Chapter 15: A Little Flattery Gets You Far

“I’m just afraid he’s using you.”

“Listen, Keshy, I want revenge on Vicky as well. Besides, Gary can’t really be the one to convince her to look for another job. This would pose an ethical problem.”

Victoria who was walking faster than Mandy and Keshia stopped to let the girl catch up.

“Mind if I join the conversation? What were you guys discussing?”

“Not much, the movies that are coming out this weekend. If we can take a break, we’ll probably go see one.”

“Vicky, I heard something interesting about Leetson’s. His daughter was trying to impress the gallery this afternoon and was talking about how Graham was losing accounts to his dad’s company.

“Oh, well, I don’t care much. After all, it’s Graham’s company, not mine.”

“I think what Mandy is trying to say, is that with your potential, you shouldn’t be counting on Graham to get ahead. I’m sure Leetson’s would hire you in a heartbeat. After all, aren’t you the best at what you do?”

“I’m not quite sure. I would check it out but I do have a year of being paid doing nothing so there’s no advantage there, really.”

“This is where you’re wrong! You’d get double the salary. Well probably more than double since you’d probably make more at Leetson’s. Besides, if you really take a one year break, who knows what will have change when you’ll be back? It’s a long time to be out of it in the publicity field, from what I understand.”

“That’s sweet of you Mandy…maybe I’ll check it out.”



“So Mandy and Keshia think I should look for a job…at Leetson’s. Some of Graham’s big accounts are moving.”

“That is an idea. But Graham would lose a valuable employee. I have to say that Leetson’s from what I heard might make some employees partners in a near future. Graham doesn’t. So it does seem like a good opportunity. If they’re getting new clients, they’ll need extra help.”

“You know what, Gary? I like you. If it weren’t for Mandy…and Graham.”

“What about them? Nothing wrong with having a little fun. Mandy is ancient history; don’t tell me you care now?

“Not really, well maybe a little…”

“That’s just too bad. Because I enjoy this, having diner together, spending time with you. Haven’t we had more than three dates? What do you make of the three dates rule?”

Victoria laughed and looked at Gary. He was good looking and obviously interested but was it worth the risk of Mandy and Graham finding out they had a fling?

“I have to think about it. I’d say your chances are pretty good.”

“Hey, I hope, I’m starting to believe you are using me. I’m trying hard in here.”

“Not hard enough, maybe.”

“If this is a challenge, I’m definitely up for it, Victoria. I want you, I know I’ll get you.”

Victoria loved it. Gary was so confident. Now if she could just get Graham close enough to see, get jealous, she could stop this act. She was hoping he would finally fight for her even if it’d have to cost him his friendship with Gary.

Chapter 14: Staying On Her Good Side

“Vicky! What brings you here?”

Victoria stepped inside the apartment.

“Well, I’ve left a couple of messages on your voicemail and neither Mandy nor you called me back and it’s been a few days. I was worried. I figured I’d stop by and check on you guys.”

“Sorry about that, the week has been pretty hectic.”

“It’s alright, Keshy, I understand, I know Mandy and you are at the end of the semester. Still it wouldn’t have hurt to call; even just to say hi.”

The girls heard a key in the door. Mandy was back. When she saw Victoria, she smiled.

“Oh! Vicky, just the one I wanted to see. Have you been seeing Gary behind my back?”

“Behind your back? You’re not dating him from what I know. Anyways, Mandy, you know I have better taste when it comes to men. You should refine yours. And to answer your question, no I’m not seeing Gary.”

“Really? I saw you two having diner at Rizzo’s two days ago. Anything you want to tell me? I’d love to hear it.”

Victoria flashed Mandy a superior look and laughed.

“All business. Graham put together some documents he wanted me to sign regarding our agreement. Since he promised to give me air, he asked Gary to take care of it.”

Keshia couldn’t take it anymore. Victoria was being awful to Mandy.

“Are you sure Graham asked Gary to get you the papers because of his promise?”

“What do you mean, Keshy? Know something I don’t?”

Vicky paused; she looked at Keshia right in the eyes. She supported Victoria’s glance.

“You don’t know anything…you’ve always been a lousy liar.”

“Not always.”

“Great. I think I get it; I’m persona non grata. Thanks girls. I thought we were friends.

Mandy thought they pushed it too far. Victoria had to believe they were still friends, that they had her best interests to heart or the plan would fail.

“Sorry girl. I think we’re a little bit edgy with the final exams coming up and all. I was out of line to ask you about Gary but I still care about him. Did you sign the documents?”

“I did, of course.”

“Take a look at them?”

“No, I trust Graham. It was probably just a formality. It’s always better to have an agreement on paper. A verbal agreement is not very strong.”

