

ARTHUR



“Tell me again what the bride’s name is?” I asked. I heard Doris. It was just such a coincidence I needed to hear Doris tell me again.



I couldn’t believe it. Of all the things for Doris to ask me. She wanted me to go with her to the wedding. This wedding.



I lit a cigarette, stalling. “Sorry, I can’t promise you this.”



“Why?”



Doris was clearly puzzled. I couldn’t explain it to her.



I already declined to attend my mother’s wedding multiple times. My crazy mother bashed a window of my new Maybach she was so furious. I couldn’t just change my mind.



“Why not? It’s just one little favor?”



“Why is it so important to you?”



“Bob is my ex. The women at my office made a big deal about how great you are and Bob thinks I made it up. Bob cheated with Andrea while living with me…” Doris trailed off.



I get it. God, they were both such awful people.



Doris looked 



DORIS



A vivid image of the sexy Arthur kissing me passionately flashed in my mind. My heart beat wildly.



I quickly picked up my water glass and drank it.



Maybe I should focus more on Dr. John... no. I can’t.



I needed to keep my sanity.



"Thank you, John, but I'm sorry I can't accept your kindness."



"I thought you were willing to go out with me because you had the same good feeling about me." John gave a regretful expression, which made me a little uncomfortable.



"The truth is, you're very handsome and very good, just ......" I pondered how to make him feel better. I've never been very good at rejecting others. "It's just that, I have no desire to fall in love until my father wakes up."



"I see." John nodded.



God, what did he understand? I bet he got the wrong idea.



"I'll try to get your father to wake up as soon as possible." John reached out and placed his 



DORIS



On the other hand, Arthur was so much hotter than Bob. I wanted to show Bob that I could land a great guy, and rub it in Bob’s face.



After lunch, Bob corned me again.



“You’ll bring your boyfriend.”



“Su-sure,” I stammered. “Of course...he’ll come.”



“Good,” Bob smirked, looking like he had me corned.



“Then it’s settled! I want to see how good your new boyfriend is.” Bob smirked.



“Alright, definitely.” I fought down panic.



I needed to figure out how to make Bob jealous. If I could only find sexy Arthur, he would be just the person to help me.



That night I went to the small tavern where my friend Nina recently got a job. 



As I walked into the tavern, I was hit by a wave of nostalgia. The place was shabby and run-down, with peeling wallpaper and creaky wooden floors.



The air was thick with the smell of smoke and stale beer, but despite its shabby appearance, there was something undeniably charming about the place. I liked it. 



The walls were adorned with old photographs, and there was a small jukebox in the corner playing classic rock tunes. The ceiling was low and made of dark wood, giving the tavern a cozy, intimate feel.



This evening was Nina’s night off. She came over and hugged me. I told her how sorry I was that she was fired.



“Let’s not talk about it. Let’s talk about you. You look…conflicted.”



I confided my troubles to Nina. 



As I sat at our small table in the back of the tavern, feeling down, Nina handed me a drink with a sly smile. "You need a fake boyfriend," she said, her eyes sparkling mischievously. 



I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile at her suggestion. "Where am I supposed to find one of those?" 



Nina leaned in closer. "I have just the guy in mind." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 



"Who?" 



She took a sip of her drink before answering. "My cousin, Marcus. He's charming, handsome, and willing to help a damsel in distress." 



A fake boyfriend sounded crazy, but at this point, I was willing to try anything to get Bob off my back. 



“No. I can’t.”



“Why not?”



I didn't want to tell Nina about Arthur. Nina's my best friend, but my night with Arthur seems too intimate and precious to discuss. It was just supposed to be a wild night to get over Bob, a meaningless fling.



But it seemed like more. A lot more.



“I just can’t,” I said.



Nina shrugs. “Anna’s boyfriend will be there. If you don’t bring a fake boyfriend, Bob wins.”



“But if I do bring a fake boyfriend, Peter, that’s his name, right? He will just know he doesn’t work at AmeriCapital.”



“No, I don’t think so. AmeriCapital is huge.”



“I hate lying. I just won’t go. I don’t owe Bob anything.”



Nina had raised her glass to clink it with mine. "You sure don't. You're beautiful, smart, sexy. Take the world by storm. Don't waste another minute thinking about that loser," she encouraged me.



Nina and I talked a while longer.



After I walked out of the tavern, I thought about what Nina had said. I decided to try and find Arthur. The only way I could think of was to go back to that club, “The Strip.”



It wasn’t far actually, only about a block and a half away.



