Heart of a Stripper (10 page)

Authors: Cyndi Harris

He watched her briefly as she drew her hand back to slap him. He shut his eyes as he heard a pound on the door.

Opening his eyes, Mitchell saw he was alone in his office. It was all a dream! He had drifted off to sleep and didn’t even realize it. He thanked God in his head as the door opened and Nevaeh slipped inside. Dread washed over him as he stood up.

“Hi.” She said softly with a fake smile.

“Hi.” He said nervously.

“Do you
wanna—I don’t know… have lunch with me?” she asked tensely.

“Nevaeh,” he said walking over to her, to keep her away from his desk. “You’re a sweet girl, and I’m sorry that I lead you on.” He said taking her face into his hands and she looked up to him.

“But this—it can’t go on. I’m getting
married
. And besides, you’re too young—you need to find a boy your age.” He said letting her go and he saw tears dredge up in her eyes.

She nodded as her worst fears had been brought to light. Deep down, she knew that was how he felt.

“I’ll still be here if you need any help—”

“It’s fine; I don’t need any help or pity from you.” She said sucking up her tears and running from the office.

“Nevaeh!” he shouted, running to his door but stopping as she disappeared.

“Is everything ok,
sir?” Hillary asked concerned.

“Fine.”
He lied with a nod, before disappearing into his office, and shutting the door.

Nevaeh stopped at her locker and finally let the tears fall.
It seemed like she couldn’t catch a break no matter how hard she tried. Since the day her mom left, things began to crumble vastly. From her home life, to school and even that was affecting her nonexistent “love life.” She knew that if she headed to therapy, the psychologist was only going to tell her what she already knew. She’d fallen for an older guy because she had “daddy issues”. But in reality, she thought that was pure and utter bullshit. She didn’t want an “older guy” per se. Mitchell just happened to be one. She damn sure wasn’t looking for an older guy to validate her or tell her what to do.

That was just creepy.

"Why is such a pretty girl like you crying?" Nevaeh heard a deep voice rumble behind her.

Spinning around, she saw a tall
, brunette haired, handsome male standing there. He was clearly over six foot, and properly dressed in the school uniform. His eyes were a hazel green, and his skin was purely sun kissed. He’d obviously been sunbathing or tanning recently. She could tell he was exotic, definitely a mix of something.

"I'm not crying." She sniffled, opening her locker.

"Oh, so I gather the strong wind in here is making your beautiful eyes water." He smirked sarcastically.

"Exactly right."
She retorted, grabbing a few books.

"Can I carry
those for you?" He inquired, and she glared over to him suspiciously.

"Why?" She flat out asked.

"I like to think I'm a gentleman." He said, leaning up against the locker.

"Oh really?"
She smiled amused as she closed her locker.

"Yeah, chivalry isn't dead with me." He winked at her, and she rolled her eyes.

"You're full of it." She replied walking off, and he followed her as a few students noticed.

She saw them as they began whispering.

"I'm serious. I believe in opening doors, pulling out chairs, putting my new jacket over a puddle--you know, those sorts of things." He replied, opening a door for her.

Stopping, Nevaeh turned to him.

"I'm not stupid." She said glaring at him. "I'm the new girl here, and you think it might be fun to make fun of me right?"

He raised a confused eyebrow at her as they continued to walk.

“I’m not that type of guy. I just like to go after something I think is worth having.” He smiled slyly as he grabbed her books.

“I’m no one’s possession.” She protested.

“I would never think of you as that. I just meant, I think you’re worth getting to know. Even if it’s just as friends.” He replied, still smiling and a smile teased Nevaeh’s lips.

“Name’s
Jaxon, do you want to have lunch?”

“Sure.” She blushed.

Mitchell paced his office as he pondered if he did the right thing with Nevaeh. Hurting her had torn him apart, but it was for the best. Or at least that’s what he thought. He had still planned to be there for her, but only as a friend. His thoughts got cut short as the door opened. Looking up, he saw Kaitlin. Her blonde hair was pulled tightly into a high ponytail, and she had on a cream pea coat and sunglasses.

Her usual look.

“Hi darling.” She smiled, snatching the glasses off to reveal her eyes.

Walking over, she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. That caught him off guard because he usually pulled her in for a hug.

“Hey sweetie.” He replied watching her sit in the chair in front of his desk.

“Did you miss me?” she asked.

“Of course I did.” He responded sitting in the chair beside her.

Her smile brightened even more as he stared at her. There was a glow about her
today, she only had that when she had big news.

“What’s up?” he asked curious.

“What do you mean?” she frowned.

“You’re—happy.” He answered.

“Because I’m here with you silly.” She giggled.

That made him feel good, it was something he longed to hear from her. She hadn’t seemed overly happy to see him since they’d first met.

“Is the wedding planning going well?” he muttered.

“Fine.
I’m taking a break to spend time with you.” She smiled looking him in the eyes.

He smiled at her words. Whatever had brightened her mood, he was happy to see it. It even made him realize he was marrying her for the right reason.

“Ok, how about we have dinner and a movie tonight?” he insisted getting up and walking in front of her.

“I’ll do dinner, but you know how I feel about the
cinema
.” She said appalled.

“Kate, its one night.
No more than two hours, and there’s something I want to see.” He pleaded.

