Page 16 of Fake Bride's First Love
I chose a hot-pink dress and black high heels and spent a little too much time applying makeup. I found myself getting angry as I tried to cake on the mascara, only to wipe it all off and start over again.
This is silly. Of course, Jorge isn’t going to go back to Ria! What kind of man would sleep with a woman who’s stolen nearly a million dollars out from underneath him?
A man who avoided relationships and had the money to still take her to court, right after they were done sleeping with each other. Let’s face it: even if Ria showed proof of their physical relationship, Jorge could afford the best attorney to still throw Ria under the bus. And what man wouldn’t want one last romp in the sack with a woman who, from what it sounded like, was as sexy as her?
I spritzed on some rose-scented perfume, tousled my hair a little bit, and then waited for Jorge to show up. It was six o’clock, and he wasn’t due to come over until seven.
Realizing there was no way to think about anything other than Ria and Jorge’s relationship, I opened up my laptop and started reviewing the documents again. Ria had a seven-figure salary, so what did she need all of the extra money for? She was literally his business partner, and both of them could quit tomorrow and never have to worry about money again.
Just as I was about to do some research, my doorbell rang. It scared me so bad that I jumped up, causing my laptop to tumble onto the floor. Thankfully my floor was carpeted, though.
Get it together, Ginger.
I opened the door to see Jorge standing there, holding a bouquet of green hydrangeas.
Why do you have to be so alto, oscuro y guapo?
“Oh, wow, Jorge! They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
After putting them in a vase full of water, we got into his car and drove off to a local Italian restaurant. The hostess sat us at a private, half-circle, red-velvet booth in a dining room I didn’t even know existed.
Just as she was about to flirt with Jorge, since I’d stopped along the way to fix my shoe strap, she saw me sliding into the other side of the booth. “Enjoy your meal.”
Jorge winked at me once I got situated into the booth. “How was work today?”
“It was all right, although Eva had to deal with a customer trying to get a free service.”
“That’s pretty messed up, but it doesn’t surprise me. The world is full of people trying to get something for nothing.”
I wanted to keep that part of the conversation going, hoping he’d mention Ria and his plans, but he fell silent while looking over the menu.
“That’s true. Thankfully Eva put her in her place while keeping it professional. She’s so good at it too. I would have crumbled if that’d happened to me, but that girl knows how to deal with people.”
After placing our orders, Jorge and I spent the evening discussing our careers. He went into great detail about what it took to be a diamond broker and that it wasn’t all about shiny bracelets and massive rings. I, on the other hand, told him about what I did all day at the spa.
“The spa is lucky to have someone as loyal as you are, Ginger.”
“I really am loyal, almost to a fault. I’ve been working for Guadalupe and Yuslan for several years now, and I can’t see going anywhere else. It’s a perfect job. You should get a facial sometime.”
“Are you suggesting that my skin is bad?”
“Oh, God, no! In fact, you have magnificent skin. I just know that a lot of guys think facials are just for women, but we have just as many males as we do female clients who regularly get them done.”
Jorge was doubled over with laughter as I explained what I meant. “I was just kidding, Ginger. I get them all the time back in Belgium, so maybe I’ll book an appointment this week.” He took my hand and slowly rubbed it from across the table. “I’m just dreading having to deal with everything at work, if you know what I mean.”
“I can only imagine what’s going through your mind, but at least you know.”
We sat in silence for a few moments, the only noise coming from the low talking of fellow diners, and I was waiting for him to tell me that he’d be firing her.
Instead, he pulled out the dessert menu and started looking it over. “I’m in the mood for some tiramisu. What about you?”
After dinner, he invited me back to his penthouse. Even though I had no intention of having sex with him again, I accepted since I could just walk home afterward. We rode up in his private elevator, which was plated with gold.
Jorge’s penthouse had floor-to-ceiling windows that gave him a breathtaking view of Miami. His furniture had been custom-made, and he even had a piano in his living room. Even though we’d been friends for a year and lived next door to each other, the other night was the only time I’d been in his home. I had missed the details between his office and his getting me naked in his bedroom. So I took the opportunity to walk around in awe of just how glamorous Jorge’s space was, as he poured each of us a glass of red wine.
“I’m actually somewhat of a minimalist, although you may not be able to tell. I just needed the stuff to fill up all of this space.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t call this a minimalist penthouse. Good for you, though. With all of the long hours you work and everything you put up with, you deserve a place like this.”
