Chapter Two-Complicated

“Aargh!” Felicity said as she looked at her checkbook.

“Are you making pirate noises?” Justin asked.

Felicity shook her head. “No, I’m just frustrated. Can I help you?”

“Actually yes. You could tell me what’s bothering you. I feel bad that every time I pass by your desk you look unhappy.” Justin said.

Felicity smiled. “Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine.”

“Riight. You’re great.” Justin said sarcastically. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.” She said as he walked away.

She then turned her attention back to her checkbook. Well, that was that. She didn’t have enough money to pay her rent that month. Felicity had already asked for extensions on several occasions and she couldn’t see her landlord going for that option again. And she was too embarrassed to ask Natalie for money. Before she knew it tears were slowly streaming down her face.

“Excuse me?” Gwyneth asked Felicity.

“You don’t have any messages.” Felicity said not looking up.

She didn’t want anyone, especially Gwyneth, to know she was crying.

“Oh, yeah whatever. I just wanted to know if you were okay.” she said.

Felicity gave her a weary look. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Well, no. But I don’t want to bother you.” Felicity told her.

Gwyneth shrugged. “Maybe I could help.”

Felicity thought for a moment. Should she really tell Gwyneth? It couldn’t really hurt, it actually might make her feel better if she could talk about it.

“I’m a little short on money and I can’t pay my rent this month.” Felicity told her.

A huge smile spread across Gwyneth’s face.

This time it was Felicity’s turn to ask. “Are you okay?”

“I could help you out.” She replied.

“Come again?” Felicity asked.

Gwyneth got out a piece of paper and quickly wrote something down.

“Meet me here after your shift is over.” She told her.

Felicity looked down at the piece of paper. “Umm…alright. I’m done at 5:00.”

“Okay. I’ll tell my guard to expect you.” She said walking off.

“What is going on?” Felicity mumbled to herself.

Later that day…

“No, I understand. Okay, thank you. Good-bye.” Felicity said hanging up the phone.

She groaned as she fell back onto the couch in the staff lounge. Felicity had just gotten off the phone with her landlord and there was no hope of getting an extension on rent that month. Felicity looked at the piece of paper that Gwyneth had given her.

“Here goes nothing.” She sighed.

*******

Felicity drove up to the huge wrought iron fence that surrounded Gwyneth’s house. She rolled down the window.

“Hello, Ms. Porter is expecting me.” Felicity said told the guard.

“Felicity Patterson?” he asked.

She nodded.

“One moment miss.” He said punching a few buttons.

A few seconds later the gates swung open. Felicity drove through the gates and up the driveway. She slowly walked up to the front door and before she could even knock the door was open.

“Felicity!” Gwyneth said. “Come on in.”

Felicity stepped inside and her breath caught in her throat. This hallway was six times the size of her apartment.

“Nice place.” She said following Gwyneth into the living room.

Gwyneth shrugged. “It’s alright. My house in California is bigger. Have a seat.”

Felicity sat down on the couch.

“Now you’re probably wondering why I asked you here.” Gwyneth said.

“Well, sort of.” Felicity said.

“I think I can help you with your money situation, but you need to do me a favor.” Gwyneth told her.

Felicity gave her a weary look. “What kind of favor?”

“You know Lance Bass and I used to date right?” she asked.

Felicity nodded.

“And how he broke up with me for absolutely no reason.” She continued.

Felicity nodded again. Who didn’t know the two had broken up…although no one knew why.

“Anyway, Lance messed with the wrong girl. No one and I mean no one humiliates Gwyneth Porter.” She said viciously.

“What does this have to do with me?” Felicity asked with confusion in her voice.

“You’re going to help me get back at him.” Gwyneth said.

Felicity didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean?”

“My idea is for you to get him to fall for you and then to expose the relationship to the media so everyone thinks you two are like the new super couple of the pop world. Then suddenly you break up with him and crush him like a bug.” Gwyneth said sadistically.

“Ummm…I don’t think…” Felicity started.

“Why not?” she asked.

“Well, I barely even know Lance. Besides I don’t think I could do that to someone. Especially someone I have nothing against.” Felicity said.

Gwyneth quickly wrote something down on a slip of paper and slid it across the table.

Felicity picked it up and looked at the number written on the paper.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“That’s how much I’ll pay you if you help me.” Gwyneth said.

Felicity almost choked. That was more than she made in a year.

“Well?” she asked.

“I…just don’t…” Felicity started.

“Felicity you told me you wouldn’t be able to pay your rent this month. Where are you going to live unless you help me?” Gwyneth asked.

Felicity sighed. Going against her better judgment she gave her final answer.

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

Chapter 3