It has been a week since Cairo and I's last sexual encounter. He was sweet. Took me home but let me know he had to go to Paris for a few days on business.

Amelia's shop was coming along great and was coming along faster than expected. That tends to happen when the owner has a lot of money to spend.

I felt alone this last week. Cami and Matt went on a mini vacation to take a break from wedding things, and Cairo is not here.

I figured since I was alone and had spare time, I would do some sketching. When doing art, I never thought about what I was drawing. I let my emotions control my hand and blacked out until it was done.

Ring. Ring. Ring. 'Kathy'. Great.

"Hello."

"What is this about you barging into Beth's house in the middle of the day and causing a scene?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Raven."

"That was two weeks ago. I went there as you asked and I did not cause a scene. She was sleeping with my ex-boyfriend while we were still together."

"And how is that her fault?"
She is delusional.

"Seriously? I am not talking about this with you Kathy."

"What would your father think of how you are speaking to me right now? This is not the girl we raised."

Anger was building within me but I swallowed the urge to tell her my real feelings and decided to be the bigger person. Again.

"I apologize Kathy. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"

"Yes. You will need to attend our family charity gala tonight. Late notice. You should learn to answer our calls."

She then hung up the phone and I rolled my eyes in frustration. I swear I just want to move in the middle of the woods. No one to bother me, no communication, just peace.

I quit sketching and decided to focus on something upbeat and happy since Kathy has a way of bringing my mood down. I started scrolling the internet looking for some more wedding ideas for Cami. She deserved this break and I figured if I completed a few things for her she would be happy.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Great now what?

I opened the door expecting another headache but there was no one there. There was a bouquet of red and white roses. I picked up the vase reaching for the small white card inside the flowers.

'I know I have left you lonely this last week. I apologize. I will be looking forward to seeing you when I arrive home.
-Cairo-'

A smile appeared on my face at this small gesture from him. I knew we were in a loveless contract only for sex but it was nice to feel special. Shane never did things like this when I was with him.

I feel like time could not possibly go any slower. Maybe I should go for a run. Yes, that will speed up time. If not it will at least wear me out. I am already in sweatpants and a sports bra just need to grab my headphones.

I head out of the building connecting the Bluetooth to my headphones. The song Evanescence Bring Me to Life comes on. I start jogging towards the park. I figure a mile there and three miles around and a mile back would be good enough.

The run was amazing. Just what I needed to burn off the anger. Ding.

Cairo: What are you up to angel?
Me: Getting ready to shower.
Cairo: Oh really?
Me: Yup.
Cairo: are you okay?
Me: Yup.
Cairo: If you one word me again angel I will have to use my belt again but not like last week.
Me: Sorry just not in a good mood.
Cairo: What happened?
Me: Family drama.
Cairo: I see. What else. You can talk to me, Angel.
Me. I do not get along with them. AT ALL. Now I am being forced to go to their gala thing and they aren't my family. Stepmother, stepsister. NOT MY FAMILY.
Cairo: I understand. Are you talking about the Charity Gala that is held every year?
Me: The one and only.
Cairo: I see. If there is a way I can help let me know.
Me: Rescue me.
Cairo: Of course Angel. I would ride my motorcycle through the gala and whisk you away.
Me: If only you could.
Cairo: Do not tempt me, Angel.
Cairo: Can I ask you a question?
Me: Sure!
Cairo: Why did you sign up for the Alluring Rose?
Me: Honestly?
Cairo: Preferably. I am not a fan of lies.
Me: Well as you know I was a virgin. I was in a relationship; our anniversary was coming up so I was nervous and did not know what to expect. Cami convinced me. The second time, I was heartbroken. I caught him sleeping with my stepsister. At the time I did not know who it was but aka you made me feel things that made me forget the bad.
Cairo: Follow-up question?
Me: Okay?
Cairo: Someone as hot as you. How did you stay a virgin?
Me: Saying NO. lol
Cairo: lol. a lot I bet.

