by H. Q. Frost
Their lunch was awkward and quiet and Lilith was grateful when the food arrived because it was almost over and Joanna hadn't mentioned a job yet.
"So if you and Richie want to explore the city he can go with you. It won't be a problem, this is just a trial."
"Is he gonna get the job?"
"I haven't talked to my boss about it yet."
"Why do you keep calling Ian your boss? Isn't he your fiancé?" She laughed.
"I like to separate work from home life, so here he's my boss." Lilith smiled tensely.
"Uh, Lily." Joanna stared at her glass of water and Lilith knew what to expect. "I really hate to ask this, but I'm kind of in a bind and you're the only person I thought of." Joanna looked at her and Lilith almost rolled her eyes. "Can I borrow some money?" she whispered.
That was not what Lilith expected.
LILITH's no longer confined
I almost shout yes because I'm so thankful she hasn't asked for a job. When a glisten in her eye catches my attention and I notice it's tears, I want to sink down into the seat and slip under the table like I used to do when I was a kid.
I'm skeptical because I really don't like this girl. She's as fake as they come. Technically she's not really family so I don't feel so guilty saying that.
"For what, Joanna? Are you in trouble?"
"Yes." She nods and the tears flow a little heavier.
"How much money?" I quietly ask.
She grabs my hand with both of hers and I jump. "I'll pay you every cent back. I swear it, Lily. I'll do anything. I'll work for free."
"How much money?" I ask again.
"Fifty seven thousand dollars."
I yank my hand back and my heart rate quickens. That's a lot of money to borrow a girl that doesn't even like me, that never has liked me.
"What's it for, Joanna?" I'm staring at her like she's completely insane. She fucking is!
She wipes away her tears and looks down at her plate. "I owe this guy money and he's not very nice."
"For what?" I've dulled my tone to slow and stern because she doesn't seem to understand I want answers right now.
"Drugs." Her voice cracks.
"How?" I gasp. "How did you do that much worth of drugs?" I loudly whisper and Joanna glances around.
"Shh." She lets out a few more tears. "I was selling for him and my bag got stolen on the train a few weeks ago. I have to pay for them, Lily, or he's going to kill me."
"Over fifty seven thousand he'll kill you?" My heartbeat won't slow. I've never expected this from Joanna. This is crazy trouble and her dad would kill her if he knew.
"Yeah, 'cause he answers to another person and she's killed people over ten dollars, Lily. I don't want to die." She's crying again.
"You were carrying fifty seven thousand dollars in drugs around with you?" The stupidity of that has me talking to her like she's disgusting.
"I was going to sell it! I was going to walk away with a ten thousand profit."
"Now you're fifty seven in debt." I fold my arms. "Why do you think I have that kind of money?"
"You're a model!" she boasts like that's valid. "And your fiancé is rich. He owns his own business!"
"That's a shit ton of money, Joanna," I snarl, letting her know how unhappy I am by this request.
"I know. I'm so sorry." She wipes her face but her lips are still curled downward like she could burst into tears again at any minute.
"When do you need this money? I can't just take that much money without talking to Ian first." I don't have that kind of money in my personal account. I maybe have forty thousand.
Now I'm thinking about when I told Ian to stop depositing money into my account. And Ashley saying she was going to give me money but I stupidly told her not to worry about it. The dates I've been on the past week I didn't take pay from because Karen's pay will be deducted soon.
"I have to call this girl Rima in a few hours." Joanna unfolds a piece of paper.
I know that name. I remember going to Rima's with Ashley and Caesar for pot and cocaine. I almost blurt 'I know her' but I don't want to be involved that way. I remember how scared I was when we were there and how intimidating the three men that came in were. I wonder if one of those guys is who Joanna is dealing with.
With a sigh I pinch the bridge of my nose.
"It's really cute when you do that," a voice comes from the end of the table as Justin sits next to me in the booth.
