The problem of getting r.., p.16
The Problem of Getting Rich Quik ... Part One, page 16
part #1 of The problem of getting Rich Quik Series
‘Pass me the bottle of wine then.’
Three hours later Lily found herself lying, fully clothed, on her bed next to Richard who was fast asleep. She had been staring at him for hours and a sad twinge occurred in her chest as she knew this was as good as it was going to get. Lily stroked his face and slowly she closed her eyes and dozed off.
‘Hello sleepy head’ she heard him say. Opening her eyes slowly she saw Richard staring at her. ‘Why didn’t you get in?’
‘I didn’t want to wake you,’ she replied trying to focus. ‘What’s the time?’
‘Five thirty,’ he said. She felt his hand stroke her hair. ‘I better make a move.’
‘Okay,’ she said forcing her eyes open. ‘I’ll make you some tea.’
‘No, stay here and sleep.’
Richard moved closer.
He stopped stroking her hair but Lily couldn’t open her eyes. She felt him kiss her on the cheek and before she knew it, she was fast asleep again.
A week passed and Lily hadn’t heard from him. Her moment of elation had turned into little stabs of disappointment but it was as expected. In the meantime, she had to face Dominic after her previous Friday night escape from Rosana.
Sitting in her living room, she could tell something was on his mind. She handed him a box of chocolates and smiled.
‘You can’t still like him after what happened?’ Dominic was picking through all the chocolates before Lily took the box away. ‘You know he’s a tosser! You know he used to sexually harass Monica.’
‘Really?’ Lily asked feeling annoyed at Dominic for spoiling her happy thoughts.
‘He wined, dined, fucked then dumped her. Even a couple of weeks ago he tried it on and she had to slap him back. I could really lamp that bastard,’ Dominic said while throwing wine into the glasses.
‘I didn’t know that,’ Lily said feeling hurt by the information. ‘It takes two you know.’
‘Stop sticking up for him! He’s a user. He gets what he wants then he fucks off.’
‘Are you upset with Richard because he’s slept with your girlfriend or because she slept with him?’
‘Both,’ Dominic sternly replied. ‘You know what else Monica told me? He has a personal digital collection of his sexual encounters. Which means, in English, he records them.’
‘That’s ridiculous,’ Lily replied shocked at the thought. ‘He’s not a porno film maker. Why are you being horrible about him?’
‘He’s trying to get into my girlfriend’s knickers.’ Dominic sat staring at Lily with a dumbfounded expression on his face.
‘Well he already has if she knows he films it. Does that mean we’ve swapped fluids in a roundabout way? Nah!’ she grimaced knowing Dominic was wound up as he didn’t laugh at her joke.
‘You stay away from him before you find yourself featuring in one of his sleaze movies, unless you’ve done it already!’
The pair looked at each other and a cold chill passed through Lily.
Chapter Fourteen
‘I know I haven’t contacted you for a few days but you’ll soon know why. It’s one o’clock now so get here for two thirty,’ Richard said down the phone
‘I’ve been busy and you’ll soon see why. Get a move on woman.’
‘I’m not dropping everything for you again.’
The image of seeing herself on film dropping her knickers made her feel queasy.
‘It’ll be worth your while. It’s life changing.’
‘I don’t think we should see each other anymore.’ There was silence. ‘Are you still there?’
‘What’s happened?’ His tone was serious.
‘Nothing’s happened,’ knowing since she spoke to Dominic her views on Richard had changed.
‘You don’t want to come round to see me?’ he meekly asked.
‘Not if you’re going to feature me in-.’ She stopped.
‘What did you say?’ Richard sounded confused. ‘Feature what?’
‘Nothing.’
Lily knew this was going to land her in big trouble.
‘Yes, you said ‘not if you’re going to feature me in,’ then stopped. Explain.’
Holding the phone she was stumped on what to say then realised maybe she should give Richard the benefit of her knowledge.
‘Someone told me you film your, how shall I put it?’
‘Spit it out.’
