Chapter 8 Bonding Time

• We were standing in front of Lilytz Lounge, Lilian's club in New York city. I turn to look at her giving her my"Are you kidding look"
• "Is this your ideal of a dinner reservation, Lily? "She roll her eyes at me being dramatic and turn to walk into the club. But I pulled her back, she raise her eyebrow silently asking me "Why"
• "The last time I was at a club, I lost my virginity and was abandoned" I run my hands tiredly through my hair. "Only God knows what I will be losing this time? "
• "This time......;" Lily smile secretly as she arch her chin up like she was thinking about something important. She instantly smile flashing her perfectly set of white teeth when she has find the answer. 
• "This time;" She repeated excitedly walking ahead of me to the club and just before she went in, she turn back and grin brightly "you will be losing your heart"and went in. 
• "That is if I have a heart" I call after her, but she has already went in, leaving me to Stand and glare at her retreating back. Relunctanly, I walk into the club, but stop short, there was no one in the club, only the bartender and in the middle there was a guy with long black hair which was tied into a ponytail at the back. His skin was flawless and soft like an angel. He was playing a slow sensuous song on the piano. Concentrating strongly as he stroke the keys slowly and seductively. I was hypnotized. I didn't notice Lily standing beside me as we both watch the guy perform various songs that I didn't know existed. 
• "This time;"I repeated what Lily has said outside "I have lost my heart" 
• "I can see he has the same effect on you too" She looks at me raising an eyebrow, trying to hide her smile. 
• I pretended not to hear her, and continue gawking at the angel in front of me. She huff when she notice me ignoring her, and turn to walk to the guy when she notice that he was through with his performance. She met him halfway and hug him, she whisper something in his ear which make him to turn and look at me. I gasp as my breath caught and my throat constricted. "Wow!! He's fucking Austin Walker" my subconscious say as she shriek with pure bliss. The world renowned music icon and producer, have had a crush on him since I was in school and heard of him. Lilian knew of it, I guess that's why she set this up. 
• I glare at her while she smile just as Austin make his way to me making my heart to explode a thousand time over. He stood in front of me and he kiss my knuckles as he whisper in my ear. 
• "You are exquisite, Mademoiselle " The way he pronounce the French word cause a thousand butterfly to explode in my stomach. 
• I was shocked, "Did he just kiss my hands?". "Oh my God!! Austin Walker just kiss my hands" I scream excitedly earning a chuckles from Austin and Lily. He invited me to sit with him on the stage where he was playing. I sat through as he continue to stroke the keys, once in a while he glances at me and when our eyes met he gave me his best smile. 
• Lily came back later, to say goodbye and telling me in a very serious tone to enjoy my date and I should not disappoint her as she turn to walk away. Leaving me alone with Austin Walker. My head will explode from excitement any moment now. 
• After Austin's performance for two, if you'll count the bartender. He decided to take me out for dinner to a five star restaurant. We are currently sitting across each other, conversing lightly after our meal of different food that I couldn't even remember the name when Austin ask me a personal question. 
• "What do you do for a living"
• "I'm a journalist"I notice his eyes darken and his face hardening. My bad, he doesn't like journalist. 
• "I don't like journalist " Austin voice out my thoughts he sip his wine trying badly to control his emotions. 
• "But I trust you" He said after he has come to a resolution with his self. "That's why I'm going to tell you my deepest secret that no one knows and you promise not to tell anyone"He look at me for an answer while flashing me with his killer smile. I nod my head, I mean who wouldn't do anything for that smile. 
• "I'm gay"He blurted out
• I choke on my wine, causing me to go on a coughing spree which make Austin to sprang on his feet and try to pat my back while handing me a glass of water in the process. After I have drank the water and calm down, I ask him again just to be sure that I heard right. 
• "What did you just say? "
• "I said I'm gay" He has gone back to his seat, and was regarding me curiously now. 
• "So the rumors were true"
• "Yes, have been in a secret relationship with Mark, my manager for a while now and its starting to raise suspicions and....... ;"
• "Why are you telling me all this"I cut him off and nervously glance at him. His next word makes me heart beat faster. 
• "Because I trust you"I smile while he held my hands across the table and kiss it fondly. 
• "I need a favour from you"I raise my eyes at him to continue. 
• "I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for a while, just until the suspicion dies down. I'm not ready to come out yet" He says half begging me with his eyes... 
• I couldn't say anything, just sat there and stare at him dumbfounded. 
• After some minutes of silence, I told him that l have someone that I love. He ask who the person was and I told him that it is Michael Thompson. 
• "The same Michael Thompson? "
• "Yes"
• "But I thought he was engaged to miss Deborah Melton"
• "Yes, he is"
• "Then, how come you are in love with him" He raise an eyebrow clearly not understanding it. 
