Unlikely To Fall In Love

by Esmeralda, Debie

  “I was just acting that way because you got Damon and I don’t. I was just jealous, I guess.” She started. She reached for her coffee nervously that I heard the faint rattling of the cup with the saucer. Is that why she was nervous, because she was going to admit that it was her fault?

  I nodded at the same time as I reached for my latte. “I understand, it’s okay.” I took a sip and oh, it tasted so good, coffee really knew how to fuel me up.

  She smiled at me behind her cup and said, “You really are a good person.”

  That made my brows rose up to my hairline. “Thank you.” I said slowly, not believing I was hearing this from her. From the girl who told me I was a blonde pretty face that waited for guys to pick me up in exchange of their dollar to have sex with me.

  Was today’s date was April 1?

  “Don’t worry, I will try to move on, now that I have realized that he really wanted you, and not me.” She explained further her absurd behavior. She must have a borderline personality. At one time she was all mean and bully and now, she was nice?

  “Okay.” I said it like I did not believe her words at all. Well, who would? She had just insulted me and I threw a drink all over her dress. And now…this?

  “I hope it was not too late, because I really wanted to know you better. If you need anything, I’ll be glad to help you.” She offered.

  I didn’t know if I should believe that and took her for her words. But something inside me, told me that I should at least give her a second chance. So I followed my gut and gave her my second chance pass.

  “Thanks.” I smiled at her and she returned it back with one of her own. She really did have a lovely smile.

  My bond with Christine was unbelievable. We talked and exchanged a lot of stories, and I just realized that she was not bad at all. Actually, I felt that this was a start for the two of us, for a new friendship to form because we instantly connect throughout the few hours that we chat.

  ~***~

  I fished out my keys and opened the door, and I was welcomed by the ugliest apartment in the whole world. The house was a mess―literally.

  What has Aiden been doing here? He did not take time to clean the litter and dust the counters. There was an empty box of pizza on the kitchen counter, a smashed can of soda on the center table, plates that were not yet washed on the sink, papers scattered on one side of the couch, and the throw pillows were disarranged. It was like nobody even dwelled in here.

  “Aiden.” I called out.

  My twin instantly showed up from his room. He ran to me like when we were little kids. He hugged me and kissed my cheek like he missed me so much, and I missed him too. The litter I was going to scold him about, now forgotten.

  “What’s with the welcome hug?” I asked as I kissed his cheek.

  “I just missed you.” He said. “Oh, and Trey’s on Skype.” He added. He instantly ran into his bedroom to fetch his laptop and showed it to me.

  Trey was on Skype, all muscles and dimples. He was really telegenic, the camera adored him. “Hey, Sparks.” Trey greeted.

  I couldn’t help but smile at him. “Hey Lockhart.” I missed the nicknames we have for one another.

  “I miss you sweetheart.” He said with a smile on his face. He was the only guy who called me sweetheart as if it was my real name.

  “Me too. When are you coming back?” I couldn’t help but ask. I just missed him so much. I wished he were here with us.

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “You look lovely.” He winked at me.

  I tilted my head sideways. “Thank you. You are not bad yourself.”

  Aiden interrupted us and focused the camera on his face. “Hey bro, I will leave this to the two of you. I know how much you missed each other. I gotta go.”

  Then my brother turned to me. “Call me you’re done.”

  “Okay.” I said as he leaned to kiss the top of my head and went back to his room.

  “So tell me what’s going on with your life now.” Trey asked once Aiden was gone.

  “The same old.” I shrugged.

  He cocked a brow at me. “Still working at night?”

  The reason why he brought me to those parties that were boring him as hell was to make me stay away from the night job I had. He was protecting me, just like the way Damon did all the time.

  You know, I tended to attract overprotective men to my life.

  “No. I got a scholarship at Sylvia Daly’s baking school. I will be working at her restaurant too.” I said proudly.

  He grinned at me. “Wow. Way to go, sweetheart.” He was really happy for me.

  “How about you? Tell me what’s keeping the superstar busy.” I teased him, like two old friends did.

  “Party at night, sex afterwards and thinking about my two best friends.” He winked at me again.

  “Who are the best friends? I am not going to ask about sex, I know it was some random chick you picked up at the bar and didn’t even know some of them, maybe.” I said.

  He laughed a belly laugh that resonated through the speakers of the laptop. It was so good to hear it coming from him.

  “Yeah, I didn’t know their names, but they were great.” He shook his head as he wiped the tear on the corner of his eyes. “Best friends? Of course, you and Aiden, but I was wondering mostly about you. Because you are the one with the heart problem.”

  “Shut up Dr. Love.” I said, and then followed it with a smile.

  “I wish I could be there to hug you when you cry over Damon Rhodes.” He said sympathetically.

  “You don’t have to, we are fine. We are back together and we’re dating.” I said proudly and happily.

  It was the truth.

  Damon and I were happy.

  We were happy.

  He gave me that genuine smile that he owned. “That’s good news. I am so happy for you.”

  ~***~

  “Hey, Margaret.” I called over to Margaret whose back was to me.

