Lily’s POV.
“Listen carefully. I was with Ryan yesterday and he told me that he is getting back with Freya and soon they are going to announce their engagement.” Vance says and I am shocked to my core. He is getting engaged.
“But we have to stop it as I heard Freya talking to someone on the phone.” Kathy says.
“We should stop their engagement because you heard her talking on the phone. Why?” I ask.
“Freya was talking to someone saying that as soon as their engagement is announced, not only will his father come out from the edge of bankruptcy but also she will get enough funds to invest in her boyfriend’s company too.” Kathy says.
“But isn’t her boyfriend Ryan right now?” I ask in confusion.
“No, she was talking about her other boyfriend. She also said that when they will make enough money out of Ryan, she and her boyfriend and their baby could live in luxury for their whole life.” Kathy says.
“What? She is pregnant by her boyfriend and still wants to get engaged to Ryan to take advantage of him. Did you tell Ryan? What did he say about it?” I ask.
“He didn’t trust us.” Vance says.
“What do you mean he did not trust you? You both are his best friends.” I ask as I look at them in shock.
“I know it was shocking to us too. But we have to find some proof against Freya to stop her. If we could just find the right proof and show it to Ryan, he would believe us. And we could also blackmail Freya so she could stay away from us and go back to London maybe.” Kathy says.
“But what proof can we gather?” I ask.
“Freya asked me to join her for some last minute shopping today in the late afternoon. Why don’t you tag along with me?” Kathy asks.
“What will I do?” I ask.
“Well when Kathy would distract her and leave Freya’s phone with you, you have to plug this in her phone.” Vance says as he gives me a small pen drive.
“Then what?” I ask.
“Then you have to copy a virus I have in this in her mobile. Then remove it before she comes. This virus can help us record her calls and also give us her text details which I will keep in my computer.” Vance says.
“Wouldn’t that be illegal?” I ask.
“My friend is at stake for marrying a snake, I don’t care about anything else.” Vance says.
“Okay. Then what?” I ask.
“First we have to complete this part, then tomorrow she is throwing a party for us friends at her home and we have to get you invited somehow. Then maybe if we could just sneak into her room and get the legal papers’ photos somehow to blackmail her it would be great.” Kathy says.
“That would be illegal too.” I say but stop when she glares at me, “Fine.”
“Then Ryan would break up with her and you would be together. And one more thing she knows about your relationship with Ryan and that you two broke up. So you have to behave like she doesn’t know and stay away from Ryan.” Kathy says.
“I am not sure about that.” I mumble under my breath.
“Oh don’t worry about it. Believe me. You would be okay.” Kathy says with confidence.
I didn’t say anything else and decided to just go along with the plan so that I could free Ryan from his delusion and stop him in time to get back with Freya. I think he made it clear that he doesn’t feel anything for me. I will just do it for the person I have feelings for… I mean had.
Is Ryan stupid to get back with Freya so easily? Why do I feel like there is more to this than they are letting me know? Or maybe I am just getting paranoid and hopeful again? No, I don’t want any hope only to see them shattered again.
But if there is something like that, I will not spare Ryan for sure. But right now I have to think of an excuse to not only join them today but also to get an invitation to her party. How will that happen?
After completing my work, I wait for Freya to arrive. When she arrives I inform Kathy and I make sure that I have the pen drive in hand as I leave with Kathy. When I enter the limo after Kathy, Freya sees me with astonishment but then smiles.
“You are coming too?” She asks.
“Yes. I have to buy some… sexy dresses.” I say as I try to think of some excuse.
“For whom?” She asks.
“For my date. I have a new date tonight.” I say.
“New date. Who was old?” She asks.
“He was someone… but we broke up recently and life is all about…moving on. And I was fed up with hiding so I thought to date someone I can flaunt around.” I say whatever comes to my mind.
“Great. Who is he?” She asks politely but it feels more like interrogation.
“Davis. He is my college friend and asked me out many times. So I finally decided to give it a try. And it is going well by far. So we thought of going out for a date.” I say.
