The Engagement Game (Engaged to a Billionaire)

by Gardner, A.

  I stare at the ring as the shine slowly dims. I feel my heart race as my eyes progressively close to relieve my brain of the extra stimuli. I just wanted to wake up somewhere new. Somewhere where friends didn't sleep with your fiancé behind your back, and the love of your life didn't lie through his teeth about where his money comes from.

  My thoughts shut down. I feel myself falling, but I never feel the ground hit my side.

  Chapter Sixteen

  My eyes open to a buzzing noise. I'm back in our hotel room on the bed. I sit up confused, looking for Jack. The ring is still on my finger and it makes me angry to look at it. My phone buzzes again. I'm getting a call. My heart freezes when I read the name on the caller ID. Rex. An hour ago I would have let it go to voicemail, but I automatically click the answer button. This is probably a bad idea.

  "Kat?" Rex's voice makes my blood pump faster. I hadn't heard it in a while and the last time he'd called me was to say that our engagement had been canceled.

  "Yes," I respond.

  "Kat. Thank you for picking up this time. I've been trying to get a hold of you."

  "I haven't gotten any messages." I quickly check my phone and see that I had five missed calls during the past hour. "Oh."

  "Look, I know we ended things on a horrid note but I have to see you."

  "Well." I glance out the window, a spouting fountain lighting up in the distance. "You're a little late for that."

  "I know," he replies. "You're in Vegas."

  "You're spying on me now?"

  "No," he protests. "I went to the hospital. You're friend told me."

  "Of course she did," I mumble. But only so she'd have a good drama story to listen to when I got back. Traitor.

  "The two of us should talk," Rex goes on. "Meet me in the lobby in five minutes." My eyes go wide.

  "You're here?"

  "Yes, love." He spoke as if nothing had changed between us.

  "Rex I-" I throw the phone down as the door opens and Jack appears.

  "Good," he grins. "You're awake." I discreetly hang up on Rex and keep a straight face.

  "What happened?"

  "I was in the middle of trying to explain myself when . . . you fainted." He chuckles to himself, setting down a bag of takeout on the table. I glance at the ring. The sparkles are blinding.

  "It was this." I hold my hand out. "You never told me how you got this."

  "I did," he smiles. "I bought it. You know, at a jewelry store like normal people do?"

  "This isn't normal Jack. This has got to be worth . . . more than both our life savings and then some!" He sits next to me, caressing the side of my cheek.

  "You're getting worked up again," he comments. "Maybe you should rest for a while."

  "I don't want to nap the day away! Where did you get this?"

  "What I said before," Jack replies, his voice sounds rougher. "I haven't been honest about the money thing." He shakes his head. "A few years ago, I was basically this." He gestures towards his plain clothing. "A guy with an average job, average car, average clothes. I didn't have much. Then one day I stop at a gas station and Pop starts going on about a dream he had." He puts his arm around my shoulder. "Long story short, he told me it was my lucky day."

  "I can see that." I smile, thinking about Earl and the funny things he used to say.

  "I bought a lottery ticket and that was that. Pop was right."

  "You won?" The genuine look on his face was hard to swallow.

  "Yeah." He grin grows even wider. "Then I meet this investment guy who says he can double my money and here I am."

  "You swear this isn't some kind of sick joke?"

  "I promise," he answers. "I'm being honest with you. That's what you wanted isn't it?" I let him hug me, resisting the urge I had to cry. Again.

  "Jack," I breath. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "Cindy." The corner of his mouth twists as he says her name. "She was sort of the last straw for me. Every girl I met turned out to be . . . not the girl I met. I stopped introducing them to Pop a long time ago. I went back to living the way I did before, plus a few perks. And then I met you."

  "So." I stare at the ring again.

  "I was going to tell you after we got married."

  "A wedding surprise huh." I admire the dazzling diamond for the first time. It fits perfectly on my ring finger.

  "Oh right." Jack slides the ring off my finger. "You'll be wanting a proper proposal I take it?"

  "You know me too well."

