by Amy Briggs
“Miss Quinn, you won’t be needing that internship anymore. I’d like to suggest that you come down to see me now, and then make your way to our client’s home. You’re now an employee of Infidelity, and my expectation is that you’ll immediately fulfill your end of the agreement that you signed with us. That is also the expectation of the client who will be paying you twenty thousand dollars per month, plus living expenses, effective immediately.”
Twenty thousand dollars a month? Fuck this internship. Holding the phone to my ear, I glanced down at my used shoes, and recycled handbag. “I’ll be there as soon as I can get a taxi.”
“That’s what I figured. See you soon, Miss Quinn,” she replied, and hung up.
I stared down at my phone, my mouth hanging open. I dialed Kieran’s number, my hands shaking. “Ms. Baldwin’s office,” he answered.
“Kieran?” I asked shakily.
“Lucinda?” he replied.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“What’s up, honey?” he asked, clearly doing something else at the same time.
“I’m not coming back,” I replied.
“You’re what?”
“I’m not coming back. I quit,” I said, the words falling out in slow motion as if I were watching them.
“What? It’s not that bad. Just come back up here, and talk to her at the end of the day,” he said, sounding surprised.
“I took another job. It’s time. I will submit a formal resignation letter this evening, but I wanted you to know that I wouldn’t be coming back up today.”
“Are you sure about this, girl? That’s a big opportunity to throw away,” he said.
“I think I’ve fetched enough coffee for a lifetime, Kieran. It’s time to move on. I’ve gotten another job, so I’ll be okay,” I said as confidently as I could muster.
“Alright honey. I’m going to keep this to myself, and just let Ms. Baldwin know that you had an appointment you needed to get to. I’ll deliver your letter to her personally once you send it. Are you really sure?”
Starting to come to terms with the decision I’d just made, I smiled. “I’m sure, Kieran. Call me tomorrow and we can talk if you’d like. But I’ve been working on a few things, and it’s time. Today’s the day.”
“Well you are full of surprises, doll. Keep me posted. I have to run, the phones are ringing off the hook today, but I want to know all the details over brunch as soon as possible.”
“You got it,” I replied, almost laughing, hanging up. I couldn’t believe what I was doing. I started to giggle, almost manically, before I realized that I needed to get my ass in gear. I flagged down a cab and was on my way to the Infidelity offices in moments. On the fifteen minute ride there, I stared at my phone, wishing briefly that I had someone to tell. Someone in my life I could trust with my excitement; with my secrets.
A brief wave of disappointment washed over me as I realized that I was in this alone. I had been for some time, but in that moment, I missed having someone I could share my news with, someone I could confide in. That would be one hundred percent against the rules though. I slipped my phone inside my used Louis Vuitton, running my palm across the soft leather. Smiling, I realized that with the money I was about to earn, I would be able to buy a brand new one at the downtown store soon.
Chapter 4
Ryder
I got the call sooner than I expected, but what I didn’t expect was to hear a name that rang in my head like an old church bell. Lucinda Quinn. Of all the women in New York City, that’s who the best kept secret club paired me with? I didn’t even know she was in New York for sure, although I’d assumed it. Running my hands through my hair, I debated what to do. It was almost comical that the most compatible match for a companion in all of this metropolis was my high school girlfriend who broke my fucking heart. The reason I’d never love again, the root of my disdain for relationships. She was considered my most suitable match. How fucking ironic.
My first instinct was to call the whole thing off. From what I could remember, the client - which was me- could change their mind up to the point of the first meeting, and then I was financially bound, regardless of whether or not I wanted her to do anything. The mere thought of having her in my life again sent a chill down my spine. All these years that I’d tried to leave the thought of her behind, and I was becoming the weak, lovestruck teenager that I was before, just at the mere mention of her name.
I decided to go for a run to clear my head and put a game plan together - and to prevent myself from making any hasty decisions. In my original requirements, I did not want my companion - or my girlfriend, whatever she was - living in my home. I wanted to have some privacy; however, once I knew who it was, and I’d had some time to digest the situation, I decided to use this opportunity. After running for awhile, I realized that I had the freedom to exact a bit of revenge on the source of my tattered heart, while still getting what I paid for and having my immediate needs met.
I stopped running to make a call to Karen, the broker of the deal, and provided my new requirements to be included in my contract. The new instructions were that Lucinda, which apparently Lucy was going by now, was to be at my home no later than 5pm, with three days’ worth of clothing suitable for going out in the evenings.
I would then arrange for the remainder of her things to be packed and moved to my home, where she would be living for the next year. I chuckled, realizing that she probably had no idea what was in store for her. An entire year, under my roof, doing what I tell her to. Wouldn’t that be a fucking trip, I thought to myself, as I continued my run through the neighborhood.
