The Cinderella Arrangement (28 page)

* * *

I
woke
up the next morning with my eyes swollen shut with dried tears. I rolled out of bed and grabbed my phone, hoping for a text from Will or a missed call—nothing.

He really is done with me.

I hurled it to the carpeted floor, which absorbed the force of my throw. A swell of rage burst through my limbs and I wanted to smash the phone with my feet. Ben was the one who deserved this. I took it and threw it across the room with a small scream but I only felt disappointment when it struck the wall, leaving a small dent in the plaster.

Jessica was in the kitchen when I emerged from my bedroom. Her delicate wisps of hair were caught into a severe ponytail and she looked at me and flinched, as if she expected me to throw her across the room, too. I couldn’t help but notice the spotless floor.

“I’m sorry about yesterday."

She nodded. “It’s fine. You’re pissed. I would be too.”

“I need to apologize to Luke, too. He’s been nothing but helpful.” I sank down at one of the metal chairs surrounding the kitchen table and heaved a great sigh. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to move on.”

“For starters, you could press charges against Ben.”

I snorted. “With what evidence? And money? The fucking bastard won. He got what he wanted, he drove us apart.”

It should have been easy to move on from a three-week relationship, but I grew way too attached to him during those weeks and there was that I was never happier in my life. I never felt so satisfied with someone. Still, I tried to seize upon the advice I always gave to other people.

Oh well, you’ll find someone else. There are plenty of other fish in the sea.

Only there weren’t any that interested me. I had done nothing wrong. It ended because of Ben.

No, it ended because of Will. He doesn’t want you.

“Maybe you should go back to his apartment,” she suggested.

 “If he doesn’t want me, he doesn’t want me. Begging won’t help my cause.”

“This isn't about begging. I’m talking about just being there for him, even if you’re not in a relationship.”

I grabbed my laptop from my room and collapsed onto the couch, reading my work emails, which consisted of an introduction from HR. I turned on the TV for a distraction.

Bury yourself in work. Don’t think about it.

The only reason I had this job was because of Will.

Jessica sat at the table. Every so often, she would give me an unhappy look as if my misery infected her.

I half-listened to the TV as I drafted a profanity-laden email to Ben that I wouldn’t send. There was something about an exclusive report and I almost wanted to change the channel.

I’m so sick of the news
.

“Natalie!” Jessica gasped.

A familiar voice spoke from the TV and I lifted my head from the laptop, bewildered. William stood in front of his apartment dressed in a suit. He looked—

“Oh my God. He looks terrible!” Jessica clapped her hands in front of her mouth and her face went red. “Sorry.”

He hadn’t shaved for at least five days and his face was skull-like. Bloodshot eyes looked into the camera without blinking.

“He looks like he’s going to throw up or collapse.”

“Shh!” I hissed.

“Several years ago I was involved in a fatal DUI accident. My friend, Daniel Martinez, was driving my car.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Three people were killed: Julian Metsky, Michelle Ramos, and James Ramos. I think of them every day. Words cannot express how much I regret my actions that night and if I could give up my life to return the victims back to their families, I would do it in a heartbeat.

“It has come to my attention that I am incapable of moving past the accident, and I would like to take this opportunity to give my resignation to Pardini Worldwide.”

With that, William turned around and reentered his apartment, ignoring the scream of questions that exploded the moment he stepped away from the microphones.

“Oh my God,” I moaned. “He’s resigning?”

Will, what are you doing?

Jessica removed her hands from her mouth. “His father won’t be happy.”

My heart pounded as I watched him disappear behind the door. “I can’t believe he did that.”

It’s not your problem anymore.

But there was no way I could ignore what just happened. Maybe I needed to do something to ignore the pain building up in my chest. I didn’t want to think about Will retreating into his own misery and wasting away. I needed to do something.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“To see Ben,” I muttered as I ran into my room. I opened my laptop and clicked on the email Will sent me days ago. Attached to the email were screenshots. They weren’t damning evidence on their own, but if I had more information…

“What?” Jessica’s scream of outrage followed me into the room. She stood at the doorway, her hands on her hips. “Did I hear you correctly? You’re not fucking going!”