• "It's a long story "
• "I'm not going anywhere " 
• I told him everything that happen between Michael and I, and we both come to conclusion that I can date him to find out if Michael loves me or not and thereby helping him to protect his relationship pending the time he's ready to come out to everyone. 
• I told him I will think about it, and give him feedback the following day, then he drove me home. 
• ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ 
• Austin Walker
• Immediately, I got home after dropping Nina off. I open the door to my penthouse and met her waiting for me with open arms.
• "Hey baby!. Where have you been" She call sweetly to me walking seductively to me in a see through red nightie.
• "Hmm!". I whisper kissing her lips, through her neck" if this is the kind of welcome I get everytime I'm out, then I will be going out always" She smile on my lips as I carry her bridal style to the room. I drop her slowly on the bed and continue kisssing her all the way down to her belly button.
• "Not tonight, Austin!" She stop me halfway, climbing off the bed.
• " Why not tonight?" I ran my hands through my hair in exasperation. "You've been giving me this shit since. One minute, you are turning me on and the next you are telling me not tonight" I said my voice rising a liitle bit.
• "I'm sorry, Austin. But you need to focus on the job" Shw holds my hands while looking at me with her puppy eyes. I let out a breath as I sat down heavily on the bed frustrated while she looks on.
• Have been in love with Deborah Melton since we were kids, but she went and fall in love with Michael Thompson. Have tried everything to make her mine but to no avail. So when she brought the preposition that I date Nina to distract her from Michael. I accepted knowing fully well that I get to spend sometime with her. But the past two weeks now, she has been rejecting me sexually and it's killing me.
• "Austin?. I'm not a bad person" She raises my chin to look at her" I just want this stuff with Michael and Nina to stop. It's frustrating hearing confess his love for her every passing day"
• I reach out to her and pull her until she was seated on my lap. I perk her lips softly" Baby! Why don't you let me send some boys to kill her off once and for all"
• "No" She jumps off quickly from my lap" No. I don't want that, it will kill Michael" she continue" I just want her to leave Michael, that's why I need her to fall in love with you"
• "OK. Don't worry, I will make her fall for me" I said with confidence.
• "That's exactly what I want. After she falls for you, she will leave Michael"
• "But there's a little problem" she look at me with wide eyes, scared. I went to wrap my hands around her"No baby,not that big of a problem" she quiets down and look at me for an explanation.
• "OK". I release her as I walk to the sitting room and sat down on the couch, she follow behind after putting on a robe to cover her see through nightie.
• "OK. So I saw her today" she smile and beckon me to continue " and I may have told her that I'm gay".
• "What!?" She stood up abruptly" why will you say that?".
• "Because that was the only way I could get her to date me. Moreover, there's a rumour circulating that I'm gay, I just used that to my advantage".
• She calm down a liitle bit" That's good but how will you get her to fall in love with you now" She ask getting irritated.
• "That! I don't know too, but time will tell. I just wish we could kill her once and for all"
• "No. We can't do that" she paces around, to and fro.
• "You need to invite her, for the masquerade ball tomorrow night". She stop to regard me.
• I nodded and she continue" And I want you to do everything you can, to make sure that she end up dancing with you". I nodded again. " I don't want her to end up with Michael" She shakes her head like she couldn't bear thinking about that.
• I watch her quietly, I'm so jealous of Michael right now. What is it that he has that I don't have?. I'm richer than him and more handsome too. But most of the women fall for him, first it was Deborah and Mia my sister and now it's Nina too. If i can't have Deborah Melton, then no one would.
• "If I can't have Michael, then no one would" She said suddenly like she was in my head.I smile while she look at me suspiciously.
• "Why are you smiling?"
• "Nothing. I was just thinking about what my parents will say when I invite Nina to meet them".
• "You're thinking of inviting her to meet your parents!" She said shocked and curious.
• "Of course. Isn't that what you want?. For this to be real!" I ask a bit skeptical. Maybe I'm taking this too far.
• "Yes". She pauses a bit like she wasn't sure of what she really want " But you can make this real without her having to meet your parents"
• "Sure. But I don't know what to do if I have to meet her parents then"
• "Well just do anything you like. I don't care. All I want is her out of Michael's life once and for all" She turn on her heel and walk out of the room in anger.
• I yawn as I stood up and went into the kitchen, opening the fridge, I took a glass and pour myself water, I drank it and went into the room.
• "Don't tell me you are leaving this night" I said, she was dressed and already packing her bag. I turn to look at the clock at my bedside and it's read past ten.
• "Yes. I need to go. Wouldn't want Michael to come unannounced and doesn't find me at home" She perk me lightly on my lips and turns to walk out of the door. I lie down on the bed and soon enough was fast asleep...