Chapter Eleven

Four days of trying to outdo one another have taken its toll on the both of us, there have been countless public displays of affection, Numerous flower deliveries and being caught in awkward situations but tonight is our first public outing as an official couple to a charity event I even had to explain to Alex that Greyson and I are now kind of dating and he did not take it well at all his reaction shocked me.

He kept reminding me of how much a of a player Greyson is and how he’s happy I have a job, but he never thought I would fall for him, I tried to make him understand without letting the truth out, but it didn’t seem to work he ended up storming away from the table at lunch and I haven’t heard from him since. I tried calling and texting but have gotten no answer.

I’m just hoping I see him at the event so I can at least try to explain and make him see. The event is in 2 hours and to say I’m nervous is an understatement, entering back into that world is not an idea I’m particularly looking forward to and unfortunately, I have heard my brother will be there.

Greyson pays for a lot of the tables so his staff can come as a treat, drinks and food are all paid for, but he urges them to make donations, it’s a side of him I’ve not seen before, but I do like it. It’s a reminder that underneath all his crap he at least has some form of humanity.

Part of me wants to tell Greyson that we should stop our little bet this evening, but I know he we see that as me giving in and that is not the case at all I just don’t want anything foolish to happen even though I have to admit it has been sort of fun.

I head downstairs to grab a drink before going to get ready, the car will be picking us up in 2 hours. As soon I step inside the kitchen I stop, Greyson is stood in a pair out lounge shorts, his bare torso displaying a chiselled set of abs and incredibly muscular arm, although I’ve seen him topless before something about this time is different, to my complete horror I think it might be attracted to him.

I snap myself right away from these thought’s and push them to the back of my mind banging my palm on the kitchen side to make me presents known to Greyson.

He turns around instantly giving me a half-smile before going back to chucking things in what I can only assume to be the most expensive high-tech blender I have ever seen.

“Did you want one?”

He looks at me as he takes some glasses from the cupboard.

“I don’t know, what exactly is it that you are offering?”

“Oh, it’s a protein shake”.

“I’m okay on the protein shake front”.

I walk behind him out bodies now dangerously close so I can feel his heat on my skin, opening the fridge I see Beverly got some of the things I asked for in the shopping, so I pull out a bar of dairy milk caramel chocolate and begin to eat.

“You know eating chocolate like that isn’t good for you, you should have had a shake”.

Breaking another square of the cold chocolate off I stare deadpan at him.

“Some of us have needs and right now only this chocolate can full fill them”.

I didn’t mean it to come out as it did, what I meant was that I was missing London a bit this past couple of days and this is my favourite chocolate.

The second I said it I knew my mistake as Greyson erupted with laughter came to stand behind me before dipping his head low to whisper in my ear.

“If you are relying on a chocolate bar maybe you just haven’t had the right person fill you up”.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as my cheek’s flush red, a low throbbing between my legs as my body betrays as my mind had done earlier.

Greyson moves away, drink in hand and heads back to his room he stops around halfway and reminds me that the car is coming soon, and I should get ready.

I’m frozen in my place and speechless for the first time, what is going on with me today.

An hour later I’ve showered hair and makeup done stood at staring at the 2 dresses hanging in the wardrobe, one an emerald green off the shoulder with a twirl skirt, it’s elegant and matches the low messy bun I’ve gone for next to it, however, is a black dress with a low V at the front and reaches above my knee it’s elegant and sexy, this dress will also match my hair, but it needs a statement necklace.

Rummaging through my things I find a necklace of my mother’s it rests just at the top my collar bones and shines with every move I make, staring at myself it the mirror the choice is made, and I put on the black dress along with a pair of black strappy sandals.

Once I’m ready I do a last-minute tooth check to grab my bag and spray on some of the perfume reserved for special occasions and head to meet Greyson ready for when the car arrives.

I’m stood downstairs staring at out of the window into the New York skyline when I hear footsteps I turn around and he stops looking me up and down, normally the way his eyes are fixated on me would annoy me and id tell him t piss of staring but for some reason, I’m holding my breath and now saying anything just waiting for his eyes to meet my own.

“Wow, Gen, you look amazing”.

He looks damn good too his black suit is perfectly tailored his dark hair pristine and perfectly complimenting his lightly tanned skin his green/ grey eyes now fixated on my own.