Mandy smiled to herself. Everything was going according to the plan. Sure they used Graham but it was Vicky’s fault that she did not read. That could serve as a lesson when she would lose the house, her job and realize that Graham no longer wanted her.

“For the record, I’m also sorry. I only wanted to help, Mandy. You were not very nice to her. But I guess we deserved it for ignoring you so long. What do you say we go out for drinks? Today is Friday after all.”

It would be so easy to get Vicky to break one or even more of the terms of the agreement she had signed. Especially given the fact that she didn’t read it while Mandy, Keshia and Gary knew every word in the document by heart. Revenge would be so delicious.

Chapter fifteenth: January 27th --- A Little Flattery Gets You Far

Gary tries to get Victoria to look for another job and lure her in bed

Chapter 13: Getting The Plan In Motion

“Graham I’m your lawyer and your friend. I wouldn’t let you make a mistake so I took the liberty of preparing a document I think you should have Victoria sign. ”

“ What is it exactly?”

“The terms of your agreement. I thought you should have a legal document just in case. That way you won’t get screwed over. ”

“Not a bad idea. Listen, I don’t really feel like getting in contact with Victoria and I did tell her I wouldn’t be in her way. Could you contact her regarding this yourself?”

“Of course. You know you can always count on me.”

“Sure can.”

Gary smiled. Everything was going according to the plan. He was hoping Graham would see that he was doing him a favor. Someday he would have Victoria at his feet and Gary to thank. ”

“How are things going with Alice? ”

“Well…I wanted to take it slow and she seemed to want the same until recently. I wonder what’s behind the sudden change. I’m not complaining but it’s like going from O to 100 in a fraction of second.

“Then no more Victoria?”

“We are over. I mean, she can still keep the house and get anything I’ve promised her but I’m happy with Alice. She is better suited for me. We are officially a couple.”

“Congratulation! This is probably the best thing to have happened to you in a while. Listen, I have to run. I’ll get Victoria to sign those papers and will make sure to send a copy back to you. All the best to you and Alice.”

Gary quickly left Graham’s office. He was meeting Victoria for lunch. He wanted to pick up flowers on his way. He bumped into Alice. She flashed him a nice smile.

“You didn’t stay long. Meeting?”

“Kind of. It’s both business and pleasure. I just wanted to step by and get Graham’s approval on a final document.

“Really? I don’t see why he’d need a legal document right now. Nothing special is going on.”

Gary laughed.

“You sure are thorough but I already knew that. It’s regarding Victoria. I like you, Alice; I want you to take care of my best friend. I’ll take care of Vicky.”

He winked at her and left. He had to get flowers and his act ready before going to that diner.

Chapter 12: Fishing for information

"Graham, there's a Keshia Harsen asking to see you."

Looking at Alice, he could see she was intringued. She probably recognized Keshia as one of Vicky's friend at the club the other night. It sure seemed weird she would come to see him. Graham tried not to give the impression he was worried and asked Alice to let her in.

"Close the door, please."

"Don't worry, I had every intention to close it Graham, I'm not here to cause you trouble."

" Then why are you here, Keshia? On a mission for Vicky?"

Keshia laughed and approached Graham's desk. She sat on the extreme right corner and turned to look at him.

"No, definitly not. More on a personal mission."

Graham pulled his chair back and walked right next to Keshia who stood up as well.

"What kind of mission? What do you want, Keshia? You're here to threaten me? Try to make my life a living hell?"

"Calm down, Graham, I'm not that kind of girl."

"Really, Keshia? Because I wouldn't put it past you, after all, you are Vicky's friend."

"Well, sometimes I wonder, you know. After what happened between us. How I'm often thinking what an horrible person she is..."

"Keshia, what happened between you and I is in the past. I don't know why you are bringing it up. We were suppose to put it all behind us and never mention it again."

"Easy for you to say, Graham."

"Don't you make me out to be the bad guy. It's not like I raped you or anything, YOU came on to me. And I...I made a mistake."

"I was drunk, you were drunk. I never told Vicky. I'm not about to."

"Good. Then why are you here? I don't have time for games."

Graham hated to be reminded that he hadn't always been faithful with Victoria. Just a minor slip and there he was. He used to think Vicky was lucky to have a friend like Keshia but now he didn't know what to think. She was part of the reason why he stayed with Vicky all this time. The guilt was stronger than he thought.

“Okay, here’s the deal. What are your feelings toward Victoria?”

“Is this a trick question? Why are you asking me that?”

Graham was losing patience. But he could see Keshia was about to lose her temper as well.

“Two years, I didn’t say a word and yet, you still don’t trust me?…”

She looked at him straight in the eyes, ready to burst.