I quickly showered and dressed and decided to send him a pic to antagonize.

Cairo: You are a tease, Angel.
Me: lol.
Cario: What I would do to you right now.
Me: We can only use our imagination now.
Cairo: Not for long.
Me: Now whose teasing?
Cario: You have no clue what you do to me, Angel.
Me: I have to go to Cairo. TTYL.

I drove to the Gala which was quickly filling up with people. I took a deep breath before entering the building. I looked around for Kathy. If I said my hello's maybe I could exit without being noticed.

"Raven, there you are. Come say hello."

"Hello."

"Finally, my daughter was able to grace her family with her presence."

Anytime she called me daughter or referred to any of them as my family it enraged me.

"Thank Kathy."

"See how she treats her mother? She is so ungrateful."

I turned and walked away before I said something I would truly regret.

I found the bar and down me two straight shots of tequila. Liquid courage was what I was going to need to power through this. I felt a hand squeeze my bicep pulling me off my stool into the corner.

"What the fuck Shane?"

"What are you doing here Raven?"

"I was made to come. Why are you talking to me?"

"Raven, enough of your spoiled brat bullshit. Grow up. It was sex. You weren't giving it so I found it."

"You think you can excuse what the fuck you did?"
His grip tightened on my arm.

"Shane you are hurting me. Let me go."

"Get off your high horse. Who else is going to want a pathetic virgin like you?"

"Is there a problem here?" I knew that voice.

"This is between me and my girlfriend go the fuck away."

"I am not your anything. Let me GO!" I nearly shouted.

"The lady said to let her go so I think it is in your best interest to listen to her."

Shane let me go and turned throwing a punch at Cairo. Cairo ducked coming up with a punch of his own knocking Shane on his ass.

"Raven. Sorry to keep you waiting. I did not realize they let just anyone walk in these days. Come, Angel."

"Angel?" Shane said rubbing his jaw and I knelt in front of him smirking at his pain.

"Yes, and he fucks me oh so well," I whispered to him. He gasped in shock as I linked my arm with Cairo who then led me out of the Gala.

"You came to my rescue I see."

Cairo led me down the steps to a black Chevy SUV. He opened the door and motioned for me to enter. I slid in and I saw another familiar face.

"Henry?"

"Hello, Ms. Monroe."

I looked over at Cairo. who smiled and nodded to Henry, who then put on headphones which showed we had privacy.

"I take it that boy is your ex?"

"Sadly, yes."

"Why was he being like that with you?"
His hands gripped his thigh hard enough to turn his knuckles white.

"Cairo. That is not important. Thank you, though."

"I would gladly do it again for you Angel."
That nickname he gave me sent chills through me.

"Where are we going?"

"Well, I thought after I rescued you from that god-awful place we could get a bite to eat."

"I would like that."

His hand made its way to my thigh, using his fingers slowly rubbing back and forth. It seemed to calm him and I did not protest. I just leaned against him and enjoyed the ride.

We arrived at a restaurant but I was too lost in Cairo to pay attention to where we were. He grabbed my hand and ushered me inside.

The restaurant was dimly lit and was very vintage. The hostess took us to a booth in the back where we seemed to be alone but I did not want to ruin this by asking a lot of questions.

"Give us a few moments. Thank you." Cairo said to the waiter.

I looked down at the menu. I had no idea where to start there were so many things to choose from. I looked up to see Cairo staring at me. he had a thin smile planted on his face which caused me to blush.

The waiter returned and I had no clue as to what I should order.

"We will have two of your Crab melts, two of your New York strips, medium with fried asparagus and truffle fries. Also, we will have a bottle of Pinot."

The waiter took the order and went to get the wine. I gazed at Cairo, he loved being in control, in charge. Oddly, I liked that about him.

We finished our dinner and had a polite conversation about how I was liking the new position and Cami's wedding. Normal stuff. He took me home and left. I thought he wanted more but he surprised me. It was like a genuine date. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.