His Hired Girlfriend

by Alexia Praks

  “Well?” Jeff asked three hours later.

  “We’re buying it,” Jayden said.

  “He’s gonna think we’re stupid,” David chuckled.

  “Let him think that. After all, it’s what he wants,” Jayden commented.

  “Yeah. Definitely,” Jeff agreed.

  Jayden flip his cell on and dialled Mr. Marcelo’s number. The phone rang a couple of times and then, “Hello?”

  “Mr. Marcelo. It’s me. Jayden.”

  “Ah, Jayden. How’s thing?”

  “Never better. Straight to the point, I’ve decided to buy the island. How about we meet up tomorrow and seal the deal?”

  Jay heard the man laughed – loud and clear like he had just concur the world. Bastard, he thought.

  “Good man. Make the meeting at 10 am?”

  “Yes. See you then,” Jayden said and flipped his BlackBerry off. He turned to Jeff and David. “Good job, men.”

  “Thanks, boss,” Jeff said, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Well, goodnight and see you tomorrow.”

  “What about the contract? We need to write that up before tomorrow,” Jeff pointed out.

  “Shit! Yes of course,” Jayden muttered, raking his fingers through his hair. He really wanted to see Alex, but he knew he had to finish write up the contract before the meeting. “All right. Let’s begin.”

  The three men had their jacket off, their shirts sleeves rolled up to their elbows, and their hair in a state of messes as they brainstormed what to put in the contract for the purchases of the property.

  Later they fell asleep, Jayden on the sofa with notes on his chest, Jeff on the seat with his head resting beside the laptop, and David in the armchair near the window that overlooked the city of New York at night with millions of dots of tiny lights.

  ***

  THE HOUSE WAS so quiet that Alex could hear her own raging heart pumping in her chest as she laid in there in bed, sobbing. She had thought that a good shower would help clear her head and calm her anger and frustration, but she was wrong. Now more than ever, she was upset at herself and what had happened. She simply couldn’t believe Jayden had betrayed her trust. Everything had been a lie, and yes, she had believed him.

  She punched the pillow a couple of times before snuggling her face against it, allowing her tears full rein to flow from her eyes and down her flushed cheeks.

  It was an hour later, when she had felt a bit better that her BlackBerry rang. Who could it be? Jayden? Had he called to say that he was sorry?

  She picked up the phone and saw that it was from New Zealand.

  “Hello?”

  “Alex, it’s Dad.”

  Alex felt the knot in the pit of her stomach. She sniffed and wiped her tears. “Hi, Dad. How’s things? Are you all right?”

  A long, intense pause. “Alex, I know what’s going on. I know you’re not in New York for a conference.”

  Alex felt like her heart had dropped down to her shoes and her face paled in concern. “What?”

  “I...I know you’re with a man.” Another pause. “I’m very disappointed in you, Alex.”

  “But, Dad, I...I...” She sniffed again. More tears brew in her eyes. She knew when her dad said ‘he’s disappointed in her’ it was very big deal. He had never said that to her except when she had done something very stupid. Her throat was tight with emotions that she could not find a way to express.

  “I want you home, Alex. I don’t want you with a man who treats you like you’re worth nothing. You’re better than that. We love you. Come home.”

  Alex wiped tears from her cheeks and sniffed again. Her voice shaking with emotions, she said, “All right, I’m coming home.”

  She hung up, tossed the BlackBerry to the side of the bed, threw herself onto the soft pillows and cried her hear out.

  ***

  WHEN MORNING CAME and New York City was buzzing with life again, Jayden woke up to find Jeff and David all neatly dressed in their brand new suits, both sitting behind their prospective laptops furiously typing away.

  “Sorry, boss,” Jeff said, “couldn’t wake you cos you look so tired. Thought you need it. You know you could have sleep in your bed next door.”

  “Yeah,” Jay muttered as he stretched his body. “Forgot about that.”

  Just then a middle age P.A by the name of Mrs. Smith bustled in with a cup of black, strong coffee in her hand. “Morning, Mr. McCartney, how was your sleep last night?”

