4

Penny

The idea of Jason playing my fake fiancé feels strange. He's a well-known figure, and while he could open doors for me, I doubt he'd agree to it. There's an article mentioning he's not keen on marriage.

I scrunch up my nose. “That would be weird. ‘Hey, thanks for the free food and ass but can you do me another favor and pretend to be my fake fiancé?’” I shake my head. “He’s not the type to pretend to settle down. He’s a commitment-phobe. My favorite to fuck.”

She sighs in relief. “I have something for you.” She hands a cream envelope to me, and I remove the card and read it.

Penny Giles,

You have been invited to the American Billionaire Club masquerade ball.

Make sure you bring this invitation with you and photo ID.

Wear a decorated mask. We encourage you to participate in our auction to get a bid on raising money for the homeless. If you’re not already aware, homelessness is extremely high in New York City.

The rules of the auction are:

Wear your best dress or suit.

Whoever bids on you, do your best to go on a date with him or her. If you don’t want to go on a date and you feel uncomfortable, please let one of the managers know and we will support you.

No refunds if you decide to bet on someone. There is no guarantee that the person you chose wants to date you.

Signed,

CEO Ravi Williams.

I crinkle my nose. “Why are you giving me this?”

“So you can meet your suitor. I’m sure you will find someone there. You can get a billionaire if you participate in the auction.”

I’ve heard about the American Billionaire Club, only the elite join it, men who have influence and power and connections with the most powerful men. The four gentlemen who run this exclusive club know everyone. Powerful politicians, bank owners—anyone who has status and power are only allowed. There is a rumor that four friends started it five years ago. People are willing to give up their firstborns to be a member of the club. My stepfather is dying to be a part of it, but they have to personally invite you.

If I meet a billionaire from there and we pretend to be engaged, my mother would quickly forgive me and allow me back into her arms. I picture it in my mind, the smile on her face, her welcoming me into open arms.

I frown as realization hits me. “Don’t they have rooms where they have sex?”

Lilly’s cheeks turn the color of a pink rose, and she nods, smiling. “Yes.”

“Oh my God, you and Atlas had sex in one of the rooms, didn’t you?”I poke her arm.

Lilly is very private about her sex life with Atlas, and that makes me even more intrigued.

Her nose and forehead turn a shade darker. “Atlas plays golf with the owner who gave him an invite to the club to see if he wanted to be a member. It was so much fun.”

I nudge her arm. “You kinky bitch.” I pull her into a long hug, and I kiss the side of her cheek. “Thank you.”

She unzips the bag next to her and gently yanks out a blood red gown with diamonds molded on the corset and a mask with peacock feathers in different shades of red. I trace my fingers along the soft feathers and hold it to my face, then I set them on my lap. She opens the box, and the open-toe heels inside match the dress.

“I designed the dress myself, and I picked out the shoes.”

Happiness bubbles in my chest. She’s like my own personal fairy godmother handing my dreams to me. I couldn’t thank her enough.

Tears sting my eyes, and the tension leaves my body. It feels as if a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“It’s not a problem; you were there for me when I had my car accident, the only friend who didn’t leave my side.” She nods. The car accident left her so broken, and her ex-fiancé left her because she had the scar on her face. I helped her a lot when she got out of the hospital. I made her food, helped her shower, cleaned her home. She fell into a deep depression. I love Lilly with all my heart, and I would do anything to make sure she’s okay and happy. “Let me know how the date goes,” she says excitedly.

“Will do,” I reply.

“I have to go, I’m going to be late for work. You know Atlas is a stickler for tardiness. I love you, girl.”

“I love you, too.”

She leaves and the door closes with a click behind her.

I glance at the dress and heels again. Hopefully, I’ll find a suitable guy. Hopefully, he won’t be an asshole, or too demanding, and I won’t have to give up a lot. What if he wants sexual favors? Yeah, I’m not pimping myself out, but I don’t have to look at the first guy who offers me a deal. I can choose from a few men, actually. And if I don’t find anyone? I’m not going to allow myself to be negative. I have a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I’m going to take it.

I get up from my couch and waltz to my small kitchen that barely fits two people. When I open the fridge door, I grab a bottle of water and the jar of peanut butter and sit back on the couch before turning on my TV. My eyes stay glued to the trashy reality TV show until the sun sinks behind the skyscrapers and the city lights brighten the dark sky.

My mother used to monitor what I watched when I was in high school, and this would be one of the things she banished me from watching. Proper girls don’t watch trashy TV shows. Which is why I sneaked and watched them when I knew she wasn’t around. Can’t keep a girl from her fake drama. Take that, Mom, you can’t fully control my life.

After the show is over, I flip through Netflix and settle for a show where the girl speaks back to her mother. I wonder, am I ever going to have a child in the future? Am I going to ever be a mother? I might not be career-oriented, but I do know that I want kids some day and to start my own family, which is why I was so adamant about marrying Landon. I thought if he gave me what I wanted, and I gave him what he wanted, then that would solve all our problems. But I couldn’t take the emotional abuse he threw at me. There is no way I’m having a child, let alone raising one, in a dysfunctional environment. So, my dreams will be put on the back burner until I can find someone to love me the way I deserve to be loved.

Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen anytime soon, and I’m okay with that. I want to focus on getting in good graces with my mother.