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 idea of a dinner reservation, Lily? "She rolls her eyes at me being dramatic and turns to walk into the club. But I pulled her back, she raises 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 smiles secretly as she arches her chin up like she was thinking about something important. She instantly smiles flashing her perfect set of white teeth when she has found the answer.

"This time;" She repeated excitedly walking ahead of me to the club and just before she went in, she turns 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 gone in, leaving me to stand and glare at her retreating back. Reluctantly, 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 stroked 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 notices me ignoring her, and turns to walk to the guy when she notices that he was through with his performance. She met him halfway and hug him, she whispers something in his ear which made him turn and look at me. I gasp as my breath caught and my throat constricted. "Wow!! He's fucking Austin Walker" my subconscious says as she shrieks 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 smiles just as Austin make his way to me making my heart explode a thousand time over. He stood in front of me and he kisses my knuckles as he whispers in my ear.

"You are exquisite, Mademoiselle " The way he pronounces the French word causes a thousand butterflies 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 chuckle from Austin and Lily. He invited me to sit with him on the stage where he was playing. I sat through as he continues 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 turns 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 from each other, conversing lightly after our meal of different food that I couldn't even remember the name of when Austin asked 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 journalists.

"I don't like journalists " Austin voiced out my thoughts as he sips his wine trying badly to control his emotions.

"But I trust you," He said after he has come to a resolution with himself. "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 makes Austin sprang on his feet and try to pat my back while handing me a glass of water in the process. After I have drunk the water and calmed 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 my heart beat faster.

"Because I trust you" I smile while he held my hands across the table and kiss it fondly. "I need a favor 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 asks 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 raised an eyebrow clearly not understanding it.

"It's a long story "

"I'm not going anywhere "

I told him everything that happens between Michael and me, and we both conclude 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 calls 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 every time I'm out, then I will be going out always" She smiles on my lips as I carry her bridal style to the room. I drop her slowly on the bed and continue kissing her all the way down to her belly button.

"Not tonight, Austin!" She stops 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 little bit.

"I'm sorry, Austin. But you need to focus on the job" She 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 some time with her. But for 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 is frustrating hearing him confesses 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 continues" I just want her to leave Michael, that's why I need her to fall in love with you"

"Okay. 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 looks 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 looks at me for an explanation.

"Okay". I release her as I walk to the sitting room and sit down on the couch, she follows behind after putting on a robe to cover her see-through nightie.

"Okay. 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 rumor circulating that I'm gay, I just used that to my advantage".

She calms down a little bit" That's good but how will you get her to fall in love with you now" She asks 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 stops to regard me. I nodded and she continues" And I want you to do everything you can, to make sure that she ends 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 looks 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 wants " 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 turns on her heel and walks 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, 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 perks 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...