  “Good thanks,” Jayden replied, taking the cup she handed him and ignoring her smirk. He sipped the coffee gratefully as he headed toward the room next door, his private bedroom. He opened the wardrobe, took out new trousers, shirt and jacket and laid them on the tidy bed. Then he headed for the shower.

  Once he was dressed, looking fresh and alert as the young and handsome, powerful Jayden McCartney, he headed back to the office. “How’s the contract going?”

  “Good. Nearly done,” Jeff responded, still typing away furiously.

  “Why don’t you have some breakfast, Mr. McCartney?” Mrs. Smith suggested, laying a sliver tray of cereal and another cup of coffee in front of him on the table.

  “Thanks, Mrs. Smith,” Jayden said, picking up the spoon.

  Fifteen minutes later, Jeff printed out the contract and Jayden finished his breakfast. It was just time to go to the Marcelo’s Hotel for the meeting.

  On their way, Jayden kept ringing home to speak to Alex, but no one picked up the phone. He became very frustrated after three tries and cursed fluently.

  “Clam down, boss,” Jeff said as they came to a red light. “You know it’s not like you’re not going to see her again. You both have your whole life together.”

  “Agree on that one,” David confirmed from behind.

  Jayden just shook his head. All he knew was that he wanted to see Alex. He needed to speak to her. Only he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until he had this done first.

  “I can’t believe you let me drive you car, boss. Never have a BMW before.” Jeff said. “Well, not like this one.”

  “Then after this you deserve one. Both of you, and a big pay rise and a good vacation,” Jayden said.

  Jeff widened his eyes in shock. “Really, boss?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jeff and David looked at each other, grinning from ear to ear.

  At 10am sharp Jayden found himself sitting in front of Mr. Marcelo and his attorney in an immaculate office overlooking Central Park. David and Jeff stood on either sides of him, acting as his left and right hand man.

  “You’ve done the right thing, Jayden,” Mr. Marcelo said, handing over the contract in a neat folder.

  “I know I have,” Jayden said softly, his eyes sharp. “Five million dollars,” he murmured as he scanned through the clauses. Once he was done, he passed it over for Jeff to look over. Jeff took it as David handed their contract to Mr. Marcelo.

  “Yes. Five million dollars,” Mr. Marcelo said, grinning, not bothering to look at the contract that was handed to him. He passed it to his attorney.

  Once the contracts had been thoroughly read and checked by both sides, they put their signatures on the dotted line and that was that. Jayden now owned a barren island with oil that was worth billions of dollars, and Mr. Marcelo had just lost some billion dollars he didn’t know he had.

  “Nice to make business with you, Jayden,” Mr. Marcelo said, shaking the younger man’s hand.

  “Same to you, Mr. Marcelo.” Jayden smiled coldly. Like father like daughter, he thought. Greedy as hell and couldn’t’ care less for other people. Suddenly he found he couldn’t stand the man’s presence any longer. With the deal done and everything settled, he and his men headed to the door.

  Mr. Marcelo chuckled, “What a stupid boy.”

  “A very stupid boy indeed,” the attorney agreed, nodding his head. They both started laughing.

  Jayden felt as thought a mountain had just lifted off his shoulders. Now, he thought, time to go and see Alex.

&nb
sp; They were near the door when his BlackBerry started ringing. Jay looked on the screen and saw that it was from his mother. “Hello?”

  “Jayden, Alex is leaving.” There was a hint of panic in his mother’s soft voice.

  “Wait! What?”

  “Alex is leaving. We’re just about to go to the airport now. She’s going home – back to New Zealand. What’s going on Jayden? She’s really upset. She changed the plane tickets this morning.”

  “Shit!” Jay swore under his breath.

  “Jayden. You have to hurry.”

  “I’m coming,” he shouted into the phone as he ran to the door.

  “Boss, what’s going on?” Jeff asked.

  “I have to go. Alex’s leaving!”

  “What?” David yelled, confused.

  Jayden yanked the door open and raced to his car. He jumped in, started the engine and then sped out into the traffic.

