s. he orders his drinks before giving me his hand. “Hi, my name is marcus”

“Pleasure to meet your acquaintance marcus” I drop my drink giving him my attention.

“The pleasure is all mine. How do you find this event?”

“Boring” I cover my mouth wishing I could bring back my words. He chuckles sipping his whiskey. “It is boring, so you need not worry yourself” I visibly relax and take in my environment.

“I don’t mean boring in that manner, I just find it weird that it’s a fundraiser event and I could bet my last card that they are talking of anything but the dolphins” he looks at me with a glint in his eyes.

“I already like you” he clinks his glass with mine. We chatted about everything—turns out he’s a sailor and he has a daughter named lola. We talked about profession, I opened up to him about my issues with work and he was very kind about it.

“How about this…try something that makes you you, something that defines you like no other.” He suggests with a smile before picking a card and extending it to me. “If you do know what you want to do, give me a call.

I collect the card with a thank you. We continue gisting until I felt a very cold and looming presence. I turn around finding non other than the one and only Andrew—staring hot daggers on marcus.

He then turns his attention to me with a forced smile. “I’ve been looking for you” I roll my eyes before looking at marcus. “Well, you were too busy talking to your people and I needed a drink” marcus chuckles masking it with a cough.

“If you’ll excuse me, I would like to dance with my girlfriend” he didn’t wait for marcus answer just dragged me to the dance floor. “That was rude, I didn’t even get to say goodbye” I retort with a pout, his eyes lingers there before gripping my waist and pulling my body plush against him.

“I don’t care, you’re not allowed to speak to any guy mio gattino” he whispers in my ear after tucking my hair behind my ear. A shiver runs through me before he released a satisfactory smirk and swaying to the music.

He must think I’ll listen to everything he says, no question asked. Well he’s in for a surprise. “You don’t even know me and you’re already ordering me around. Classic.” His hand flex on my low back before dangerously going down and resting on my top arse.

It’s not too inappropriate for people to think he’s being vulgar in public, but also inappropriate enough for me to know who’s in control. “I know everything about you” he grazes his pinky on my butt. He wants me to give up and just dance. Over my dead long-haired body.

I raise my head and fixing my posture, I hold his hand and push it to grip my butt. “I’m all ears drew” he raises his brows squeezing my butt cheek in warning but I’m not backing down. From the way he sigh shaking his head—muttering Italian, I’ve won.

“I know you love singing, dancing and cooking, I know you hate the darkness, your favourite food is trifle even though it’s not a food. You love your hair so much because it reminds you of your mum, you’re five feet three, favourite color’s pink, your favourite quote is ‘soft heart, strong soul’. You act soft, innocent and dainty when in reality; you’re way more tough than all your friends combined. You hate hanging around a lot of people because it triggers something. Whenever you’re alone or think you are, you always look behind you with fear. Have I covered enough or should I keep going?”

I look at him, like really look at him. I though that all these time ive carefully hidden the part I don’t want him to see again, but Andrew unravel me in the span of one week. “Youre just listing my likes and dislikes. What about what I need?” I nod my head still not reaching his height.

“Love” everything in me freezes, my blood turns cold. “You need love to validate that you are indeed lovable after your ex’s” I push him away not caring about the people looking at me like I’ve grown ten heads.

I rush out picking up my purse and stopping a taxi to take me home. f**k Andrew and his fake dating.