CLEONA
Oh my gosh! I actually slept with Andre f**king Simmons. What the hell could I have been thinking? I never go to bed with men on the first date.
Scrap that!
It wasn't a date. I was dead drunk meaning that he more or less raped me. Yeah, that's what happened. He took advantage of my state and took me to bed against my will...
Just then, Andre opened his eyes and stared at me with a wide eyed expression when he finally came to.
"Cleo, why are you in my room?" He asked, stifling a yawn.
"How would I know that, you creep? You brought me here."
"I did, didn't I?"
"Yeah and then you f**king raped me!"
"Wait what!? Raped you!? What are you talking about!?"
"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.. I refused your offer to take me to bed and the first chance you get, you jump in bed with me against my will since I was drunk... How dare you!?"
"Okay okay, first of all, nothing happened between us last night..."
"Oh really? Then how'd you explain this?" I said removing the blanket that was covering my exposed body.
His eyes widened almost immediately and he even licked his lips.
"You see that... You're a liar and a rapist, Andre Simmons."
"First of all, like I said, nothing happened. Secondly, I don't do rape. I might do a lot of things but I draw the line at rape. I don't do that..."
I snorted. "Yeah right."
"Thirdly, you're in your underwear because that's what you wanted."
"Wait what?"
"You heard me right. After I brought you here, you tried kissing me and all that but I didn't allow it. That was when you got all drunk pouty, took off your clothes and went to bed like that..."
"Yeah right. That sounds just like me to sleep naked."
"Whatever! I didn't sleep with you at first. I only slept in the room on that couch but then, you woke me up in the night. You were mumbling incoherently so I supposed you were having a nightmare. You only calmed down when I held you in my arms."
The nightmare part caught me but it couldn't all be true.
"I don't believe you." I said, my arms across my chest as I stared at him with my eyebrows arched.
"You don't?.... There's a camera in here. I could show you that everything I said really happened."
"Yeah. You do that."
"I will." He said, getting out of the bed.
A few minutes later, he'd gotten the necessary footage and was currently showing it to me. Turns he was right. I did try to seduce him and I did take off my clothes by myself. It all happened just like he said it did.
"So you see?" He said pausing the video.
"I see that you were telling the truth and so?"
"It must kill someone like you to admit that you were wrong especially to a man..."
"Whatever dickface! I can apologize. I'm not as proud as some men."
"Okay. Then say you're sorry."
"For what?"
"I don't know. For accusing me of rape falsely?"
"Whatever! I'm sorry." I grumbled. He was right. I don't like apologizing especially to someone like him.
"See. Was that so hard?" He asked, smirking.
"Whatever!" I mumbled to myself, heading to the bathroom with the blanket still around my body.
"Hold up! Hold up! Where do you think you're going?"
"Where does it look like, genius? I want to take my bath." I said in a 'duh' tone.
"But I also want to do that."
"Well you'll have to wait then."
"Why do I have to be the one to wait?"
"Because the expression is 'ladies first'."
"Nope. It's 'ladies first after gentlemen'."
"No it's not."
"Is too."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is.... You know what? Enough! I'm done playing this game. Have the bathroom to yourself. Just don't take too long." I said angrily, storming away from the door while he laughed.
"Stupid self conceited son of a..." I mumbled angrily to myself.
••••
ANDRE
I couldn't stop the laughter that erupted from my lips as I watched her sashay back to the bed, mumbling to herself. She had no either how cute she looked with the tantrum she was throwing.
If she looked this cute anytime she was throwing a fit about giving in to a man, I could see myself doing something like this in the future.
Still laughing, I headed into the bathroom and closed the door. I did the necessary and was out a while later.
"Finally! I thought you were going to be there till December. Outta my way, punk!" She said, pushing me out of the doorway.
I chuckled to myself as I headed to the closet to pick what to wear for the flight back home (New York).
I'd just knotted my tie and about to wear my shoes when Cleo stepped out of the bathroom in a bathrobe. My eyes went to her figure and my jaw dropped. Her hair was wet and all over her shoulder but she looked prettier than any woman I'd ever seen with wet hair and trust me, I'd seen a lot.
Her wet hair made me imagine us together in the bathroom, having hot passionate s*x under the shower. It would be so...
"Earth to Andre!" I heard all of a sudden, interrupting my daydream.
"I've been calling your name for a while now. What were you thinking about?"
"Uh it's nothing." I replied, trying to keep the boner I had from showing.
"Ookay? I'll be in there, getting dressed." She said, pointing towards the bathroom with her clothes in her hands.
"Okay."
She came out, few minutes later dressed in the clothes she'd been wearing yesterday.
"So... I realize we got off on the wrong foot yesterday."
"Mm-hmm."
"Do you think we can fix that?"
"I don't know. Can you promise to stop flirting with me?"
"I make no such promises."
"Okay then. I promise to always reject everyone of your advances."
"Fair... But can you reconsider partnering with my company?"
"Sure. We can meet up tomorrow if you want."
"Actually I'm headed back to New York today. Do you think we can move our meeting there?"