“I will get Ben to drop the charges against Will.” I waved the printed screenshots at her. “If he doesn’t, I’ll go full steam ahead.”

“And how easy do you think it’ll be for him to accuse you of blackmailing him, because that’s what this is! Don’t be stupid!”

“I don’t care!” I stood up, and the printed pictures floated to the floor, sliding out of my grasp.

Jessica stumbled back from the force of my voice. “I know that you’re angry, but think, Natalie. If you go charging off to Ben’s house again, you’ll only dig yourself a bigger hole.”

Frustration was bleeding into anger. Why couldn’t she understand? I looked at her calm face and wanted to shatter it. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing!”

“No,” she agreed. “You can’t.” Jessica heaved a sigh. “I will probably regret this, but I’ll come with you.”

“You two hate each other. It’s just asking for trouble.”

“You need someone with a cool head to come with you to stop you from doing anything stupid.”

“I’m leaving now.” Grabbing my purse and keys, I swept past Jessica who hurried behind me.

* * *

“
W
e could still head back
,” Jessica suggested.

I shook my head and raised my fist to the door.

“He might not even answer. Once he sees you, he’ll just—”

My fist pounded against the wood to drown out her protests. I brushed aside her sigh of anger and waited in front of the door, willing myself to be calm and not lose my head. Several minutes passed, but I kept knocking on the door.

“He’s not coming. Let’s go,” she pleaded.

A piercing pain shot through my heart as the door cracked open, revealing a tall man. I was pleased to see tape over the bridge of Ben’s nose.

Looks like Will broke it. Good.

“You’re not supposed to be here. If you want to say something to me, you can contact my lawyer.”

He smirked and shut the door, but I wedged my foot in between before he could close it.

“I’ll also be sure to contact your lawyer with the evidence you put those pictures online. I’m willing to settle this now without pressing charges.”

Ben’s smirk faltered. “You’re bluffing.”

“Okay,” I quipped, removing my foot. “I’ll leave since you’re not interested.”

Jessica looked at me in bewilderment as I turned around to descend the stairs.

One step.

Two steps.

Any moment now.

“Hold on.” His baritone voice called out, much clearer than before.

I buried the smile on my face before turning around with a neutral expression, pleased to see that Jessica lost her shocked expression. Ben stood on the patio of his brownstone, looking at Jessica with an ugly look.

“You.”

The way he said it made me think of cockroaches. Jessica returned the look, straightening her back.

“Me.”

“Are you willing to talk?” It was strange how powerful I felt, even as I looked up at him. His eyes flicked back and forth, unsure, cautious. I had all the cards. 

“Fine. Come inside.” He stepped aside to allow us into his dark apartment.

“Oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jessica blurted. “I’ve no intention of being sent to jail for whatever trumped up charge you’re dreaming of accusing me.”

The smile returned to his face. “Whatever.” He zeroed in on me. “Now what is it you want?”

My hands tightened around the pictures I held. “I want you to drop the lawsuit and the charges against Will. In return, I won’t ruin your career by taking this evidence to the police.”

His thick arms folded across his chest, his eyes flicking from Jessica, the paper, and me. “What evidence?”

Now don’t screw this up.
I kept my eyes trained on his, my eyes watering from not blinking. I held them out, and he took them, another infuriating smile forming on his face.

“Is this all you’ve got? Screen captures?” He shook his head and peered at them. “You know, these aren’t the most flattering pictures of you.”

Ignoring the barb, I forced a harsh laugh of my own. “Oh, that’s not all. Will has a ton of private investigators and computer savvy people at his disposal. We’ve already matched your IP address to the last login on your computer, and I already know that you emailed yourself the pictures from your phone.”

None of that was true, but as the last word fell from my lips his face whitened.
Bingo.

“And I’m sure I can afford the best lawyers what with my boyfriend being rich and all.”

“I won’t drop the charges against Will. He attacked me in my home—”

“After you attacked him first!” It was hard looking at him. Pain still throbbed in my chest from what he had done. I couldn’t even see him anymore. I didn’t recognize this bitter, vile person who somehow took over Ben’s body.

“Says who? I have two police officers who arrived on scene—”

“Actually, they got there while you were fighting. I’m the only witness. You know that the judge will throw this case out, anyways. You have no proof, but I do.”

