by S M Mala
Molly realised Jamie hadn’t told his lover anything.
‘And you’re Chloe,’ Molly replied, putting on her winning smile. ‘Bill, you’re a very lucky man.’
‘I could say the same for Jamie,’ Bill replied and smiled at all of them.
Immediately, she felt sorry for the nice man who seemed very happy.
‘Chloe,’ Jamie said, leaning forward and giving her a kiss on both cheeks.
The woman stood stiffly on receiving his gesture then looked at Jamie. Molly wasn’t quite sure if it was a shock or just pure horror at finding out.
‘I’m thirsty. Let’s go to the bar,’ said Molly, wanting to get out of the tricky first meeting.
Also, she knew that’s why Jamie was anxious about her speaking to Bill.
He was allegedly the ‘bad man’.
‘You!’ he hissed in her ear, grabbing her by the waist and leaning down. ‘What are you wearing?’
‘A blue dress that matches your tie,’ she said, looking at him up and down. ‘You look nice, my gorgeous fiancé.’
‘Molly, you can’t go looking like that!’
‘Like what?’ She stopped, seeing he was avoiding eye contact. ‘You don’t like the way I dress, saying I look like a boy, and when I look like a woman, you don’t like it either. Weren’t you better off asking a drag queen to do this?’
‘You look…’ He seemed to be stuck for words. ‘You look-.’
‘Very beautiful,’ David said, coming from behind Jamie and kissing Molly on the cheek. ‘Bro, you’ve got yourself a head turner.’
David looked elegant in a black suit and red tie. Over his shoulder, she noticed Rene was sitting down.
‘Thank you,’ Molly replied. ‘And you look dashingly handsome.’
‘Not nice?’ Jamie said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
‘No, that’s just you,’ she grinned, seeing the brat frown at her as she turned to David. ‘He doesn’t like my dress. Your brother doesn’t like any of my clothes.’
‘I see,’ smiled David. ‘I think you look great, from what I’ve seen of you.’
‘Can you get me a drink, please, my love?’ she said to Jamie, flashing him a smile. ‘I like your family and friends. And-.’
He hadn’t let her finish speaking.
Jamie grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the terrace, so they were out of ear shot.
‘You!’ she said, poking him in the chest. ‘Are a little shit! I knew you were shifty. Bill’s Chloe’s husband, but you forgot to tell me that this afternoon, didn’t you? And if I were him, I’d beat the living shit out of you for screwing his wife.’ Molly watched Jamie roll his eyes. ‘And she? Oh my god, Jamie, did you see her face when she realised you were engaged? What are you playing at?’
He took a deep breath then started to walk away to the other end of the terrace.
Molly knew she should follow but wanted a stiff drink, grabbing a glass from a passing waiter and watched him look out at the scenery. She smiled because he was such a lovely looking man but with incredibly twisted values when it came to love and relationships.
He looked over at her as she raised her glass.
But he didn’t look away.
Her first thought was that he remembered what she looked like naked and was now horrified to get closer. Chloe was indeed the straight up and down woman he’d go for, pretty much like the woman he’d slept with the other weekend.
Then she looked at the scenery, and it took her breath away.
It was beautiful.
She smiled at the setting and suddenly all the noise in the background disappeared.
There was silence and the dark sky twinkled from the stars shining through.
‘I’m going to start being straight with you,’ a voice said, making her jump.
Jamie was standing beside her.
‘It would make the next few weeks easier if I knew what you were up to,’ she said, glancing up. ‘Don’t play me for a fool. If you want my help, ask. It’s my mission to make sure you come out in one piece as well as myself. That goes without saying.’
‘You look like a woman,’ he said, frowning. ‘I never expected you would.’
‘Jamie, you saw me naked,’ she laughed. ‘Are you telling me you thought I had a dick? That would be insulting to my flappy fanny.’
‘This is going to be harder than I thought,’ he said, walking off then stopping to look at her. ‘You stay by my side all evening, whether you like it or not.’
‘Sure. I’ll do as I’m told,’ Molly blatantly lied and noticed he grinned.
