by H. Q. Frost
"Goddammit," Justin muttered. "Ian?" he yelled into the phone again.
Ian carried Lilith to the bed and checked her pulse for a second time. The smell of alcohol emanating from her clued him in to the fact she was probably passed out drunk and not unconscious from an accident or worse.
After cleaning the blood, he covered her up just as his cellphone started ringing. Sending Justin's call to voicemail, he went into the bathroom and saw the pain pills on the counter. After reading the label he huffed and tossed them back to the counter, drawing attention to the unfamiliar t-shirt. In the living room, he cleaned the blood from the carpet. The glow of the computer screen pulled him over to shut it down, but noticing the picture of her mother, he sat down and looked at the screen.
"You found her," he muttered and began going through the profile. "Fuck me," he whispered seeing she had two kids.
Understanding hit as to why she was drunk, why she cut, why she probably took the pills, and he huffed, regretting not being there for her. He had lost track of time at Luxe and his phone was in his office when she text. He immediately called when he finally got the text, but she wouldn't answer. Tash insisted she'd lock up and he rushed home to Lilith.
Ian shut the alarm off and went to sleep with her passed out body in his arms, wanting her to wake up feeling safe, loved, cared about.
Lilith blinked her eyes open. "Shoot!" She flung to a sitting position knowing it was late morning.
Springing from the bed, she hadn't even noticed Ian and ran to the bathroom to get ready for work. Her arm burned as she brushed her teeth, and with a wince she looked at the wound, rolling her eyes at her stupidity.
The pill bottle made her groan, "God," and she pushed it into the cabinet.
Exiting the bathroom, her eyes landed on the bed and she noticed Ian. "You're home!" she excitedly blurted, running for him.
She didn't realize she woke in his arms and left him in the bed; she had one thing on her mind and that was work.
"I've been home, baby." He grabbed her, kissing her. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you." He kissed her again.
"It was stupid." She tried to laugh it off but he furrowed his brows. "I drank too much." She giggled, wrapping her arms tighter around him and winced from the sting in her arm.
"Lily," he breathed looking at the wounds and softly kissing the cuts. "You have to stop." His eyes flashed back to her face and a grin pulled at his lips. "Look at your hair."
A small chuckle escaped and her eyes found the clock on the nightstand. "We're late!"
"It's okay." He grabbed her before she could get out of the bed again. "Lay down. Talk to me, baby."
"Ian, we need to get to work! No one can get in! Only you and I have a key."
"You gave Tash a key, Lily." He weakly smiled at her. "I made sure she had one last night."
"Why?" Insecurity painted itself across her face as she wondered if he was with Tash the prior night. A pang of fear struck her as she tried to prepare for the news that he was messing around with Tash now.
"She had to lock up—"
"Where were you last night? Why were you so late?"
"I was at the office." He tried to kiss her but she looked away. "Where were you?"
"Home. I went out and did a few things, but I was home." Her avoiding gaze told him she was leaving out the details.
Releasing her, he got out of bed and walked away without a word. Lilith let out a groan when she heard him get in the shower. Not only was she thinking there was something going on between him and Tash, but she felt he was unreasonably mad at her. Without a shower, she dressed for work in a red corset-like top and a black belt. She'd never worn it before because she felt it gave too much cleavage, but that day she had a reason to expose too much cleavage. With Tash as her opponent, she had to work hard at her sexily posh attire.
After searching a minute, she found a skirt shorter than knee length and slid on the black fabric that hugged mid-thigh. Last part to her outfit, she pulled on a red long sleeve shrug so she wasn't bare armed walking around the office in November looking like an idiotic seasonal mishap.
In her shoe room, she scooped up the neglected mess and shoved it into the leather bag, forcing it into the closet. Turning to her variety, the pair of shoes she wanted jumped out at her. Calf hugging, knee-high, black leather boots with a five inch red spike heel.
Whatever she was trying to prove with the outfit, she was confident she'd get her point across. It wasn't a slutty vibe she was going for, but the need to feel in charge and sexy was fulfilled.