Fury worked all over his face as he twisted his mouth and thought through everything I said. He knows I’m right. He won’t risk ruining his career. Jessica caught my eye and flashed a quick, triumphant smirk.

“All right, I’ll drop the charges and the lawsuit, but you better hold up your end.” His mouth twisted with hatred, he spat on the ground.

My eyes narrowed. “You’ll contact his lawyer tonight. If I don’t hear about this from Will, the deal’s off.”

I stared into his blue orbs until I knew he understood and turned away from the man who wrecked Will’s life. It was hard—really hard—not to run back up the stairs and knee him in the balls a second time, but I wanted this to work. A tiny pathetic part of me hoped that Will would call me when he heard the news.

We closed the doors to my car and sat there in silence for a few moments. I heard Jessica’s head turn against the headrest.

“That was awesome. I’m really proud of you.”

“Thanks.” My facial muscles somehow lifted into a smile. It was almost like I forgot how to do it.

“Now what?” she prompted me.

The car roared to life as I turned the ignition. The possibilities seemed endless—I had outsmarted the criminal defense lawyer who I used to look up to with a mixture of devotion and awe. He was the man who my parents loved, who had somehow gained their approval.

What did they know? He was just an idiot.

“Let’s get a drink.”

“Yeah, sounds good!”

T
he next morning
, I woke up with a pounding headache and no memory of how I got into bed. Moaning, I sat up and blinked at the sunlight pouring through the blinds. My mouth was dry as sandpaper and my eyeballs felt as though they were dipped in acid.

Ugh. Hangover.

I peeked Jessica’s bedroom, but she was not there. I wandered from room to room, searching for her, but she had taken her things and left the apartment to stay at Luke’s house for the weekend.

I sat in a rickety chair at my kitchen table, listening to the ticking clock hanging on the wall, and drank a tall glass of water as I watched my phone. Then I dragged my laptop to the kitchen and scrolled through the comments section of an article at CNN about the DUI fiasco:

Rehab for a DUI? What an insult to the victims’ families.

Rich kid heads to rehab, three people head to graveyards.

Not sure why people are blaming him when the article states he was a passenger in the car…

Then I opened a gossip website: Lawyer drops all charges against William Pardini. The comments section comprised of people wondering how much Will paid Ben to drop the charges. Disgusted, I closed the window and opened Photoshop. My first day of work was coming up soon, so there was still nothing to do. The blank, empty canvas stared at me and I glanced at my sketchpad, remembering what I was working on the night I got back from Europe.

I got the idea to make a mock-up of a nonprofit organization against drunk driving. I never designed a whole website, let alone a non-profit, and I wanted to do something for Will to thank him for everything he had done for me. Between Ben’s antics with the photos and Will’s arrest, I didn’t have the time to focus on it.

The pain in my head receded from a dull throb to a slight twinge in my head. I chose a neutral color scheme: soft blues, beige, and white. At the top of the website I made a banner: The William Pardini Foundation. Underneath the banner, I wrote a brief mission statement and cropped a photo of him to place over the text. I was so engrossed in the project I didn’t even notice my phone buzzing until it fell with a loud thump to the floor.

“Shit.”

I dove and answered it.

“Hello, this is Natalie.”

“Good morning, Ms. Porter.”

A ripened, male voice spoke through the cell phone. I knew that I recognized his voice, but I wasn’t sure who he was. Was he perhaps an old client?

“Um—good morning.”
I still don't know who this is
.

“I wanted to thank you for what you did with Mr. Osland. William and I are very grateful.”

A sudden shock went through me and the phone almost slipped from my face. It’s Will’s Dad. “Oh! Yes, well, I was just trying to help.”

“Well, I hope you’re still willing to help because William desperately needs it. He will meet the victims’ families tomorrow.”

“That’s great!”

“Actually, Ms. Porter, it isn’t.”

 The smile vanished from my face when I heard his icy tone.

“He’s in no shape to visit them. What I want you to do is to accompany him. There will be media there and we need to present William as a stable, well-adjusted adult in a healthy relationship. Support him, but above all, prevent him from doing anything stupid.”