As it turned out, an adjustment in arrangements such as mine wasn’t uncommon, and Karen was more than happy to relay the message to her employee, and coordinate my request. Money definitely talked in this town, and I had plenty of it now. While twenty thousand dollars a month, plus living expenses and whatever else she would need to be my companion, was the price, I’d have paid triple for the satisfaction I anticipated in seeing her face.
My jubilance about exacting revenge was far greater than the tinge of guilt I felt for what was surely going to be a shock for her. Lucy was never one to take orders, and she was certainly never one to put up with my shit; or anyone else’s, for that matter. The Lucy I remembered was smart, driven, and would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. I knew that was one of the reasons she left me; marrying me would have stifled her, or at least that’s what she believed. After three years together, she never even gave me the chance to prove her wrong. She didn’t let me show her that all I ever wanted was to support her dreams, and we could have run off to the city together.
Instead, she was selling her services to the highest bidder at a top secret, exclusive club. I’d been made well aware that the arrangement was not for sex specifically, and that Infidelity was not a high-end brothel. But, something had to have happened to her, for this to be what she was choosing to do to get by. Selling her companionship made me think she was even more desperate and selfish than I’d thought she was when she took off all those years ago. I had all year to find out what happened, while making her feel as shitty as I felt then, and even now.
After I had spent most of the day creating some inventive ways to hack some potential new client’s infrastructure, I finally rubbed my palms together with fervor, knowing the moment of truth was on the horizon. In about an hour, she would be at my door, moving in. And she wasn’t going to be able to run away this time.
Chapter 5
Lucy
I gulped, practically choking when I heard Karen say the words to my face. “We’ve found the client, and you need to be at his home at five this evening. You’re expected to have three days’ worth of clothes, and then your things will be brought to his home, where you’ll live for the next year.”
“Wow, that was faster than I expected,” was all I could say. I scanned her face for some inkling as to whether or not he was a nice guy, or if he was some kind of weirdo rich guy that wante
d a young girl on his arm. Anything, but her stoic face didn’t provide any clues.
“Well, sometimes finding a suitable companion doesn’t take that long, Miss Quinn.”
“What else do I need to know?” I said hesitantly. Concern grew as it began to set in just how real this situation had become. I was about to move in with a perfect stranger and pretend to be his girlfriend for an entire year. And, to top it all off, I couldn’t share anything about it.
“His name is Ryder Donahue. He’s a very wealthy internet security specialist,” she replied with the same self-controlled demeanor.
“I-- I’m sorry. Did you say Ryder Donahue? I-- I-- can’t.” Barely able to utter his name, my jaw fell open, my heart sinking.
Apparently not the first time that someone thought they’d back out of a deal, Karen Flores gently raised my chin, ensuring our eyes met. “Oh you can, and you will, Miss Quinn. You have a legally-binding contract with Mr. Donahue. It matters not one bit that you may know him from the past, which it seems you do. For the next year, as far as the public eye is concerned, you are his girlfriend. You will be at his side as he sees fit. What you choose to do behind closed doors is between the two of you.” She released her hand, still maintaining our intense eye contact. “Do you understand?”
“Did he pick me?” I asked, thinking for a moment that he’d sought me out.
“That is not how Infidelity works, dear. As we discussed previously, you are matched anonymously and only once you are matched, do you learn each other’s identity,” she reminded me.
“But, we--” I started to explain before she stopped me.
“Miss Quinn, as I mentioned to you moments ago, it does not matter if you knew each other before. What’s done is done, and as an employee of Infidelity, I really must insist that you come to terms with your reservations, and do your job. The job you are being paid quite handsomely for. You really need to get moving if you’re going to make it on time. Traffic this time of day is terrible.” She stood up, indicating our conversation was finished.
“So, what do I do now?” I asked, no longer sure what I was doing at all.
“You do whatever he asks you to,” she replied. I watched her lips carefully form the words, as I raised my fingertips to my own. Whatever he asks me to do. I couldn’t begin to imagine what he’d ask me to do after what I’d done to him.
As Karen escorted me out, I realized that this was so much worse than I ever could have dreamed. The nagging feeling that he knew it was me all along was like an anchor in my belly, and as the storm churned inside me, despair set in. An entire year with Ryder. After everything we’d been through. I knew he couldn’t have forgiven me, and I never would have blamed him for it. But, I also never thought I’d see him again.
The sedan that was hired to drive me to my apartment to pick a few things up, and then take me to his place, was luxurious. I’d never had the pleasure of being driven around the city, and certainly not in a private car. I ran my palm against the cool black leather of the seat next to me, contemplating what I would say to him. As we pulled in front of my building, I opened the door to let myself out of the back seat.
“Miss, I’ll take care of that.” The driver hopped out, grabbing the door quickly.
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to…” I trailed off.