My heart's beating like it's going to burst out of my chest, and for multiple reasons. His smell consumes me and stress is melted, replaced with images of Justin's cock in my mouth.
Joanna wipes her face quickly and stares at Justin, confused.
"I'm Justin." He puts his hand out to shake hers.
"Joanna," she stutters out her name like the pathetic slut she is.
The contrast of how he's dressed today compared to last night is making my thoughts run rampant. Today he's in a suit and all tattoos are hidden from sight. Today he's disguising the sexy bad boy with a distinguished gentleman.
"Justin's a good friend," I manage to say through my building lust that's dampening my thong.
Joanna stares in awe and it's really unbecoming and a little pathetic, reminding me how pissed I was before Justin arrived.
"Rough night?" He grins at me and attempts to push falling locks of my hair into my loose bun.
I laugh at the memory of being with him last night, feeling Joanna's staring at us, but I won't look at her.
"Why are you here?"
"Jacks asked me to do him a favor. I had an appointment tomorrow night but he cancelled it."
"You did?" I realize he's one of the dates I'm blowing off for Daft Punk.
"Did." He nods, sounding disappointed. "And before you bitch that I didn't call first, I tried. You didn't answer my call or text. Then I saw you through the window so I wanted to say hi."
"Hi," I say with a giggle.
He plucks a piece of chicken from my plate and puts it into his mouth. God, I want this man. How can I feel this way about him and the way I feel about Ian? Is this something Ian has taught me to do? Is this even right or should I feel like a terrible person?
"Nice to meet you, Joanna. You guys work together?"
"Cousins," I mutter, coming back to the reality that my fake cousin just asked for fifty seven grand.
"Cool." He nods with boredom.
"Tomorrow night is Daft Punk," I blurt, wanting to see him tomorrow night.
"Oh, alright, cool. You'll have fun. I saw them back when I was a little kid." He chuckles.
"You should come. I'm going with Ashley. What did you have planned tomorrow night?"
I know Joanna's here, but I couldn't care less at the moment. The little bitch is about to be under my thumb for a long time.
"Nothing I can't blow off." He shrugs.
"Then come to Daft Punk with me."
He's already stood from the seat and I'm leaning both my hands on the booth at my side so I can be closer to him and smell him.
"Sounds like fun."
"You know it will be." I grin and sit up straight.
"Is Ian going?" Joanna asks inquisitively. I think she's picked up on something between us.
My eyes go to her, then to Justin, then back to her. "No," I say and look at him again.
Justin doesn't seem fazed by the question. He gives Joanna a simple smile, looking back at me as his smile shifts to so much more.
"Enjoy your lunch, girls." He walks away and I grab my water.
"Oh. My. God." Joanna's voice alone is annoying me. "He's so hot. You know the hottest guys, Lily."
"You need to leave," I blurt, seeing fear on her face. "For a few hours. Give me your phone number. You have a cellphone, don't you?" My glare is unkind and I'm fully aware.
"Yeah." She uses the pen the waiter left for me to sign the check with. After sliding me a napkin with her number I fold it up, rolling my eyes. "Lily, thank you so much. You have no idea how much I love you f
or this."
I stand, fighting back my annoyance. I'm holding back my emotions like two rabid dogs on a chain. It's pulling me so hard and I'm about to tip over.
"Let's get one thing fucking straight." I point at her and I'm very cognizant of my brash tone but feel no remorse for it. "I don't like you and you don't like me. Don't fuck me around like we're best friends, the closest cousins. Your stupid 'I'll pay you every cent'," I mock her, "bullshit was disgusting. You obviously don't have any money. You're a fucking drug dealer and a shitty one at that. You will pay me back in other ways, and if you don't, I'll kill you. Do not fuck with me, Joanna. You have no idea what you're dealing with." I almost smile. I feel good about my threatening tirade, and she looks scared.
"Hi, Ms. Tudor." Veronica greeted her with a big smile.