I could hear the panic rumbling in his voice. He was frightened that Will would say something that would damage the company’s reputation.

“Why didn’t he ask me himself?”

“He does not know that I am calling you. I am worried about my son, Ms. Porter, and I know what you said to my wife about him. I am allowing this to happen only because every other attempt to help him has failed. You will be well compensated for your trouble.”

“I don’t want your money."

He sighed
. “I need some kind of assurance you’ll do this.”

The static crackled on the other end. I knew that I wouldn’t take his money, but perhaps there was something else he could do. “Settle with Luke and I’ll do it.”

There was silence.

“That’s none of your business.”

I cringed from the bite in his words. “Those are my terms.”

“Why does it even matter to you?”

“Luke is my friend. He helped Will, too, you know. He bailed him out of jail when he could have let him rot there.”

“Sitting in a cell for a few days is exactly what my son needs. Goodbye, Ms. Porter.”

“Wait!” I yelled before he could hang up, my heart pounding rather fast. “I’ll do it, but I don’t want your money.”

“I think so, especially when this entire mess could have been avoided if he never met you. The car will be at your apartment at eight tomorrow. Do not be late.”

The smile in his voice made me feel like I had been duped. “Okay."

“Oh, and Ms. Porter?”

My heart quickened. “Yes?”

“You’re a terrible negotiator. Goodbye.”

Mr. Pardini hung up before I could squeak out another word.

* * *

M
y pale
, anxious face stared at me through the mirror. I picked up the brush and buffed my cheeks with blush.

Should I put my hair up or down?

I twisted my hair into a knot I piled on top of my head and studied myself.
Too severe
. I should look friendly. I let my hair fall down and winced at my reflection.

It was like getting ready for piano recitals when I was a kid. I knew I hadn’t practiced and that it would be an utter disaster, but I went anyways because my parents expected it of me. I felt the same way about today.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, I forced myself to eat two pieces of toast and a large mug of coffee, wondering if Will would be in the car that picked me up. My breakfast churned in my stomach as whips of fear struck my body.

What will he say? Will he be angry that I came?

Even though it was still hours from their arrival, I ran to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, applying my makeup afterwards. The next few hours were spent on the couch, grimacing as I checked the time and running back to reapply makeup.

The chime of the doorbell sounded through the apartment and I dropped my lipstick, which clattered against the porcelain sink.

“Shit.”

I looked in the mirror to check my appearance and wiped my sweaty palms on the hand towel before I grabbed my purse and dashed out of the bathroom. I hoped they would approve of my dress. My heels sank in the horrible carpet, making me stumble as I rushed to the front door.

“Shit, shit, shit.”

I yanked it open and was startled to see Dominic Pardini standing on my doorstep, dressed as though he was going to a cocktail party. His eyes were very much like William’s—intense and dark, but they lacked all of his warmth. They scanned me before he gave me a small, approving nod. I tried to block his view of my apartment as much as I could.

“Ms. Porter, it’s wonderful to see you again.”

Wonderful? I opened my mouth, but he gave a slight shake of his head.

“If you’d just follow me to the car.”

I stepped outside to the gleaming black Mercedes stopped on the curb and turned around to lock the door, and then I noticed the pair of men on either side of me with giant cameras.

“Whoa!”

“Do not be alarmed, they’re only the reporters I hired.”

I swung around to gawk at him. “You hired them?”

“Yes. I’ll explain everything in the car.”

They shoved the cameras in my face and took pictures. Mr. Pardini grabbed my arm and led me down the steps; then he opened the door, and I lumbered inside. The photographers didn’t follow us into the car.

“Go,” he said to the driver when he swept inside.

The sound from the outside world disappeared when Mr. Pardini shut the door of the car. I bit my lip and looked outside. Now that I was alone with him, I felt awkward. I kept stealing glances at William’s father, intrigued by him.

“Thank you for coming, Ms. Porter.”

“You’re welcome. And you can just call me, Natalie.”

He was so different from Will; he was formal, poised, and dignified, whereas Will was crass and loud. It was a startling contrast.