I debated. Logically it didn’t make sense to find Arthur but what choice did I have? My co-workers had already seen him.



Besides. I really wanted to see Arthur again. His eyes, his wide shoulders, his sometimes barely-there-smile.



"Okay," I said, gathering my inner courage. "I'll go to the club and see if Mr. Sexy is there."



Sure enough, Arthur was there. I couldn’t believe my luck. He was at the same table with more males in suits.



His eyes lit up when he saw me. That was a good sign.



Although this time he seemed to be accompanying one specific male guest. 



I frowned.



I knew I was too drunk. I marched over there. Arthur’s smile looked like I lit up the sky until I opened my mouth.



“I see you’re not picky about clients and you’re focusing on making money." My comment came out meaner than I meant it. Maybe I was jealous. That just showed how much I liked him. I was usually nice no matter what. 



Arthur’s friends were stunned, but I was not sure why. Arthur made a face at them that I couldn't interpret, but it was obvious they cooperated with whatever secret message his expression was telling him.



I threw money down on the table. "I want to book Arthur for tonight.” Everyone looked strange but nodded tacitly, and some people picked up some of the bills.



Arthur looked at the five hundred with almost knit eyebrows, but his face mainly remained still. Maybe he wanted to see what kind of game I was playing.



Arthur flicked his hand, shooing his friends away. They scattered, and I had second thoughts.



Is this crazy?



“Doris,” he said, his voice smooth and deep. Would you like to dance?” Like magic, the music changed to a slow song a few seconds after we got on the dance floor.



Arthur took me into his arms. Our bodies fit together perfectly. It felt like I melted into him.



He smelled like musk, pine, and pure male. He was concentrating on me, and only me, and I loved it.



If I order more alcohol, do the strippers get paid more? I think so. I raised my hand and ordered another wine.



As soon as my wine came, I took a sip. I didn't let go of Arthur, though. He looked so strong and sexy.



I kissed him, and he kissed me back passionately. 



My body went on super sexy alert.



“I want you,” he said. His voice was quiet but intense.



“Well, I want you to do me a favor. You do this for me, and you can have me any way you want.” I took a deep breath. "I'll pay you extra too."



He quirked an eyebrow up. Too late I realized he might have sexual preferences I could only imagine. Maybe he thought I meant I’d pay him for something extra sexually?

Fear flooded my body and I quaked.



But it was too late to take it back. I need him.



“What’s the favor?”



“I need you to accompany me to Andrea Wentworth’s wedding to Bob and pretend to be an executive at AmeriCapital.”



I can’t interpret the shock on his face.



He sputtered. He shook his head, slightly at first, but then more and more.



“Please,” I beg.



Arthur looks far away as if in a daze. I can't interpret his expression, but it's very strange and almost pained.



“Please, please,” I say shamelessly. I rub my body up against his. “Didn’t you say you’d do anything for me?”



“Please. I’ll give you an extra hundred and fifty bucks. I know it’s not much, but it’s all I have.”



He doesn’t look moved by my plight.



“I really want you to come. I hate to ask you, but you’re the only one who can do this for me.”

Arthurs’ expression turned to stone, but I continued on.



I told him the exact hotel name where my boss and my ex’s wedding reception was. I made sure to give him directions to Andrea and my ex’s wedding location. 



When I repeated their names, he showed a strange expression; he looked like he just swallowed a sour lemon.



I plunged ahead, despite his obvious reluctance, trying to make it sound like it would be a great event.



“Do this one thing for me, Arthur.” I made my voice as sexy as possible, hoping to imply promises that might be more than I could give. “I need you. Do this one little thing for me. Please.”






ARTHUR

“Tell me again what the bride’s name is?” I asked. I heard Doris. It was just such a coincidence I needed to hear Doris tell me again.

I couldn’t believe it. Of all the things for Doris to ask me. She wanted me to go with her to the wedding. This wedding.

I lit a cigarette, stalling. “Sorry, I can’t promise you this.”

“Why?”

Doris was clearly puzzled. I couldn’t explain it to her.

I already declined to attend my mother’s wedding multiple times. My crazy mother bashed a window of my new Maybach she was so furious. I couldn’t just change my mind.

“Why not? It’s just one little favor?”

“Why is it so important to you?”

“Bob is my ex. The women at my office made a big deal about how great you are and Bob thinks I made it up. Bob cheated with Andrea while living with me…” Doris trailed off.

I get it. God, they were both such awful people.

Doris looked at me with pleading eyes.

I gently caressed her cheek. I hated to turn her 

#Chapter 7 Appointment with the doctor