hia

re you

atmosphere like fog. Her com

ess woman mask has c

sits on the floor. "Because we're all in the same

nounced that the world is about to e

. "Nicholas and I have been a coupl

nly woman who understa

both Alexandra and me. My

and his business mind?" I ask.

me. "I don't have to answer that. This is

sitting on the bathroom floor. "Because he chose us over you? Maya, w

u are not being truthful." Nicholas would never

what he said to me as well." That's what he mentioned to Alexan

rt. She grabs the sink to p

other women at work were just employees. That I

smudged mascara. "He said I was unique because I comp

aware of all his secrets," I include. "S

n the tiny bathroom,

rt women who were all

for you?" Maya

mon

t Alexandra

month

seat. "Eight months for me. I was first." Sh

were merely the trial version." He discovered what reso

ying to say?" Al

xandra enjoys social gatherings, so he informs her that she grasps his reality. I manage his private affairs, w

ng of the fluorescent lights overhead. Thre

how foolish I wa

ish," Alexandra a

makes people believe thi

d we just love the idea of being

der if I loved Nicholas the man or Nicholas the s

Maya says. "He always talked about how complicated his

its. "That office relationship was complic

cause people would think he was gi

ad to hide. We all accepted it without question, believ

ll you m

ly. "I mean, when

I say. "After everyone goes home.

restaurants and charity events. He tells peopl

ient meetings in other cities. We share hotel ro

Nicholas has our whole lives scheduled so we never

is isn't just him being weak or making mistakes. H

sks. "Why not jus

ness collaborator, the social friend, and the personal aide who manages

ce more. Another person

s place." "Everyone will begin t

" Maya asks. "Do w

p with him?" A

y thrilled about his hotel rendezvous with Alexandra as he arranges his upcoming covert encou

iberately. "We haven't inform

you tryi

ya

e just silly women who will do whatever he wants. He thinks

lexandr

me to prove to h

a transformation occurring in their expressions. The p

g harder.

u suggesting

tate. "He believes he can manipulate our emotions to his advantage." He believ

mpetition," Alexandra remarks, a

this point, we und

n use that tru

s mind clearly working. "Yo

as has been playing games with our hearts. Mayb

irror. An hour ago, we were rivals who didn't even k

exandra says. "He thinks he

ect assistant," I add. "Booking his

him business advice and ma

being his eye candy at upscale

ntemplating

is business, his social world, his personal affairs. Separat

e could be

e must approach it wisely." Nicholas didn't become wealth

r assurance than I truly possess. "Since he b

too jealous of each

asks. "Too jealous

his woman. I believed she was taking my boyfriend. Now I rea

you," I say to her sincer

us think we were enemies whe

xandra says. "And we make Nicho

athroom door. "Hello! I

ime. Three women about to make a d

doing this?"

take down Nicholas Bla

ed. The text message where he laughed about how clueless I was.

"We're reall

bathroom. The woman waiting outside giv

verything has changed. Nicholas has no idea that his thre

holas. "Remember tonight." You've been incr

ou dinne

helped him plan his roman

o help. You can count

count on me. Just no

makes my phone buzz. Upon checking

th Street. After wo

another text appear

op. Nicholas has no