Paid To Love

Episode 14

Paid To Love EPISODE 14

Victoria's POV

“I said that you should come to my house because no one mentioned seeing us last night to my father.”

His house? Oh man, I was curious to see what type of mansion he lived in. He probably had security at the front gate. But it was part of my job so it wasn’t like I could say no to him, especially after last night. Maybe he lived more modestly and I wouldn’t feel too out of place. Or, even better, maybe he had a hot tub. A hot tub would be worth it. “I’ll come over, but if you want your dad to know so bad why don’t you just tell him?”

“Because he won’t believe me if I tell him I have a girlfriend right now. And even if he did, he’d want to meet you and then he’d know something was up immediately, as I’ve said,” he explained then he sucked in a quick breath of air. “That wasn’t meant to be condescending.”

I nodded my head appreciatively. So, he was taking my words to heart. Good. “It doesn’t really make sense to me, but sure.”

“I know what I’m doing doesn’t make very much sense to you, but I know what I’m doing. We have to put off meeting my dad until he genuinely thinks I’m interested in you and that’s when we’ll go and meet him.”

“And going over to your house helps this how?”

“I don’t let people over to my house,” he told me. “Aside from James. If I have you over, he will definitely think something is serious between us.”

That sounded sketchy. “Why doesn’t anyone go to your house?”

“That’s...” he trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.

I wondered if it was something private I shouldn’t have asked about. “Well, actually I feel that way about my house too. So, I guess I should feel honoured to be allowed to visit your mansion— house, I mean.”

“I will see you at six then.”

“I’ll drive there. What’s the address?”

“I’ll pick you up,” he responded.

I pursed my lips. I was a capable person. “Why? I can drive there. Don’t waste your gas.”

“Your car will give away your social status.”

I narrowed my eyes but couldn’t say anything. He was right – my car was pretty darn beat up – but I still couldn’t help feeling a bit insulted.

“No offense,” he added after a moment.

He was learning, albeit slowly.

“Fine,” I agreed in a mumble.

“See you then,” he said and promptly hung up.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and scowled. “Dude sucks at goodbyes.”

Zoey patted my shoulder. “Sounds rough. So what did he want? A hot hook-up?”

“I’m going over to his house, I guess.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Wait, it is a hook-up? I was just joking!”

“No,” I said, waving my hand. “He’s weird. I don’t really know. I feel like he’s afraid of his dad or something, but isn’t he kind of old for that? I wonder what kind of person he is.” I wondered if I should be afraid of the kind of person he is. Anyone who looked down on the lesser fortunate couldn’t really receive any respect from me and judging by Henry, his dad couldn’t be too different about it. He was probably worse after all the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

“You think he has a Hot Tub?” Zoey asked.

I broke out of my reverie and grinned. I knew there was a reason for Zoey being my best friend, aside from the fact I didn’t have any other friends, but the connection we shared was out of the ordinary. “I guess we’ll find out.”

I went back home after my shift, my head still aching but at least not as bad as this morning, i decided a shower would relax me and after showering, I was once again facing the dilemma that all my clothing was old and baggy. I debated wearing the dress I’d worn last night but didn’t want to wear dirty clothing. Which left me with a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt, my usual attire. I didn’t think it mattered this time since I was just going to his house— it wasn’t like I was meeting anyone. Hopefully.

The minute I saw a car pull down my street I rushed out of my apartment and locked it behind me. As I hurried down the stairs I looked at the apartment below me and was surprised to see a couple of squatters hanging out instead of the usual woman. A couple of them stared at me and a couple waved and I waved back a little awkwardly. One squatter was fine but now it seems like they brought their entire family, five really? Our landlord was going to notice eventually. And I wasn’t sure how comfortable I felt with all the locks in this place being old and rusted, i literally pushed my locked door open today...

Shaking my head, I exited the main door. I’d figure that out later.

I headed over to Henry’s black BMW and slipped into the passenger’s side. “Hi,” I greeted him. I noticed that he was dressed in a black tracksuit, it seemed a little casual for him but at least it made my jeans and top seem ok. Must be a holiday or something.

He turned to me, frowning. “Aren’t you afraid?”

“Of what?”

