THIRD PERSON POV

"You need to learn ballroom dancing. Charlie loves to tango. Waltz maybe. But tango is her favourite." Andrea explained to Sophia.

Apparently on a Saturday morning, Sophia had to prepare herself for the gala in a week.

"I don't even dance."

Andrea smiled. "That's why I’m here, my dear. I'll teach you. Step by step." She clapped her hands, and her Daughter, Marsha, stood up and walked towards them. "My Daughter here can lead you."

Marsha tied her hair into a high ponytail and offered her hand to Sophia. "Shall we?" She smiled.

"How old are you?"

"I'm sixteen.”

Sophia was embarrassed because a sixteen-year-old could dance better than her.

Andrea turned on the radio, and tango music could be heard. “The tango is an art. It represents a great footwork dance that needs you to be aware of. It shows passion, love and even desire. You need to focus on your partner’s face. Show you want her. Show you want her body. Show her your passion for her.”

Marsha began to move, and a very confused Sophia followed the young girl’s steps.

"You're really stiff. You need to relax. If it makes you feel better, tango is like having sex just standing up."

Marsha smirked and pushed Sophia's body into hers.

Sophia began to tense up. She’d never been this closed to a stranger before.

Marsha laughed. "Man. You're tensing up with me? Wait until aunt Charlie dances with you."

"Stop. This isn't going anywhere. Plan B Marsha."

Marsha nodded.

Andrea walked towards them. "You need to relax. Embrace your partner. Simple physical contact. But it must be sensual and loose but firm and poised. For short, you both mirror each other." She offered Sophia a soft smile. "Marsha, raise your left hand and wrap your right hand around hers and place it on her back."

Marsha did what her Mother said and smiled.

Again, Sophia began to tense up.

"Sophia, raise your right hand to Marsha's left hand, and place your left arm around her back side."

Sophia did what Andrea asked her to do and smiled.

"Maintain perfect posture. Head held up high, spine straight, core strong and chest lifted. Show your confidence using body language. Basically, be a snob."

Marsha chuckled.

Sophia tried to be a snob, and it earned a nod from Andrea.

"For basic steps, remember this: slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. And in your case, I'm pretty sure Charlie will lead you. So you just do whatever she did. If she goes forward, you go backward. For example. Marsha."

"Okay. Sophia. Look at me and follow what I say. Backward with your right and then left and right and then left. Feet together, moving right to meet left. Repeat."

Sophia followed Marsha's leading, and soon, they both were tangoing together on the dance floor.

"Yes! That's it. It's not that hard, right?”

Sophia smiled as she nailed the steps to a very difficult dance.

"Now you're dancing like a pro. Charlie will love this." Andrea said and clapped her hands. "Now for table manners. Marsha. Go to the kitchen and ask the maids to prepare for a gala table decoration."

Marsha nodded and walked out of the room.

"Being you guys Is a tough job." Sophia sighed and slumped her body to the floor. She took a breather.

"It takes years of practice. For you, we need to do everything by this week."

Sophia nodded and sat herself up. "What do you do for a living? I mean your house. It's incredible."

Andrea chuckled. "I'm a full-time Mother and housewife."

Sophia’s eyes widened, and Andrea chuckled.

"My Husband is a lawyer. And every month, Charlie will share a little bit of her wealth with my family. I declined at first, but she said the company is supposed to be mine and I deserve every bit of the profit."

"Why don't you work for the company?"

Andrea smiled. "I want to focus on raising my children. It's a selfish thing to do to let Charlie handle the company alone, but after several years, she managed."

"Where are your parents?"

Andrea gave Sophia a sad smile.

Sophia didn’t know what she did and started to apologise.

"It's okay. They both died when Charlie was only 12 years old. I stepped up and became Charlie's Guardian. I was young and didn’t know what I was doing. But I managed to raise my Sister."

Sophia started to show her true Colours. A Friendly girl with a kind heart.

"I like you Sophia. You're perfect for Charlie."

Sophia blushed.

"It's a sad thing it's only an act. You know. If it turns out to be a real engagement, I will support you two 100%." Andrea began to talk about Charlie's favourite and least favourite things to do.

Sophia chuckled and laughed at how ridiculous some of the things were.

"Mom. It's ready."

Andrea turned to Sophia and smiled. "Let's go." She led the way to the dining room.