“Maybe I do have an ulterior motive but I promise it has nothing to do with you. It does not really involve you. If anything, I need to know to protect you.”

“Vicky and I are over if it’s what you want to know. I don’t want her back. Not now, not ever. I can’t even seem to remember why I loved her in the first place.”

“Thanks, Graham. That is really all I needed to know. I’ll be out of your hair now.”

“Take care of yourself, Keshy.”


Alice quickly moved away from the door. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop. She never had before. She had an important message to deliver Graham. Just as she was about to enter, she heard Keshia asking about his feelings for Victoria.

He said he didn’t love her anymore. She was happy to hear it even if part of her felt horrible. She shouldn’t have heard, she shouldn’t know. But now that she knew, it was an undeniable advantage.

Chapter 13th: January 21st--

Chapter 11: Different Point of View

“Now why would you do that?”

“To teach Victoria a lesson.”

“Oh, so let me get this straight. You think that Vicky wind up all alone…and then maybe, just maybe apologize? But to who?”

“She humiliated him, destroyed his reputation.”

“Doesn’t remember and probably doesn’t care.”

Keshy approached Mandy.

“I know you are hoping you and Gary can be a couple. Tell me you are not blaming Victoria for the mess it turned out to be after you met him.”

“Well, just a little bit. He did say the fact that she was my friend didn’t help.”

“Mandy! Gary is a womanizer! He used you, had a good time and now, he’s trying to use you again. Hope you didn’t let him score this time. He had his chance but he chose to sleep with you and then put a disappearing act. You shouldn’t forgive him, much less help him.”

“Are you going to tell Vicky?”

“No. You do realize you are putting me in an impossible situation?”

“I do…But I also want revenge. Sorry if you have to be involved.”


Keshia just hated the whole idea. Victoria wasn’t an angel, far from it. She probably had it coming. Yet it was hard to let it happen. Mandy was betraying Vicky’s friendship and she also was.

Gary would be the reason Victoria would lose it all. Sure, she had left Graham but only because she believed the grass was greener on the other side. Only if he were to see her with Gary, it would be the end of them. No way back.

It was a moral dilemma; she had to know if Graham still loved Victoria. She still didn’t know if that girl he was hanging out with the other night was “just a friend” or something a little more serious.

While she was starting to approve the idea of Vicky finally getting a taste of her own medicine, she couldn’t help but think of how unfair it’s be to Graham if he still had feeling for her.

Chapter twelfth: January 16th --- Fishing for information

Keshy tries to find out Graham’s feelings

Chapter 10: A Cold Hard Look

Graham’s mind wandered to the last evening he spent with Alice. They both lay on the freshly cut grass starring at the sky. The full moon lighted perfectly her face and made her hair glow. She was more seductive than ever and Graham had to fight the urge to kiss her.

“You are starring”

“I didn’t realize, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

She smiled. He didn’t recognize that spark in her eyes. Was it ok to kiss her? He was so scared of making a mistake. He couldn’t lose her. She was gaining more importance in his life whenever he’d see her. He wouldn’t say he was in love quite yet. But it sure was close to it.

“I think you want to kiss me.”

“Stop reading my mind.”

“I suggest you read mine instead.”

Her tone was flirtatious. He finally stopped holding back. Graham rolled to his side now facing Alice. He starred at her a few more seconds before she turned to face him. He tenderly caressed her face from her forehead to her chin. He gently moved a lock of hair that had escaped her ponytail and leaned in to kiss her.


Graham kept remembering that moment since it happened three days earlier. For some reason, he felt bad towards Victoria. He’d told her he would wait a year but surely after that stunt she pulled at the club…He didn’t know if he should tell her straight up his offer no longer stood. For all he cared, she could keep the house, the free ride for a year but he definitely wouldn’t be waiting for her.

It was hard for him to even recall why he fell in love with her to start with. Sure, she was beautiful but there had to be more. Yet, nothing came to mind. As if the entire relationship was superficial. Sure, she was a determinate person and he found that very sexy. Still, it wasn’t enough to justify his proposal. It hit him hard. After three years of dating Vicky, he couldn’t find one good reason why he was with her for so long.

“Vicky, whenever you get this message, please call me back. It’s Graham. We need to talk.”

He picked up the phone again.

“Hi Alice, it’s been three days since we’ve seen each other. I can’t get you off my mind. Would you join me for a drink and a nice meal later today?”

“I guess that could be possible…I’d be very happy to.”

“Perfect. I will call you around 5 pm and I’ll pick you up soon after. Can’t wait to see you again.”


Chapter eleventh: January 11th --- Different Point Of View

Mandy exposes her plan to Keshy.