“I don’t know, Diseases or Robbers or worse.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “I’ve been living here for a while and I’m okay so I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Henry seemed disturbed. “If you say so.”

“Where do you live? I need an address to give Zoey in case you decide to kidnap and rob me.”

“Cute,” he said and pulled into the street.

“I live close by.”

Close by? What was his idea of close by? Because he drove everywhere he seemed to think everywhere was close by, i had to take the bus or subway because my car wasn’t meant for long distance, the old thing could die . Hopefully, I wouldn’t be in the car with him for a long period of time again.

“Don’t get offended,” Henry started and I braced myself, “but do you not have a sense of style or can you just not afford one?”

I shrugged. He got me there. My clothing sucked. Even I knew that. “A little of both, but in my defence my sense of style is expensive.”

“If I give you extra money would you consider it charity?”

“Most likely. I wouldn’t accept it.”

He nodded. “I figured you wouldn’t. Even though you’re working for me so I’m just paying you for services.”

I cringed. “Can you not say it like that? You make me sound like a prostitute. Being paid to date you is bad enough.”

“If it’s benefiting both of us, I don’t see much wrong with it . ”

“Oh Please ” I interjected. I did not want to think about the services i was offering. It sounded weird in my head. “I can buy some stuff with the money you already gave me, don’t worry. I won’t buy it from a Thrift shop either.” Maybe I’d check out a big mall somewhere in town or i might order it on the express. I usually liked online shopping but I couldn’t afford it. To Henry, they were probably cheap though. But whatever. He didn’t have to know where I bought it from as long as it looked good.

“My Dad will most likely call if he sees us on the camera entering my house, so don’t enter till i give you a signal.”

I expected more information than that and i waited for him to elaborate but he didn’t, I turned toward him and furrowed my eyebrows. “Okay and that’s not supposed to sound weird? Why is she watching the cameras at your house? Is it your house or he house?”

“It’s my house,” he said, sounding a little offended. “I paid for it myself. But he is a very stern man and he can get whatever he wants including my security footage.”

“Why is he invading your privacy like that?”

“He makes a living out of doing that, he’s done it my whole life. That’s why I need you. He controls so much of my life I don’t want him controlling my love life too.”

I nodded because that was understandable. “You know you could just say no right, what’s the worst he could do? Spank you?”

Henry’s let out a little smile almost like he found what I said funny. “Let’s just say he’s very meticulous, He has ways of making me do what he wants. Right now, he's genius strategy is taking away my house and my car.”

“I thought you said you own all of these, if the house and the cars are yours. He can’t take them. If he does, call the cops and report him.”

He smirked again.

“You haven’t met my dad,” he responded, letting out a dry chuckle. “He can and will do whatever he wants. He still owns the Davies Industries and all our malls, restaurants and hotels. I could be cut off and kicked out.”

“Yeah and then you’d have to do what everyone else has to do and work their way into a good position in the world,” I retorted. Henry’s faced fell flat and I grimaced inwardly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

He shook his head. “No worries. I say many things I shouldn’t to you as well. We’ll both try our best.”

“I just can’t comprehend it,” I told him. “How old are you again? Thirty?”

“I’m twenty-five,” he muttered. “I don’t even look close to thirty.”

I shrugged and he narrowed his eyes. “Still. You’re an adult, He shouldn’t be interfering.”

“That’s what I’ve been fighting for my whole life.”

“You’re scared to the bones aren’t you. You’re afraid of him, aren’t you? Either that or of becoming penniless. Actually, I’m going to go with both.”

Henry glanced at me, his expression a little taken aback. “Are you still getting back at me from last night?”

I smiled a little. “No, I’m just being blunt this time.”

“Well, I’m not afraid of becoming poor. I’ve been working in the family business since I was sixteen and I know how to save and invest money.”

I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. “You’ve worked at your dad's company since you were fifteen?”

He nodded. “My father made me do odd jobs to learn more about the company. Although to this day I don’t understand how mopping the floors and washing dishes could make me a better CEO. Or was he just punishing me?.”

“Understanding the workers?” I guessed. It was weird to imagine Henry doing menial jobs like washing dishes. I figured he just sat back went to school and spent his dad's money, then when he grew up he could get whatever position he wanted.