“Good.” She says as she smiles wickedly, “I have a party tomorrow night. Why don’t you and your date come too?”
“How can I, Freya?” I ask.
“Just dress up and come.” She says.
“But I don’t know anyone.” I say.
“You know me and Ryan and Kathy and Vance. It would be fun. You are coming.” Freya says.
“Okay. If you are insisting then sure. But don’t complain if you find me in a corner with my new boyfriend, snogging.” I say as I laugh and mentally slap my head that I have to somehow convince Davis to help me.
“I would not mind it. I know the heat that you feel at the start of a new relationship.” She says.
“It is there after that also.” Kathy says.
“You are right too, Kathy. Last night, Ryan and I had such a… blast. I can’t believe that we still have that heat even after so many years.” Freya says and I get the urge to empty my stomach then and there.
“Oh… Great.” I say with a fake smile while Kathy really makes a face.
“What happened Kathy?” Freya asks.
“Nausea. Hormone. Pregnancy.” Kathy says in excuses.
Soon we reach a famous shopping centre and we go from shop to shop to find perfect dresses for Freya. Seriously, she is so crazy to not like some of the good designs and choose the revealing ones which are good but she is so choosy that I just need a reason.
Finally she liked some designs and we sat in a room with nobody but us three. And then the real work starts. I already got my two dresses for the not happening date and tomorrow night’s party, which is Kathy’s choice. The reason, that these dresses will kill Ryan from the inside.
As Kathy takes Freya to the dressing room along with a bunch of dresses, Freya leaves behind her things under my protection. And as soon as they are in, I plug in the drive and call Vance. He tries to break her lock code and when he is finished I start transferring the virus.
I get worried when I see that Freya is starting to come out and look at the phone to see that some is yet to be done. I don’t know what to do as she starts walking out towards me and I try to hide her phone.
But before she could reach me, Kathy screamed for her. She panics and goes towards her. Kathy makes a show that she is having some pain in her belly and I look at the phone again.
And it is done. I take out the drive and put it in my purse and delete history from her phone. I put it away and go towards them.
“Are you okay, Kathy?” I ask.
“Yes. I am. It is just that he kicked so hard. He is just like me. I am sorry if I scared you guys.” Kathy says.
“It is okay, Kathy. But does this happen often?” Freya asks worriedly.
“Well… being pregnant is not easy but in the end people say it is satisfying. Also I can get anything I want if I am pregnant from my husband.” Kathy says.
“Oh Really!” Freya says with a glee.
“Yes?” Kathy answers in confusion.
After she is done with her shopping, she drops me at my apartment building and I wave them goodbye. I get Lady from the dog walker and go to my apartment and sigh in relief. But then I remember that I have yet to call Davis and inform him about this. I don’t want to dread this so I call him right away.
“Hi, Lily. So, you do remember me?” Davis says.
“Yes, I do. And that for some good reason.” I say.
“You don’t sound good. Is there any problem?” Davis asks.
“Well the thing is, I need you to be my date for just one night.” I say.
“What?” He asks in shock.
“Please listen first. I just want you to pretend to be my date for one night.” I say.
“Ask your boyfriend to do that, Lily. I don’t want my girlfriend to kill me.” Davis says.
“You have a girlfriend? Who? Let me guess… Dani?” I ask with a smile.
“Yes. She is beautiful but also dangerous. No I can’t help as she thinks I had something for you which I didn’t. It was stupid to ask you out when I was feeling a bit low that day.” Davis says.
“I knew something was off but atleast try to explain to her. I recently broke up with my boyfriend and one of my friends needs help saving her friend whose ex-girlfriend is trying to steal money from him and give it to her boyfriend, so she could get a rich life.” I say that all in one breath.
“Can you say that a bit slowly so I can also understand why one of my new but good friends want my boyfriend to be her date?” Dani’s voice comes over the phone.
“Hi, Dani. I hope you don’t misunderstand all these. But let me explain it to you.” I say and tell her everything I could without revealing the name of Ryan.
“So that is the thing?” She asks.
