Chapter 8

"Let me explain," she said, trying to plead her case, and hoping this crime boss wasn't there to kill her.

"Let you explain? I've been worried sick. Have you not heard the news? Roman's brother was killed a few days ago and…" Luke stopped in is his tracks. "What are you wearing?"

Poppy's eyes narrowed. "Clothes. What are you wearing, rich boy?"

"Come on, Claudia. What's with all this? Where are we and what's going on?"

"I'm not Claudia," she scoffed. "I wish everyone would stop saying that."

Luke rolled his eyes as he picked up a business card from the desk and read, "Pink Halo designs by Claudia Ricci. I never took you for a fufu pink loving girl, but it works. Wait a minute… You really did open a business? Wow, babe, that's real growth. Everyone kept saying you were just a gold-digging bitch, but I knew they were wrong about you. I'm going to marry the hottest woman in Chicago and those naysayers can suck my dick. They're all just jealous anyway."

"I'm not… Wait… What did you say?"

Rushing to the desk, Poppy looked over the cards that had been switched. Her mouth dropped to the floor in shock as she looked them over. The man with Claudia must have switched them when she was tending to the woman earlier.

"I didn't do this… I'm not her."

"I'm impressed. This place looks nice and legit," he said looking around in awe. "I heard the Irish were buying from you, but I thought they meant some coke or maybe some pills. I was coming to talk to you about it, but this is great. You know how I don't like you getting into the drug scene. It's too dangerous for a pretty little thing, like you."

"I don't do drugs," Poppy snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yeah, says the girl who did a line of blow off my dick on the night we met before sucking me off."

"I what?"

"Such a tease. Okay, so you're going clean. It's about time, but I didn't think you were serious. I'm glad you're turning things around."

Without notice, he grabbed her around the waist, pulling her into his arms with a playful grin. Luke placed a quick kiss on her lips, his mouth soft and inviting, yet Poppy pushed him away.

"Stop touching me."

"Oh, babe, you're pouting. You're still mad at our argument last night, aren't you? I told you I've just been stressed. I'm proud of you for opening this shop. It shows you're ready for this marriage."

"Marriage! I'm not Claudia, damn it. Why aren't you listening to me?"

Luke just laughed. "Stop playing. Your new purse is right there and you're holding the expensive phone I got you last week. Do you expect me to think you have a secret twin or something? Hell, your car is parked out front with that stupid vanity plate that says Glam Gal."

"What? No way." Poppy ran to the front door and sure enough, a fancy silver BMW was parked out front. "What's going on? I'm really not her. I swear," she plead, but he still wasn't hearing her.

Luke licked his lips, as he turned to face her, after checking out a clothing rack. Rubbing his hands together he checked out her full breast in her tight rockabilly button up blouse that tied in the front, liking what he was seeing, despite it wasn't the typical Claudia look.

"Oh, I get it. My lady wants to role play. Well, we haven't done that in a while, so I'm down. What is it this time? A naughty shop owner and I'm the delivery guy. You can't afford to pay me, so you trade payment for that sweet pussy."

As he was stepping closer, Poppy could see he wasn't going to believe her. It seemed everyone in Chicago had a listening problem lately. She needed to get him out of the store so she could think.

"I'm working. I can't. Luke, you need to go."

Raising a brow at her with a sly grin, he nodded in agreement. "Okay, so you are really working hard at this. I was worried you were just going to be a trophy wife, but you're really putting in the work. I guess our talk about hard work paid off. Anyway, I'll pick you up after work. We have that opera to attend tonight. My father is going to be expecting us and I'm sure he'll be glad to hear you started that business like he suggested."

"Opera? Like… music?"

"Yeah. You love the opera. Wear one of your fancy dresses you have here. I'm sure the socialites who fawn all over you would love to see them." As he was walking towards the door, he mentioned, "Oh and nice touch saying these are original designs. Where did you get the shipment; stolen goods from my warehouse? Good thinking, babe. This will be a good cover for those new clothing goods we were planning to black market. I know you had an entrepreneurial spirit, and a little legit business keeps the cops off our ass."

"I designed these myself," Poppy noted. "I don't do black market. I'm a real designer."

Kissing her cheek goodbye, he chuckled. "Sure, you did. Nice work. Keep practicing that speech so when the cops show up they will believe you. Maybe take a few sewing classes to really make it look legit. Anyway, I'll see you tonight. I guess I was wrong about you cheating on me. You really were working. I'm sorry I misjudged you. I won't do it again."

As the front door slammed shut, Poppy scowled. "What is wrong with these rich people? No one listens and they just hear what they want to hear. ARGH! They're so frustrating! What am I going to do?"

Looking at her newest formal design in the window, and then to register, she had an idea. The handbag on her desk, and those cards, said she was Claudia. No one knew the wiser. It was clear the man who was with Claudia was her boyfriend, and Luke had no idea what was happening. She knew exactly what to do. She'd play along. After all, Poppy needed the money from this shop and a little fib wouldn't hurt anyone, would it?

She just hopped it all wouldn't blow up in her face.