  I stay sitting on the bed as he gets down on one knee. His blue eyes swirl like an ocean tide when he looks at me. His dirty blond hair is nicely gelled and his scruff is groomed to suit his face. He smiles his imperfect smile and the blood in my veins pulses in spurts as I immerse myself in the scene in front of me.

  "Katherine," he grins. "Kat. I love you for you. Will you marry me?" As soon as he was on his knee, I struggled with what to say. No take backs this time. I had to make a decision. Rex or Jack. I let my heart do the thinking and thought of the one guy that had always been there for me. Jack was still the one. My list of mundane worries was now obsolete. I'd found exactly what I'd wanted. I loved Jack.

  "Yes," I respond. Jack dives onto the bed with his arms around me. I giggle, letting his arms surround my shoulders. He slides the diamond back on my finger and kisses me.

  "Finally," he sighs. "Let's celebrate." His fingers gently rub the back of my neck as he pulls me on top of him. I lean forward and kiss him. The heat in the room makes my clothing unbearable to keep on. I just wanted to be with him.

  Our bodies move together. I put a hand on Jack's shoulder to steady myself as the tingling bliss slowly starts to build. I open my mouth just long enough to utter the words I'd been struggling to say.

  "I love you Jack," I whisper.

  * * *

  It wasn't easy convincing Jack to wait in the room while I ran down to the lobby for snacks. I told him I needed chocolate. And a walk. But really I had to talk to Rex and tell him that we were over for good. I'd moved on and Holly was still a single, alone, and pregnant. Despite the things she'd done she didn't deserve to be alone and scared right now. I know she was scared.

  I take a deep breath as I spot Rex leaning against the wall with a pair of shades. He's holding a newspaper to hide his face like private eye from a black and white movie. I hold my chin high, admiring the cut of his suit and tan cheeks. He was still attractive and part of me still dug up memories of when we were together when I saw him.

  He sees me and starts walking to a reserved table overlooking the casino. He struts right past the velvet rope and sits on his private couch before greeting me. I join him, paranoid that a pap would snap a picture and make us tomorrow's headline. I wouldn't be able to explain that to Jack very well.

  "I don't have much time," I begin. "I told Jack I was coming down here for chocolate."

  "I'll have Charles go grab some," he replies. Still the same Rex. Arrogant and charming at the same time. His smile gives a flash of his pearly whites.

  "What's this about? You made it clear where we stood last time we talked."

  "We all say things we regret," he replies. "And after a long talk with Mum it seems that you're the best candidate for my future."

  "Because I kept my mouth shut among the sea of psycho paparazzi?" I glance around the lobby, hoping Jack hadn't followed me as a surprise.

  "Well," he shrugs. "Yes. That and we have something here. You and I want the same things in life, Kat." His speech made me want to laugh. Is this the type of BS I normally succumbed to? And to think he'd still marry me after getting my best friend pregnant.

  "I'm sorry Rex," I answer. "I've found what I want." I smile, looking at the flecks of gold in his eyes. He grins, leaning forward and anticipating a passionate kiss. "It's not you." His face cringes.

  "Look," he nods with a smug look on his face. "You would be well compensated. Very well compensated." Was Rex really offering me money? Me. Katherine Artino had gone from singl
e and desperate to juggling two billionaires. Before I let myself ask how much, Holly's face is floating through my mind. In nine months, she would need that money more than me.

  "You're forgetting one little detail," I remind him. "Your mother already has a heir." Rex looks confused. "Holly? The whole reason we're in this mess? Don't pretend she's not a part of this now. And we both know the baby is yours."

  "That has yet to be proven."

  "You're making her take a paternity test?" I scold him.

  "I have to be sure."

  "Well I hope you're prepared to pay up because I know for a fact that baby is yours."

  "Why do you care?" he responds. "The two of you aren't even speaking." I bite my lip. He was right we weren't speaking but that mean I didn't care.

  "That's none of your business." I stand up, looking around the lobby again. "Rex, I think you have a lot of issues to sort through. Number one being with Holly."

  "You're turning me down? I haven't even told you the amount I'd be willing to pay."

