Love between Players

Apart from her father, the one person that knew about her identity as Leticia was Riley. Leticia had saved Riley from a group of boys that almost took advantage of her when she was drunk. Leticia had been taking a walk as herself that night and wanted nothing else but a peaceful walk, only to see a young girl staggering with two boys laughing and chattering behind her. When Leticia saw this, she tried to ignore it, knowing her life was as complicated as it already was, but she couldn't just watch, so she intervened with her pepper spray and taser, bringing Riley to her house to sleep over. Since then, they had been best friends.

Or not. Leticia realized, with a bleeding heart, that Riley had not been who she claimed to be. Had this friend of hers been an imposter for five years?

The same girl who claimed to be an only child to a single father suddenly had a brother. The same man she had claimed not to know—a gigolo.

"Oh, and who's this cutie?" Riley asked her brother, referring to Leticia, who was still floating in her own world.

"My new P.A., Dexter. Dexter, my sister, Riley."

Leticia found a way to nod without her head falling off.

"Nice to meet you, Dexter. If my brother acts jerky, I'll be here to save you, I promise," Riley said sweetly, blowing 'Dexter' a kiss.

"Don't mind her, she's crazy," Justin excused his sister. "Take the briefcase and come."

Leticia nodded again, grateful she didn't have to talk. She followed them, keeping her distance, still distracted by her own chaos and no longer intrigued by the luxury around her. She felt like she was being soaked in the fantasy of deception.

She might be living two worlds, but it was not her choice—hers was necessary.

They reached a small conference room that looked rather simple compared to the luxury of the castle-like house. An old man sat at the head of the really long, dark, polished mahogany desk.

"Daddy!" Riley rushed across the table to greet the old man, while Justin did not move an inch from where he stood. As a matter of fact, Leticia could see his shoulders tense, almost as if he were about to have a seizure.

One deep breath, and he started to move but sat four seats away from his father, causing Leticia to subtly raise a brow as she sat one seat away from him.

"You came. I didn't think you would." Mr. McFarlane acknowledged through his teeth, the air stale with bad blood. It seemed only Riley was in a joyous mood; the men weren't at all on good terms.

"Well, here I am," Justin answered without looking at his father, motioning to Leticia to pass him the briefcase.

"And what do you think you're doing? Shut that trash you call a briefcase, son. I called the meeting; I tell you what the agenda is. And the agenda is Elaine."

Riley and Justin shot their father a dirty look.

"Dad! We are here because of that bitch?" Riley exclaimed, her voice sharp and triggering for Leticia. Oh, how she wished she could throw away her disguise and give Riley a piece of her mind.

Justin did not say a word, but he was seething, his eyes shut in sheer rage. He did not want to be there.

"Quiet, darling. This is between me and your brother... And why is there a stranger here? How many times do I have to tell you to keep your P.A.s out of our private meetings? Does this look like a company meeting to you? Young man, would you use the door, please?"

Mr. McFarlane ordered Leticia, and as much as she was pleased by this order, Justin gave her a daring look that glued her butt to the chair.

"He leaves. I leave," Justin simply said, causing his father to scoff.

"Riley. Tell your brother to obey me before I lose my temper."

"No, Father. I won't. If he wants Dexter here, so be it. You didn't have a problem with Welsh, why have a problem with the new guy?" Riley shrugged her opinion carelessly, applying her lip gloss as if the matter at hand were child's play.

Mr. McFarlane eyed Leticia in a way that caused her to hold her breath. "A stubborn one. Okay. You're welcome to the family, but you must know that you will carry whatever you hear here to your grave. If the press catches wind of anything said behind these walls, I'll make the visit to your grave an early one."

Damn! Shit is getting serious... Leticia's head was stuck to her neck, unable to nod to the man's agreement.

"Did you hear me... Mr. Dexter?"

Leticia finally nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat as she gave Justin a painful glance.

"Good. Now, back to Elaine," McFarlane continued. "You will marry her."

Justin let out a bitter scoff. "Of course. Let me guess, she came crying to you. Do you realize how stupid that is...?"

"Brother," Riley warned.

"Aha. You can see how rude he's become. Anyways, I do not care. You forget that I have the power to pull you out of the company. Having more shares than you, I can convince the other shareholders to sell theirs too. And just so you know, I sold part of my shares to Elaine... 18% to be exact."

"You did what!" His children exploded.

Leticia felt the heat, her chest physically burning from the seal tape around her upper body to hide her breasts. And she needed to pee.

"Dad, why would you do something like that? Elaine is disrespectful, dating Justin for money. And you put such an opportunity in her lap?" Riley asked in disbelief, disappointment etched on her features.

She looks mature here, Leticia thought with a stolen glance.

"You should give her the whole company," Justin added bitterly.

"Exactly. Or better still, marry her yourself..." Riley poked with pursed lips, earning a sneer from her father.

"You blockheads! She knows you're adopted! Her parents do! And this is all your fault! Just who do you think you are?" McFarlane exploded with a smack on the table, his gaze solely on Justin.

Leticia only wanted to pee no matter how interesting this conversation was getting. If she didn't go to the restroom, she was going to pee herself and pass out from the heat.

"An orphan," Justin smiled, his eyes filled with a sadness that consumed everyone but McFarlane.

"Exactly. And except you want to go back into being that, I suggest you pull up your big boy pants and marry that lady. First, you must declare her as your girlfriend. I'll give you time to get used to her, make up for old times, and charm her. Six months, son. You have to propose in six months. Or I'll take my company back!"

Riley's teeth were gritting against each other, yet she knew she had lost this fight against her father. Her brother was doomed. He would have to marry the woman she hated with every drop of her blood.

"Why? Why do you hate me so much?" The words left Justin's lips before he could help himself.

His father shook his head. "You have disrespected my wife's memory, Justin. She brought you into my life and passed away three years later. She made me promise to look after you and give you everything to ensure you have the perfect life. But look at you, a manwhore. Yes, you are good at the company. But as a man, you're a disappointment."

Justin winced. "Fine. I'll marry Elaine. But whatever happens in the next six months—do not regret it."

Riley gasped in terror.

"Dexter. Let's get out of here."

Leticia, whose thighs were pressed together so she wouldn't pee on herself, struggled to stand. As soon as she did, she broke into a weird smile and raised her hand.

"Can I use the restroom, sir?"