by Lynn, Sandi
“What kind of business proposition?” he asked as he followed me into the living room.
“For the next six months, she’s all mine. I will be her only client.”
“And how much is that costing you?”
“It doesn’t matter, bro. She’s worth it and there won’t be any complications.”
“You’ve done some pretty dumb shit in your life, Caden, but I must say, this really takes the cake. I can’t believe you’re paying an escort for the next six months for sex.”
“It’s not just for sex. It’s also for companionship. I do get lonely sometimes, you know.”
“That’s your choice. It doesn’t have to be that way.”
“Yes it does, and you know it. With Brielle, I don’t have to worry about all the bullshit that comes with women wanting more. I’m in control of her and she’s getting paid not to give me any hassles or fall in love with me. This is purely a business deal. She can continue living a good life and I get my needs met.”
“I will say I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”
“It’ll play out fine.” I handed him a drink.
14
Brielle
“Hi, Mom,” I spoke as I walked into my apartment.
“Hi, honey.”
“Is Stella in bed?”
“Yeah, but I just put her down a little while ago. I don’t think she’s asleep yet.”
I walked into Stella’s room and she opened her eyes.
“Mommy,” she whispered with a smile.
“Hey, baby.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed and gave her a hug.
“How was your meeting?”
“It was very good.” I smiled. “Now go to sleep. You have school tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I kissed her forehead and walked out of her room. Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed the bottle of wine and poured some in a glass.
“What did he want to discuss with you?” my mom asked.
I brought the glass up to my lips and took a sip.
“He wants me exclusively for six months.”
“What?” Her brows furrowed. “What does that mean?”
“That I can’t have appointments with other clients. Only him. And he’s paying me eighty thousand dollars a month.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No. I’m not.”
“And you agreed to that?” she asked.
“I did, because if I’m only with him, then I’ll have more time to spend with Stella. Plus, it’s eighty thousand dollars a month and I’m going to have a big tuition bill to pay if she ends up going to the Speyer school.”
“Do you trust this man?”
I stared at her for a moment as I finished off my wine.
“Yeah. I do trust him.”
The next morning, after I dropped Stella off at school, I met Sasha for coffee and told her everything about my deal with Caden.
“I just can’t believe this. He’s a hot single billionaire who can have any woman he wants for free. If he was married, I could understand, I guess, but he’s not.”
“According to him, things with women get complicated and messy because they want more. He knows he’s safe with me.”
“So why is he such a relationship phobe?”
“I don’t know. He just said he has his reasons.”
While we were talking, my phone rang, and Caden was calling.
“Hello.”
“It’s Caden. I’m calling to let you know that our contract is ready. Are you available now to come to my office?”
“Sure. Text me the address and I’ll be on my way.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
I ended the call and waited for his text message to come through.
“I have to go. Caden needs me to come to his office. The contract is ready,” I spoke to Sasha as I grabbed my purse.
“I guess maybe I’d better get used to you jumping when he calls.” She smirked.
“I’ll call you later.” I smiled.
I walked out of the café and headed to the address that he texted me. When I walked into the building, I was immediately stopped by a security guard.
“May I help you, Miss?” he asked.
“I’m here to see Mr. Chamberlain.”
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Chamberlain isn’t available.”
I gently smiled as I pulled up Caden’s text message and held up my phone in front of the guard’s face.
“His text message says otherwise.”
“Just a moment.” He picked up his phone on the desk. “Your name?”
“Brielle.”
“Brielle what?”
Without even thinking, I spat out my last name.
“Winters.”
“There’s a Brielle Winters here to see Mr. Chamberlain,” he spoke into the phone.
Shit.
“Take the elevator up to the top floor,” he spoke.
“Thank you.”
I stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for the seventh floor. When the doors opened, an older woman with short black stylish hair looked up at me from behind her desk.
“You must be Brielle. I’m Louise, Mr. Chamberlain’s secretary.” She smiled as she extended her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Louise,” I spoke as I placed my hand in hers.
“Follow me. Mr. Chamberlain is waiting for you in the conference room.”
I followed her to the end of the hallway, where we entered the room through two large wooden doors.
“Brielle, come in,” Caden spoke as he stood from his chair.
As I took the seat across from him, he poured me a glass of water and set it down in front of me.
“How are you today?” he asked.
“I’m good. How are you?”
“Better now that this contract is done and you’re here signing it.” He smirked.
I picked up the contract and carefully read it over.
“I must be available at any time of the day when you call?” I arched my brow at him.
“Yes.”
“Can you be a little more specific?”
“Perhaps I need to fuck you in the middle of the day. You are to come when I call.”
“You will at least give me some notice, right? Because I might be in the middle of doing something and can’t get to you as quickly as you need me.”