Avoiding Ian, she went to the bathroom down the hall. The reflected image that she'd ignored earlier held an unremembered shock. She expected to see her mother but she stumbled back when her black hair shone against her skin.
"Oh my god." Laughing, she pulled her hair down. "Oh my god." Her fingers frantically ran through the long strands. "Oh god." Tears sprung to her eyes, but not of sadness, they were more from shock she did something that drastic. She was almost proud of herself.
Her innocent brown hair with natural chestnut highlights was gone, now covered with a vibrant, high gloss jet black.
"This is why you shouldn't get drunk, Lily," she whispered to herself and started giggling again.
Grabbing the blow dryer she dried the damp strands then livened up her limp curls with the curling iron. This hair gave her the look she was wanting to achieve. The look like she was a sweet girl but she could be very bad. The look like old Lilith was long gone.
Her face was still that of her mother's but as she began to apply her makeup, that face began slipping away, boosting her confidence. Lastly, she glided lip-gloss over her red lipstick making her pout shine, drawing attention to her pillowy lips. If it wasn't her breasts drawing attention, it'd be her juicy lips in that gloss.
Turning in the full-length mirror, she couldn't stop grinning. In her bedroom, she sighed when she realized Ian was still locked in the bathroom.
"I'm leaving," she called out.
"Yep," he called back, not masking his annoyance.
Lilith huffed; she wanted to talk to him about it but decided to give him time to calm down. Seeing it was after ten, she ran out the front door forgetting her jacket, and as she went to go back in to get it, the neighbor caught her.
The rage JUSTIN cannot let go
I've called her office and no one has said she's dead, just running late. I wouldn't be surprised if Jacks was just fucking with me last night. Prick.
I've tried to call her cellphone this morning but it went straight to voicemail. This is causing me to be irritable and I can't stop fidgeting. I've snapped at Pamela three times and think I hurt her feelings. I see her out of my office door and she's on the phone, but I know it's not work related. She's twirling her finger in her hair. When she does that I know it's not work related.
I can't fucking stand it anymore. I'm going to Luxe and I'm going to tell El we shouldn't see each other anymore. I don't want to be a part of her and Jacks' fucked up little fantasy. Maybe if I tell her it's me or Jacks, she'll pick me.
Who the hell am I kidding? I just met her. She won't pick me over Jacks.
I'm feeling good about this because this is such bullshit. Who does shit like this? It's insane, right? There's cheating and that's wrong, but what they're doing is fucked up and wrong.
When I step into the hallway, Pamela looks up at me. I wave to her then slip out the door. Pam is usually my common sense. She usually stops Jackass Justin, but I caught her at the perfect moment. She's on the phone and doesn't have time to say anything before I hurry out the back door. My dad's going to be pissed and that's usually what Pamela reminds me of while she talks me into staying.
More often than not, I'm trying to sneak out of the office. It's stuffy and uptight, but then again, it's ran by my dad so that's expected. Pamela will be rushing out those doors to stop me at any minute so I move quickly and start the Camaro. My tires squeal out of the parking lot just as she bursts through the doo
r. I punch it, immediately slamming on the brake when a cop drives by.
Damn she's fast. I pick up my ringing phone. "Hello, Pamela," I answer, not bothering to strangle the delight in my voice that I've escaped.
"What are you doing?" she quietly snaps at me and I chuckle.
"I have something to take care of. Call it an offsite meeting."
"Justin, get back here." Her whispering voice is indication that my dad's around. "Good morning, Mr. Borg," she then says. "Uh no, he's in there." She's silent and I can't help but laugh. I don't know what my dad's saying but I hear him bitching. "He must be in the bathroom. I'll send him to your office." She's silent again then minutes later whispers into the phone, "I hate you."
"Tell him I got diarrhea." I'm laughing but I can imagine Pam's face right now. It's cute when she's mad.
"Get back here!"
"I can't. I have to take care of something. Pam, you know me. My mind is made up and I need to address this now before I ignore it. I have to get my point out and this is when it wants to come out. I'm not gonna let some…some…woman run me. Tell me this is what she'll do and I'm gonna just say okay? I don't think so. Not Justin Borg, you hussy. I'll see who I want and you'll be waiting for me when I get home and I expect you in the kitchen!" I'm rambling and Pam has no idea what the hell I'm talking about. "I'll be back in thirty minutes." I hang up.