  *****

  CHAPTER 26

  ALEXANDRA WAS STILL hoping that she’d see Jayden one last time before she left America for good. Only her hope died a slow painful death when she realised he was not going to show up. With her shoulders slump, head bowed and tears threatening to mist her eyes, she dragged herself to the limousine that was waiting for her.

  She sat in between Gracie and Beth, and Tom sat opposite them. As the limo manoeuvred out of the gate, Alex glanced out the window, gazing out one last time at the place that was home to her for the last week or so. Gracie gently pulled her face to rest on her shoulder like a mother to her crying daughter. Beth grabbed for one of her hand and patted it gently.

  The drive was a solemn one. Once there, Alex gave them a big hugged as they wished her well on her journey home. Alex couldn’t stopped herself from crying, thanking them all for their kindness, knowing very well she’d never meet any family like them again.

  She glanced at the entrance of the airport before heading toward the departure gate, hoping she’d see Jayden. Only through the thick crowd of people, he was no where in sight. The voice on the intercom started calling her name, telling her that she was late for boarding. She ignored the call and lingered there, staring at the entrance, hoping to see Jayden rushing in and beg her not to go.

  ‘Would Miss Alexandra Stewart please make her way to gate nine for boarding. Would Miss Alexandra Stewart please make her way to gate nine for boarding.’

  Knowing that she couldn’t hold up the plan any longer, she waved good bye to the McCartneys and headed toward the gate, handing in her tickets.

  At the entrance to the large plane, she murmured, “Sorry,” to the airhostess.

  “That’s all right, miss. Your seat is just to the left,” the pretty young woman replied.

  Alex took her seat by the window and put on her seat belt. Suddenly a panicky realisation erupted inside of her when she realised she was never going to see Jayden again – the man she loved and now lost.

  ***

  JAYDEN SPED HIS BMW through the thick traffic, passing red lights and changing lane like a formula one racers. His hands were tight on the steering wheel, his mind on Alex.

  ‘Alex, why are you leaving me? Please let me be on time. Please...’

  He change lane again and over took a big truck. The driver popped his head out the window, beeped his horn continuously, and shouted, “Moron! Drive properly!”

  Jayden ignored the driver who was clearly very unhappy and stepped his foot on the accelerator, urging the MBW forward, zooming past cars, van, and other trucks heading toward the airport.

  He parked the MBW on the taxi only parking lot and rushed out to the terminal. He dodged his way pass the throng of people, heading toward gate nine. He slowed down once he had seen the gate number. “Excuse me,” he shouted from the distance, his voice echoing across the entire area that everyone turned to look at him curiously. “Has it departed yet?”

  He came to a sliding stop at the checking desk. He took a deep breath and puffed out, “Has it departed yet?”

  “The 12:30 to Lost Angeles, sir?” the woman queried calmly.

  “Yes,” Jay managed to puff out.

  “I’m sorry, sir. It left fifteen minutes ago.”

  Jayden felt sick to the stomach. He felt his world had fallen apart. He felt like half of his body had died. He swore under his breath and slowly, like a zombie, dragged himself toward the exit. His head was spinning as he headed back to the car.

  “Hey, get your car out of here!” one of the taxi driver shouted at him. Jayden was too lost in his own sorrow to hear.

  He got in the car and drove out, slowly and painfully. When he had gotten home an hour later, he saw his family in the drawing him, obviously waiting for him.

  Kelly rushed to him and said, “We heard Alex left. What happen?”

  Jayden glanced over his sister’s head to his other family members. Beth looked like she was about to cry. Sam and Stephanie were sitting on the far side of the sofa, looking as sad as ever.

  “I have a confession to make,” he said, his heart booming in his chest, the loud nose echoing in his ears. He knew he had to tell them the truth. He took a deep breath and continued, “Alexandra is not my girlfriend. I’ve been lying to all of you since I’ve came back from New Zealand. I hired Alex to pretend to be my girlfriend so, Beth, you’d stop match-making me.”

  There was shock surprise all round. Gracie started crying, her hands clutching at her chest as though she was heart broken. “I don’t believe this,” she sobbed.

