Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
LUKE
A s much as I want Deidre’s plan to be over with, I understand why it needs to be executed over the next several weeks so no one makes the connections of her strategies.
I’m eager to be her man in public, but more importantly, I’m eager for her to finally be free from the bullies in her life.
She’s grown so much from the little girl I once knew.
Do I agree with everything that she’s doing? No, but I understand why she needs to do it. It’s her way of healing. It’s her way of falling out of the tree one last time. Yet, this time she’s turning into a bird who’s able to fly away with the support of her flock.
Other than those who were in Dei’s house last night, no one else knows there’s a plan.
Deidre’s lawyer has worked everything out in writing as she’s requested.
Now it’s up to Dei to begin setting herself free.
She calls in a few favors from some of the celebrity friends she has, and from the sound of it, Dei’s going out with a bang.
Dei’s currently on the phone with Mandy, plotting out aspects of the upcoming party they have been creating as a secret launch party for the update she has planned for Flirt . She’s pacing my kitchen as I cook us dinner.
“What do you mean she knows? Knows what?”
“Dei?” I call, hoping to get her to stay calm, but she ignores me.
“Does she have proof of anything?” She’s quiet for several long seconds, standing still at the same time. “Well, then she’s just guessing about a relationship.”
“Everything okay?” I ask quietly.
“Does she know about the party?” She sighs. "Good. Let’s hope that she doesn’t find out until then.”
I watch her stop in place. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.
“Great. Thanks, Mandy."
“What happened?”
“Victoria showed up at the house looking for me. She doesn’t know anything that’s really going on other than she thinks I’m dating someone.”
“Good.”
“Kind of not good,” Dei replies. “Remember, I need this stuff to be spaced out until the day of the party.”
“I know, but you said she doesn’t have proof.”
“True.”
I dish out dinner. “How did your meeting go earlier?”
“Good. The gentlemen were very understanding and liked my proposal.”
“Who wouldn’t like it?” I snicker.
She lowers herself into a chair. “You sure you’re up for this?”
“Definitely.” I kiss her cheek. “So, what’s my job again?”
“To just be there and look pretty.”
“Pretty?” I scoff.
“Okay…handsome."
“That’s better.”
“Good.”
I turn with plates in hand. “You ready to eat?”
Three days later, Deidre’s plan is ready for the last pieces to be unleashed.
She starts with a few minor tasks to build up to the grand finale, which will all take place tomorrow night.
Today’s task is for the two of us to stage a photo op that will be leaked to the press.
The gentlemen she met with have helped arrange the so-called paparazzi, who are actual Flirt fans.
Their job is to pass by the store around the same time we are so pictures are posted on social media.
Dei set up a secondary team to capture shots just in case, but she’s pretty sure that the fans will do what she expects them to do all on their own.
“What do you think of this one?” Dei asks, holding up the bright yellow box.
“Well, I’d say you’re definitely going to make a statement with this one.” I place my hand on her hip.
“Do you think that it could be too much?” she giggles, looking up at me.
“I think the amount of ribbed-ness a woman likes may vary.”
“What about this pack?” Dei asks, trying to maintain some bit of composure as she holds the box a certain way for anyone who is either in the store or just outside can see that we’re shopping for condoms.
“It would spice things up. I’ve never heard about their pleasure pack before.”
“So, that’s a definite buy? Oooh, wait!” Her hand darts forward and grabs a different box. “I think this…this is the one we need.”
“Are you saying we need the magnums because of my size or just to appease my ego?” My arm tightens around her waist and I kiss her temple.
“Both.”
“Good answer,” I praise.
“So, I should hold this one up the most, then…high and long.”
“It is long.”
Dei laughs. “I’m going to get the pleasure pack for Mandy.”
“What size?”
“At least the regular. She doesn’t like the little ones and the big ones just scare her.”
I lift a brow in response. “I’m afraid to ask how you know that.”
Dei smirks. “We talk about a lot of things.”
“Like what?”
Dei’s smile widens, but she doesn’t answer as she turns and heads to the cashier.
“Babe,” I call after her.
Dei keeps walking, not bothering to look back.
“Babe,” I shout, chasing after her.
Five minutes after we leave the shop, Mandy texts, saying that images of us just went live on social media.
With Tony driving, we make our way back to my place.
We knew that as soon as Dei’s plan started, we’d have to stay somewhere Victoria doesn’t know about.
She hasn’t been happy with Deidre avoiding her the past few weeks, to say the least. Dei would reply with a text, but never answered for at least twenty minutes.
Deidre has been right about how she expected Victoria to act.
She’s hoping to see Dei in person, especially out in public or where she can make a spectacle about taking Flirt away from Dei, which is why Dei leaked information about the Flirt update release party to Victoria two days ago.
Tomorrow’s when everything will be finalized.