Compulsion

Four

I sat across from Cara Delarosa, she had long pristine blonde hair that was so perfect I don't think that even wind could mess it up. She wore a dark blue silk blouse that made her nearly white hair stand out ever more. She had a black pencil skirt and point toe black heels. She sat with perfect posture as she eyed her menu.

I couldn't top staring at her, she was beautiful, and she spent hours at a time with Logan as of last week. His publicist, but the green monster in me clocked her as his side piece. She's extremely beautiful, elegant and graceful. Plus, I doubt she had any of the baggage that I carried. I wanted so bad to hate her, but I couldn't find it in myself.

"I think I'll have the avocado-bacon salad. It sounds so good and I haven't eaten since breakfast." Cara laughs loudly, it echoed through the brightly lit dining area. We sat by the windows and most of the walls were windows with large chandeliers that reflected the sunlight.

It was a rare day where the sun was brimming with light and illuminating every fit of space it could. I smiled softly, not thinking anything she had said was funny. I looked back at my menu not reading the words. I couldn't focus when this woman was smiling so proudly at me.

"Do you know what you're having yet?" She asked.

I say my menu down, "Wine."

"Wine?" She chuckles, "It's hardly two!"

"Well, my day has felt like it's been going on forever." I mumbled with a fake smile.

She smiles back at me and sips her water, "Logan said you wanted to speak with me, tell you about our plans for the near future?" Cara asked.

'Our plans.'

"Well since I work for Logan, I technically work for you as well since you're his soon to be bride." Cara gives me a smile, showing off her perfectly veneered teeth. Then, to my own surprise she pulls out a folder that matched her outfit.

"I have drafted a plan over the next few months leading up to your wedding."

"I actually want my wedding to be private." I said to her, hoping she would put the folder away. She didn't.

"Yes, of course it'll be whatever you want it to be, but this wedding is going to be amazing for Logan's business. By inviting all the men in charge Logan can network at the reception party. Nothing makes people more compliance than a wedding party." Cara's smile brightened.

"You're using my wedding as an opportunity to network?" I questioned. I wanted to make sure I understood what she was saying and not interrupting anything wrong here.

"Well, all of the big people do it, it's one of the best opportunity, all the people with the heavier wallets are feeling more amorous, love is in the air whether it be real or fake." Cara explained, "We could have good press from it, people can see that your husband is making big moves in his life and feel the need to research on him, he could have big investors. While his company is comfortable, its new. It won't last unless we are constantly putting his name out there.

"What would all of that entail? I am never a fan of public press." I answered. I had to keep an open mind because as much as I didn't like it, Cara was right. This would be amazing for Logan, and I had to start putting him first. He was going to be my husband, and once you become married everything can't be about you.

"Of course, I would never make you uncomfortable. I know some very noninvasive press, you wouldn't even know they are at your wedding. There won't be any question or interviews." Cara promised.

"I'm not talking about at the wedding. I have press hounding me while I'm taking out the trash, that is the sort of press I'm not in the mood to entertain." I clarified.

Before Cara could respond, our waiter returned and places my glass down in front of me, filling it modestly. I gave him a 'keep it coming' look and he obeyed, filling it nearly to the brim.

"Can I get you anything else, ma'am?" he asked with a polite smile.

"No thank you." I smiled kindly at him, and before he could be two feet away Cara began speaking.

"We can start small with a photo shoot for your engagement. Noninvasive press can take place at Logan's grand opening where only a few questions will be answered, and I can put you on a proper security detail." Cara ran on and on with her plans and all the intricate details on how it would all work perfectly.

Logan sat down with her, he probably had heard this all before but to calm my own insecurities he set up this meeting with her to prove that she was only just his publicist. From the corner of my eye I could see a pap standing outside of the window with his camera flashing photos of us with no regard to our privacy.

"While the details may be a lot to take in, me and Logan discussed this to make sure every detail was meticulously designed to protect you and better him rather than vice versa." Cara said with a smile, "Mr. Chase really does love you."

I fought my instinct to smile, "Yes, I know he does."

Over the next hour Cara and I's conversation changed from talking about business to more of getting to know each other. I learned that she was raised in Tennessee and her while she was meticulously groomed, she played rougher than any men I knew.