“Very well, Natalie.” The name rolled awkwardly off his tongue. “We are en route to William’s apartment. We’ll leave to Redwood City and take photos of Will leaving flowers at the crash site, and then there will be photos with the families. The cameras will follow you inside their home.”

Oh my God
.

My stomach churned, and I looked at his determined face. “Will agreed to do all this?” I really wasn’t sure it was the right move.

Mr. Pardini blinked at me. “No, of course not.”

I looked away from him and bit my lip hard, twisting my hands in my lap.

“What is it?” he said, sounding bored. “Just say it.”

I gave him a frightened look. “Um, Mr. Pardini, don’t you think that’ll look really staged?”

He let out a long sigh and rolled up his sleeve to glance at his watch. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, Natalie. The shots might be staged, but William’s emotions will be real. Isn’t that the whole point?”

I couldn’t help but nod under his severe expression, but I knew that Will would hate cameras following him into their homes. He would never do it.

“Can I ask you why you are interested in my son?”

What do you mean, ‘why’?

William’s father looked at me. Perhaps he wondered why his son would be interested in me. I searched myself for the answer. It wasn’t hard to find, but I felt weird gushing about him to his father.

“I like being with him. He’s exciting.”

“I hope you have a little more integrity than the rest of the world. I noticed that he never made you sign an NDA.”

“So?”

He pulled a sheaf of paper from inside his jacket and handed it over. “NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT” was written at the top in bold letters. I laughed.

“Really?” I held it and looked at Mr. Pardini, hoping that he had a sense of humor.

“There is a lot at stake here. I can’t afford for you to write a tell-all book with the first publisher that approaches you. I will pay you to sign this.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I’m not my ex.”

His face reddened as he took the paper back and stared at it. “You realize that I’m your boss, right? I could have you removed from your position—I could blacklist you from any design agency in California.”

Was he threatening to fire me? “Mr. Pardini, there’s no need for threats. I have done nothing to you.”

“By the time you do, it will be too late.”

 “On my mother’s head, I won’t say a word to anyone.”

He shook his head and checked his watch again.

The rest of the car ride was awkward as hell and I couldn’t wait to get out of the car, even though the thought of showing up at Will’s apartment unannounced made me feel ill.

I can’t believe he threatened me
.

I opened the door as soon as the Mercedes stopped in front of the apartment, desperate to get away from Mr. Pardini and out of that suffocating car.

It was a pleasant, mild day for November and I didn’t feel cold until the wind roared down the Marina. Bodyguards were busy keeping the paparazzi at bay. As soon as they saw me, they screamed questions and waved their cameras in the air to get a shot. Shakily, I climbed the steps and wondered how angry Will would be with me. I knocked on the door as Mr. Pardini walked up the steps.

The door cracked open and Will stood in front of me, wearing a shocked look.

When I saw him, I realized how much I missed him. He wore pressed khakis and a blue button-up shirt. It was startling how much his appearance changed in a few days. The dark circles under his eyes made him look ten years older and his face looked thin as if he hadn’t eaten. I dug my nails into my palms as his eyes suddenly narrowed.

“William, don’t be rude. Open the door so we can come inside.”

His lip curled. “You brought her here without asking me?”

“I wasn’t aware that bringing your girlfriend would be a problem.”

I was thrown by the poisonous look Will shot me. “I’m just here to support you, Will. That’s it. I swear.”

Mr. Pardini lost his patience, and he slammed his fist on the door. “Don’t be stubborn. Open the door!” he barked.

“Fine.”

His father barged in as Will stepped aside and I followed. He marched for the living room and left Will and I alone.

“So, how much did he pay you?”

Stung, I looked into his eyes, which were hard.

“I took nothing from your dad. You can ask him that yourself.”

Jerk
.

He sighed and the unyielding look vanished from his face. “Why are you here, Natalie? Didn’t I hurt you enough?”

“I’m here because I care. You’re in this mess because of me. I want to make it right, so why won’t you let me?”

The emotion in my voice affected him. He gritted his teeth and looked down. “I wanted to do this alone.”

“Why do you have to do it alone?”

“Because it’s my cross to bear.”

“I won’t say anything. I’ll just be there with you.”

A little smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I wish I met you years ago.” Then he turned around and walked to the living room.