Paid To Love

Episode 38

Paid To Love EPISODE 38

Victoria's POV

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his hand still gripping my arm tightly.

I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows. "Working? What does it look like?"

"Wait, when did you start working here?."

"Umm, today I guess." I tried to peek around him because I was pretty sure that was Henry next to him.

He immediately leaned over me, blocking my view of Henry. I froze up, not expecting his proximity. His chest was almost pressed up against mine and our shoulders were touching. I never realized just how much taller than me he was. Or how good he smelled...

"Victoria, listen to me. Don't go over to our table."

I snapped out of the stupor you get into by being too close to a handsome guy immediately. "What?"

"Don't come over."

"Why?" Why was he being so weird? Was Henry's father here? I peeked out a little bit, seeing Henry staring dead at us. He looked different tonight, almost a little run down. Right next to him was an unfamiliar woman in a red dress, her tiny figure turned back to me. Long, brunette hair cascaded down her back.

James quickly pressed my face into his chest. "Don't look at Henry," he said. "Right now, he's on a date with that girl."

I paused, unsure if I'd heard him right. Henry was on a date with someone? Why?

"It's a blind date his mother set up," James explained.

I looked up at him, my chest feeling tight. Why was Henry on a date with another girl? Why did his father set it up? Why did Henry go on it? Why did they come here? What about me? Why was I asking all these questions anyway? I had so many questions when we weren’t even dating.

Henry could do whatever he wanted. He wasn't my boyfriend.

"I'm sorry," James said, a frown pulling at his lips. "We didn't think you'd be here."

I forced myself to smile back at him. "It's fine. I was just a little surprised to see you both. I don't care that Henry's on a date or anything, so don't be sorry."

"You don't?"

"Why would I?"

He hesitated a moment, his eyes holding my gaze. "Well, we'll try to be quick. You still shouldn't come near us. I know Henry's father and this won't be the only time we'll see this girl. I don't want her recognizing you.”

“Where are your tables?"

I was tempted to look at the girl again, but I managed not to. It would most likely hurt my self-esteem if I did. "Ok, I’m only serving that party over there, I’ll try to stay inside." I pointed out.

He nodded. "I'll make sure she sits with her back against your party table. And I'm sorry for the whole situation " he added. "I shouldn't have grabbed you though, that was a bit irrational."

"It's okay," I said, smiling at the apology. He was a one of a kind type of guy. "Thanks for warning me."

"I have to go before one of them starts looking for me. Try to be careful, Victoria."

I nodded and James finally moved away from me. As soon as he did, I turned my back to the door, just in case the girl was still standing there. I gave it a few more moments before I returned to my table. I switched positions with someone, I was only taking orders from the big anniversary table. I walked over to the bar and sat. The bar was on the opposite side of the restaurant, so I'd be nowhere near Henry or his date.

"Who's that guy?" The bar man all of a sudden asks. I analysed him for two seconds, I looked away Immediately. Getting back to why I was there in the first place.

"The guy I talked to earlier? He's my friend, James," I told him, looking over at the table where he sat with Henry and the brunet.

The bar man smiled a little and shook his head. "No, Not him, the other guy. He hasn't kept his eyes off you since he got here."

Just as he finished his sentence, Henry glanced over at me and our gazes locked. I ducked my head and shifted so he couldn't see my face. Why was he staring at me? What if his that girl noticed? If he was going to be weird, I was going to have to stay out of his sight.

"Should I say something to him?"

"It's okay," I said quickly. Although the idea of Henry being called out as a perv would be hilarious, I didn't want to completely embarrass him.

The bartender seemed chatty. He said he doubled as a bartender and security guard sometimes. Leaning forward, he gave my upper arm a pat. "Let me know if you have any problems, Victoria."

"Go take their table," my boss who was just walking pass shouted. “

"What? What about the party table ?"

"He is an old time customer for us and he’s an honorary member," My boss said. "Go over there. Now."