“Erm thank you “

I don’t know what to do so I just head pat him to the door feeling his eyes still on me as I walk away.

“We should get going, Jack will be downstairs “

His footsteps tell me he is following and we both enter the lift. Weird energy surrounding us as we head to the lower floor in silence.

The car journey doesn’t spark up much conversation either until, but we both keep glancing at each other and catching the other one does it, deciding to break this very thin ice we seem to be skating on I turn to him and ask.

“So, what is the plan of action for tonight?”

“Plan of action?”

He looks confused by my question, but I thought it was clear.

“I mean are we madly in love yet or is this still new and exciting “

I stare at him waiting for an answer, part of me is hoping that he’s going to say madly in love I have this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that is making me want to be close to him like we were earlier trying to suppress its focus on keeping my face neutral.

“Well, we are supposed to be getting married in a week and a half, so madly in love would seem logical”.

His told is cold now so I just nod and stare out the window again.

We arrive outside the venue and again it’s one of the fanciest hotels in New York, actually one of my brother’s direct rivals so a little pang of happiness fills me, that’s instantly snatched away when I see the flashing lights and paparazzi outside waiting for Jack to open the door.

My breathing gets heavy and I feel my cheeks get flushed my chest also going red. A feeling I haven’t had for a long time starts coming back and with it all the memories of being followed and having questions shouted at me back in London come flooding back.

“Greyson”

I reach for his arm still unable to keep a breathing pace.

“I. I.”

He grabs my shoulders and forces me to face him I try to get some words out, but they won’t it’s like I have lost the ability to speak.

“Shit, Jack goes around the block Gen is having a panic attack”.

I can hear Greyson shouting at Jack, but my ears are fuzzy, and everything sounds like I’m underwater. I feel the car moving and then stop again my seat belt is unclicked and I’m pulled from my seat and onto Greyson’s lap his hands cupping my face so I’m looking at him.

“Gen look at me you need to calm down”.

I try to focus on him but at this point, I’m starting to panic more because I can’t breathe because I’m panicking. I put my hand on his shoulder and dig in taking some deep breaths and staring in his eyes.

He says a few things to calm me down and eventually I’m able to function like a normal human.

“Gen are you okay?”

I nod and try to move off his lap now completely embarrassed he has seen me like that, but he stops me.

“Genevieve, what just happened “

His voice is soft, and his face has an expression of concern crosses his face, I’m not used to it and it makes me uncomfortable, so I try to pull away again.

This time he lets go.

“I had a panic attack it was nothing, I’m okay now”.

I pull my compact out of my back and check my makeup to stop myself from looking at him.

“That wasn’t nothing”.

I should have known I wouldn’t have gotten away with him just forgetting it.

“It was a simple panic attack; Granted I haven’t had one in the last five-month. I saw the flashing lights and panicked I guess I just didn’t think there would be so many people outside “

I’m internally praying he is going to believe what I’m saying to him I can’t tell him the truth, at least not now.

“Oh okay, do you think you’re going to be okay to go back to the party. We have a lot of people waiting for us”.

His voice has returned to cold businessman and for I second, I’m a little hurt but then I remember this is what this is all about.

“I’ll be fine maybe just giving me a minute to check my makeup”.

I feel like I should apologise to him for ruining his plans, but I know it will make me feel so small apologising for something I cannot control.

“I’m sorry Greyson, I didn’t think I would have a panic attack it has not happened for a long time “

“Just let me know when you’re ready and we Jack will take us back around”.

There’s the Maddox charm I’ve really not missed, I nod check my makeup and then confirm I’m ready. The car drives around again and this time I’m cool and composed the thought of my own idiocy for allowing myself to get momentarily caught up in the world of Greyson.

Prepping myself to play the loved-up girlfriend, the car pulls op outside jack gets out of the car and opens the door, Greyson exits first, and I follow a huge smile on my face for the cameras.

Greyson’s hand touches my lower back as we smile at them and walk up the path. The closeness of Greyson and the way he links his arms in mine to walk up the stairs would convince anyone that we are deeply in love.

But it’s all an act, and I just have to keep this up for a year remembering to constantly remind myself that none of this is real and Greyson does not care about me, only the contract and making himself look better he showed that when he went from the picture of concern to a cold-hearted businessman.

He’s showing it again now as he expertly pretends to me desperately in love with me.