Paid To Love

Episode 40

Paid To Love Episode 40

Victoria's POV

We spent the week devising new ways to make Henry's Dad believe in this little show we were running here. At least it seemed a bit more believable now that my Spanish was getting better, well I call it getting better but honestly I still sucked at it. Every day was just one weird thing or the other and a lot of awkward moments between me and Henry. We went on the usual dates some nights while other times we would both be working. The dates were to keep giving Henry’s dad the impression that we were still together but honestly It slowly felt more personal than that, like at this moment in time I didn’t care about the contract anymore, I went on those dates feeling something for him. Something that no matter how many times I chose not to think about it, it keeps resurfacing.

Henry had become so defensive since his date with that girl Alexa. He didn’t admit it but I could tell he was trying to make it up to me for going on the date and it seemed sweet. Wait why was I think that? It might just be him trying to apologise for disturbing me during work or something. It doesn’t have to be anything romantic.

I came to realise that I might've developed feelings for Henry, I needed to talk about it because my brain felt like it wanted to explode. I had to spill to someone, and Zoey was the person I trusted the most. I told her over the phone expecting her to go all crazy at me for breaking a rule in the contract or for liking a rich guy that paid me to date him but no. Shockingly she said she'd known I'd liked him already. Which didn't even make sense. How did she know so easily? Even before I came to this realisation.

I got off work late and I was headed home In a car Gerald left for me outside the restaurant. I got a text from Henry to get home quickly, seemed like an emergency so I floored it.

I got home as quickly as I could, Henry was already waiting for me with some luggage in front of the T.V,

“Don’t tell me you're throwing me out so soon .”

“No, not that, I actually called you here so urgently because I had a plan that could help me and James kill too birds with one stone.”

Apparently they had this whole plan set up with Zoey this entire time to go on a holiday with James and Henry to Hawaii.

I was taken by surprise but Zoey seemed really excited for the whole journey and it was just so sudden. You see me and Zoey had never really gotten on a plane before and this was so surprising.

We had our bags kept aside ready to board this huge man made structure. I got very nervous and I was giving Zoey the help me look which she knew not to ignore but today she did so anyway because she knew it was just my jitters.

We got aboard and we were directed right into first class. My first time on an airplane and I was sitting first class. They brought in some expensive wine and offered them to us along with some finger food. It was pretty exotic and now I knew the perks of getting rich.

"Over here Victoria," Henry called for me to sit next to him. He stopped at a pair of seats that were almost at the front of the section. "I'll take the window seat. Give me your luggage."

I numbly let him take my carry-ons from me, my eyes trained on the window, taking in how high up we were by just being in the plane. We weren't even in the air yet. I wasn't going to survive this. I was getting a bit jittery and the place felt hot all of a sudden. We hadn’t started flying but I already felt the jet lag.

"Why don't you sit down?" James suggested, gently guiding me into the seat I was standing next to. I did as instructed.

Zoey went to sit next to me and Henry slid his body between her and the seat. She frowned at him and I looked up to see him gesture to the seats on the opposite side of the row.

The plane was about to take off and the pilot gave us a sound warning to get prepared imminent.

James and Zoey were booked next to each other while Henry settled into the seat next to me, looking completely calm and at ease.

"If you're going to throw up please give me a head start warning." Henry announced.

I didn't even have the effort to retort. I closed my eyes, taking slow, deep breaths, trying to keep my heart from exploding. It worked for a little while... all the way up until take off. The engine roared loudly, scaring me half to death.

Then a firm hand grasped my own, scaring me again. I opened my eyes, seeing Henry watching me, eyebrows knit together. I tried to pull my hand back, but he held it tighter. The plane started to move.

I held onto Henry's hand like it was my life support.

I wasn't sure whether it was consciously or subconsciously, but as Henry held my hand, his thumb stroked my skin soothingly. And I didn't want to admit how much it worked. It was enough to distract me from the take off, I closed my eyes and just relaxed.

We landed in Hawaii, I was a much more relaxed and I started to let loose a bit and drop all the jitters.

There were two cars waiting for us when we exited the airport. The longer I was off the plane, the better I felt. Once that first wave of fresh, warm air hit me, I could've cried. My stomach rumbled loudly, proving that I was starting to feel better. I'd barely been able to choke down a chocolate bar on the flight.

Henry waved to one of the drivers, who hastened to gather Henry's luggage, packing it into the trunk of the fancy BMW. Henry then turned to me, adjusting his tie. "Get to bed early tonight, Victoria. James, make sure they eat something before they fall asleep."

James smiled a little. "Sure."

"Very well."

"Wait, where are you going Henry?" I asked as he started to walk away.

He paused. "I have work to do."

"I thought we were here for a random vacation?"

"For you, James, and Zoey, yes. However, I came for work. There have been some problems with the construction of my hotel and I'm here to solve them personally."

I felt faintly disappointed. Henry wouldn't be spending any time with us? Or was it just for today? What work would he be doing at this time? Why did I care so much?

"Sir, you're going to be late," the driver of the BMW spoke up.

"Ah, let's depart then," Henry said, putting a hand up to us in farewell. "Please enjoy your stay."

I pressed my lips together, unused to Henry's formal tone. It was weird. The last time I remembered being around his business-self was when he was trying to get me to sign our contract. Now it felt isolating.

After Henry left, we all piled our luggage into the remaining luxury car, and then piled ourselves into the back seat. We left the airport and I pressed my face against the window, wanting to take in the view. We'd flown in over the ocean, but I'd been too scared to look out the window, so I hadn't taken a good look at it. Now we were headed inland and even though it was almost sundown, I could see mountains looming in the distance. We passed clusters of palm trees, something I'd never thought I would get to see in person. I could see why the place was such a tourist attraction.

"What hotel are we staying at?" Zoey asked, letting out a yawn. "There are only a few on the island."

"We'll be staying at my resort," James answered.

I turned toward him. "Your resort?"

"Yeah. Now I get to show you how impressive I am."

I grinned, rolling my eyes. "Okay, Henry."

He chuckled. "I'm actually surprised Henry wanted to come. I also have a little bit of work to do here and I mentioned it to him and he insisted on coming with me and bringing you and Zoey along."

"Really? Why?"

"Beats me. Usually, he hates travelling for work. Believe it or not, he doesn't enjoy flying either. Since this is his project, I guess he had to come anyway. Might as well all come together."

Henry didn't like flying? Then why did he insist on dragging us here? Was it just for his father or perhaps something more.

"Something tells me he might be trying to make it up to you for the unfortunate date that night," James commented thoughtfully.

"Make what up?"

"So taking you on vacation is his way of an apology."

"Why would he need to make anything up to me? He can go on dates if he felt like. We're not really dating right?," I said, knowing fully well I was just fooling myself.

James and Zoey both watched me with the same expression. I didn't like it.

"In any case, he didn't feel right about it," James told me. "He didn't want to be there. He brought me along to make it seem like less of a date you know, like the time at his hotel.."

I didn't want to admit it, but James's words made my chest feel lighter. Even after speaking to Henry about it and knowing his dad forced it on him, I couldn't shake that feeling of jealousy about it. I was jealous that she was hand picked by Henry’s dad and the fact that she looked better with him, much more beautiful than me.

You're way more beautiful...

I slapped my hands to my cheeks, startling Zoey. She glanced at me and I turned back to the window. Don't think about it, don't think about it, I chanted in my head. My cheeks felt too warm for my liking.