Chapter Two

Would you give years to build yourself a career of prestige and influence if it meant forsaking love all that time? 

Or did you think you could acquire love easily after arriving at successes door even after the journey has refined your taste for companionship? 

Would you pay for that refined taste in companionship? 

[Briar Blair]

The heat of the flat iron sizzled as it went through my hair. I coughed on the scent of hair products. "Are you okay in there, Briar?"

I step out the bathroom. "Just making myself beautiful. Well?"

Her eyes couldn't look any more dead behind her frames. "You're stunning, like you do every other day."

"But haven't you noticed anything different?" I flipped my straightened golden locks in a nonexistent wind.

"Your hair is straight?" She shrugged. I nodded with pride. "Seriously? You really think that's going to make a difference? You've been drop dead gorgeous from the day I met you. Do you know how hard it is for a freckled framed nobody like me to be around you?"

"As I recalled, weren't you pretty popular?" I did one last check in my mini mirror then left the office with the name plate reading Briar Blair.

"Until you transferred here. I use to have the guys in the office drooling over me. Then when you came along and no one came remember anything about me past my freckles and frames." Her heels were clopping behind me.

"Awe, thank you sweetie." I pecked her on the cheek. She shrieked, wiping it away as she curses me with homophobic slurs. I blew a kiss at her.

Everyone greeted me as we walked by. "You look stunning Ms. Blair."

"Beautiful as always."

"You going home early today Ms. Blair?"

"Thank you and no, I've got a very important arrangement to attend."

"So important that the Executive Vice President straightened her hair?" My tall and well groomed Co-executive said leaning against his office. I could hear all the women in the office swooning. 

"Can't I just want to look nice?"

"From what I recall, you did the same thing for our first date then never again until after you dumped me and went on a date with someone else."

I guess he's still not over that. "No hard feels right?"

"Only if you give me another shot?"

Yep, still not over that and me apparently. Where's my secretary to pull me out of this? She was twirling her hair while talk with a man who kept sneaking glancing at me. Of course that's where you are. Let's wrap this up quickly. "You wanna take a sister out little bro?"

"Already hitting me with repellent huh?" He chuckled. "Fine I had my chance and I blew it. Just let the new guy down easy when the time comes."

"Aren't I always gentle?" They're the ones who are always too soft. 

"As a Lioness. Though I hope this time works out for you." He patted my shoulder with a smile that actually made me feel like things would work out then went back to his office.

He's successful, handsome, mature, funny, makes you feel safe and an overall great guy who'd make a wonderful partner. Just not mine. 

I pulled into a local restaurant at the border. Nothing like what guys who asked me out would usually take me. Kinda weird not having a valet to take your car. I paid the parking meter with my card.

"So, you're really going to wear your work outfit?" My assistant said as we walked inside. The interior was a nice red and gold design and the people gawking at us was a familiar sight. 

"A little to late don't you think? Besides I didn't have enough time."

"Your date starts at 6:00. It's 5:00 right now." I folded my arms. She sighed. "Yes I know you make it a point punctual." I nodded as we sat at our table. "But you finish your work an hour early so you'd have extra time. An hour was more than enough for you to get ready."

"I had to do my hair and makeup."

"You'd have been better off changing instead. I mean look at you. You look like a ten a plain pencil skirt blouse. Imagine if you had worn that outfit? Besides women don't need make up anyway..." All the waitresses and the other women turned their heads.

I arched a brow. "Do you hear yourself? What's happened to you? You've been like this for a while now and it's getting worse. Is there a guy you're trying to impress sweetie?"

"Oh god no." I stared at her. "Ugh, I think I've been hanging around Jethro too much lately. He makes me think about long term stuff and my future… He's a bad influence."

I covered my mouth giggling. If he could make this stubborn woman talk like that, then that makes me all the more intrigued. I can't wait to meet you officially, Mr Jethro Julius. 

I returned from the bathroom to see a man sitting at our table. His suit and his well-groomed hair. 

"Briar, this is the guy I've been telling you about, my high school friend. Jethro Julius." Her hands on his shoulder. He glared from the corner of his eyes. The moment she moved, he brushes off his shoulder. "Anyway, Jethro, this is my bestie, Briar Blair."

Friend? I'm pretty he sees you more like a frenemy. I shook his hand. It was big and rough with calluses as well as a firm grip. Oh, mi likes. You don't normally see people from the Lower Class Territory in decent suits like this. Must have cost him his savings. 

He smirked under my grip. "Pleasure to meet you, Briar.

"The pleasure is mine Jethro."

"Of course it is." He smiled.

"Aren't we presumptuous?"

"Just trying to light the mood…and the extra load" He side eyed my assistant who was seemingly engrossed in her menu that was upside down. "With some humor." His eyes wondering my body said otherwise.

From the moment he saw me he hasn't taken his eyes off me except when he gives her the bombastic side eye for still being here. Apart from that, this first date held more promise than all my recent dates.

We were ready to order in a few minutes. The waitress came to take our order, or so I thought. She ask for his number. He gave it and she blushed.

My assistant rolled her eyes and I arched a brown. The waitress looked back and forth before excusing herself. "That was interesting. Care to elaborate?"

He stared at me, astonished. "Indeed. Though not the reaction I was expecting from you."

