His Contracted Valentine

Chapter 1 — Not again!

I think I am cursed….no scratch that: I know I am cursed. Who got broken up with before Valentine's Day for the one thousandth time? Me. Who always got cheated on days before valentine? Still me. Who always ends up without a valentine despite her 24 years of living? Me once again! Leah Monroe.

Sometimes I think it's Nana- my grandma who cursed me. I always made fun of her  choices in men years back when she showed me pictures of them in her dusty old photo binder. I would laugh and laugh and Nana would just smile at me and not say a word while I held my stomach in laughter.

Guess who got the last laugh now in heaven?

I was sure Titi was getting bored of the conversation. She had yawned more than a sleepy baby on this drive, listening to me rant one more time but I couldn't help it. I needed to continuously get it off my chest. The anger, the fury, the questions surrounding Jackson’s betrayal and his decision to break up when I thought we were all good and I finally got to end this valentine’s evil spell cast on me.

I offered to buy pizza so we headed downtown to get it from Titi’s favourite spot. I knew she would be all ears now so I didn't mind the extra dollars I would have to spend. What bothered me though was that after having our order taken, and I picked up my rant from where I’d stopped, I noticed a lady by the far end stealing glances at me occasionally.

I made my observation known to Titi who also confirmed my suspicions. The lady was just an admirer in Titi’s opinion, but regardless of the fact that I wasn't gay, I could tell hers was not a look of admiration but rather deep curiosity.

Our order arrived and we dug into our pizza. We went further into the topic of the day which was my shitty ex-boyfriend. I reigned curses at him as well as my previous exes as we carried on stuffing our mouths.

Titi believes i am not cursed, i just haven’t met the right man yet, but i believed instead that i needed to appease my Nana’s spirit.

I try my best not to get distracted or terrified by the stranger’s occasional glance because there was no reason to be. She seemed like she worked in corporate, fancy black heels, a nice clutch, a cream coloured trouser suit, and a perfectly sleek pony bun that screamed quiet luxury. 

A woman who should have no business with an underpaid coffee shop attendant with a huge student loan and a shared studio apartment.

–––

Bills paid, stomachs filled, and a happier Titi later… It was time to take our leave.

What I expected on stepping out into the L.A’s summer heat was the renowned street hustler who stayed by the entrance and begged frequent customers to approach us. 

Rather, I was surprised to see the strange woman instead who left the building the same time we got out, approaching. 

The street beggar was nowhere to be found.

“Hello dear, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on your conversation earlier… seems like the val season hasn’t been cute to you.”

Titi goes first, “okay…who the hell are you? and why so nosy?”

I went next, determined to call out her bluff, “you seem educated enough to understand privacy and minding your damn business…”

“I mean tried but I couldn't. Has anyone ever told you that you share a striking resemblance with the actress, Sheera Stevens?”

“Yes, I get that every time, what does that have to do with anything?”

“I have got an offer for you, one I am so sure you don’t want to miss.”

“Let’s get the hell out of here Leah,” Titi was over it, and I was just totally confused but Titi was right, we needed to leave. So I joined titi as we headed towards our car waiting patiently, leaving our curious stranger to herself.

Still she followed.

I was getting terrified.

Titi was getting angry.

“Are you stalking us now?” I turned to ask having had enough of the entire situation 

“All I am trying to ask is that you cosplay my boss…Sheera Stevens for a day.”

“What?!!”

I exclaimed.

Titi turned back in a sudden wave of shock.

“When you say cosplay, you mean?” I asked curiously.

“Sheera is my boss, she’s been sick for a while now…the doctors advised more rest before her next surgery but she hasn’t had the time for that. Sadly, it's getting harder keeping it away from the media.

“I still don’t see what you’re getting at?”

“It’s simple, I am offering you a contract. You will attend the upcoming All-stars Valentine ball happening in two days time at the Aztec Arena. You would go as sheera. I’m certain with just a little glam we should get you looking perfectly sheera…” she revealed with a satisfied smile and went on. “Most importantly you would have to also act as the date and girlfriend to…”

“Atlas Freeman?!!”

We both screamed at the same time before she could even finish her statement. 

It had to be a prank. 

“Is this a prank? the cameras can come out now,” I scoffed, glancing around because there was a high rise in social media prank skits of late around the city.

With a little chuckle, she assured me. “It’s not a prank Leah, here is my card,” she whipped it out her chest pocket smoothly, and handed it over.

“Miss Natalie Jonas, Talent Manager at Cubic entertainment agency.” I exchanged a quick look with Titi. Sheera was a cubic star talent, everyone who loved her movies knew that, and we were ‘everyone’

“I am sorry I still can't accept this, I don't know that world or what I would be stepping into,” I said, forcing the card out of the grip of Titi who seemed to have already begun considering the idea.

“You would be paid ten million dollars just to be Sheera for a day and not just that, you also get to have the perfect valentine. You want to throw all that away? 

She smiled a faint one and turned to walk away,

“I will be expecting your call Leah, I hope you understand that you are sheera’s saving grace…”