She went to school in Virginia for philosophy, but she quickly realized how broke she would be. We related a lot with each other on working with terrible men in the past and just exhausting relationships. Cara was actually extremely funny once she got off her high horse of trying to impress me. I wonder what Logan had said to her to make her clean up so nice.

All of it was completely forgone, she had put her hair up into a bun claiming that wine always made her neck hot. Her extremely high heels were taken off and placed next to the table. Our waiter knew to keep our glasses full and he did so obediently.

Now we were sitting loudly in the building, our laughter echoed from the chandelier. I had forgotten how it felt to actually have a female friend to talk with. Yes, she is employed under our name, but Cara was a friend. All of my insecurities and worries were suddenly a non-factor.

"Oh my god, we have really been sitting here for two hours talking about I don't even know what! I have two other meetings and I'm one sheet in the wind right now!" Cara exclaims and all I could do was laugh even harder.

"Luckily, I have no more appointments for the rest of the night, I am just going to go ahead and go home and respectfully go to sleep before I catch a fine."

"Oh, please do! That would be an amazing payday for me. The damage control fees would be iconic." Cara teased.

I stood and as soon as I regained my balance I decided an Uber would be my best bet for today. I'm sure Logan would grab my car for me. My Uber had arrived after a mere six minutes and I had climbed into the car.

When I got home my tipsy haze couldn't even be bothered to hang of my jacket or set my keys down properly. In all of my clamor, Logan rushed out from the kitchen and began smiling when he saw me.

"I take it you and Cara have hit it off, now you see why the paparazzi thought we were so friendly." Logan smiled picking up my jacket.

"The next scandal will be her and I are eloping in Vegas and leaving you with the check." I teased.

"How many glasses have you had?" Logan asked while hanging up my belongings. The place smells like lemon cleaned and it damn near sparkled.

"I have no idea." I admit, "I left my car at the restaurant, I was hoping you'd be a gentleman and pick it up for me."

"Of course, I would." Logan wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me over to the couch, "I had a surprise for you, but I don't want to give it to you while you're drunk."

"You can at least tell me." I pout.

"It wouldn't even be a surprise if that's how we did it." Logan said while pulling me closer to him.

"Do I at least get a hint?" I asked, "I mean I am not even that drunk. I am tipsy at the most. Which means I'm one hundred perfect conscious of things that are happening, I just can't walk properly."

Logan chuckled and stood, "Then I'll carry you." Without a moment’s hesitation Logan lifted me in his arms and carried me towards the door, grabbing the keys and keeping it moving. I wasn't wearing any shoes or a jacket and all I could do is laugh.

"I'm not wearing shoes!" I exclaimed as he stepped into the elevator.

"You don't need shoes, milady. Just hold still." I could feel his laughter through my whole body. Logan gently set me in his Range Rover, one of his larger vehicles and jogged over to the driver side and I laughed the entire time. I could think about was how heavy the wine was in my stomach.

Before we left the parking garage I had already fallen asleep and I wasn't woken up until I felt Logan lifting me again. "What are you doing?" I murmured.

"Open your eyes." Logan said.

"I don't want to." I mumbled, "I just want to sleep now."

Logan set me down, forcing me to stand. My eyes opened, and I was shocked to see a large Victorian style house that was a little more than run down. The paint was peeling, and windows were boarded up. I could hear the sound of water rushing behind the house and I could see a wildly untamed lawn.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Our home together." Logan smiled, and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you sure? It looks unlivable." I mumbled.

"Of course, the house was built in 1906 and hasn't been lived in since the fifties."

"I can tell." I mumbled to myself.

"It's huge, eventually we will start building a family and we can’t raise them in our penthouse. No one knows about it so no press, it can be our private haven when the city life gets hectic." Logan said with a smile and suddenly my heart melted. He knew how I felt about the city, so he bought this house to make me feel better.

"I want us to fix it up, not any contractors or anything like that. This home will be one hundred percent ours. Plus, I know one hell of a decorator." Logan teased nudging me, "So, what do you think?" Logan asked.

I turn to him and smile, "I love it."