WORTHY (3 page)

Chapter Five

Saturday. Nick’s best friend Sebastian’s birthday is on Saturday. That’s just a day away. In a way, Caitlin was glad it’s sooner than later so she doesn’t have to torture herself thinking and dreading the coming day.

Caitlin tried not to think too much about it. But despite herself, she found herself tossing and turning, trying to envision how everything will play out. Every still time, she feels a vise gripping her throat

She had already told her mother she can come up with ten grand this weekend. That’s the five grand from the ‘weekend gig,’ plus her own savings and Shannon’s savings. She simply made up a story about borrowing the money from friends, which is a half-truth since she is borrowing a fraction of the money from Shannon.

Her mom would keel over if she knew the truth. But they will never know anything about it. She’s confident her secret is safe with Shannon.

So this is how it feels. Desperation. She could taste it in her mouth. She felt like she was suffocating whenever she allowed herself to think too much about it.

“Just do it. Don’t think, just get it over with, get the money and walk away. This is the only way. You have to do it.”
This has been Caitlin’s mantra since she agreed.

She would just have to fake it to get through it. How would Shannon act if she were in her shoes? With a little imagination, she may just pull this off.

As if on cue, Caitlin’s phone rang, Shannon on the other line.

“Yup…what is it?” Caitlin sounded tense.

“Why Katie I’m fine, thanks for asking. Anyway, I’m calling to tell you we need to meet up an hour before our shift at the restaurant so we can talk about the details. Nick will also swing by to deliver the five grand.” Shannon chirped her tone nonchalant as if she is just talking about the weather.

“Oh, all right. I’ll meet you at Pop’s then?” Caitlin asked.

“Yep, 5PM. And oh Katie, loosen up a bit, will you? Play the part—put on some makeup and wear something…a little more revealing than your usual.” Shannon reminded.

It took Caitlin several seconds to respond. “O-okay. I’ll try my best.”

* * * *

What to wear, what to wear…? Caitlin never really paid much attention to her choice of clothes. As she was going through her wardrobe, she started panicking…
”I don’t have anything girly enough.”
She made a mental note to ask Shannon to lend her some clothes for Saturday.

Oh gosh! That’s tomorrow! Caitlin had to brace herself using the side of the closet for support. She looked up and stared straight at her reflection in the mirror. Her blue eyes were large as saucers, filled with panic, like that proverbial deer in the headlights.

“Breathe in, breathe out. C’mon Caitlin, you can do this.”
Caitlin muttered.

She went back to foraging through her closet and settled on a little black dress her mother had bought for her birthday last year that she’d never worn. In fact, she’d forgotten all about it and found the dress hidden at the back of her closet.

The dress was a simple one but it fit like a glove, showing off every curve and line. A plain black bandage dress that gives a woman confidence in her body yet lends an air of sophistication.

She had taken the time to blow dry her hair and brushed it until it shone. Her blonde hair and blue eyes were her strongest assets. The rest of her features were not exactly exceptionally special but her classic features never failed to draw admiring glances.

People wouldn’t believe she’d never had a boyfriend. With her beautiful face and svelte figure, she could very well pass as a model. Caitlin has a quiet confidence about her that seem to add to her appeal. She moved with unaffected elegance that warranted a second, and even a third look. That cloak of mystery she seems to carry with her beguiles men but Caitlin is too busy to pay attention to anything or anyone around.

She isn’t good with makeup, so Shannon will have to content herself with the coral lipstick Caitlin applied. Before going out, she covered herself with an oversized jacket and put on some boots. She doesn’t want to attract unnecessary attention to herself on her way to meet Shannon and Nick. Besides, it’s the winter season for God’s sake.

* * * *

From afar, Caitlin could see Shannon and a dark guy, whom she assumed would be Nick, talking animatedly. Before approaching their table, Caitlin made a beeline to the restroom to retouch her lipstick and remove her coat. She then put on a pair of high heels. She’s a little wobbly with them but had enough practice to fake it.

Heaving a deep, bracing breath, Caitlin made her way to Shannon’s table. She was too nervous to notice that most of the people from the other table stopped and stared at her. Even women couldn’t help but admire her.

Shannon was regaling Nick with some funny incident at the restaurant when her eyes lit on Caitlin slowly making her way towards them.

“What the hell—Well, well, well... Look who we got here.” Shannon did not bother to hide the pride and admiration in her voice.

Nick glanced back and stared at the vision. The woman smiling at Shannon was stunning, in an unpolished kind of way. Her beauty is refreshing. Devoid of any garish makeup and gaudy accessories, her simplicity made her stand out.

Nick stood up and smiled at her, his eyes shining with admiration. “Nick, I’d like you to meet Caitlin. Katie, this is Nicholas Du Vaughn, one of the most eligible bachelors in town.” Shannon introduced as she patted the seat next to her, indicating to Caitlin to sit beside her.

“Hi, Katie. Is it okay if I call you Katie? I hate formalities. Please call me Nick.” He extended his hand and smiled warmly at Katie.

“H-hi Nick. Yes, please call me Katie.” Caitlin tried to act cool and confident, but instead she was shaking like a leaf.

“Please order anything you like.” Nick offered, still staring and studying her closely. Caitlin tried not to be daunted by Nick and smiled widely, “No, thank you. Nothing for me.” Caitlin graciously declined.

