Chapter 8

CLEONA

I stared at my phone for a while, trying to make sense of the call. Who exactly was the caller and what was their purpose for calling me? Could they also be looking to harm me or was he/she just bluffing?

I tried asking myself these questions but no answer I came up with seemed plausible so I decided to head back to Andre.

"Hey! There you are... I was thinking you were planning on staying there overnight. Look, I'm sorry if my questions upset you. I know this whole engagement thing is fake so sorry, if I came off as pushy!"

"Wait! So you're apologizing despite the fact that you did nothing wrong?" I was surprised.

"I did do something wrong. I shouldn't have meddled."

"But you didn't–"

"No I did and I'm sorry."

"Okay. Apology accepted, I guess," I replied, taking my seat beside him.

Once I was done with my food, we headed back to the hotel I stayed in so I could get the rest of my stuff and sign out before heading home or more accurately, back to Andre's house.

Today had been a very rough day and it didn't make it better that Andre was being all nice and supportive. Knowing that he was doing it all just to win the bet somehow made it worse.

Could my life couldn't get more complicated?

With the whole Damian and unknown caller thing, it's a wonder I'm still able to stand yet.

"So what do you wanna do now?" Andre said as we walked into the house. "Wanna watch another movie?"

"I'm really not in the mood for that. I think I'll go to my room now," I muttered.

"Oh! Let's go then."

"You don't need to worry Andre. Just give me my bag. I'll be fine."

"You're not fine Cleo. I'll help you. Come on."

I sighed and trailed behind Andre as we headed up the stairs to my room.

Once we got in, Andre dropped the suitcase beside the closet and made sure he tucked me in before leaving.

I knew he was faking and all but I kinda liked this Andre better. Too bad it wasn't not that easy. Any normal girl would have started getting feelings for Andre but I know all too well that love and Cleona are two words that just don't mix.

“You will never find love” echoed in my mind and I sighed.

It was with that thought in mind that I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

REYNA

I smirked to myself as I hung up the phone. Since my first plan to ruin Cleo's reputation didn't work, I had come up with a new strategy that was sure to get me Andre.

"Miss Goldwyn, your father is ready to see you," my dad's secretary said approaching me.

"Thanks Rhonda," I replied standing up.

"For the love of God Reyna, it's Wanda."

"Don't care," I replied, giving her the middle finger before disappearing inside the office.

"Hey Daddy," I said, pecking him on the cheek.

"My precious daughter! How are you doing?" he asked, gesturing me towards a seat.

"To say the truth, I'm not fine."

"And why is that, my darling?"

"It's Andre. He broke up with me!" I exclaimed as I began to tear up.

"Really? I thought you were over him though."

"No, I'm not. I love him so much and now he's getting married to someone else."

"Okay, dear. What do you want me to do?"

"Persuade him, Dad. You're one of his biggest clients and I'm sure he wouldn't want to lose you."

He sighed. "If that'll make you happy, my dear."

I giggled. "Yes Dad. Yes it will," I replied, hugging him from behind.

"Anything for you, pumpkin."

I smirked to myself, still hugging my dad. It was only a matter of time before Andre was mine again. Only a matter of time.

ANDRE

After I confirmed that Cleo was asleep, I decided to do some work. I couldn't go back to my office so I decided to work from home.

I began to make some phone calls to my office so they could start making preparations concerning Cleo's hotel construction. I needed everything to be set by tomorrow.

It was while I was handling this that a call came from Mr. Goldwyn, Reyna's father.

"Hello Sir..." I greeted picking the call.

"Hello Andre. I hope all is well?"

"Yes Sir. Things are going well concerning your project if that's what you mean."

"I meant that and some other things... I heard you were engaged."

"Huh yes Sir. We're getting married very soon," I lied.

"Well I have a proposition for you."

"What's that?" I asked not liking where this was heading.

"I want you to get married to Reyna."

"No offence Sir but I can't. I just told you that I am getting married."

"I know but you will marry my daughter if you know what's good for you. You know you and I have a lot of projects still pending. A lot of projects that'll bring you a lot of money... You wouldn't want those to be cancelled alongside the one you're handling for me right now, would you?"

"Excuse me, Mr. Goldwyn, are you trying to blackmail me?"

"Call it whatever you want to Andre but it's either you get back with Reyna or risk losing a VERY valuable customer. Goodbye!"

"But..." I started but he'd already cut the call. "You have gotta be kidding me!" I muttered to myself, staring at my phone, wondering what to do.

***

"I can't believe Reyna and her dad would stoop so low as to force you to marry her," Jordan, my best friend remarked after I relayed everything to him.