  She was wearing a tight black tube top that was too short that her navel was showing and denim mini skirt with black pantyhose and stiletto shoes. She turned around and she gave me a full grin.

  I remembered that there was a time that I used to be that girl, the girl who was fond of wearing obscene clothes.

  Now I was wearing a brown shift dress and black pumps that was different from those tight clothes that clung around my body like a wax and knee-high leather boots that I used when walking around the city. My blonde hair still fell down my back as if I was in a shampoo commercial. And of course, I put on some red lipstick (my favorite accessory) to finish my look for tonight.

  “Amanda Sparks.” She exclaimed before giving me a look from head to toe. She took in all of me like our costumers used to. “You look different girl.”

  “Different good or different bad?” I asked with wide eyes. I thought that I put it all together fine.

  “Good” She gave me a cat like purr. “Money favored you a lot.” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Money is Margaret’s favorite thing in the world.

  “Are you busy?” I wanted to spend time and catch up with my former best friend. We grew apart because of all these rapid changed in my life that I had undergone, and when Trey Lockhart came into my life and became my new best friend.

  “Nope.” She puffed her cheeks and shrugged. “The business is slow tonight. Why? Planning on hiring me?” She slanted her eyes at me.

  “Shut up. How about dinner?”

  “Sure, as long as you’re paying.” She smirked.

  We went into this small restaurant that was just a walking distance from where I saw Margaret. The other costumers turned their heads and looked at us with judging stares. I always got that look from other people thinking that they were way above me, but until now, I was still not used to it. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to people staring at me as if I was a societal parasite because of my former profession.

  Margaret must have been used to it, because she walked inside the restaur
ant as if she was a recently crowned beauty queen. People stared at her with those stares they also tended to give me before, especially when I wore black stockings and boots. Your clothes determined if you are welcome or not, that was the way it always was. Well, today I looked decent so they just stared at me and shrugged as if I belonged. As if.

  “So what’s up friend of mine?” Margaret said the moment her butt touched the chair.

  I smiled at the waiter who helped me to my seat. “Thank you.” I said to the waiter and he gave me a friendly “you’re welcome” smile.

  “I just wanted to know what’s up with you. It’s been a long time since we bonded.” I said as the waiter came back with the menu. I took it from him and scanned the dishes they serve for tonight.

  “Same old.” Margaret said as she scanned her own menu. “This looks good.” She exclaimed. “I will have seafood pasta.” She said to the waiter.

  “I will have the same.” I handed back the menu to the waiter and gave him another polite smile, and then he left us alone.

  “Oh, before I forgot.” Margaret fished out something inside her purse and I waited. “Here.” She handed me a reading material and I stared at her with a raised brow as I took it.

  “I didn’t know that you kept tabloids inside your purse.” I said as I opened the pages of the tabloid. What was this anyway?

  “Look at the headlines.” She said as she returned the paper back to the front page where the headline was located. She pointed her long nailed index finger on the letter and I read it.

  Billionaire Damon Rhodes took a prostitute to a charity event and even took her home to his million-dollar penthouse.

  Twenty-One

  My body went numb at the sight of those offensive words. There was even a picture of me in the gown that I wore at the charity event, waiting for Damon on the sidelines to finish his short interviews with the field reporters.

  I pressed my lips tightly together, trying my best to keep the tears at bank. Hoping I could suppress them and they would not fell down my cheeks. Trying my best to be strong despite all of the judgments they kept on throwing at me.

  Margaret reached over and covered my hand with hers. “Hey, did I upset you?” She asked.

  I kept my head lowered, hid my eyes under the shadows of my hair. I shook my head as I tried to suppress the emotions that wanted to burst out of me like a bubble. “I am okay.” I said in the steadiest voice I could manage. Of course, I was not okay, but I tried to keep my poker face on, intending to keep it inside until I was all alone. So in that case, I could cry all I want.

  Margaret and I caught up with each other’s lives. Margaret told me that she has a regular costumer who was a politician, but she did not tell me whom it was. I respected her take on confidentiality. I told her about my Sylvia Daly’s scholarship and she was happy for me. We talked about a lot of stuff and everything that we had missed on each other’s lives until we forgot how much time has passed. It was comforting to know that despite the other’s judgment there were still those who understood you in a way no one could. It was good to caught up with a friend once in a while.

  ~***~

  “Hey baby, I’m here.” Soft lips brushed my forehead and I took a peek on who it was.

  “Damon?” Surprised was evident in my voice. What was Damon doing here in my bedroom, in my apartment? “What are you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t sleep without you, I came here. Aiden let me in.” He kissed my forehead again. He lay next to me in my small bed as he wrapped his arms around my midline. My back was to him, and he buried his face on my shoulder blades. “Why didn’t you tell me you are not coming home?”

  “I am home.” I replied. I didn’t intended it to sound like it did, but I kind of felt a scowl in Damon’s handsome face despite the fact that my back was to him.

  “What does that even mean? You are not home, in our home.” He said the word “our home” way too emphasized.

  When did there was such a thing as our home?

