#Chapter 8 I've won the lottery!
1040 Words
DORIS
A vivid image of the sexy Arthur kissing me passionately flashed in my mind. My heart beat wildly.
I quickly picked up my water glass and drank it.
Maybe I should focus more on Dr. John... no. I can’t.
I needed to keep my sanity.
"Thank you, John, but I'm sorry I can't accept your kindness."
"I thought you were willing to go out with me because you had the same good feeling about me." John gave a regretful expression, which made me a little uncomfortable.
"The truth is, you're very handsome and very good, just ......" I pondered how to make him feel better. I've never been very good at rejecting others. "It's just that, I have no desire to fall in love until my father wakes up."
"I see." John nodded.
God, what did he understand? I bet he got the wrong idea.
"I'll try to get your father to wake up as soon as possible." John reached out and placed his hand on the back of mine.
"Thank you, thank you very much, John."
I drew back my hand.
After eating, I insisted on paying the bill, which I could tell made John appreciate me even more.
John offered to drive me home, but I politely refused. He looked let down, like he didn't know why.
It was best to end the date early.
I need time to think.
I wished I could stop thinking about Arthur.
I couldn't get Arthur out of my head.
His chiseled body and sultry moves haunted my dreams. I tossed and turned all night until finally, I fell into a deep sleep. And then, it happened again.
In my dream, Arthur was there, in all his glory.
I could feel his breath on my neck, his hands on my body. And just like before, we had s*x. It was wild, passionate, and left me yearning for more.
When I woke up, I knew deep down that I was hopelessly attracted to him.
I kept thinking about that night.
I realized I longed for him in my heart.
I had to move into a smaller, cheaper apartment. It was farther away from work.
After moving, I threw myself into work to pay for Noah's medical bills. I worked hard every day. I had to.
I was known for my outstanding performance, thank God. It was probably the only reason Andrea kept me on.
I’m always responsible and patient with customers.
But my success stirred up jealousy among my colleagues. I ignored the rumors, but work was no longer enjoyable.
I longed for a solution.
I craved someone to see me for who I truly was.
The stress was wearing me down. Worse, it was only three days until the dreaded wedding. Everyone kept talking about it.
It seemed like there were going to be a lot of employees from AmeriCapital there and everyone wanted to snag a rich boyfriend.
My female co-workers seemed shallower than ever. I didn't engage in all the gossip. They talked about all the celebrities who would be there, and how much money Andrea was spending on the wedding.
The women also talked about how great they will look.
I couldn't even afford a nice dress. I bit my lip. This really worried me.
I knew I should never have spent money on those wedding rings.
Or that sexy stripper.
Now I’m going to have to search for a dress in a second-hand store.
I hate to admit it but I want to look fantastic.
Not just as a screw you to Bob and Andrea but also to look sexy for Arthur.
Then I got a notice that I’d won a gift certificate to a fancy clothing boutique. I can’t believe my luck.
I read over the message three times. I was skeptical because I’d never bought anything there, even though it was my favorite store.
I did drop my business card in the mailing list box last year, maybe that was it.
I look at the dollar number. It’s big enough to buy a really nice dress and some sexy lingerie too.
I don't know if I'll ever get sexy stripper Arthur naked again, but a woman can dream.
Before I went to the boutique, I took a minute to go to my favorite coffee shop and enjoy a cup of coffee. I needed the break.
I couldn't stop thinking about the night I spent with Arthur in that hotel room. The memory played over and over in my mind like a broken record.
I remembered how his strong hands gripped my waist as he pulled me towards him. The way his eyes had locked onto mine, smoldering with desire. The way his lips had felt against mine, hot and urgent.
It was the best night of my life, and I knew I wanted more. But now, with Noah's medical bills piling up and my job becoming increasingly difficult, it seemed like a distant memory.
The gift certificate was a sign. A sign that maybe things were about to change. Maybe I was about to get a chance to feel alive again.
I felt skeptical about this sudden good fortune so I checked the email again and again. I even called the shop to verify it.
Yes! It was true. The boutique clerk told me that it was a store celebration benefit, and the customers who entered the store were randomly selected.
I imagined myself walking into that boutique, choosing the perfect dress and lingerie. I imagined slipping into them, feeling sexy and confident. And then, I imagined seeing Arthur again.
The thought of him made me feel alive. I longed for his touch, his kiss, his body.
I closed my eyes and let the fantasy take over. I imagined his eyes locked onto mine. I imagined him taking me in his arms, just like he did that night.
The fantasy lingered. It was the only thing keeping me going in the midst of all the stress and chaos. It was the only thing that made me feel alive.
I shook myself out of my reverie.
I texted Nina and asked her to meet me at the boutique.
It was time to shop for a dress.
- Writer
