One
Eve
“For the hundredth time, Katy, I'm not doing it!” I said in exasperation, shrugging her off as I tried to focus on the project on my laptop.
But the pest still wouldn't let go as she clung to my arm.
“Hmm? Pretty please?” She pleaded, giving me puppy eyes. As if that would work on me again! Not after the last time this brat got me in trouble! “Hmm? Please!”
“I said I'm not doing it, I'm trying to do my gig over here!” I yelled at her, but it had no effect on her.
This girl never takes anything seriously.
“It's just one date.” She pleaded, still clinging to my arm. “Hmm? One date is not hard.”
“Why don't you go to the blind date yourself then?” I asked, despite knowing the answer.
“You know I can't.” She responded, “Why on earth would I go to a blind date when I have a boyfriend?”
“Then tell your father about your boyfriend!” I stated, “That's the only solution to this problem.”
“You know he would never approve of Dexter if he found out about him.” She replied, a hint of sadness laced to her voice. “He'll offer him money, and I know Dexter will reject it, then the next thing my Dad will do is to threaten Dexter's existence! I don't want that!”
That was true.
Katy came from a very rich family.
I would say that when it comes to status, they're at the middle-upperclassmen, just below the highest.
We only met by chance when we were teenagers, and we became friends.
Her father, who controlled every little thing about her, ranging from her friends to the clothes she wears, didn't like me initially… well, he still doesn't.
He called me a peasant.
And then he went on ahead to say that I had no business associating myself with people like them, and that I would only be dimming Katy's light.
The audacity!
You would expect me to break down in tears and feel pity for myself.
Hell no!
That day, being the sharp-mouthed girl I was, I told him things no one had ever dared to tell him before.
Weirdly enough, her mom took a liking to me since that day and convinced Katy's dad to allow us to be friends.
Since that day, Katy and I have become the best of friends!
But he still hates me, though.
Katy never had a dating life.
When she likes a boy, or when a boy confesses to her, her father must approve first.
And that son of a bitch always disapproves!
Sorry, pardon my language.
So my homegirl fell for this boy in our freshman year, Dexter and started dating him in secret ever since.
It's our third year now, and they're still so in love.
Happy for them.
But the thing is, now her father is setting her up on blind dates with these rich, arrogant jerks. She always stands them up and never attends any of them, and then now her father threatened to freeze all her credit cards, confiscate her cars and then ground her if she didn't go to this one.
Now she's begging me to attend it on her behalf and pretend to be her!
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!
Because, for one, I'm not classy and sophisticated like these rich kids.
A conglomerate would tell I'm a fake with just a single glance!
Two, even if I did go to the date, her father would find out eventually.
So, no, I'm not going!
“That's none of my problem then,” I said dismissively, tying up my hair. “Listen, Katy, I would have helped you if I could,” I placed my hand on her shoulders. “But I can't. I took on a new gig, and I have to finish these arts and deliver before the last day.”
The look on her face told me that whatever I just said went in one ear and out the other.
“But, just listen…”
Ugh! Will this girl ever listen?
In frustration, I rose to my feet and carried my laptop and drawing tool and headed to the door.
“Two thousand dollars!” She said sharply, halting me on my tracks.
I instantly spun around and stared at her.
“Two thousand dollars… what?”
“I'll pay you two thousand dollars if you agree to go on a date.” She enunciated, holding up two of her fingers.
“Katy, I told you to stop throwing money at me because you're rich…”
“Five thousand!”
“Katy…”
“Six!”
I groaned in frustration.
“Katy, I told you…”
“Seven, nine, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fifteen…”
“Katy, stop.”
“Deal! Fifteen thousand dollars!” She exclaimed, flashing a smile at me.
“Katy… I never agreed…”
She shoved her phone to my face, and my eyes widened in shock.
“There, I just sent you fifteen thousand dollars.”
Fifteen thousand dollars?!
That's a lot of money!
When did she even send it?
“Katy…”
“Yay!” She clapped excitedly, cutting me off. “Let's go shopping!”
“Can't believe you're seriously buying me and manipulating me right now… at the same time,” I said with a frown, and Katy giggled, but deep down I was basking in excitement.
Fifteen thousand dollars?!
Just for a date!
I won't have to accept these low-paying gigs and get disrespected by clients! I won't have to go to my part-time jobs either! I might finally move out! And I won't have to pester my brother and parents for money!
Hell yeah!
It's just to go and sit with a stranger, then make him lose interest, right? I'm in!
And I get to wear expensive clothes for keeps and have my hair and pedicure made at the most expensive salon in New York City!
Sweet!
Katy excitedly walked up to me and intertwined our arms together.
“Um… okay.” I dropped my laptop on the table, trying to mask my excitement. Then I picked up my phone.
“Let's go!” She grabbed my arm and dragged me downstairs.
Yeah, you win, Katy.
My name is Eve Dawson, and I'm going on a blind date!
Yeah!
A mistake I should have never made!