“We can watch a movie in your home theater. I hate being surrounded by—”

“Don’t!” he shouted cutting her off.

He hated her “holier than thou” attitude. She thought she was better than everyone, and didn’t deserve to sit among middle classed people. In reality, she would’ve been nothing if it weren’t for him. She was only getting recognition as a model because of his name behind her.

“Fine.” She replied throwing up her hands in surrender as she shot to her feet.

“
Thank you.” He said grabbing her by the hands, and pulling her in for a kiss. She gave him a peck before throwing her sunglasses on.

“Just don’t try to make this a habit.” She insisted.

“Until later.” She said as a goodbye before she waved and left.

Chapter Nine

Mitchell walked down the aisle of the movie theater as he held Kaitlin’s hand. She tried to inch by everyone, without brushing up against them. She was wearing a glitzy top, with white pants and a fur coat. Mitchell begged her to wear jeans and a t-shirt, but she refused. Everything was like a red carpet event to her, even going to sit in the dark amongst strangers. Spotting a few empty seats in the perfect row, he slid over to them. Sitting her down, he intended to go get her some popcorn and treats, not that she would eat it. But he wanted to have the full experience.

Going to the movies was a thing he loved to do wh
ile he was growing up. It was the only time he could escape the reality of home. Those few hours sitting there pretending to be the guy on the screen was everything to him. But as life grew harder, slipping off to the movies had become nearly impossible, so he had one built into his penthouse instead.

“Are these fine?” he asked, as they sat own.

“I guess.” She replied, rolling her eyes.

Sitting back in his seat, he stared up at the huge screen
, and a smile spread across his face. Looking to his right, he saw the theater filling up. Someone sat beside him, and after getting a good look, his smile faded.

Nevaeh had taken the seat, and her smile soon dropped as she spotted him.

“This movie is going to be awesome!” Jaxon replied sitting on the other side of her.

Mitchell
gripped the armrest as he sucked in a breath. What were the odds of them seeing the same movie, on the same night? Not to mention sit in the same seats beside each other? If the universe thought this was a funny joke, it wasn’t. He thought it to be more cruel than kind. But it made him ponder.

Were they supposed to stay in each other’s lives regardless of the strained situation?

It seemed obvious that they were because of the way they met. She was obviously thrown into his life for a reason.

“Maybe we should get some other seats.” He whispered to Kate, who sneered at him.

It was obvious that she had gotten comfortable and damn sure wasn’t moving again.

“Mr. M!” Jaxon shouted excited, obviously spotting him.

His heart sank because he knew he was going to be now stuck sitting beside them. He had told Nevaeh to find a boy her age, but didn’t think it would actually be this quick.
Who was he kidding? She was gorgeous and knew she could have any guy if she put her mind to it. But he didn’t expect her to move on so quickly. Not that they were together—

Not that it mattered; at least that’s what he scolded to himself.

“Jaxon, what’s up?” he smiled fakely, looking over at him.

Letting out a breath, he stared back at the screen uncomfortably.

“You want some popcorn?” he heard Jaxon ask Nevaeh and she nodded.

The lights went dim, and the previews started shortly after.

“I have to go to the bathroom.” He heard Nevaeh reply. “I’ll be right back.”

Mitchell
watched her disappear, and thought it would be the opportune time to go get the refreshments.

“I’ll be
back Kate, I’m going to get some snacks.” He replied, getting up and sliding past her.

Heading up the aisle, he disappeared into the hall and searched for Nevaeh.
He spotted her as she rounded the corner, and he stalked after. She disappeared into the bathroom and he waited for her to return. He couldn’t just leave things awkward between them. A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom and was definitely shocked to see him. Sucking in a breath, she started walking and he walked beside her.

“So—you and
Jaxon?” he asked a bit jealous.

“We’re on a date, yeah.” She nodded.

“Can you stop with me at the concession stand?” he inquired, and she looked over to him skeptical.

“Sure.” She nodded.

Getting in line, they waited.

“So, do you like him?” he asked looking up at the menu and prices.

“He’s a nice guy. I’m just trying to get to know him, I do need friends.” She insisted looking over to him.

“
Friends?” Mitchell nearly smiled, but he refrained. “Friends are good, especially being new.”

“Yeah, I think he really likes me though.” She added
, and he gritted his teeth as they made it to the front.

He ordered a few things, and asked if she wanted anything. Even though she refused, he brought her a pack of Reese’s Cups. It was secretly her favorite candy, so she accepted.

“So, do you want a ride back to my place after this?” he blurted out
as they walked back to the theater.

Looking at him in disbelief, she shook her head.

“I’m not going back to your place.” She retorted.

“Why not?” he asked frustrated.
“You’re not going home with him.”

She looked at him as he stared down at the carpeted floor.

“Are you?” he added in a whisper.

“No.” she answered truthfully. “I’m going home.”

“No, you’re not!” he protested irate looking up into her eyes.

“I can’t stay with you. That would just be weird.” She smiled, liking the fact that he was concerned about her.

“Weird but safe.” He responded.

“You know I’m right.” She replied
, and he rolled his eyes because she was.

“I’m not letting you go back to that house.” He said clearly. “Call me after this and I’ll take you to a hotel.”