Page 21 of High Stakes

“Just put it on,” he says with a grin.

“Who does all this stuff for you?” I ask, slipping the dress up my legs and over my thighs. “Can you do anything yourself?”

“I wipe my own backside,” he jokes.

“Really? That surprises me.” I take a mascara from my bag and apply it, followed by lip gloss. I slip my feet intothe heels he’s also brought. “Okay, I’m ready.” He gets out the car and rounds my side, opening the door and offering me his hand which I take. “What exactly do I have to do?” I add.

“Just be my date for the evening. If anyone asks, tell them it’s early days but we’re happy. And do not tell anyone you’re in my spare room.”

“Why would anyone ask that?”

“Oh, trust me, they will,” he mutters, leading me inside.

The room is impressive with large chandeliers and shimmering crystals dotted around. There are a lot of important looking people in suits and nice dresses, and I’m thankful Aiden brought me a black dress, it seems to be the most popular colour theme of the evening. He takes my hand and hooks it through his arm. “It’s going to be boring and for that, I apologise.”

He wasn’t kidding. Aiden is popular, with men constantly wanting his attention so they can talk business. I zone out after the third conversation about investment, slipping away to use the bathroom.

I’m topping up my lip-gloss when the blond I recognise from Aiden’s social media appears beside me. She sets about topping her own lipstick, occasionally flicking her eyes my way in the reflection. Eventually she smiles, but it’snot kind or friendly, and instead comes across colder and bitchier. “So, you and Aiden?”

“Yes.” I run my fingers through my hair, trying to ignore the feeling of dread in my stomach.

“Funny, he never mentioned you.”

“Should he have?”

She slowly pops her things back in her clutch bag, sniggering, “It depends how long you’ve been together. I’m a girl’s girl,” she states, and I almost laugh. “So, you should know he was with me on Saturday night . . . having sex.” She smirks before leaving me.

I brace myself against the sink unit and stare at my reflection in the mirror. I don’t know why her words affect me, but right now, as I think about her and Aiden together, my heart aches and my stomach twists into knots. I feel like she’s just thrown ice water over me, waking me up. Despite my protests to Aria, and even myself, I’ve been enjoying Aiden’s attention. He’s unobtainable, yet he was starting to convince me that wasn’t true. And she’s reminded me it is. Aiden is a player, and he will break my heart.

“He’s no good for you, Bella,” I tell myself out loud. “So, stop dreaming he’ll change for you. It’s never going to happen.”

When I step out of the bathroom, Aiden is waiting for me, leaning casually on the wall. He pushes off and steps closer, “Are you okay? You’ve been ages.” I nod, not trusting myself to speak. “I want to introduce you to a solicitor.” It’s an odd thing to say and I wonder who this guy is and why Aiden wants me to meet him so badly. “It’s important he thinks we’re together,” he adds, not quite meeting my eye.

I force a smile, “Show me the way.”

He looks relieved as he grabs my hand and takes me back into the room. I can’t help but scan it for his blonde bombshell. “Isabella, this is a good friend of mine, Drake.”

I bring my attention back the tall gentleman before me. “Hi,” I say.

He holds out his hand and we shake, “It’s nice to meet you, Aiden’s told me so much about you.”

I narrow my eyes with confusion, “All good things I hope?”

“Of course. He tells me you work in a bakery?”

I open my mouth to answer when the blond bitch taps Aiden on the shoulder, he glances back, and I feel him stiffen. She hooks her arm through his, “Walk with me, Aiden.”

He immediately drops my hand and allows her to lead him away, throwing an apologetic smile our way beforeadding, “I’ll be right back.” Blondie smiles smugly and I watch them disappear into the crowd, leaving me alone with Drake, the solicitor I don’t know, yet am expected to lie to.

I offer Drake a small smile, “It must be important,” I say, “Shall we get a drink?”

CHAPTER NINE

Aiden

Laurie leads me upstairs towards the toilets. We bypass them, heading straight up to the terrace which is closed to the public tonight due to the event. She makes sure to close the doors behind us and we make our way to the wall, looking down at the busy streets below. “What’s so urgent, you have to fuck up my plans?”

“I text you yesterday and you didn’t reply.” She pouts before adding, “I think he’s having an affair.”

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