“I’m Jacob, Miss Quinn. I’m going to be driving you wherever you need to go, and accompanying you as well.” Jacob smiled at me, revealing perfectly white teeth with his reassuring glance. His salt and pepper hair was manicured perfectly, combed back neatly, and his steely blue eyes had a sympathetic presence to them. He wore a tailored suit, not off of a rack, and it was clear that this wasn’t his first rodeo.
“You can call me Lucinda,” I smiled shyly.
“Lucinda, we are running a bit behind schedule, so let me assist you in gathering your belongings so that we can get where we need to be on time.” He gestured toward the building in front of us.
“Oh, okay. Yeah, sure.” I allowed this stranger, with the kind eyes, to follow me to my apartment, where I quickly gathered a few days’ worth of things into a suitcase. I had no idea what I’d need, but I was told that I needed evening attire, so I also grabbed a pair of gold stillettos that I’d picked up recently. When I saw them, I had to have them, even though I didn’t have an occasion to wear such things. It seemed that maybe now, I would.
I had meticulously built a wardrobe of designer attire, mostly secondhand, and as I flipped through the hangers in my closet trying to pick out what to bring, Jacob cleared his throat.
“Am I taking too long?” I asked, raising an annoyed eyebrow at him as he stood in the doorway of my bedroom, staring.
“All of your things will arrive at Mr. Donahue’s in a few days, so you need only bring the necessities, and attire for dining out.”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed. And, here we go. I was being rushed into grabbing what could be the completely wrong outfits for whatever Ryder had in store for me. If I’d been informed that he was the client, then surely by now, he’d been informed that I was the employee, or companion that he was looking for. As my thoughts turned to what had become of Ryder, and why on earth he would need or want to hire a companion, I grabbed a few dresses and called it a day. If my things were going to arrive in the next few days, I’d just find a way to get by. Besides, the five thousand dollars I was paid for my interview was in my account, and I could likely just buy whatever else I needed.
Jacob grabbed my bag before I could pull the handle out to wheel it down the hall myself, and as I followed him, the apprehension in my belly grew. What scared me more than anything, was that there was a small part of me - a part I was trying to hide - that was eager to see him.
Chapter 6
Ryder
I’d spent the afternoon mulling over the various scenarios for how our first meeting in years would go. My thoughts shifted from foreboding to indifference, to what could be described as enthusiasm over seeing her. Shaking my head as I paced around my house, checking my watch incessantly, I was unsettled. That’s the only way that the anticipation could be described. I was almost mad at myself for putting us in this situation, but then I remembered that she could have been matched up with someone else, and that left me with nothing but blatant jealousy.
She hadn’t been mine in years, but she was now. For better or for worse, the next year was mine to dictate. I’d earned it. And whether she was amicable to it or not really didn’t matter. I straightened my tie, and checked my watch again, when my cell phone pinged with a message from Jacob that they were arriving downstairs.
As my heart raced, thumping against my chest, I smoothed my blond hair in the mirror near my foyer. It was go time, and regardless of the storm within me, it was time to play it cool, and remember that it was me who was in charge now. Not her.
Moments later, the doorbell rang, startling me, even though I expected it.
Taking one more deep breath, I opened the door to see Jacob holding a small suitcase and hiding the small blonde figure behind him.
“Sir,” he said, as I waved him in, leaving her in the hallway, facing me. She was as fucking beautiful as I remembered. Her long blonde hair was swept over one shoulder, and she clutched her giant purse as if it was a life preserver. She had barely aged a day, and her pale skin was highlighted by her crystal blue eyes that avoided mine. As I took her in, all I could think was that I’d made a huge mistake.
“Mr. Donahue,” she said flatly. “May I come in?”
I was clearly staring, and lost in my own thoughts, because she tilted her head at me as if she were waiting for a reply which I had forgotten to provide. Clearing my throat, I brought myself back to the moment.
“Lucy. It’s been a long time,” I replied. “Yes, of course. Come in.” Without addressing me further, she walked past me into the living room beyond the foyer, and spun around to face me.
“My name is Lucinda,” she said without emotion.
Oh really, we’re play
ing that game, I thought. Reminding myself once again that I held the cards in this situation, I jumped back into character. The douchebag character I intended to play. If she thought she was going to dictate how this went down, she was wrong.
“Well Lucy,” I emphasized her name dramatically. “I believe the contract we have stipulates that I’m in charge.” I scanned her face, noticing her shock at my tone. “And that means I can call you whatever I want.” Feeling smug, I awaited her reply, watching her cross her arms defensively.
Narrowing her eyes at me, she replied, “You’re right, Mr. Donahue, it does. I would prefer to be called Lucinda, but if you insist, you may call me whatever you like.”
“Exactly. Now that we have that out of the way, Lucy” - I pointed to the couch for her to sit - “let’s talk about what my needs are and how you will meet them.”
As I watched her form an insincere, tight-lipped smile, I took note of her physical features, essentially ogling her assets as she walked to the couch. As she crossed her long legs, I remembered what they felt like wrapped around me, as if it were yesterday.