‘There you go.’
Jamie tucked her chair in, and he seemed to find something amusing.
They were placed at a table with eight other people in the very large dining room. Rene and David were sat beside Molly.
Jamie peered into her face.
‘Rule number one. You can’t go getting fresh with anyone else,’ he said before looking across the room. ‘Even if you want a bit of old leather.’
‘I could say the same thing for you.’
‘Number two. Try and look like you’re in love with me and that we’re together. Especially tonight. That’s really important.’ Jamie then frowned. ‘Three. Don’t go talking about our rampant sex life or anything you know about me. And fourth is the simplest one of them all.’
‘Which is what?’
‘You have to kiss me on cue.’
‘But not like I did earlier?’
‘I’ll always take the lead, so there are no mixed messages,’ he said, glancing around the room. ‘Oh, and the last one.’
‘Are you sure?’ she said, examining his face.
‘For Christ sake, don’t tell David or Rene anything about what’s going on. You think Bill’s bad? It’s nothing compared to what my brother is going to do when he finds out what I’ve been up to.’
Now the evening hadn’t been that bad. She had been left to speak to Rene, remembering not to say anything.
‘And I’m happy you like the idea about the fundraiser,’ Molly said, feeling the wine flow freely through her veins.
‘He wants you to spar with someone in a boxing ring. Did he say?’ laughed Rene, shaking her head. ‘Are you going to do it?’
‘Hell no! I’m not that stupid.’
‘He likes you, I can tell,’ smiled Rene then touched her hand. ‘I think you’re good for Jamie.’
This is the bit she didn’t know how to handle. When people thought they were a real couple. She sipped her drink to avoid eye contact
‘I know you’re not together,’ the woman smiled, making Molly sit up straight. ‘Don’t look so worried.’
‘But-.’
‘He’s doing this because he’s been playing around with Bill Dyer’s wife. Don’t you think I know about it? Jamie is a law unto himself. Only he could come to the party of the man whose wife he’s been screwing.’
‘Does David know?’ Molly gulped hard. ‘He doesn’t want to him to find out and-.’
‘So you’re not denying it?’
‘I need another drink,’ she said, trying to get the attention of a waiter.
Stemming her internal panic, Molly sat still, scrambling on what to say.
‘Shit,’ was all she could utter.
‘Do you want to know a story?’ Rene whispered. ‘Danika, Jamie’s ex, was in love with someone else. I know it and so does Jamie. He was so besotted with the woman. The boy couldn’t see she wanted his money and the good life as well as screwing other men.’
‘I heard that from… Bill. He told me when I first met him. I also know she was very liberal with her love.’
‘Jamie doesn’t know the half of it but suspects it happened from day one. He was heartbroken when she walked out. The thing is, he was planning to get married and have a family. It’s sad.’ She let out a sigh. ‘Then he’s been on a self-destruct mission for over a year. Bedding Chloe Dyer wasn’t one of his finest decisions.’
She was trying not to panic, bu
t Molly couldn’t help it.
‘I like him,’ Molly blurted out. ‘He’s a handful but we’re doing this until the end of January just to cover his arse. I think he’s an idiot!’
Rene started to laugh and sipped her wine.
‘He’s a lovely young man though he acts like a teenager sometimes. Jamie Cohen lives in the shadow of David, and that’s why he does what he does. And this affair with Chloe? It’s not an accident. He orchestrated it.’
‘How?’ Molly did a double take and shook her head.
‘You don’t want to know.’
‘Aren’t you mad with me for lying to you? I’d be furious!’
‘And it’s platonic?’
‘He’s not had his hands down my knickers, if that’s what you think.’ Molly shook her head. ‘We’re being professional.’
‘I thought he’d try it on. Interesting,’ she said, narrowing her eyes. ‘He said you’re still upset about an ex, when he mentioned you.’
Blinking hard, she tried hard to control the sinking feeling occurring in her gut.
‘That bad, Molly?’ Rene gently asked.
‘I think Jamie and I are like two wounded kittens. Will David be mad with Jamie?’