Ask me to be her boyfriend but she's gonna marry Jacks! This girl is insane. I've never met a girl so stupid. I guess it's not stupid because if someone goes for it she's got it good, but that someone is not going to be me. No way.
I'm pumped. I'm feeling good about this and I'm enjoying the part where I'm going to dump her in her office with her fiancé there. Maybe she'll cry and it'll piss Jacks off that she's crying over me.
With all the thoughts dancing in my head, I smirk as the elevator doors open.
"Welcome to Lu—" The woman behind the desk abruptly stops talking as I get closer. How cute, she finds me attractive and is at a loss for words.
"Luxueux," she finishes her sentence.
"I'm looking for El, uh, Lily Tudor." I shove my hands into my pants pocket, still feeling confident about telling her off.
"Mrs. Luxe isn't in yet."
"What?" I look at her like she's stupid. I don't know who Mrs. Luxe is.
"I mean Lily. She's not here yet. Can I take a message? Is it an emergency? I can try and contact her."
"I—"
A tall blonde comes around the corner and her legs cancel my thought. Then her bouncing tits make me forget my thought all together. She's dressed in white all the way to her heels and she's hot! Really hot. Maybe I'll start requesting her. I need to find out her name. I think I met her but I don't remember her looking this good.
"Veronica, has Lily called?" she asks the woman behind the desk; she hasn't even looked at me yet.
"Not yet."
"I'm worried about her," she huffs then looks at me like she just became aware of my presence. "Hi, welcome to Luxueux. Can I help you?"
"I'm lookin' for Lily," I say right as the elevator dings. I glance over my shoulder toward the elevator then back at the hot platinum blonde as her eyes shoot toward the elevator.
I look over my shoulder again and it's El.
Holy hell, it's El! Hot, sexy, beautiful El. I almost stumble backward as I turn to look at her.
Look at this fucking girl! I forget the blonde even exists. El has black hair, fucking black hair. Fucking black hair! Holy shit. I almost choke on my spit as my eyes glide from top to bottom, pausing on her tits. The blonde's tits got nothin' on El's. Her legs are just as long and I've known this, but for some reason I've never noticed like I am right now. This is the woman I've fantasized over since I was thirteen, with the exception of El doesn't have tattoos, but you can't taint that immaculate skin.
I don't even remember why I'm here and I think she's surprised to see me, but her fucking wet, shiny lips are smiling and I can almost see myself in them. I want to see myself sliding between them.
"Hey." Her bright smile never faded as she put her hand on Justin's shoulder and leaned toward the desk, setting her cellphone down. "Tash, will you plug that in please. It's dead." She briefly smiled at Tash whose mouth was agape from the outfit and black hair. "Why are you here?" Lilith asked Justin.
Her beautiful smile still beamed and he was still at a loss for words, but he managed to slide his hand to the small of her back.
"I'm sorry," he blubbered, his earlier practiced speech a long faded memory.
"For what?" She chuckled and slipped away from him. "Good morning, Veronica." She smiled.
"I like your hair, Mrs. Luxe."
"Thank you." Lilith pulled a lock of hair forward, looking at it then shrugged. "It's fun. Did Richie come in this morning?"
"Yeah, he's helping Caesar and Jon with vehicle maintenance. Mr. Jacks told them yesterday to do that." Her nervous response made Lilith smile wider to try and ease her constant anxiety.
"Good." Lilith's gaze went back to Justin and she still wore a grin, but was confused why he was there.
After plugging Lilith's phone in their office, Tash rushed back into the lobby and roared, "Mrs. L!" Her arms flew around Lilith, hugging her tight. "I love this. All of this. Where did you get those boots!"
"It was a long time ago. I don't remember. Is Ian in yet?"
"No, he had a late night then rushed out of here. Something with his mom," Tash responded, softly touching Lilith's hair.
