Chapter 3

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 since that was a likely occurrence 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 falsely accusing me of rape?"

"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," I began.

"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 dated and broken up with.

"I should be asking you the same thing Cleo," he said smugly.

"I'm here on business. Does that answer your question?" I said offhandedly.

"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 madly 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.

"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 my hand.

"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 change, 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 gets the other to fall for them during the duration of the project also gets half of the other person's fortune. 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!