Leonard quickly backs away from me, positioning himself in front of me. His movements are too quick. His protective stance puts my senses on high alert; fear engulfs me, and I’m overcome by paralysis. The door swings open and a woman enters, carrying several bags. He tenses up, and I realize he hasn’t canceled his plans. SHIT.
That woman is beautiful—long, wavy honey-colored hair, tall and slender, brown eyes and full lips, high cheekbones, manicured nails painted light pink; nothing is out of place. This is exactly how I would imagine Aphrodite.
- Lina!
Leonard’s surprised voice confirms that I really shouldn’t be here. Jealousy and insecurity are replaced by fear and panic. And now, instead of being glued to the floor, I start backing away to try to escape this embarrassing situation.
- Leo! Oh! You… you have company.
Leo… there’s intimacy. Is she his girlfriend?! Was I about to kiss a man with a girlfriend?! The mystery woman has surprise written all over her perfect face. She’s standing near the already closed door, staring at us, while I try to hide behind that traitorous son of a bitch!
- Yeah, well, it’s not what you think.
He walks toward her, without looking at me even once. My heart breaks a little. I look at her and whisper, “I’m sorry.” Her look of confusion and shock is too much to handle right now. I turn my back on them and run up the stairs, practically sprinting toward my room.
I’m so stupid.
As soon as I get to my room, I shut the door and look for my things. I really need to find my phone and call Claire, or Bia, or anyone who can come pick me up! I don’t want to end up as a mistress who didn’t even get to enjoy the fame! I search the desk, the nightstand drawers, and can’t find it. I sit down on the unmade bed. I’m screwed, literally. What do I do now? How am I going to contact anyone? I realize I’m a prisoner here, but I’m not giving up; Claire said I could always call or text her, so she knows my phone is around here somewhere. I go to the closet and rummage through it. In the back, on a small chair, I see my wallet and jump for joy. I found it!
I have my wallet, my ID, and my phone—great! I try to unlock it, but… no battery. Shit. I look for the charger in my bag and can’t find it. I go back to the bedroom and see a charger plugged into an outlet under the desk. It must have been Claire who forgot it. Thank goodness for Claire’s absent-mindedness! It would be way too embarrassing to have to go down there and ask them for a charger. Now I have to wait.
My stomach is growling. I should’ve just started eating right away instead of getting caught up in that clown’s deceptive antics! Now I have to be stuck here, hungry and with a dead phone battery.
Three knocks on the door and my heart jumps. Is it the maid?
- Who is it?
It takes a few seconds to answer. I assume it’s Leonard and rage begins to take hold of me.
- Mmmm… It’s Lina. Can I come in?
That’s it, I’m going to die now! If I say no, will she leave?
- Yes, of course.
My voice comes out too squeaky. It sounds like I’m at fault, but I’m just as innocent as she is. She opens the door and closes it right away. Not a hair out of place. We stand there for a few moments, staring at each other. With every passing second, my self-confidence slips away. I’m at a disadvantage: messy room, unmade bed, wearing leggings, barefoot—how embarrassing!
- Well, hello.
She speaks in such a friendly tone. Did Leonard tell her he let me stay here out of pity? Oh man, I want to leave right now.
- Hello. I’m… I’m Blair, Mr. Parker’s assistant.
I hold out my hand and she smiles at me, but without showing her teeth. I understand less and less of what’s going on here.
- Nice to meet you, I’m Lina. – She returns my handshake. – Parker.
WHAT?
I can’t control my shocked expression. I think I’ve stopped breathing. She keeps her expression perfectly normal—too normal. Is she his wife? Is he married?! It can’t be; nothing like that ever came out in the media! I let go of her hand, unable to hide my shock. I want to speak, but I’m so stunned. How could he have brought me to the vacation home that belongs not only to him but to his wife, said sweet things to me, thrown himself at me just like he did at the company gym, lied to her, to me, to everyone! I have to tell her that her husband is a piece of scum.
I start hyperventilating. She notices and looks concerned. As she tries to speak, I interrupt her and practically tell her everything that her disgusting husband has been doing behind her back.
- I’m sorry, Mrs. Parker, I’m so very sorry, but your husband is cheating on you. – I start pacing back and forth in the room, staring at the floor; she remains motionless. - He's a pig and a liar! He threw himself at me and at Laila, who is his chief assistant, by the way. He… he saved me from a situation at work, and that's why I'm here. Nothing happened between us, Mrs. Parker; we, well… it happened, but it didn't happen. – I kept pacing back and forth, getting more and more nervous. – I was in the locker room and he walked in, but I didn’t know it was him! At first, and then I locked myself in the shower stall and Mr. Parker… he…
- She’s my sister.
I’m startled and stop pacing, staring at the door and finding Leonard standing there, arms crossed and leaning against the doorframe. I hadn’t even noticed he was there. Lina is standing in the same spot, with an amused smile on her face, while her brother doesn’t share her sense of humor.
- Sorry, I wanted to explain that it wasn’t my wife, but my sister, but you didn’t even let me speak. My dear brother, what are you doing? I thought you didn’t mix business with pleasure.
She laughs loudly and turns to him. Neither of us finds it funny, but he has the nerve to roll his eyes at her and tell her to leave. I stay where I am. Lina turns back to me, whispers “Sorry” and leaves. We’re left alone; he maintains his stern, irritated expression.
- I didn’t know your opinion of me was that I was a traitor and a pig.
I look down at my feet, suddenly embarrassed. I didn’t want him to have heard that.
- And a liar…
I say quietly. He gives a mocking smile.
- Did you really think Lina was my wife?
He raises an eyebrow. I feel a pang of jealousy just hearing those last two words from his mouth. Since when did I become possessive of what isn’t mine?
- Yes. She has all the attributes to be… your wife.
He has his gaze fixed on me, as if studying me. It becomes intimidating.
He approaches, slowly.
- Oh, really? Explain to me what those traits are, then, of what my… wife would be like.
That’s a challenge; I can feel it in his ironic tone. My heart starts racing too fast. Suddenly, the room begins to shrink. My pacing back and forth starts again.
- Well, tall, thin, with…
I don’t want to continue.
- With what, Blair?
- Mmmm… with a, a beautiful body.
He grabs my arm and makes me stop. My eyes meet his.
- So much speculation going on in that head of yours.
- It’s not speculation, it’s what’s expected and what you see on magazine covers.
He doesn’t answer, just stares at me with his blue eyes. A slight irritation crosses his expression.
- What you see isn’t always reality.
- And what is reality?
He’s so close to me I can feel his breath. His hand moves up to my neck and pulls me slightly toward him. My hands react and press against his chest.
- The reality is that I don’t have a wife… Yet.
His mouth moves toward mine, but just as our lips are about to touch, we’re interrupted by a knock on the door.
- Damn it, Lina. We’ll finish this conversation later.
He turns his back to me and opens the door.
- Mmmm, sorry to interrupt, but I’m too lonely down there and it would be nice to have some company. Can we all have breakfast?
Leonard grunts and beckons me with his hand, letting me pass.
I give Lina a small smile and a shy glance as I walk past Leonard.
It’s going to be a long day.