  "I don't need your money," I chuckle. "But Holly does." Rex shakes his head, baffled. "Talk to her Rex. The two of you are actually more perfect for each other than you think."

  "She's not you," Rex responds. He stands to see me out, walking close so I could smell the spicy scent of his cologne. He lightly touches my arm, reminding me of all the passionate moments we'd shared. But you'd never see him, I remind myself. This is all business to him.

  "Why'd you do it," I mutter, holding back a tear. The betrayal still stung. It always would, and I didn't know how long it would take me to make amends with Holly. Eventually that day would come, but would our friendship be what it once was? Doubt it.

  "Kat," he responds. His mouth moves closer to mine and his eyes study the grooves of my neck. "It was the night we first met. I was tired. I was drunk. I barely remember what happened." I nod, accepting his lame excuse of an explanation.

  "And you didn't tell me because?"

  "Would you have," he argues. "If the situation was reversed? Might I remind you that you saw it fit to lie as well?"

  "I guess we just don't trust each other."

  "I swear." His hand moves up my arm and to my cheek. "If I was ever given a second chance, I'd do it all differently." His hand pulls me to him in one swift movement.

  "Do you say that to all the women you let down . . . or just me?"

  "Harsh," he responds. "But I deserve that."

  "There's a lot you deserve," I say through my teeth. I leave his grasp and jog back into the bust casino. The tears come and I wipe away one that rolls down my cheek. I feel a hand grip my shoulder tight. I stop, looking down. Let him go, Kat. You have to let him go before it ruins you and Jack.

  "Rex I told you . . ." I turn around to a familiar face. It wasn't Rex. It was the face of someone I never wanted to see again. My stomach feels sour and all at once I'm too stunned to scream.

  "Juggling two men," Dr. Saxten comments. Before I can take a step backward he has my wrist twisted at his side. His other hand points to something shiny in his jacket. "Tisk-tisk."

  "You," I manage to force out. "What do you want?"

  "I was really unhappy with the way things went between us," he mutters, pulling me closer to the exit. "I think it's time I got a second chance too." I jerk away but the shiny thing in his pocket is pulled out and discreetly aimed at my back. The edge of the knife pierces through my shirt and I feel the cool blade resting against my skin. "It'd be best if you didn't try that again."

  "There are people that will come looking for me." My head is spinning out of control. I'm distracted by the sharp end of the blade, unable to think clear enough to come up with a plan.

  "There's no need to worry if you cooperate," he mutters. I can feel his sweaty palms grip me tighter as he pulls me closer to the night air. At first I'm frozen. How was this happening? How did he find me?

  Then my nose gets a whiff of outside. The realization slaps me across the face. If I walked outside with this psycho, I might never come back. How long would I be missing before Jack would come looking for me and I was pretty sure Rex knew I wanted nothing to do with him. Do something!

  I push aside my fears of being literally stabbed in the back. I'd already been back stabbed a few times. One more couldn't hurt that bad. I'm pulled closer and closer. The Doc's heavy breathing tells me he's nervous. Had he been watching me this whole time waiting for the perfect moment? I had to do something that would throw off his game. Go contrary to the plan he had laid out in his head.

  I open my mouth, despite the sinking feeling in my stomach. Do it. Do it now! I let out a shrill scream that fills the lobby. My heart pounds as hundreds of eyes fall on us. I feel the Doc's muscles tense as he panics. I jerk away using all the force my body could provide. I finally escape him and fall to the cold tile floor.

  A security guard runs at him, staring at the shiny knife in his hand. I stay on the floor, hearing the doctor's footsteps disappear into the crowd outside. He was gone. My arms and legs feel shaky as I stand up. I hold myself together as best I can. I feel a pressure in head. An overwhelming sense of fear. He'll be back.

  "Mam," another security guard rushes to help me stand up. "Are you okay?"

  "Kat!" Rex is running with Charles from the V.I.P. section. He studies me, looking for wounds. "What was that about? Charles, find him!" Charles obeys him and runs into the night.