"I do have a meeting with some investors in New York tomorrow so sure. We'll see then." She said stretching her hand for a handshake.
I accepted it. "After you milady."
"Whatever." She said rolling her eyes as she headed towards the door.
I smiled, trailing behind her, my eyes fixed on her backside.
Don't give me that look! It's just me being me.
••••
CLEONA
"Yes Kyla. I am in New York... No I'm not dating Andre Simmons and I doubt I ever will... Don't even start with your lecture, Ky... Okay, we'll talk later then... Yeah bye." I said cutting the call as I stepped into the car which Andre had sent to the airport.
"Where would you like to go Ma'am?"
Andre had asked that we meet in a cafe at a particular time. I had still had three hours left before the time he asked that we meet so I might as well use the time to rest.
"An hotel, if you wouldn't mind."
"Of course Ma'am." He said respectfully, heading in the direction of Andre's office.
The ride wasn't that long and soon he was pulling up in front of a large high rise building.
"We're here Ma'am." The driver said, stopping the car.
I nodded and stepped out before he could to help open the door.
I was on the way in when a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.
Stunned, I turned around and sure enough he was there.
"Damian! What are you doing here?" I asked, staring into the face of one of the many guys I'd played.
"I should be asking you the same thing Cleo." He said smugly
"I'm here on business. Does that answer your question?" I said haughtily.
"Yes and no."
"What do you mean "yes and no"? "
"I mean, are you here on business business or playing business? Are you about to charm yet another guy to fall heavily in love with you and then break his heart like you did mine?" He asked, taking slow steps towards me until we were barely inches apart.
"Well only time will tell Damian. Anything can happen." I said, turning on my heels to walk away.
"I just want you to know though... I haven't given up on you Cleo. Your heart might be made of stone but I'm not giving up until you're mine."
I didn't reply. Instead, I just walked into the building, not bothering to spare him a glance.
••••
ANDRE
"Here you go Sir." The waitress said, handing me my cup of coffee.
"Oh thank you."
I took a sip and checked my wristwatch before sighing again.
"What exactly could be taking her so long?" I wondered, staring at the door of the shop.
Just then, someone walked in but it wasn't the person I was expecting. Rather, it was the last person I was expecting to see.
"Hey Andy." She said in her normal squeaky voice.
"What exactly are you doing here Rey? I thought you were still on your vacation in Hawaii."
"I was but I just got back. I missed you so much."
"What was there to miss? We're over in case you've forgotten...or do I have to remind you?" I asked, waving my phone in her face.
"Enough with that jargon about playing me, Andy. We both know I'm not like other girls."
"Don't kid yourself Reyna. You're just like them and it's over between us. Got that?"
"You're the one kidding yourself Andy. It's not over and it'll never be over...."
"Well it is... Can you leave now? I'm expecting someone important."
"Oh really. More important than me?"
"Yes!"
"Who is it?"
"My new girlfriend." I blurted out.
"Your new what!?" She screamed, her voice already breaking.
"You heard me right. My new girlfriend. I've moved on Reyna. You should do same too."
Just then, Cleo walked. I immediately stood up from my seat and hugged her.
"Welcome babe." I said, loud enough for Reyna to hear.
"Wait a minute...babe? What are you..." Cleo tried arguing.
I broke the hug and whispered. "Play along."
She scowled but didn't say a word.
"You're joking right?" Reyna asked.
"Nope. I've moved on Rey. You should do so too. Have a seat babe." I said to Cleo adjusting the chair so she could sit.
"This...this isn't over Andre. You're mine and no one is taking you away from me.... And you..." She said pointing to Cleo, "I hope you know he's just playing with you? So don't get too comfy. He's mine. Got that?"
"Beat it loser!" Cleo retorted.
"Argh!" Reyna screamed as she turned to leave. "This is not OKAY!!!"
Cleo and I burst into laughter after she left.
"I can't believe you actually dated her. She's crazy."
"I know. But she was good in bed." I said licking my lips.
Cleo rolled her eyes and said "Just don't do that again."
"What?"
"The thing about us dating. I'm surprised she even believed it."
"So you would never date me or even pretend to do so?"
"Nope. Never." She said with all finality.
Just then, a guy approached our table. I immediately recognized him as Damian Sanders, a very popular actor/playboy.
"Hey Cleo. Nice seeing you here." He said, his eyes fixed on Cleo.
"Hi Damian."
He smiled and asked, his attention now on me "Mind introducing us?"
"I'm And...." I started but Cleo cut me short with her introduction.
"Damian, this is Andre, my boyfriend." She said pointedly.
"Your what?" Damian exclaimed.
I was equally shocked but masked mine, my eyes still on her.
"Yes Damian. You heard me. I've moved on. You and I are not happening again. Got that?"
"Sure sure. Nice meeting you Andre... Have fun with her with her while it lasts though. Trust me, it won't be long." He said, shaking me.
"I'll keep that in mind." I said smugly, smiling when he winced probably from the way I was crushing his hand.
He withdrew his hand, glared at me and walked away.
Once he was gone, I turned to Cleo who wasn't meeting my gaze.
"What happened to never dating me or even pretending to date me?"