"I'd rather like to hear your explanation before thinking that you're picking up other women, breaking a rule in our verbal contract."

He smiled at me. It was special. More genuine. Of course all his previous smiles were, but this one felt like it was directed at me.

"Here I am, the one who should be impressing you but you're the one making an impression on me."

"Well, I've been told that I am different from other women." I take a sip.

He chuckled. "Oh really Ms. Blair? Allow me to turn up the charm then."

I giggled. "That was the corniest line ever." He smiled a look of adoration in his eyes. I couldn't help but stare back into those pools touched by the sunset lighting up his glowing brown skin. I gulp. Why does he look so good? 

"Are we really going to gloss over that he was acting like a dog right in front of you?" The moment was ruined. 

SHE SHOULD LEAVE. He and I shared the sentiment. She's my friend and she did set me up with him. That's why her jealousy and hanging around is so annoying. She knows I'm trying to figure this guy out but here she remains. 

"Speaking of, how's that dog you keep at home?" We stare at him. "Any luck domesticating it?"

"What about you and your cat at home? Heard you were getting another one." She glanced in my direct. "The old pussycat mustn't be purring as good as before."

His grip tightened on the menu for a moment yet he kept smiling with his eyes closed. 

His knuckles have scratches. From a fight? Or maybe anger issues? 

"Oh, never knew you were into pussycats, though I certainly know the appeal." He smirked at me. "Thought you were a straight dog kinda gal. I mean with the amount of dogs you've had ran through that tiny little apartment of yours, I'm surprised it hasn't been downgraded into an animal shelter." He went for his phone. "I have pictures-"

She yawn dramatically while squeezing his nape. He raised an arm and she fled to my side of the table. "I'm tired guys, I'm calling it a night guys." A waiter stared from us to the sunset and back. "It's been fun guys. Make sure to do everything I'd do."

"No thank you, we don't want flees." He said. She grits her teeth walking away. 

"Now where were we?"

"Couldn't wait for her to leave either?" 

"That obviously huh?" He nodded. "Now that you've meet me in person Jethro, what do you think?"

"I have to say that you weren't what I was expecting. Not your personality and definitely not you appearance. You don't look like you're even thirty."

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"I'm serious."

"Do you really have to know?" 

"Do I? I'm just here to satisfy your desires within reason. The fact that you're beautiful is makes this all the more…pleasurable. Why do I need to ruin that?" 

I smirked. "Good answer. What do you want to order?"

"The most expensive things on the menu of course." The waitress came back. She apologized for causing a misunderstanding and thanked him for talking her boss out of firing her before I arrived.

I couldn't help but see him in a new light. I sighed. 

He's so close. He's funny, witty, flirty, and dreamy handsome with those glowing brown eyes that haven't left me since we met. He's even a good guy… too good. I won't make that mistake again.

He scrunched his brow as he stared at me. "Are you okay?"

"Oh it's nothing."

"Ah, I seem to have upset you but you don't want to say then I'll ask you a question. Why did you choose me? And don't give me any bullshit like people from the lower class are easy to use and discard. You have plenty of options, Ms. Most Desirable Bachelorette of Upper Class Territory." His eyes were dead and cold. 

I was taken aback but stared him down. "You did a background check? Why did you even bring up my age if you already know?" He didn't blink nor answered which was a bit too intense for my liking. 

"I choose you because of what she told me." I put down my cup. "Particularly that you're skilled at pretending to be something you're not. You can fit in where you don't belong."

"What?"

"What we're doing isn't uncommon but never lasts because of class difference."

"Then sugar someone from border class. You have options."

"There is no such class. There is no middle. It's an illusion. You're either from upper or lower class. That's it."

"Then why me? I'm just another pauper from lower class."

"No you're supposed to be different. She calls it you being two-faced but I can see it for what it is, the ambition of upper class is in you but…that's it. It's like you were born in the wrong class and your environment hasn't shaped you at all. You're supposed to be-"

"A half and half like you." He smiled shaking his head. "Let me make something clear. I'm not some gangster. I'm just a guy who's street smart and knows how to read people, like that waitress."

"A shy and social awkward girl who believed every word of a stranger that's saved her job and disappeared. Something like he's just meeting some clients who seem like a lesbian couple giving the impression of that I make decent living and is available."

My jaw dropped. "All so she could give me a bad impression of you then makes me feel guilty when she thanked you for helping her." I only stared at him. This bastard almost played me! Wait he's playing me right now by telling me this!

His smugness grew. "How does it feel knowing that you let a tiger cross over from the wastelands into the Safari so you could play hunter, only to find out that you're the one being hunted?"

I smiled. "White flag waved." I leaned back. The waitress came with a three course meal for six people. "And how would you be paying for all of that, might I ask?"

He stood taking one of the pastries. One hand the table, he towers over me caressing it against my lips. It's sweetness fill my nose as his glowing brown eyes stared into mine. He had already won me over. 

The way that he looked at me as if I were some great conquest that he only needed to reach out for I was already in his grasp said he knew it too. 

"That's why I have you Briar dear." I bit into the pastry without thinking. His lips at my ear. I gulped. "After all." He leaned back tasting the frosting from my lips with his finger. "You are my sugar Bri. Ain't that right mama?"