I cursed inwardly, knowing I'd have no choice but to listen to my boss. I silently apologized to James as I made my way over to their table. Henry's gaze followed me the whole way and I gave him a sharp look, hoping he knew what James had told me.

As I walked up to the table, both Henry's and James's eyes grew wide. "Hello everyone, my name is Victoria and I'll be serving you tonight," I greeted them, keeping my eyes trained on James. Henry was sitting on the outside of the bench, closer to me. I could feel his stare on me. "Could I start you off with a drink?"

"Water all around," James said immediately.

"Can I actually have a lemonade?" a quiet voice spoke up and I switched my gaze to the girl sitting opposite. A bad decision.

She was beautiful. Like really beautiful. It took me an hour and a crap ton of make-up to look that good. This girl didn't look like she was wearing any. Long eyelashes, clear bronze skin, shiny hair. I was so jealous. And to top that off, I knew she was wealthy, because no way would Henry's mother set him up with someone who wasn't.

I realized I was staring and felt myself blushing. "A lemonade? Sure."

She smiled widely, showing off her pearly white teeth. "Thank you very much."

I kind of cringed back at her, because I felt like when I smiled I sometimes had a double chin and I already felt inferior enough.

"I'll have a water," Henry said.

I nodded, looking at James again. "Then I'll be right back with those drinks."

"Thank you!" she chirped.

"You're welcome," I replied before turning my back and hurrying away, my heart racing. This was the worst. This was exactly why I didn't want to have those kinds of weird thoughts about Henry. Someone like this girl was more suited to be with him. And I hated the way that made me feel about myself. I hated that I felt inferior. I hated that I felt ugly. I hated the fact that I felt like this because I was next to someone like Henry. And I hated what that meant.

You're not his girlfriend, I reminded myself. Chill out.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. It was dumb to get upset over this. Henry could do whatever he wanted. But if he was going on dates with girls, why did he want someone to pretend to be his girlfriend? He was okay with that? Did he see nothing wrong with that? If he was going to listen to his mother anyway, why didn't he just call off our contract? It was a good thing only Zoey knew about our relationship, otherwise, I'd just look like a fool in front of everyone.

I returned to the table with drinks, keeping my expression courteous and avoiding eye contact with Henry. A part of me was absurdly mad at Henry for doing this, but I couldn't show it. I couldn't even act like I knew him, anyway. I would just silently take their orders and run away...

"It might be weird to say this, but I love your hair colour," she spoke up, completely destroying my plan. She leaned towards me a bit, eyes wide. "It's so pretty. Is it natural?"

I felt caught off guard. My eyes automatically darted to Henry and I felt a surge of annoyance. He opened his mouth but abruptly closed it when James elbowed him in the side. I turned back to her. I didn't want to talk to her, but I couldn't be rude. Besides, she hadn't done anything wrong. "Thank you," I said. "And yeah, it's natural."

"No problem. I'm kind of jealous. My hair could never get that straight, or light without spending a lot of money. I've always wanted to try going blonde," she responded, pulling at a strand of hair. "Especially because someone told me this guy here likes blondes." She smiled bashfully as she looked at Henry.

My mouth felt dry. I wanted to leave. "I should go put your orders in."

"Okay, can I have another lemonade too?" she said, gesturing to her almost empty glass.

"Yep."

"Excuse me," Henry started and I felt his fingertips brush my arm as I quickly turned and hurried away.

After putting in their order, I headed to the bathroom, needing a moment to myself. This sucked. I wanted to go home. But I didn't even have a home to go home to. I only had Henry's place.

I groaned, putting my hands into my face. When had my life become so complicated? When had I become such a sorry person? There was no reason to be jealous of this girl. She seemed nice. I couldn't be upset with her. I was more mature than this.

After scowling at myself in the mirror for a few seconds, I decided to head back out. I grabbed the lemonade from the kitchen and rounded the corner to the main room, slamming into someone with such force I fell over and the lemonade glass went flying, shattering across the floor.