“Okay. So as I was telling Shannon here, tomorrow is Sebastian’s twenty-first birthday and I’d like to make it extra special for him. You both will meet up with my maid, Lucinda who will open the door to let you in.” Nicholas explained, without any hint of malice. Somehow Caitlin was comforted by his business-like tone.

“I am pretty sure Sebastian will be there. He refused to celebrate his birthday. Lucinda will make sure you will get in since Sebastian doesn’t open his door to anyone these days.” Nicholas continued.

“So I will be there to act as the courier and deliver the special “birthday package” courtesy of Monsieur De Vaughn.” Shannon grinning ear to ear, looking like a child cooking up some real mischief.

“Good thinking, Shannon. I’ll leave it up to you two girls to think up the details, okay?” Nicholas checked his watch and prepared to leave.

“No worries, Nick. We got it covered.” Shannon flirting openly with Nicholas.

“I bet you do. And oh, Katie, don’t be intimidated by him. The past few months have been rough on him but he’s a good guy. He’s been known to be a ladies’ man, a real charmer, if he puts his mind into it.” Nicholas said as he started to get up, preparing to leave.

“Okay. I’ll take note of that.” Caitlin managed to summon a wobbly smile.

“Okay then. It was nice meeting you, Katie. And oh, before I forget, I’ll write the check for the first half.” Nicholas sat back and reached for his pocketbook. He wrote $5,000 on the cheque, signed it and handed it to Katie.

Shannon had to nudge Katie to prompt her to receive the cheque from Nicholas.

“Thank you.” Shannon gave him a tight smile. She never felt so embarrassed in her entire life!

“Good luck. I’m sure he will have a memorable birthday this year.” Nicholas smiled at Katie then turned to Shannon, “I’ll be seeing you around, young miss.”

Shannon simply winked in response. Caitlin can sense the attraction and sexual tension between the two. As soon as Nicholas was out of earshot, Caitlin asked, “So what’s the score between you two?” teasing Shannon.

To her surprise, Shannon looked a bit flustered and blushed. “Why, Shannon, I believe you’re blushing like a schoolgirl. I have never seen you looking so besotted.” Caitlin could simply not pass up the opportunity to bait Shannon.

“Besotted?! Who uses that word? It sounds so ancient!” Shannon laughed.

“Aha! Is that your not-so-subtle way of dodging the subject, young miss? Do you or do you not have the hots for Mr. Nicholas Du Vaughn?” Caitlin continued to tease Shannon relentlessly, copying Nick’s voice.

“Well, I’m not going to deny I love having hot, wild sex with him.” Shannon’s voice was a bit too loud, which drew a couple of censuring looks from two women from the nearby table.

The two girls giggled but continued to talk in a hushed tone. “Enough about Nick. Let’s talk about tomorrow. Are you ready? Do you have any performance in mind? What do you plan to wear?” Shannon bombarded Caitlin with questions.

“Uhhmmm…I’ve been meaning to ask you about it. Can you loan me an outfit? I don’t have anything, uhmm…appropriate to wear.” Caitlin unconsciously tore the table napkin into pieces, which showed her agitation.

In an attempt to calm her, Shannon reached out and stopped her hands from doing any more damage. “Sure thing. I’d love to dress you up and I will also do your makeup. No buts!” Shannon warned then proceeded to take charge, “So what’s the music you will be dancing to? Have you thought about it yet?”

“Uhhmm… I’ve watched a few videos in Youtube. Here what do you think of this one?” Caitlin loaded the video which showed a woman moving sensually to Britney’s “I’m a Slave For You.”

“Oooh, steamy! I love it. I think I have the perfect costume for this one. So what I want you to do is practice your moves, then leave the rest to me, okay?” Shannon acted like a mother hen, prepping her chick for an audition of a lifetime.

“All right. Let’s do this. We just have to figure out how the two of us can get a day off tomorrow.” Caitlin pointed out.

“Just leave it up to me dahlin’.” Shannon smiled mysteriously.

* * * *

After they got off of work, Caitlin went straight home. She’d already told her mom she would not be visiting the hospital today and tomorrow and promised her she would have the money by Sunday.

Staring at the ceiling, Caitlin tried to envision how everything would unfold tomorrow night. The queasiness she’d been feeling the past few days returned full force. She has to figure out a way to pull this off.

Grabbing her phone, she opened the video she showed Shannon that afternoon and studied the dance moves. Her mother has given her ballet lessons when she was young, which had only stopped when Amanda had to sell the studio and raise the two children on her own.

Her training somehow gave her confidence. Heaving a deep sigh, she stood up and moved in front of the full length mirror. She closed her eyes and imagined she’s a concubine in a harem performing for the sheik.

Turning the music on, she slowly and sensually moved her body to the pulsating beat of Britney’s music. Without anyone to see her, Caitlin let go of all her inhibitions and simply surrendered herself to the music.

Her hips gyrated to the music as if tempting an onlooker to join her in the dance. Her arms moved freely upwards and sideways, hands gracefully flicked off her wrists.

Caitlin lost herself in the music. Halfway through the song, her hands were touching her body. If anyone was watching her, they would definitely be convinced she was a seasoned performer and that she does this for a living.