Lilith's smile started to diminish as she remembered Ian's late night was with Tash.
"I had a late night too," Lilith said, turning her smile to Justin. "Thanks to him." She pushed a lock of Justin's hair out of his face.
Tash wasn't sure who Justin was, but she vaguely remembered his face. "Oh," she said in confusion.
"I'm Justin." He put his hand out, shaking Tash's. "Her boyfriend." His finger pointed to Lilith.
Tash's brows furrowed. She was utterly confused and it showed. "Shaun?" she quietly asked and frowned a little.
"It didn't work out." Lilith shrugged and glanced at Justin.
Lilith wasn't aware he was her boyfriend. She assumed the night before cancelled all plans of that.
"I've met you before." Tash stared at him unsure.
"Halloween party." Lilith smiled.
"Oh right." Justin pointed. "You were a cat." He smirked and Lilith held in her chuckle.
"Yeah!" Tash giggled.
"Come into my office, sweetheart, so you can tell me why you're here," Lilith said, forcing a smile and grabbed his arm.
"Lily, do you want some coffee?" Tash asked.
"No thank you. Did you plug in my phone?"
"Yes. On your desk. But you can't go in there!" Tash blurted. "Richie left a desk in the way of the door and you have to squeeze. I don't know. Mr. J doesn't want anyone in there until Richie moves the desk."
"I'll be fine," Lilith said and began walking toward her office.
"No really!" Tash frantically said and ran in front of them, throwing her arms out. "I don't want Mr. J to yell at me. Go in the conference room. I moved my things to the front desk and I'll be in the lobby today."
"My computer is in my office, Tash. Where's Richie?" Lilith snapped. "I want him to move the desk now. I can't call him, you locked my phone in the office!" She was under the impression Richie had already moved that desk and she was growing increasingly angry.
"Go call him in the conference room," Tash said, opening the door to the conference room; Lilith huffed. "I'm gonna call Richie right now, Mrs. Luxe." Tash smiled then rushed from the room, closing the door behind her.
"What the hell is Mrs. Luxe?" Justin stared at her and she leaned back onto the table.
"Why are you here? If my girls weren't out there our greeting wouldn't have been as friendly. I don't think I can be your escort anymore and I really don't appreciate you coming in here confusing my girls. They know Shaun as my boyfriend."
"But I tho
ught I was your boyfriend?" He cocked his eyebrow at her.
The sight of her appearing like his long-time fantasy had him giving up on telling her off. And telling her how insane she was. And how dare she think he'd ever be okay with being the second man in a relationship. And to get in the kitchen.
"I thought last night you pretty much told me no?" She leaned her hands back onto the table. "Ian's going to be in soon."
"What's he gonna do? Kick my ass?" he dryly asked. "You said he knows about me. This isn't going to work if I'm your fucking secret too, El."
Lilith stood and grabbed his tie, pulling him closer. "You're not a secret. You just told my girls you were my boyfriend. If you're saying yes, Ian will know too." Her lips were so close to his he could smell her minty gloss. She pushed him back and stepped away. "I'm going to have to figure out how to tell them Shaun and I are no longer seeing each other." She rolled her eyes and swiped her hand through her hair, pushing it back. "Thanks for that." With her arms folded over her chest, her breasts perked higher up.
"You said I wouldn't be the secret boyfriend," he repeated, his eyes flicking from hers to her chest.
"You won't! But you could have at least let me break up with Shaun!"
"I just did for you."
"But now I'm going to seem like a boyfriend jumping whore." She grinned out of annoyance.
"Then stop jumping boyfriends." He approached her, his hands landing on her hips.
His eyes perused slowly and he wondered if he could fuck her in there or if Ian would blow their cover by trying to fight him.
He didn't want to cause problems for her at work so he slowly dragged his eyes from her body to look her in the face and say, "There can't be anyone else."
The fact she wouldn't be able to see Shaun again hadn't crossed her mind when she was desperate to make Justin her boyfriend.
"El," he said when her silence ran long enough to make him nervous.
"Okay," she said slowly.
"You'll stop seeing the Barbados dude?"