‘If Jamie’s trying to stop things so his brother stays in business with Bill Dyer, then that’s a good thing.’
Examining the people at the party, she realised Rene was looking at her with a half-smile.
‘Jamie was David’s rock when my sister died. He does lots of fund raising because he wants to help.’ She touched Molly’s hand. ‘I’m not mad at you. If you’re helping Jamie do good by his brother then I’m happy. If you both get on that’s even better.’
‘He’s up to something,’ Molly mumbled making Rene turn suddenly. ‘I don’t know what it is but there’s more to this.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve got a funny feeling, that’s all.’
And just then, she caught Jamie walking towards them.
It was involuntary.
The spasm she felt in her chest and tummy when she saw him, realising that Rene had notice and narrowed her eyes before smiling.
‘I think, Molly,’ whispered Rene. ‘There is much more to this.’
She’d managed to speak to a few more people, and Jamie kept her glass constantly topped up. The thing was, the more she drunk, the more attractive Jamie became. Molly wasn’t sure if that was down to the fact he was exceptionally nice for the make believe audience.
Either way, she wasn’t saying much and kept her head down.
Now people were dancing, and she felt dead on her feet.
Jamie had left her on her own to go to the gentlemen’s, and she was watching the crowd have fun. She didn’t want to dance on her own and decided to go back to the terrace to get some air.
The sky was attracting her attention as she looked up and smiled.
That’s when she heard a voice.
It was Jamie’s.
‘What are you up to?’ a woman said. Molly peeked around the corner and noticed he was speaking to Chloe. ‘Engaged? When did this happen?’
‘A few weeks back.’
‘And you didn’t bother to tell me?’ she hissed. ‘Why are you doing this?’
‘I’m worried. It’s going to have to stop.’
‘But I love you!’
‘Oh my god!’ Molly mumbled, realising what Jamie had got himself into.
‘I want to leave Bill and be with you,’ Chloe continued and she heard Jamie mumble something. ‘What did you say?’
‘I said, I’ve fallen in love.’
‘Jesus, Jamie,’ Molly huffed, shaking her head. ‘Why don’t you shoot her when she’s down?’
‘You’re doing this on purpose,’ said Chloe, getting angrier. ‘You got me into this mess and he’ll find out what I’ve done. I can’t go back to my loveless marriage.’
‘Then do it for you, no-one else. Stand on your own two feet.’ Jamie sounded angry. ‘I know about all your affairs and I’m no different. If you’re unhappy, leave Bill and-.’
‘He won’t give me a penny.’
‘Trust me. I have a plan.’
‘And why her?’ she snapped back. ‘Why’d you pick someone who looks like her?’
‘Cheeky cow,’ Molly whispered into her glass.
‘You did it on purpose, didn’t you?’ she hissed, now starting to cry. ‘Because you knew exactly how much trouble it would cause and how it would hurt me. I could kill you Jamie; I really could.’
‘And so could I,’ Molly said, realising Jamie Cohen was a shifty little bastard.
Quickly walking away, Molly decided she had to dance.
Her body was moving to the beat, and she didn’t care if she was on her own. She wanted to let her hair down and have some fun. So she did.
Dancing in the corner, she smiled at everyone having a good time and grooved away, remembering when she used to dance a lot more.
That’s when she was happy and thought her life was going in the right direction.
Onwards and upwards.
Not on it’s currently downward slope.
She let the music take over then found a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.
‘Hello,’ Jamie said, kissing her neck
She wanted to push him off but knew she couldn’t. Turning around, she looked up at him and grimaced.
‘What’s that look for?’
‘You’re a slippery so and so.’
‘Come and do some shots with me.’
‘Preferably with a loaded gun,’ she replied as he took her to the bar where lots of people were doing the same thing. ‘We need to talk.’
‘We need to do this.’
Jamie kissed her, holding her tightly in his arms. This time he was pushing his tongue into her mouth, but her lips stayed firmly closed. His eye opened as he tilted his head and managed to slip it in.
She realised he was full of games and felt pissed enough to do it back to him.