  The last time I checked, I just recently got a boyfriend and we started seeing each other. We were not even living together.

  But because I was tired of all the thing in this world, the judgment and all the insults I received from the oh-so-better citizen of this country, I tried to avoid breaking a fight with him about the “our home” issue. Maybe we could discuss it better if the topic was open tomorrow rather than today. I just wanted to sleep and forgot the fact that I was once became a prostitute, even just in my dreams.

  “Go to sleep, let’s talk tomorrow.” I said as I closed my eyes to return back to sleep.

  The next day, the harsh light coming from the crack between my curtains woke me up. I reached to the other side of the bed and my fingers touched cool empty sheets, again, just like yesterday.

  I opened my eyes and sat up, stared at the vacated side of the bed where Damon slept. It was not like him to not wake me up when he was going to work or something like that. This was not Damon, who did not leave kisses on my forehead whenever he woke me up or whenever he said goodbye before leaving me. I wondered what was going on with him, maybe he was too stressed about his work.

  I got up from the bed and fixed it before taking a shower. An hour later, I was fresh from the shower and was clothed in floral blouse and white jeans.

  When I went to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast and coffee, I saw my brother on the kitchen counter drinking coffee and reading a thick book.

  “Good morning twin.” I greeted him as I sauntered towards the coffee maker for some freshly brewed coffee. I poured myself a cup, inhaled the coffee’s rich aroma, and took a decent sip. It tasted as good as always. I could never live without coffee in my life.

  “Damon left early. He said that he was needed in his office.” Aiden said as he leaned on the counter with his elbows propped at the top as he continued on reading and drinking at the same time.

  I peeked at him over the rim of my cup. “He didn’t even wake me up to tell me that he was going out early.” I said.

  Did his office faced problems that he was too stressed to deal with everyday, which kinda made him forgot things?

  “Oh, maybe he was busy in the office. I have to run, have class in an hour. Are you coming home later?” Aiden asked as he placed his cup in the sink.

  “I am not sure. Damon and I will be attending a party tonight.” I said.

  “Okay, I’ll see when you are home.” He kissed the top of my head and walked out of the door.

  ~***~

  I took a deep breath as I watched the herd of the press and media people outside the location of the party. I have no idea what the party was for, Damon did not tell me anything about it. My nerves were really making me squishy. I hated this feeling. It was like taking the SAT’s. I took a few calming breaths to calm my nerves hoping it would work. Thank God it did, a little.

  “Hey, don’t worry. You look beautiful.” Damon murmured, his eyes were shining with love for me.

  “Thank you.” I squeezed his hand that was entwined with mine. “Let’s do this.” I smiled at him and he returned my smile with one of his own.

  We held hands as we eased out of the limousine. Damon never let go of my hand and I never wanted him to. I missed him, his touch, and his presence. I missed everything about him.

  He led the way and stopped by for a few photos. Then he stepped behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek, and just like a magic word, the cameras snapped wildly.

  I looked up at him and smiled, a big wide smile, and he smiled back at me with his heart in his eyes shining like blue diamonds.

  We did some more photos together. The earlier hurt of the insults thrown at me long forgotten, because tonight he made me forget about it. Forget that I was even a prostitute. He flaunted me out to the world, his arms around me as if he was trying to tell everybody, that I was his and he was mine.

  “Amanda.” Diana approached me just like an old friend did. She emb
raced me with all her might as if she was really happy that I was here. “You look gorgeous.” She said to me.

  I blushed as I took in her words. I could say I looked pretty decent in the clothes Damon sponsored for me.

  I chose to wear a white strapless evening gown that hugged my upper body like clay and fell like fluid down the floor. It has multicolored crystals that edged the strapless sweetheart neckline with prismatic sparkle down the center front. The draping accentuated the purpose of the split skirt with soft flutters, showing off my legs whenever I took a step. My blonde hair, let loose with wavy curls at the end. My makeup was not too much to overpower my face but enough to bring out the green of my eyes, and tonight for this occasion, I ditched the red lipstick for a pink gloss.

  Diana was magnificent as well in her slim A-line silhouette and split three quarter length sleeves imbue. It has a bold V-neckline and an embellishment on the waist. Her hair was in a low bun and her makeup made her look effortlessly lovely. No wonder Damon always looked so effortlessly handsome, because his mother was effortlessly beautiful.

  Damon removed his hold onto me and embraced his mother. “Hey mom.”

  She gave both his cheeks a kiss and looked up at him with loving mother’s eyes. How I wished my mom was alive too. “Damon, sweetheart, I am so proud of you son.” She said.

  I could not help but smile at these two. They were so open about caring for one another. I could not help but envy them, hoping that one day I would also have my own family. A son I could say that I was very proud of.

  Someday.

  “Thanks mom.” He leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek and Diana excused herself from us.

  When she was gone and we were alone, Damon held out his hand to me and I took it. He intertwined our fingers and brought my hand to his lips to plant a kiss on my knuckles. A smile formed on my lips again. My cheeks were spastic from nonstop smiling, but I could not help it. He made me smile all the time.