“Yes. And I would be most grateful if two of my good and kind friends could help me. Please.” I say.
“Okay. I will send Davis tomorrow.” Dani says and I try to hold my chuckle at her bossy dictate.
“Thank you so much, Dani. I promise to bring him back by 10.” I say.
“Wow! I mean I don’t have any say in this. Ok, Lily. I would be there looking handsome to make everyone believe that I am better than your ex. I will pick you from your apartment. Just send me the address. Okay? Bye.” He says and I laugh.
“Thank you. Bye.” I say and sigh in relief after I hang up.
I make some sandwiches to eat as I am not hungry much and have a little ice cream treat too. I take Lady out for a walk and my thoughts go to Teddy. I miss him just like Lady is missing him but she refuses to show it. I saw her playing with Teddy’s toy and feeling a bit down. I don’t know how Teddy is right now.
As I start to come back, rain starts pouring down and I walk carefully back to the lounge. Suddenly Lady perks up and runs towards glass doors. She jumps and plays with Teddy when she sees him. I look at Ryan as he looks at me too.
As we get inside the elevator, this reminds me of two things. First, the first official move he made was in an elevator and second my first kiss was when we got in the rain. Even though I should be cold because of rain, I am feeling heat rising in the elevator, especially from my right side where Ryan is right now. What the hell!
It never used to be a problem as before we could notice this raw heat, we are literally onto each other. But now I can’t do that as he is not mine anymore. I bite my lips and clench my hands and look at him through my peripheral vision and see his hands clenched too. Now what do I make of that?
I thank god when the elevator dings for my floor and I get out and take Lady out with difficulty. I don’t look back and when I get inside my apartment, I sigh in relief and disappointment. How I have loved to just throw him against the elevator wall and have my ways with him. Why the hell did he break up with me? I have to change my apartment soon. I can’t take it. I just can’t.
The next day, I finish my work at the company and Vance tells me where to meet them. When I ask about if they found the proof they were looking for, he said they will once he gets in Freya’s locker where she has kept all the documents.
“So in the evening when I ask you we need to talk, we will go somewhere else to discuss some project on the same floor as her room. And when nobody’s looking, we will go into her room. I will search for things and you will keep eyes outside and distract anyone who comes that way. Signal me by playing a ringtone when you see someone coming.” Vance says.
“Okay.” I say.
“But why can’t Kathy come with us?” I ask.
“Because she is pregnant.” Vance says as he shrugs.
“Pregnant women are stronger.” I say.
“Oh she is stronger. I know that every night. But she gets very hungry and has to pee many times under stress. That is why you are going with me.” Vance says and I nod.
“Okay.” I say.
I go back to my apartment and get ready. I wear a royal blue high low dress with a deep v-neck in front and back and also with lacy hem. I look in the mirror and think, has my breast got a bit bigger or what? It is not feeling too tight but I fill up the dress too much I think. It looks like I am finally gaining some weight. Maybe it is because of all that eating and then just sleeping. Now I know why Lady likes me because we are so similar.
I wear simple earrings and a bracelet. I don’t wear any necklace and put on a light lipstick and wear my heels. As I take my sling bag, doorbell rings. I go down and open the door to see Dani and Davis. I welcome them and hug Dani.
“Thank you so much for coming to look after Lady. She would like the company. And also for helping me I have made something for you to show my gratitude.” I say.
“I think I am going with you, not her. I should get some bribe.” Davis complains.
“Don’t get greedy, otherwise you won’t get my bribe.” Dani warns.
“Fine. Shall we, Lily?” Davis asks.
“Yes.” I say and instruct everything to Dani. Lady gets comfortable with Dani within a few minutes as I know her.
“Bye baby.” Dani says.
“I will be back soon.” Davis says and they kiss each other.
“Baby.” I say teasingly when we are near the elevator.
“Shut up.” Davis says but I see him blushing.
We talk about the plan as we wait for the elevator and when it gets on our floor we see Ryan standing there. For a second, he looks at me then Davis then back at me and I see that jealous look come in his eyes.
And I think, are there still some feelings left?