"I know right. I'm so fucking confused. I have no idea what to do."

"I have no idea what to tell you either. I mean Goldwyn Enterprises is one of the biggest enterprises in America. If you refuse, you'll be losing a lot of money but if you agree, you'll be selling yourself to Reyna and her dad... Damn! I knew Reyna was crazy but this is totally psychotic."

"Tell me about it," I replied downing another shot of the vodka in my hand.

"So... tell me about your fianceé. Who is she?"

"Uhm she's Cleona Reynolds."

"I know that. Just tell me about her because you can't imagine how surprised I was when I heard the news about you getting engaged. Are you serious about her or is she another conquest-to-be?"

I thought about telling Jordan about the bet. He was my best friend after all... but I decided against it.

"Nah. It's serious this time."

"Oh really? You're telling me that you've finally found love?"

"Mm-hmm. I guess so," I replied nodding my head.

"Wow! I always knew the day would come. I just didn't expect it to be so soon... So when are you guys getting married? I'm going to be your best man right?"

"Yeah yeah. For sure.. We haven't really set a date though. We're focusing on building her hotel though."

"Oh right. She's a hotelier."

"Mm-hmm. Right."

"Oh well, congratulations bro. If you'll excuse me though. I'm about to go work my magic," He replied before downing down his drink and walking over to a petite strawberry blonde a few chairs away from us.

I smirked as I stared at him. Jordan and I were no different in that aspect. We were both players to the core.

I returned my attention back to my drink until I saw someone slide into the chair beside me. She was a pretty redhead and even though I tried to resist the urge, I found myself turning to talk to her and from there, well you know how it goes...

CLEONA

I woke up with a clear head and a refreshed body. Yesterday had been pretty hectic but I was more than ready to take on anything the world might throw at me today.

I was however not ready for the sight that awaited me down the stairs in the living room. Andre and an unknown redhead lay on the floor sleeping in each other arms, their clothes sprawled around them with several bottles of alcohol.

It looked as though they had a party last night. Both of them were naked so the first thing I did was use Andre's jacket to cover him up. It was a wonder I didn't puke or faint. The sight in front of me was simply DISGUSTING!

I tried my best to clean up the sitting room as best as I could. The only thing left to do was wake them up.

"Andre! Andre! Wake up!!!" I yelled but to no avail. The lady wasn't too responsive either so I settled for another option.

I grabbed a bucket and filled it with ice cubes from the freezer which I then proceeded to dump on them.

Almost immediately, they jerked awake screaming.

"What... what happened? Cleo!? What the heck was that for?" Andre yelled glaring at me.

"That was for waking you up Mister. Couldn't you and your friend have taken your business upstairs... Oh God!" I muttered looking away when he stood up naked.

"What are you... Oh! I would never have pegged you for the shy one, Miss Reynolds," I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Andre, cover up!"

"Why?"

"Andre, cover up or I swear I'll cut your balls off."

"You'd have to look at me first... Come on Cleo. Just one glance."

"Gross, Andre! I've already seen enough."

"Come on. Just one more glance."

"Oh really? Just one glance, huh?"

I ran towards the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

"Cleo! What are you doing with the knife?"

"I'm going to do what you asked. I'll look at you right now and cut your ball off."

"I wasn't expecting you to act on it."

"Well I'm going to if you don't get dressed. Same goes for you too, Miss Redhead."

I heard some ruffling before Andre finally spoke up. I looked and saw the redhead fully dressed while Andre was in his boxers only. His chest was bare and it gave me the opportunity to admire his physique.

"Cleo! What are you staring at?" I heard Andre's voice all of a sudden, interrupting my thoughts.

"Oh right! You, Redhead, out! Andre, get upstairs."

I watched as the redhead grabbed her purse and headed out only to stop halfway, turn around and give Andre a passionate kiss on the lips and a 'call me' sign when they pulled apart before she finally left.

"Are you done now?" I asked sarcastically when Andre kept staring at the door after she left.

"I am and by the way, there's nothing for you to be jealous about."

"Jealous? You wish!" I scoffed.

He smirked and walked towards me. He stopped several feet away from me and asked "You sure you're not jealous Miss Reynolds?"

"Yeah I am."

He chuckled, leaned in and whispered into my ears. "Are you sure because you just licked your lips and I'm sure that's your tell."

I froze. Kyla always told me that I like my lips when I'm lying....

"You don't know what you're saying Andre," I replied, brushing the thought away.

"Trust me, I do." He whispered again before pulling away and heading upstairs.

“I'm not jealous...am I?" I asked myself still trying to make sense of whatever just happened...