A plan devised

Two weeks later Chad decided he would get his mother off his back once and for all. And Jessica, he would let her down gently, but he didn’t know how or when. But it would happen. He got in his Porsche Spyder and headed for the new club his friend had told him about.

“Hey,” his friend, Greg said, slapping him on the back when they got to the club at the same time.

“There is some fine ass in this club—real top shelf ass, you know,” his only Black friend from college said.

“Good—that’s what I’m looking for,” Chad said. They walked in and got comfortable. The night progressed as it would any night, and two hours in, Quisha was onstage doing her dance. Chad noticed her from a few weeks earlier at a bar.

He cocked his head to one side and a sly smile spread across his face as he studied her and her movements and a light bulb went off. He would pay this woman to be his fiancée and get his mother off of him. After the dance, Chad went to Hank and asked to see that dancer.

* * *

There was a soft rap at the door of the dressing room as Quisha wiped makeup off of her face.

“Yes?” Quisha answered.

Hank entered. “There is a man out here who would like to speak with you,” he said.

“Tell him no thanks,” She said and got up to go once she was in her street clothes.

“That’s not how it works around here, sweetheart,” her boss said. He gave her a warning tone.

“You don’t make the rules around here,” he finished.

She took a deep breath and said, “Ok,”

When she walked out into the hall the man was already there. He’d heard everything. Quisha instantly recognized him as the handsome man who had bought her and Bridget a drink and got the drunk off of her. He was even more striking up close. A slight smile curved her lips.

“I never got to thank you for that night. So, thank you,” she said. He thought a moment.

“Oh, oh yeah,” he said as the recollection hit him.

“Um, so, did you know I worked here?” she ventured to ask.

“No. No clue, but, I have a proposition for you,” he said without introducing himself or asking her name.

“Sorry, I don’t do propositions,” she said and brushed past him, not caring what Hank thought.

“Wait,” he said, stopping her. “I think you might have the wrong idea. ”

She looked down at her arm where he had grabbed her and still held her.

“Oh, sorry—didn’t mean to grab you,” he said. “Is there somewhere, we can talk in private?” he asked as he became aware of all the eyes looking at them.

“I guess,” she agreed and then looked at her watch.

“I won’t hold you,” he said and they walked out into the warm summer night.

“Ok, um, I was wondering if you would help me play a trick, no…,” he stopped. “What I need is a woman who will pretend to be my girlfriend-slash-fiancée so I can get my mother off my back, he said.

Quisha looked at him and crossed her arms.

“That’s crazy,” she said.

“I will pay you handsomely. However long it lasts, I will pay you,” he said. You set the price.”

“You’re in the society papers a lot. Aren’t you already engaged?” Quisha asked.

Chad chuckled lightly.

“You read the society papers?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I?” Quisha asked, slightly offended.

“Jessica is a good friend—” he stated.

“Then why not ask her?” Quisha asked.

Thankfully, Chad didn’t have to answer.

“Carnelle, you alright?” Xavier, one of the bouncers, came out back to make sure she was safe.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for checking on me,” she said and turned her attention back to Chad. “Can I think about it?” she asked.

“Sure, sure,” he said. “Here’s my card.” He handed it to her.

“What’s your name, by the way?” he asked.

“Quisha, but my stage name is-Carnelle—Carnelle Pleasur,” she said.

“My name is Chadwick Allencourt, but, you can call me Chad,” he said.

Later that night, Chad went home after the club and found Jessica making a light snack.

He walked over to her and kissed her cheek.

“What did you do today, besides work?” she asked and made him a drink without asking what he wanted. She didn’t live at his mansion, but when time permitted she would come and stay the night at least once or twice a week.

“Oh, the usual, nothing out of the ordinary. I thought you were mad at me,” he said.

“I was and I am, but, I figure why throw two years away. I forgive you, for now,” she said with a smile.

Chad took a deep breath.

“Jessica,” he said and reached out and took both of her hands. “I don’t know where to start, but, um, I need some space…”

“What! What do you mean, space?” she asked and narrowed her eyes. “Are you seeing someone else?”

“No,” he said.

“Then why are you asking for space?” she asked, as tears started to well up in her eyes.

“I, I…it’s family related,” he said. “I can’t talk about it right now, and, and…I just need…” Before he could get it out, she was crying. She grabbed up her purse and was about to storm out. He grabbed her arm.

“Wait, Jessie; don’t leave like that.”

She refused to look at him. She was embarrassed and mad. Chad knew what she was thinking—that she had her whole wedding planned out to him and he was letting her down again.

“I’m sorry.” He said again.

“I don’t know why I keep letting you hurt me. Let me go,” she said before walking out.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said.

But he didn’t call her and she didn’t wait by the phone. Chad felt bad, but he never promised her anything beyond a good time.

* * *

A few days later

“I thought she understood,” Chad told his brother Bryan.

“You know women,” Bryan said then added, “They expect us to read their minds. Don’t worry about it. She’ll calm down and come around.”