‘You make films of the women you shag for your private amusement.’ Lily wasn’t prepared for the massive laugh that came from down the line. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘And that’s it? You don’t want to see me just in case I made you into a special DVD set or something?’
‘It would be a very short film if I was featured, probably a horror movie,’ she quickly replied. ‘Monica said you made a pass at her a couple of weeks ago and Dominic’s not happy. Personally I think that’s a little bit below the belt considering you know they’re together.’
‘And who told you that? Dominic?’ Again Richard laughed out loudly. ‘And you believe him? Meet me face to face. It’s only fair and if you don’t want to see me again, I’ll leave you alone. For good!’
‘For good?’ She felt upset at the thought of not seeing him. ‘Okay.’
‘And by the way.’
‘What?’
‘I like you too.’
Richard flung open the door of his house and waited for her to walk in.
‘Feel free to check for hidden cameras,’ he said with a wry smile.
‘I only repeated what I heard,’ she said defensively, quickly glancing around his large home.
‘Oh be serious!’ he said pushing her further in to the living room.
‘I like your place,’ she said turning around looking at the tastefully decorated and furnished home. ‘Last time I was here you were in the middle of consoling Tia or was that a feature film epic?’
‘Very funny,’ he said scratching the side of his nose. ‘Okay, this might be a little strange but you’ll understand soon enough.’
‘What, that you’re a little strange? Dominic told me all about that.’
‘Dominic knows squat,’ laughed Richard.
‘What did you want me here for?’
‘Are you ready for an adventure?’
‘Does it mean I have to perform for you?’ she asked worried by the massive grin on Richard’s face as she clutched her bag close to her chest.
‘Just a little,’ he said. ‘Follow me.’
Lily walked out of the front door as Richard held his car door open.
‘Get in,’ he said.
‘Where are we going?’ she hesitated before sitting in the passenger seat.‘I’m scared. You’re not some serial killer or something?’
‘What?’ he laughed looking stunned.
‘You know on telly you see those dramas where the good looking successful types are secretly murderers and rapists.’
‘Have you got a weapon to defend yourself, should I turn into an attacker?’
‘Yes,’ she said nodding. ‘I have a biro and a lip gloss.’
‘And what do you intend to do with them?’
He was trying not to laugh as Lily looked suspiciously at the car.
‘If I tell you, then you’ll know won’t you?’ she said examining the inside of his car. ‘What’s in the boot?’
‘You’ll be if you don’t bloody well get in. We’re going to be late!’
They sat in the car hardly speaking to each other. Lily was constantly glancing at him but he had his sunglasses on so she couldn’t fathom what was ticking in his little brain. She placed her head on the window and started quietly singing along to his choice of songs.
‘You like my music?’ he said making Lily break out of her day dream.
‘Yeah,’ she said sitting up. ‘I didn’t take you for a Marvin Gaye fan.’
‘What did you take me for?’
‘I don’t know?’ she shrugged. ‘Something more classical and bands I’ve never heard of.’
‘I see. I do love good soul music.’
‘I don’t really know much about you, do I?’
‘What’s there to know? Maybe today you’ll find out more,’ he said before turning up the volume as Lily took the hint he didn’t want her to talk.
Then she realised where he was taking her.
‘Brighton?’ she laughed.
‘You said you wanted to go on holiday so I thought this is good a place as any. You don’t like it?’
‘I love Brighton. Where are we going?’
‘To a hotel.’
‘Oh,’ she said and her heart sank. ‘I’m not going to sleep with you Richard. I’ve made that mistake before and it didn’t make me feel good so I prefer to be friends.’ She saw him smiling. ‘Why are you so happy?’
‘I can’t wait to see your face, that’s all.’
He pulled up outside a boutique hotel and got out.
‘Are you coming?’ he asked holding open the door.
‘You know my position on sex,’ she quietly said.
‘If I remember well, you like several, not that you can remember,’ he quipped.
Lily shot him a dirty look and followed him in.