“And what would you be doing?”
I sat there and narrowed my eye at him.
“I do have a life, you know. I could be in the middle of grocery shopping or just shopping in general or I could be at the gun range practicing my shooting.” I arched my brow at him as I pursed my lips.
“You won’t need that gun of yours for the next six months. You’re safe with me and you know that.”
“Do I really, Caden?”
He leaned back in his chair and stared at me.
“Fine. I’ll give you notice.”
“If it’s the middle of the day, I have a room at the Warwick Hotel that I use.”
“Seriously? You have your own room there?”
“Yes. It was my way of keeping in control.”
“I could just come by your place.” He smirked.
“No. I don’t have clients come to my place, ever.”
“I can understand that, but I’m your only client and I already know the real you, Brielle Winters.”
Shit.
“I said no, Caden. My place is off limits. If that’s going to be an issue, then you can have your contract back and we’ll call this whole thing off.”
“What are you hiding, Miss Winters?” His eye steadily narrowed at me.
“I’m not hiding anything. My place is my home for living purposes only. Not for work.”
“Okay. The Warwick Hotel it is then if warranted. Is everything else to your liking?”
“There’s nothing in here about when I’m on my period,” I spoke.
“I thought about that. How lo
ng does it usually last?”
“About three days.”
“You said you were on birth control. I’m assuming you’re on the pill, right?”
“Yes. I am.”
“And you start the same time every month?”
“Yes.”
“Then send me those dates and I’ll know not to call you. Now, is everything else okay?”
“Everything else looks fine.”
He picked up a pen and handed it to me.
I took it from him and pressed it down on the paper. I hesitated for a moment, set the pen down and looked at him.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked.
“The question isn’t if I’m sure, Brielle. The question is, are you?”
I took in a deep breath, picked up the pen, and signed on the dotted line.
“It’s done,” I spoke as I turned the contract around and slid it to him.
He signed it, reached in his pocket, pulled out a check and slid it across to me. I picked it up and stared at it.
“Like I said, you’ll receive your checks the first of every month.”
He got up from his seat, walked over to me, and placed his finger under my chin.
“I have some time before my meeting, and I’d like to check out that hotel room of yours.” He smirked.
“I’ll have to change first.”
“Why?” His brows furrowed.
“Because the hotel only knows me as Emmy Pine in disguise.”
“How long is that going to take?”
“I noticed you had a bathroom down in the lobby. I just need to send a quick text and I can have my things here.”
“Okay. But don’t take too long.”
I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to Ben.
“I need my bag and I need you to bring it to this address. Then I’ll need you to drive Mr. Chamberlain and me to the Warwick.”
“On my way, Brielle. I’ll be there in ten.”
“My bag will be here in ten minutes. All I need is about another ten to get ready. Outside your building, there will be a black sedan parked. I’ll text you when to come down.”
“A black sedan? You drive a black sedan?”
“I don’t. My driver does.”
“You have a driver?” His brow raised.
“I do. His name is Ben and he’s been driving me for about four years. He watches out for me.”
“What else don’t I know about you?”
“Nothing.”
“I need to make a phone call. Text me when you’re ready,” he spoke before walking out of the conference room.
I took the elevator down to the lobby, where I saw Ben walk through the double doors.
“Your bag, Madame. But why do you need it?”
“Because he’s insisting that we go to the Warwick. I can’t very well show up like this.”
“Understandable. I’ll be waiting in the car.”
I took the bag and went into the bathroom, where I quickly changed into my black dress, stiletto heels, and my wig. After popping in my colored contacts, I threw on my fake lashes and colored my lips a cherry red. After putting on my sunglasses, I casually walked out of the bathroom, out of the building, and climbed into the car.
“I’m ready and waiting.”
“On my way down.”
Ben stood outside with the door open and Caden slid in next to me.
“Caden, I’d like you to meet my driver, Ben. Ben, this is Caden Chamberlain.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Ben spoke.
“And you as well, Ben.”
We arrived at the Warwick Hotel and walked up to the front desk.
“Ah, good afternoon, Emmy.”
“Hello, Joseph. I’d like my room, please.”
“Of course. I was just thinking that I haven’t seen you in a while.”
He glanced at Caden and gave him a smile.
“That’s because she’s been with me, and after today, she won’t be needing the room anymore. Isn’t that right, Emmy?”
“I don’t know. That’s something we will need to discuss in private.”
“Here’s your key.” Joseph handed it to me.
“Thank you.”
“As always, enjoy your stay at the Warwick.”
I gave him a small smile before heading to the elevator. Once we got to the room, I opened the door and we stepped inside.
“So this is where it takes place,” he spoke.
