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“Good evening, Lacey . Are you ready to accompany me this evening?” He asked politely.
I glanced back at Shepard and smiled, “Yes.”
I took his extended arm and joined him inside his limo. He smiled and waved to Shepard as we drove off.
Matteo was looking at me but not like checking me out in a sexual way.
“This kind of outfit will work perfectly for the trip. Nothing too revealing but bring home to mom girl.” He said.
“I’m glad you like it,” I replied but felt very violated. He wasn’t looking at me like he wanted to jump my bones but more like he wanted to evaluate my effectiveness for this trip. Was how I looked that important to his family? What the hell was I getting myself into?
After that, there was no more talking on the ride to the restaurant. Complete and utter silence drove me nuts. Hopefully, this wasn’t what was in store for me this evening. Although, it kind of hurt my feelings that he hasn’t once complimented me on my looks. Had I become shallow like the girls from high school? I need to pull myself together before we get out of the limo.
“Is there anything you would like to discuss before you make your final decision?” I asked because I would like to know more about the trip, my reason for going and what was in store for me. A week was a long time to spend with someone I don’t know thousands of miles away.
Matteo replied, “Your job is to sell that we are a couple. I’m sick of my family thinking I’m gay because I never have girlfriends. I work too damn much to have time for anyone. Hell, I barely even see them except for holidays and special occasions like this one.”
Sell that we were a couple? This was going to be an interesting trip. A couple will be loving towards each other, show affection, hold hands in public. Was he ready for that sort of thing?
“Just to be clear, so you want me to hold your hand in front of your family?”
“Well yeah, whatever people normally do in a relationship. Honestly, I haven’t been in one in over five years. I can’t remember a thing about them.”
Poor guy must be lonely. Five years without affection. I could never go that long. How does he do it? There would be no way I could go that long. Kudos. I commend him for being able to hold out that long. Although, I highly doubt he hadn’t had sex in five years. He’s a man. Men had needs that had to be fulfilled. I looked into his eyes, trying to get a feel for him. I needed to know he was going to be up for this. I leaned over and took his hand in mine, look into his eyes, and attempted to kiss him subtly to sell that I could play the part.
He pushes me off, “What the hell are you doing?”
The way he looked at me was of disgust. I can’t believe he just shoved me off him. This will never work if he’s going to be like that. “You said you wanted to see if we had chemistry? Shouldn’t we try to make sure we both enjoy the little things we will often be doing in front of others? You can’t look at me like that when your family is around. They will catch on instantly.” I had a point. If he looks disgusted every time we kiss, no one will buy I’m his girlfriend. He needed to lighten up.
“I didn’t mean tonight. To be honest, I don’t enjoy the thought of you touching me, but I’ll have to get over it for this trip.”
Wait, what? What the fuck was that supposed to mean? No man had ever insulted me like this before. “Excuse me?”
“You are hired to help. Don’t touch me unless it’s part of the deal which tonight it’s not.”
My cheeks grew hot as I was filled with embarrassment. What an arrogant asshole. Privileged much? He just called me hired help. This trip will be harder than I expected. I hate that Matteo was so good looking because it kept me from wanting to kick him in the groin a couple times. Plus, the thought of a $10,000 paycheck will be nice too.
First he basically asks me to kiss him with his need to be a loving couple and checking our chemistry and when I oblige for the sake of it, he flips as if I WANTED to kiss him? Bastard.
The rest of the dinner was spent with factual information on his family. His mother was a meddler, plus the bride and groom was his best friend and sister. He went into the flow of functions we would have to attend together.
I didn’t have anything else to say to him. Mostly, I just didn’t want him to say anything that would warrant me slapping him and walking out. I have a bit of a temper. He was not what I was expecting going into this. In his picture, he looked like a kind man. He was the complete opposite. I knew why he had to pay someone for company. Who the hell would want to be around that man willingly?
He dropped me off at the edge of campus and handed me a ticket and a time to be at the airport in the morning. Honestly, a horrible thought crossed my mind walking back to my dorm. What if I got stranded out there? What if things went so horribly wrong that I didn’t have a way back? It’s possible I might not be able to put up with his attitude for a week. I needed to have a backup plan. I called Dr. Shepard at once.
“Lacey, is everything okay?” He answered.
I looked down and realized it was getting kind of late. “Yes, I just wanted to make sure that if this doesn’t go well, that I won’t be stranded out there. He is nothing like I thought he would be.”
He laughed into the phone, “Honey, I could have told you that. You picked him. But yes, your plane ticket is a round trip. If you need to come back sooner, just take it to the airport and they will put you on the next flight back.”
I started to reply but he cut me off, “But Lacey, for the amount of money he is willing to pay you, I would ride it out. No man is going to pay that amount to any girl here. You got a damn good deal for this trip. Do whatever you can to make it work.”
Sadness started to settle in. What was I going to do? I knew he was right. Who in their right mind would pay someone that much? Although, who was I to complain since I was in desperate need of that sum? How could I turn it down? No way in hell! I can’t pass up the chance just because he was an asshole. I just need to deal with it. Surely, I can deal with him for a week.
“You’re right. I am being idiotic. I will count my blessings that he chose me for this. I will do what I can to make it work. It’s just a week. Thanks!” I sighed and hung up the phone completely exasperated by the turn of events.
I just needed to focus on the end game. My tuition paid. I put my phone on the charger and let my mind wander a little bit more about what could happen during that week with Matteo.