‘I have two rooms booked under the name of Hayden-Quik,’ he said at reception and immediately Lily breathed easily. ‘I know what you think about me. I respect that.’
‘That’s a turn up for the books.’
As the door opened to her room Lily stood there gob smacked. There was an enormous bath by the window that overlooked the sea.
‘Do you like it?’ Richard asked, standing behind her.
‘It’s lovely. I’ve always wanted a sea view but I always get the room by the kitchens.’
‘I’m next door,’ he said walking around her. ‘The following couple of hours I’ve booked you a massage so get pampered to your heart’s delight.’
‘What are you up to?’ Lily noticed Richard had a blank expression on his face. ‘Why are you doing this?’
‘I’m being nice so put your stuff down and get your kit off,’ he said taking her bag off her shoulder. ‘The masseur should be turning up around now.’
‘Where are you going?’ she asked being pushed in to the bathroom.
‘I’ve got some business to do but I’ll meet you in the bar at eight, if that’s okay with you?’
‘But that’s hours away,’ she replied half bemused by it all realising it was nearly five.
‘I got you something to wear for dinner. It’s in the bag by the table. I know it’s a bit presumptuous of me but I knew you wouldn’t have bought anything with you.’
On that note he pushed her into the bathroom and shut the door.
As soon as he left there was only a moment to take it all in before someone knocked on the door and she found herself lying face down on the bed semi naked. She kept glancing at the shopping bag on the floor.
Lily felt self-conscious about getting a back massage in her room in the middle of the afternoon but as she closed her eyes the only thing that came to mind was Richard.
Two hours later, showered and in a bathrobe, she saved the moment to open up the bag. There was a package covered in tissue paper so she ripped it open and there was a bra and knicker set along with a top, all red, with a card enclosed.
‘Not as good as your bags but hope you like it. Love R x’
She tried them on thinking he’d get the wrong sizes but she was shocked to find everything fitted. As she put the top on, a style she wouldn’t have chosen, Lily was equally surprised it flattered her and it was low cut and off the shoulder.
At seven forty five she waited for Richard, constantly checking her appearance to see if the top was too low.
‘Hello,’ Richard said sitting down opposite her smiling brightly. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Oh nothing,’ she said flustered at being caught glancing at her reflection.
‘Did you enjoy the massage?’
‘It was wonderful,’ she replied. ‘And thank you for this.’
Lily pulled at her top.
‘You fill it beautifully,’ he said, sitting back admiring the view before thinking hard then smiling.
‘What’s on your mind?’ she asked noticing his smile starting to fade.
‘Nothing.’
‘What’s the plan?’
‘Dinner,’ Richard replied getting up. ‘Shall we go?’
At the end of dinner, Lily had laughed so much, mainly at her own rubbish jokes, she thought someone might complain. Richard sighed before wiping his mouth with his napkin.
‘That was lovely,’ he said. ‘I’m quite stuffed. We didn’t even finish off the bottle. Want to know what’s planned next?’
‘There’s more to the evening?’
She checked the time. It was just past ten.
‘I’ve arranged for you to take a luxurious bath in your room,’ he smiled.
‘You’re joking?’ she said sniffing herself. ‘Do I smell? I’ve washed more today than I do in a week.’
‘Give me ten minutes then head up.’
‘What about you?’
‘I’ve got other plans,’ he said tapping his nose before leaving the table.
Lily sat there disappointed at being left alone. She waited ten minutes and then went to her room but not before going passed his door. There was a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the knob. Looking around she slowly went up to the door to listen.
He was talking.
‘I know what I’m doing! Look I’ll see you tomorrow,’ he said then. ‘Jesus Christ, what can go wrong?’
Confused she decided to call Dominic to explain her surreal day.
‘Hello,’ she said brightly walking into her room and noticing that there was a bath tub full of bubbles and smiled with glee. ‘How are you?’
‘Oh yes, fine as can be, considering you landed me in big shit!’ he shouted.