“Where what takes place?”
“Where you’ve fucked a lot of men.”
“This is it,” I spoke as I took off my heels.
“After we’re done, you are to cancel the room. I don’t ever want to come back here again, and you won’t be needing it for the next six months. So it’s a waste of money.”
“Are you uncomfortable here?” I asked as I removed his suitcoat.
“A little bit. I don’t like the idea of that bed being used with so many different men.”
“You’re the one who wanted to come here,” I spoke as I unbuttoned his shirt.
“Because I was curious. Just so you know, we’re not going to fuck on that bed. I’m going to nail you against the wall with your legs tightly wrapped around my waist,” he said as he slipped off my dress.
15
Brielle
“I’m going to have my driver pick me up and take me back to the office. So you’re free to do whatever you want,” Caden said as he buttoned up his shirt.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He sat down on the edge of the bed and put on his shoes while I slipped back into my dress.
“When we go down to the lobby, make sure you cancel the room.”
“I get the feeling you don’t trust me, Mr. Chamberlain.”
He stood up from the bed, grabbed his watch from the table, and slipped it on his wrist.
“I trust you. I just don’t want you wasting your money on something you won’t be using for six months.”
We went down to the lobby and Caden followed me to the front desk.
“Joseph.” I smiled. “I will no longer be needing that room anymore.”
“Of course, Emmy. I’ll cancel it now.” He glanced at Caden. “I will say that I’m going to miss seeing you around here.”
“Thank you. I’ll miss you too.”
We walked out of the hotel and I saw Ben waving at me from down the street.
“I’ll be in touch,” Caden spoke as he lightly took hold of my hand.
“Looking forward to it.” I smiled.
As I began to walk away, he called my name.
“Brielle.”
I stopped and turned to him.
“No offense or anything, but I don’t ever want to see that wig again.”
The corners of my mouth curved up into a small smile as I turned away and climbed into the car.
I had Ben drive me to the piano store on West 57th Street. The moment we stepped inside, a tall gentleman with salt and pepper hair dressed in a black suit approached us.
“May I help you?”
“I’m looking for a baby grand piano to possibly purchase.”
“For yourself?” he asked.
“It’s actually for my six-year-old daughter.”
“Lucky little girl. Follow me and I’ll show you our newest addition.”
After being in the store for two hours, I walked out with a receipt in my hand for a Steinway baby grand piano in white that was going to be delivered tomorrow afternoon at one o’clock. I couldn’t wait for Stella to see it. As we were on our way to pick her up from school, I received an email from the Speyer school. They had looked over my application and wanted to meet with me and Stella tomorrow morning at nine a.m.
I had always known Stella was highly intelligent. She was sitting up at four months, walking at nine months and putting sentences together at the age of one. By the time she was three, she could write her name and other words perfectly. When she colored, she nev
er colored out of the lines, and when she played with her toys, her imagination was vivid. The only thing I ever wanted for my daughter was for her to live a normal life, ‘cause God knew that mine was far from it.
After I picked her up from school, I took her to dinner so I could discuss the Speyer school with her.
“Listen, Stella, you’re going to be late for school tomorrow.”
“Why, Mommy?”
“Me and you are going to visit a different school that you might be going to in the Fall.”
“Why?”
“It’s a school for smart kids like you, sweetie. I’m so sorry that I told you to pretend you didn’t know things. It was wrong of me. In this school, you don’t have to do that, and you’ll be with other kids who know everything you do. It’ll be a better place for you. A school where you’ll be challenged and not bored.”
“Okay.” She grinned.
I put Stella to bed, changed into my nightshirt, and sat down on the couch with a glass of wine. I had just turned on The Bachelorette when my phone dinged with a text message from Caden.
“Lunch tomorrow. One p.m. My office.”
Shit. I needed to think fast because my piano was being delivered at that time.
“I’m sorry, Caden, but I can’t. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow at one.”
“Cancel it.”
“Okay. I will. Then I can’t get a refill on my birth control pills, which means you’ll have to start using a condom.”
“Oh. Keep the appointment. How long is it going to take?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes I’m there for at least two hours.”
“I have a dinner meeting tomorrow night. So let’s plan for the next night. We’ll go out to dinner and then back to my place for the night. I can send my driver to pick you up around six thirty.”
“That’s okay. I’ll have Ben drop me at the restaurant. He still needs his job.”
“Fine. Meet me at Per Se at seven.”
“I will.”
“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“You too, Caden.”
The next morning, Stella and I headed to the Speyer school. We took a tour and then they interviewed Stella in a separate room by herself. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
“So, Miss Winters, do you have the contact information for Stella’s father?” Mrs. Patterson, the school’s director, spoke.