"Don't call me that," Lilith said as she hurried through the lobby. "Ian, I need to talk to you," she loudly, frantically called out almost to his office door.
She turned the corner into his office and saw Justin sitting in the chair across from Ian. Stopping dead in her tracks, her heart dropped. She had no idea what expression she was wearing but she quickly stood up straight and cleared her face. Ian noticed the expression and in that moment knew there was something more between them other than a client escort relationship.
"Lily." Ian stood and pushed a smile onto his face. He glanced at Justin who was still staring at Lilith. "Close the door."
It took a minute for her shaking hand to close the door that she then leaned her back against. Justin brought his attention to Ian and Ian held up a key.
"I got you something." The grin on his face was saying too much and Lilith knew Justin was going to pick up on it.
"What is it?" She approached his desk.
The keychain said Lincoln and she knew what he had done; he bought her a new car like she asked for.
"Ian," she breathed his name, trying to stop the trembling in her body because it was obvious what he was trying to do.
"Congrats on your new position." Keeping a smile on his face, Justin stood. "What're you drivin' these days, Jacks?"
"You know I'm strictly BMW. Right now I'm drivin' the Roadster, but I'll store it for the winter next month."
Lilith's eyes briefly closed because the Roadster was in her driveway at the condo the night prior.
"Justin's uncle works for a Lincoln dealer," Ian explained to Lilith who stared at the key, too afraid to look at either of them.
"I don't want the car," she blurted and pushed the key back into his hand, finally getting the courage to look at Justin.
Ian pinched the bridge of his nose and Justin watched him do exactly what he had just complimented Lilith on being so cute for. The sliver of doubt that remained in his brain after the car incident was subjugated. He had his answer without having to ask.
"I'm gonna leave you two to discuss the car." He walked to the door. "Jacks, give me a call."
"Yeah, man. Thanks."
When the door closed, Ian sat with a growl.
"What the fuck was that!" Lilith snapped at him.
"What?" he barked.
"You fucking did that so he'd know. You fucking asshole!" She began to pace and Ian flew to a standing position.
"You're fucking him!" he yelled.
"Yeah and so what?" Her glare was cold. He didn't expect that confession and he was at a loss for words. "You said this would still be kept discreet," she snarled.
"For what!" he screamed. "So your boyfriend doesn't know about me?"
"So you don't lose your company, you condescending asshole!" She stormed out the door going to her office and immediately heard her cellphone ring. Flipping a mental switch, she calmly answered, "This is Lily."
"Lily, I have a date in twenty minutes and I have a flat. I'm not going to make it into work on time!" a frantic girl said on the other end.
"Who is this?"
"It's Megan! What do I do?"
"Text me your location and who's your driver today?" Lilith sat down and looked in the computer. "Caesar. I'll have him pick you up with your clothes. Just change in the backseat. I'll have Richie change your tire and bring your car back here, okay?"
"Yes! Thank you! I love you, Mrs. Luxe!"
She hung up and let a chuckle escape. In the Vanity room she grabbed a pink dress with a matching sweater and black flats then brought the outfit to Caesar who waited by the desk, flirting with Veronica.
"I texted you Megan's address. Pick her up on the spot."
"Thanks, sweet lips." Caesar tried to kiss her but she was too distracted.
"Richie!" she called out as he walked by.
"You got rid of Joanna?" He grinned.
"I need you to go change a tire on a car then bring it back here to the garage. See Ian for some cash for a cab."
"Uh, okay, where?"
"I'll text you the location." Lilith walked back to her office and sat down, trying to collect herself.
"Hey, Ian." Richie knocked on the doorframe to his open door; Ian looked up. "Uh, yeah, uh, Lily said see you for some money for a cab 'cause uh, I gotta pick up a car and bring it back here. It's got a flat and shit and uh, I gotta pick it up." He shifted foot-to-foot.