  "Mam, is there someone I can call. Are you a guest here?"

  "Um yeah," I reply. "I'll be fine." I rub my forehead and try to think straight.

  "Who was that?" Rex demands.

  "Just a guy."

  "It didn't look that way," he scolds.

  "A crazy co worker," I mutter. "But that's none of your concern." I take a few breaths, letting the blood return to my limbs. I was still shaking.

  "Let me at least walk you to your room," he suggests. I raise my eyebrows.

  "Are you serious?"

  "You can't go up there alone."

  "I said I'll be fine," I shout. I speed walk to the elevators, counting my steps along the way. Keep going. You're almost there.

  I take an empty elevator and push the button to my floor. Rex follows, slipping inside just as the doors close.

  "Rex," I say stamping my foot. "I told you I'd be fine."

  "I had to be sure." His arms are folded as we wait in silence. His cologne fills the elevator and I can see him sneaking glances. He was tempting me. Hoping the reminder of what I was missing would make me crack. Almost there. "I insist on hiring you some security."

  "No," I reply.

  "At least for the weekend." He rubs the end of his chin.

  "I said no."

  "Oh stop being so stubborn." The elevator dings and the two of us step off. I walk quickly to my room. He reaches for my hand but I'm walking too fast. "Kat! Come on. A guy just assaulted you in front of loads of people."

  "I'm well aware of that!" I yell, turning around to face him. "I can handle it. I don't need favors from you."

  "I can't believe you," he responds, shaking his head. His hands slip into the pockets of his gray trousers. "All I want to do is help you. All I've ever done is try to help you." My face feels hot.

  "Is that what our relationship was? One giant favor?"

  "You're making a huge mistake," he quietly answers.

  "I can hire my own security guard."

  "I'm not talking about that." His expression softens. He looks at me with the same glowing eyes as the night we first met. Things were simple back then. The door creaks as it swings open. Jack is in the doorway looking shocked to see Rex in the hallway.

  "Good bye Rex," I loudly respond. He sizes up Jack and his loose jeans and plain t-shirt. Jack is taller, but Rex is leaner. Jack's skin holds the scars and weathering of a laborer. Rex looks as if the only heavy object he can lift is a free weight.

  "I see," he nods. Rex turns and passes around the corner.

  "What's he doing here?" Jack asks. My heart star
ts to settle as I watch Jack's calm demeanor remain unchanged.

  "I don't know," I say, walking past him and collapsing on the bed. Tears roll down my cheeks as my thoughts play over the incident in the lobby. There were a zillion things I should have done differently. Why was I such an idiot?

  "Kat." Jack's soothing voice helps me calm down faster. He gently massages my back and waits until I'm ready to talk.

  "He was there," I whisper through sniffles. "In the lobby."

  "Who? Rex?"

  I shake my head.

  "Dr. P." Another sob comes flooding out. I feel his chest flex.

  "You mean he's here?" Jack watches for a nod then grabs his cell phone. "Listen to me. I'm going to call that Detective and then you and I are going home." I nod in agreement.

  "I'm sorry," I cry.

  "What for?"

  "The wedding." I wipe my face. "I ruined it."

  "No." Jack grins as he strokes my shoulder. "You haven't ruined a thing. Besides, you would probably be happier if your family could be there too . . . am I right?" I was a traditional girl at heart and the thought of missing out on planning, the dress, and the cake had crossed my mind. More than once.

  "You're right," I sigh. "That is what I want. Let's go home." I have a stalker to destroy and a wedding to plan.

  Chapter Seventeen

  "I can't believe you're leaving already," Cindy says at the door. "Guess you won't be needing these." She holds up a couple of Cirque Du Soleil tickets. "They were good seats too." Jack was in the shower and Cindy had a chat with the receptionist to see what room we were staying in. Another stalker to worry about. I was a little annoyed when I saw her face through the peephole, but she'd done me a favor I guess. She'd told me what I wanted to know about Jack. Even though it wasn't information I was asking for.

  "Yeah," I agree. "Our trip was too short." Her eyes dart down to the ring on my finger.