Not knowing how long they were kissing for, her head spinning from the alcohol, he pulled away and laughed, saying,
‘Now let’s get fucked!’
‘Oh!’
That’s all she could mutter.
Molly opened her eyes and realised she was faced down on the bed. And Jamie was in a similar position.
They were both naked.
It was very hazy.
The drinking, dancing and kissing.
There were lots of all three, and she knew he’d already broken one of the rules he’d set down.
Plus they were both butt naked and she wasn’t quite sure what happened when they got back to the room.
She dreaded to think.
Then he opened his eyes and looked at her.
‘How are you, Molly Drew?’ he asked, sounding hoarse.
‘Mr Cohen, how’s it goin’?’ she replied, just about being able to speak and seeing his blood shot eyes.
‘You’re a bad woman, do you know that?’
‘What happened?’
‘Dancing naked, that’s what happened.’
‘Oh no!’
She was prone to do that when very drunk.
‘I’m never going out drinking with you again, do you hear me?’ he groaned, pushing his face into the pillow. ‘Ever!’
‘We had a good time, didn’t we?’
‘The best!’ Jamie laughed and turned to look at her. ‘And I think it’s obvious you’re very much in love with me from what we did last night.’
‘What do you mean?’ she asked, propping herself up on her elbows, feeling the horror that something happened. ‘What did we do?’
‘Pretended to have sex in the toilet,’ he smirked. ‘And you were good at the noises, so I take it you’ve faked it a lot with your ugly, actor, and ex-boyfriend.’
‘No!’ she said, sitting up and feeling dizzy. ‘Did anyone hear us?’
‘Of course.’
‘Fuck!’ she said, lying back down. ‘
I can’t go down for breakfast! Why didn’t you stop it?’
‘I was up for doing it for real, that’s how drunk I was, but you stopped me. Anyway, only a few people heard.’
‘Oh, the shame!’
She lay there with her hands over her face then felt his breath on her arm.
‘And we set a wedding date,’ he whispered. Molly removed her hands. ‘It was very sweet. April Fools’ Day. The day of the fundraiser. Your idea.’
All Molly could do was look at him. The grin appearing on his face and the sheer look of delight at her horror.
‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’
‘It’s turning out to be more fun than I expected. Plus when we got back here, you were begging me for sex.’
She threw back her hands and looked up at him.
‘Not really, but your face, just then, was a picture.’ He laughed before groaning to touch his head. ‘Let’s order room service.’
An hour later, they were sitting in the large bath full of bubbles, eating bacon sandwiches.
Molly had forced him to take some pain killers, after he threw up, and didn’t mind that he plonked himself into the bath along with her.
They were sat either end, looking at each other, slowly chewing their food.
‘I feel better,’ he said, shaking his head slowly. ‘I’m not drinking again for another week.’
‘I am,’ she said, letting out a sigh. ‘I’m going to see my parents later on today.’
They finished their sandwiches and lay in the bath, silently.
‘Thank you, Molly, for last night,’ he whispered. She opened her eyes to look at him. ‘You got me out of big shit.’
‘Yeah, and talking about you. I heard what you told Chloe.’
His eyes sprang open. All traces of blood shot had disappeared.
‘She loves you and you tell her you’re engaged to me. That’s not very nice, is it?’
‘How did-.’
‘You’re not only using me, so Bill doesn’t beat your head into a pulp, but you’re trying to get out of your relationship with Chloe. You’re giving a double whammy, so to speak.’ Molly sat up in the bath. ‘Why can’t you be honest?’ He groaned and put his head back. ‘Jamie? Tell me what’s going on?’
Waiting for his response, he lay there, pretending to be dead.
‘She started talking about leaving him weeks ago and, well, that’s not what I want. I like Chloe and we have a lot of fun. Her marriage is on the rocks, and I wouldn’t have been the first one she’s had an affair with. I doubt if I’ll be the last. You know Bill does business with my brother. If David gets wind, not only am I dead, but so will be any business between the pair of them. And David will, more than likely, stop me from getting any more finances for mine.’