Sophia was looking around admiring the amazing decor in this huge mansion.

"Have a seat, Sophia."

Sophia moved the chair and sat. She was looking at all sorts of spoons and forks and knives. It was…. Confusing and a lot. She’d never even seen these types of utensils before. Weren’t all spoons and forks the same?

"First. Dinner etiquette. First of all. Observe your host. Follow their lead. Be comfortable when dining with others. Second rule, wait for the host to invite you to dine at any table. Usually the host in this case the Camden family is a snob. Don't cross them. They can end you. But they’re scared of Charlie, so it's fine." Andrea smiled.“Third, emulate your host. Aka follow whatever they’re doing. But if you’re not sitting with them, just do whatever you think is appropriate. Fourth, use the appropriate cutlery. I'll teach you that later. Fifth, be polite. If you have the slightest doubt, don't do it. Take small bites, and do not place your elbows on the table like you're doing right now."

Sophia quickly removed her elbows.

"Lastly. Place your napkin next to your plate on the table when you wish to leave. And that's all for table manners." Andrea smiled. "Now how to use cutlery utensils properly." She smiled and explained everything to Sophia.

Sophia nodded and asked when she was not certain about something. She was a fast learner. She could remember everything in a hurry. That was always a good thing to have.

"Now that you nailed everything. Let's meet Charlie. Her house is only three doors down." Andrea smiled and walked towards her front door.

Sophia followed...

SOPHIA'S POV

"This is it." Andrea said, and I opened the car door.

This house was bigger than Andrea’s, and Charlie lived alone.

Andrea opened the door, and instantly, I was greeted by a group of maids standing in two lines.

"Welcome..."

Was this normal?

Andrea smiled. "Where's Charlie?"

“The gym."

Andrea asked me to follow her, so I did.

We walked past a group of girls in the pool having fun or having some pool party.

They all smiled at Andrea.

Andrea waved back and proceeded to our destination.

"Does she always have this many guests?”

"All these girls are her workers."

I tilted my head. "Workers?"

Andrea chuckled. "They work at a very exclusive Lesbian strip club in the city. Charlie owns that club and owns them."

I didn’t think my mouth could hang big enough for this. She owned a strip club?!

"It's called Charlie's House of Pleasure."

I didn’t know what to say about this. All I could do was follow her.

We stopped in front of a double door, and she opened the door.

I called out for Charlie who was lifting some weights with her back facing us.

"She's wearing headphones. It's useless to call her. Oh, heads up. Never interrupt her while she's at the gym. She hates it. You need to wait until she notices you."

I nodded and turned to watch her doing her exercises. The moment she did the cable crosses, I could see her muscles tensing up, and my mind found it sexy. For a woman, she had muscles. Bigger than any man I met.

"Close your mouth. It will attract flies." Andrea chuckled.

My face turned red. Did she always have this observation aura? I turned to watch Charlie again. That sports bra was not helping at all. With every pressure she was putting on her arms, her sweat traced down her spine. Wow.

She released the cable and turned around looking surprised.

I admired her body. Again, wow. Her biceps and triceps were all well-built. I wondered to her pressure shorts. And again, was it just my imagination, or was that a bulge? A very huge bulge?

"Hey. My eyes are up here."

It startled me, and the sisters just laughed at me.

What was so funny? "Sorry."

Charlie smiled. "It's fine. What do you need?"

"Andrea said I needed to be at your house."

Charlie looked at her Sister.

"Well, is it not a good time to introduce the real you to her?"

Charlie sighed. "Andrea. We're pretending. She doesn't have to know."

To know what?

"Oh, come on. By now, she must know. I mean it’s practically introducing itself." Andrea laughed and let us alone.

I felt awkward. "Well, this is awkward." I managed to say. I really wanted to ask her, but then, I may offend her.

She walked towards a chair and wiped herself with a towel. She took a water bottle and drank it.

Again, my eyes wondered to her shorts. Was she what I thought she was? Was she...

"Hey! Again, my eyes are up here."

It startled me. "I'm sorry. Where are my manners." Again I apologised.

"Come. I'll explain to you what you need to do at the gala and when the reporters ask you a series of questions.” Charlie led me to an office like room and asked me to sit in front of a table. She took a seat in front of me and smiled.