"Whatever Andre! Things changed okay?"
I snickered and waved over a waitress who took I and Cleo's orders. Once she was gone, I turned to Cleo who was laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. I just remembered something your ex said."
"What's that?"
"She said you were just playing with my emotions so I shouldn't get too comfy...."
"What's so funny about that?"
"It's funny cause she thinks I'm one of your flings. Like you could ever play me. Instead it'll be the other way around."
"Oh really? You sure about that?"
"Heck yeah. Did you see the look on Damian's face? I played him good and there's plenty more where that came from."
"I doubt it. I can easily make you fall for me and just as easily break your heart."
"Wanna bet?" Cleo asked, her eyes twinkling.
"I'm listening."
"Let's see... Whoever falls in love with the other before the hotel is completed has to admit it publicly on live TV and quit playing and their favorite hobby for a...year. Deal?"
"Deal!... Get ready to be played Miss Reynolds."
"On the contrary, you're about to be played, Mr. Simmons. Played real good." She said shaking my hand.
I smiled. Let the games... BEGIN!
T B C
CLEOI woke up the next morning with a smile on my face, ready to face whatever life threw at me and of course, win the bet. It would be nice to show Andre that not every woman could surrender to his charm.I was still in bed reflecting on the strategies to use in winning the bet when I heard a knock at the door. Curious as to who it could be, I got out of bed and walked towards the door."Good morning Miss. This was delivered for you." The guy at the door (a bellboy) said, handing me a bouquet of red roses."Uh thanks." I said, accepting it."You're welcome Miss." He replied, walking away after I handed him a tip.I closed the door and wal
CLEONA"I think it would be best if we stay at my place to keep up the facade of being engaged... Or what do you think?""I guess so. We can do that. Yeah. It'll give me more time to work on getting that kiss.""Oh you'll be kissed alright but you'll be the one doing the first kissing.""Yeah right." I replied, rolling my eyes."Don't be so confident wifey." He said smirking."Don't call me that!""Why? It's not wrong, is it?""You know what, call me whatever you wanna call me. I don't care." I replied fuming as I crossed my arms.He chuckled and looked out the window. The car remained silent and soon the car was pulling up in the driveway outside a tall mansion.Once the car stopped, I watched as Andre got out and opened the d
ANDREAll of a sudden, I caught myself. What the heck was I possibly thinking? I wasn't about to let Cleo win that easily. In fact, I wasn't about to let her win at all.With that in mind, I drew away and returned my attention back to her ankle."Just keep the ice on it while I go check on the food okay?""Mm-hmm." She replied as I walked out.Time to turn things in my favour. •••• CLEONAI smirked to myself after Andre left. He'd been about to kiss me. I saw it in his eyes... He might have stopped right before he did but I wasn't even bothered. I didn't want it to be that easy anyways. I wanted to make sure he fell in love with me first before getting that kiss.
CLEONAI woke up, feeling well rested and ready to start the day. I tried moving my ankle and surprisingly, it didn't hurt that bad. I smiled and tried moving out of bed when I suddenly realized that I couldn't.My first instinct was to panic and scream as flashes of me being tied up popped in my head but I managed to calm myself as I became more aware of my surroundings.I wasn't tied up. Someone's arms were wrapped around me and of course, that person had to be the one and only Andre Simmons. It took every bit of my resolve not to scream into his ear or do something equally as dastard but I didn't.Instead I managed to get out of his arms, a task which proved to be incredibly hard but surprisingly not impossible
CLEONAI 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 got 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 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."
ANDRE"Andre! Andre!" Cleo yelled my name for the umpteenth time that day interrupting my chain of thoughts."Argh! Quiet down Cleo! You're giving me a migraine here." I replied, placing my palm on my forehead."Like I care." She replied rolling her eyes. "What are you thinking about? I've been calling you for a while now? I need you focused so we can get this done on time."I sighed, still rubbing my forehead, wondering whether or not to tell her about the deal."Hello? Earth to Andre!" Cleo yelled again, snapping her finger in my face."I'm sorry... It's just I really have a lot on my mind. Excuse me, will you
ANDRE"Hey Reyna.""Hey Andre. Why could you possibly be calling me?" I could hear the smirk in her voice."Oh cut the crap Rey. You know very well why I'm calling you... I mean, uh how are you doing today?""I'm doing great. What's the purpose of this call Andre? I'm kinda busy now.""Well I just wanted to say I'm sorry for breaking up with you before and for talking to you the way I did in the restaurant. I've already ended things with Cleo and I'll be very happy if you have dinner with me today...""Gimme a sec to check my schedule...I rolled my eyes, know
CLEONA"I know. I know. Thank you Cleo.... Gosh! I'm so happy right now, I could kiss you."My expression changed at that point."Wait what?" I asked surprised."I can really kiss you right now." He said again.My jaw dropped and then I watched as he placed his lips on mine...Despite the fact that everything in me wanted to push Andre away and hit him, I didn't. Instead I stood there, still in shock as he worked his tongue through my mouth expertly, pulling me even closer to him.I knew it wasn't right neither was it meant to be but