‘What?’
Lily could tell he was in a strop.
‘You couldn’t help yourself could you?’
‘What are you talking about Dominic?’
‘Don’t act so innocent,’ he snapped. ‘How could you go running to Richard about what I told you? Rosana went ballistic when she found out what Monica said about that dickhead and about his private porn collection, didn’t you?’
‘He called me and I asked him about it.’
‘Rosana went mental at Monica, who’s now not speaking to me at all because of your big bloody mouth!’
‘I-,’ Lily hesitated before innocently replying. ‘I was only trying to find out what happened.’
‘Monica told me that in confidence and now she says she can’t trust me. How could you be such a selfish bitch!’ he shouted.
Stunned, Lily sat still. He’d never spoken to her like that before and she froze for a few seconds.
‘If that’s what you think, fine,’ she calmly said. ‘I asked Richard and why not? He laughed. I only asked him about it!’ she replied agitated. ‘He’s a friend.’
‘A friend my arse! Come on Lily, admit it, the only reason he slept with you was because he had his beer goggles on and needed to hide the fact he was shagging a beautiful married woman.’
Dominic hung up.
Lily held the phone tightly to her cheek, the words of Dominic ringing in her ears.
She was shocked at first then realised what had happened before bursting into tears.
‘Are you okay?’ Richard said, knocking a few minutes later. ‘Lily what’s wrong? Open the door.’
‘I’m going back to London. There’s a problem,’ she said trying to control the sobs in her voice. ‘I’ve got to go.’
‘Okay that’s fine, I’ll sort some transport out but please tell me what’s wrong,’ he pleaded.
‘You’re only going to make it worse,’ she cried before burying her head again in her pillow.
She was devastated at quarrelling with Dominic. They had never argued properly before.
Lily jumped.
The door opened and Richard stepped in. Lily took one look at him.
Dominic was right.
Richard needed to get drunk to sleep with her to cover his dirty trail. Getting up very quickly she ran round the room getting her things together as he stood there.
‘I’m going now,’ she said wiping her face with her hand. ‘Thank you for today. How much money do I owe you?’
‘Will you stop!’ he said grabbing her shoulders.
‘Why did you tell Rosana what I said?’ she blurted out, glancing down at her feet. ‘She went mad with Monica, who was furious with Dominic, who now hates me. We’ve never quarrelled before, never.’
‘Oh Lily don’t cry,’ he gently said. ‘It’s not worth fighting over.’
‘You would say that wouldn’t you,’ she said pushing him off. ‘You still haven’t told me if you film yourself copping off with people or whether you tried to get into Monica’s knickers while I’ve been sticking up for you!’
‘Calm down,’ he said slowly, breathing in very deeply. ‘I’ll tell you everything.’
‘Don’t lie to me Richard,’ she said wiping her face.
‘Look at me,’ he said holding her shoulders. She lifted her head and looked up into his eyes. ‘I’m not an angel, I never said I was. I’ve done some really stupid things in my time but I’m not ashamed of it. You asked me about filming when having sex. Yes and everyone knew what was going on. There were no hidden cameras and there’s nothing immoral about it.’
‘I see,’ she said trying to take it all in. ‘You’re a dirty bastard!’ Lily tried to shrug off his hold but he was keeping a firm grip. ‘So where are the films? Do you keep them and watch them alone at night?’
‘Have you ever seen a porno?’ he asked. Lily looked away. ‘And if you tell me you haven’t then I know you’re lying.’
‘So what if I have?’
‘You’re watching people you don’t know having sex, I was making films for my own kicks.’
‘Do you still watch them?’
‘I prefer live shows with me in them,’ he smiled.
‘You should’ve heard what Dominic said to me and I stuck up for you!’ she wailed. ‘Explain Monica then?’
‘You won’t believe me whatever I say, I can tell from the expression on your face,’ he scowled. ‘I slept with Monica, ages ago. She was lovely at first then I realised she wanted my wallet as much as my dick.’