  “I dated Sarah, but she was cheating on me with Kyle. We broke up, so I lied to you all.”

  “But what about your engagement?” Beth asked. “And the baby?”

  Jayden shook his head in confusion. “What engagement? What baby?”

  “Didn’t you propose to Alex? Isn’t Alex pregnant with your baby?” Beth queried.

  Jayden did a sad chuckle. “No, Beth, I didn’t propose to Alex. And we are not having a baby together either.”

  Beth elegantly stood and strode up to him. “What have you done? What have you done?” She hit him on the chest.

  Jayden caught her frail wrist gently. “I’m sorry, Beth.” He turned to his parents. “I’m sorry I lied to you. Please don’t blame Alex. She only agreed to do it because she needed the money for her dad’s surgery.” He turned back to Beth. “I’m sorry.”

  “How could you, Jay? You hurt her and now she’s gone. You have to bring her back. I want Alex back, you hear?” Beth muttered incoherently, sniffing at the same time.

  “What?” Jayden was confused. He had thought that Beth was upset because he had lied to them, not because Alex had left. “I can’t bring her back, Beth. She’s gone. She doesn’t want me.”

  “Don’t you be a fool,” Beth muttered.

  “You have to get her back, Jay,” Gracie. “She’s like a daughter to me.”

  “You have to bring her back. And the baby too,” Beth murmured, patting his arm. “Be a good boy and bring Alex back, wont’ you?”

  Jayden said, “I don’t know.”

  “Jayden,” Tom chimed in, “do you love her?”

  Jay glanced from Gracie to Kelly and then back to his father. He nodded his head. “Yes I do.”

  “Do you want to lose her?” Gracie asked.

  “No I don’t,” Jayden said, shaking his head. “Never want to lose her. Never!”

  *****

  CHAPTER 27

  THERE WAS ONLY one thing Alex was sure of her life right then once the plane had landed in the Dunedin Airport, that she was not the same person she had been two weeks ago. She wondered what her family would think of her once they had seen the changes in her, not only in her physical appearance but in her character as well.

  Her whole family met her at the airport. Her mom, brother and sister rushed to hug her. Her dad, however, stood back. She could sense the stiffness in his posture, as though he was holding back, as though he didn’t know who she was anymore. She felt her heart constrict. It hurt to know that her father assumed her
to be the type of character that she was not, that she was a slut, chasing after a rich man. She had spent twenty-five years living with him. Did he not know her better? That it had only been because of his need for heart transplant they couldn’t afford that had prompt her to do such a thing?

  “Sweetheart, so glad you’re back,” Maly murmured, hugging her tight.

  “Me too,” Alex replied.

  “I miss you, sis. I admit I actually missed you teasing me,” Emma chimed in.

  “Me, too, Emma.” Alex chuckled. “I miss teasing you, too.”

  Her father refused to hug her. In fact, he refused to say a word to her, not even a ‘Welcome back’ or ‘Hello’. It was as though he refused to acknowledge her presence.

  The drive home was a solemn one for Alex, sitting there between her brother and sister, her mom driving the car and her dad in the front seat. Home felt cold and empty even though her family was as warm as ever to her.

  As days gone by, she fell back to her old routine and her dad soon began talking to her again. Only she wished she didn’t missed Jayden so much.

  Every lunchtime at the hospital cafeteria, her mind would flash back to that fateful day when she had met Jayden. She’d remembered their time together in New York. Oh how happy he had made her feel. And of course that wonderful morning had made love to her. The thought brought forward an unbearable pain within her heart, and she’d be angry at herself for stupidly believing his lies. But why did she miss him so dearly? Why was it that every night before she drift off to sleep and every morning when she woke up she’d think about him? And every spare second she had she’d be thinking about him, thinking about his kiss, his touch and his smile? Was she going crazy?

  He would never come for her, that much she knew. By now he and Sarah had probably gotten married.

  It wasn’t long before Alex realised that there was a person standing right in front of her. She glanced up from her book and saw Mary there, arms folded across her chest, a smirk about her lips.