"Why are you nervous?" Ian looked at him dumbly. "I just spent three thousand dollars on a cell phone and new clothes for you and you're nervous about asking me for thirty dollars for a cab ride?" He rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet. After throwing a fifty to the end of his desk he looked back down at paperwork and took a deep breath.
"Thanks." Richie quickly grabbed the money and got out of there. "I'm going now," he said into Lilith's office.
"Go," she replied with annoyance then stared blankly at a file folder on her desk.
Ian stood in the doorway until she finally looked up. "Condescending?" His eyebrow was cocked as he strolled to the chair in front of her desk.
She took a deep breath. "You're so full of yourself. What's good for you is good for everyone but once it comes down to me doing the same exact thing you did, all of a sudden you're willing to spill to everyone."
"I told you—" He stopped and closed her office door. "I told you if you wanted me to tell Karen, I would. You said no. You said you didn't want to hurt her so we kept it a secret. She's out of the picture now, Lily."
"No, she's not," she dryly interrupted. "Not until we pay her almost a million dollars, Ian. What are you doing buying me a new car right now?" she snapped. "We don't have the money! Where is your head?"
He sat down. "I want to keep you happy!" he blurted. "I want to give you everything you want! The car wasn't that much money."
"It's more than we need to spend on a car right now. If you want to keep me happy..." She stared at him for a minute. "Let me have Justin." His mouth dropped open, but before he could say anything she added, "I let you have Karen."
Ian stood and walked to the door; his tight fists and stiff posture showed he was fuming.
"I was going to tell you about it this morning when I told you I wanted to talk to you about something, but then Tash interrupted and Joanna showed up." The guilt all over her face was only from keeping her feelings about Justin from him.
"Do you love him?" was all Ian could think to say.
"No!" she scoffed, standing. "I barely know him. I just know I like being around him." She rounded the desk toward him and he took a step back to get away from her.
"I thought now that Karen was not in my life it'd be me and you." The pant of anger in his tone made her frown.
"I thought this day would never come, Ian. I really never thought we'd be rid of Karen and I'm going to be completely honest." She looked away from him. "I don't think we are. I think you'll for some reason end up seeing her again. Maybe not right now but in the future."
"I want you, Lily!" He grabbed her desperately.
"And you have me." She stared up at him. "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be Mrs. Ian Jacks in a few weeks. I'm here, baby, but you have to do for
me what I did for you and was willing to do for you for eternity."
Staring into the man's eyes that she fell in love with, the man that changed her entire world, she knew she'd never leave him. In that moment if he said no, she would have never spoken to Justin again.
"I don't want to lose you." He pulled her to him.
"You won't ever lose me to another man. You will always be my first, my husband, and you know what I feel for you, I will never feel for another person."
"How can I know that?" He pushed her at arm's length and stared into her eyes.
"Because I'm telling you. I know you love Karen but not one part of me doubts you love me more," she lied. "I don't want to fall in love with him, Ian. I'm fond of him, I like him, I like his company—"
"What does he have that I don't?" Emotion drove his words and she felt guilty he sounded on the verge of tears.
"What did Karen have that I don't?" she challenged.
"I loved Karen."
"Well most people would argue you can't love two people like that—"
"Fuck most people," he blurted, letting her arms go.
"That's exactly what I did and I gave you a chance. Now you need to do the same for me."
"How long have you been fucking him?"
"We never have." Her hand waved, hoping to drop that topic, but his eyebrows raised in question. "We haven't had intercourse," she rushed out.
"Jesus Christ," he whispered, pinching the bridge of his nose; he knew exactly what that meant. In surrender, he turned to leave her office, willing to do anything to keep her happy.
"Ian." She grabbed his hand and pushed her door closed again. "Joanna isn't here for a job." She waited for his attention. "She needs fifty seven thousand dollars—"
"What the fuck for?" he snapped.
"Rima." Her head was down but she looked up at him with her eyes like a reprimanded child.
"Rima, Rima?"