Seconds later, a maid brought a tray of refreshments.

"Can you start cooking dinner now. For... six people."

The Maid nodded and smiled.

"I already called Carmela and Sabrina to join us. My nieces will join us too."

When did she call my kid and Sister?

"So let's get down to business." She took a sip of her drink and turned to me. "First the gala. I'm sure Andrea did her task. Correct?"

I nodded.

She smiled. "Good." She said and took a handful of her hair and tied it up. "Now. All you have to do at the gala is be my future Wife. Easy, right?"

I again nodded.

"Good. Now..." Charlie leaned in. "The reporters might and will ask you personal questions about me. Because they always do."

"What kind of personal questions?”

Charlie sighed. "You will know when they ask you. And I need to warn you. At the gala, a lot of my ex's will be there. Again. If they ask any perks or questions, just don't comment anything. Remember. Just smile."

"What kind of questions?” I asked her again.

"Well. You will know when they ask you." Charlie chuckled and stood up. She walked towards a picture and pressed a button next to it. A *click* could be heard, and the picture moved. She opened the vault like thing on the wall and reached for something. She turned her body, and I noticed a file and a bundle of money. "Here is a file of what you need to know about me, so you won't be too awkward. And here is your... Let's just call it... Ummm... Monthly expenses? Yeah, let’s call it that." Charlie said and handed the files and money.

I took the files and left the money.

"Take it."

I shook my head.

"Take it. Use it for anything." "

I don't need it. I have money." I probably needed to pay for a lot of stuff, but taking her money would be... Weird.

Charlie chuckled. "Don't lie. You need the money. Your ex-Husband let the loan sharks harass you, right? Take it and pay them all." She pushed the money in front of me.

How did she... Carmela. "What did Carmela say to you? I mean all of it."

Charlie shook her head. "She didn't tell me anything. I saw an unfamiliar car near my building and asked my bodyguards to grab it. They told me, and I want to help." She Looked like she was lying to me.

I was about to say something when her phone rang

Charlie held up her fingers and answered the phone. "I'm in the middle of something! This better be good... Why? When? FUCK! Fine." She hung up.She released a heavy sigh and let her head fall on the table. "Don't they know I’m tired?…” She whined. Did she just whine to me?

I thought of something I knew I was not supposed to do. I stood up and walked behind her. I began to put my hands on her shoulders and massaged them tenderly.

"What are you doing?" She asked me.

I didn't move. I just massaged her shoulders. "I'm trying to ease your tense shoulders."

"Well it’s working a little. But a little harder please."

I could feel her shoulders begin to relax.

She released a sigh. She went to touch my hands with hers. "Thanks. I really needed that." She smiled at me, and her hands were still on mine.

Was it weird I felt butterfly's in my stomach bursting a little. Why did I feel this way? It was like... Like I was falling in love...

BRIAN'S POV

I have been out here in the park, running out my anger. Things hadn’t been going my way lately. Just as I made my way back around the park, a group of guys jumped me. I recognized the one guy. These men were from the loan shark I borrowed money from. I was on the ground, and they were kicking me. "Please stop. I have a way to get your money. I just need three more days. My ex wife is dating a billionaire."

The guy who seemed to be the leader knelt down to me. ”In that case, I expect triple the amount of money you owe, and you have until tomorrow. Or I will take your life to pay for your debt. Do we understand each other?"

I rolled over, and he kicked me once more as they walked away. I lay there for a few minutes waiting for some of the pain to subside. I would get the money from Sophia. If she gave me any trouble, I would threaten to take her kid away from her. She wouldn’t risk losing her kid over some money, and if her little girlfriend cared anything about her, she would hand over the money. I just might even get some money out of this for myself. Let’s see how much my kid was worth to them.

I walked back to my house to see my so-called new Wife still asleep. I still remembered how my breakfast and morning tea was always on the table when I was still Sophia's Husband. Now, I could only drink tap water whenever I finished my morning activity. But after we had Sabrina, all of Sophia's attention when to our kid and not my needs. I was a man. I had needs. I needed sex. I needed my baby maker to be stroked and sucked. But noooo. Sabrina came first.

I would get the money. I was willing to meet that Girlfriend of hers to get it. It was easy to harass Sophia. Just use Sabrina's name, and she will follow whatever I say... I smirked...