Episode 4

Narrated by Lorenzo Morreti

I left the office feeling like my head was going to explode. Ruby Evans was driving me crazy. I, Lorenzo Morreti, a 38-year-old man who had always been in control of everything, was now completely obsessed with a woman who, after an incredible night, simply paid me and ran off as if I were a service provider.

I needed to clear my head, so I sent a message to Samuel, one of the associates at the firm and a long-time friend. If anyone knew how to get your mind off problems, it was him.

"Fancy a drink?" I typed.

The reply came in seconds.

"Obviously. The Royal Pub in 15 minutes."

Perfect. A classic, elegant bar, full of good drinks and, more importantly, far from the office and my worries.

As soon as I arrived, I saw Samuel already sitting at a table, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He was a tall guy, with always well-groomed black hair, and he had one of those smiles that made people trust him without even knowing why.

"Enzo!" He broke into a wide smile when he saw me. "Finally decided to come out of your cave. I thought you were buried in lawsuits."

"I almost was buried, but by a woman, not by lawsuits." I threw myself into a chair and signaled the waiter. "Get me a bourbon, please."

Samuel raised an eyebrow, interested.

"Ah, now I'm curious. What happened? Who was the woman who had the audacity to mess with the hard-headed Lorenzo Morreti?"

I let out a sigh and ran a hand through my hair.

"Ruby Evans."

Samuel frowned.

"Don't know her."

"Well, you should." I picked up my glass when the waiter brought it and took a sip before continuing. "She bumped into me at the courthouse, got into my car thinking I was an Uber driver, hired me to pretend to be her boyfriend, and at the end of the night, after the best sex of my life, she paid me and ran off."

Samuel was silent for a second. Then, he burst out laughing.

"Are you telling me you were hired as a temporary boyfriend and even got paid for sex? That's brilliant! The world turned upside down!"

"It's not funny." I grumbled, taking another sip.

"It's hilarious." Samuel wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "The great Lorenzo Morreti, paid to have sex. Man, you accidentally became a gigolo!"

I huffed, rolling my eyes.

"That's not it! She just… freaked out. The woman was drunk and frustrated, her ex was at the event with his mistress, and I was the unfortunate one who happened to be nearby."

Samuel laughed again and shook his head.

"And now you're thinking about her."

"All the time."

He raised an eyebrow.

"And what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing. She clearly doesn't want to get involved with anyone."

Samuel studied me for a moment and then smiled sideways.

"We're going to solve this in the most traditional way possible."

"What way is that?"

He gestured to the bar.

"We'll get two shots of tequila, then we'll figure out a way for you to leave here with another woman. Nothing cures an obsession better than a new distraction."

I wasn't sure if that would work, but it was worth a try.

"Deal."

Samuel called the waiter and ordered two shots of tequila.

"Here's to your new career as a boyfriend for hire!" He raised his glass with a mischievous smile.

"Go to hell." I laughed, clinking my glass against his before downing the shot.

The attempt at distraction

After a few rounds of tequila, my mind was slightly numb. Samuel, who always had a knack for attracting women, was already chatting with two blondes at the bar. He nudged me.

"Lorenzo, this is Claire and her friend, Sophie."

I looked at them. Claire was pretty, with long hair and striking green eyes. She smiled at me and bit her lower lip.

"So, Lorenzo, Samuel told me you're in need of a distraction." She teased, leaning in a little closer.

Normally, I would have found this interesting. But all my mind could do was compare Claire to Ruby.

Ruby was a brunette, with intense brown eyes, and had a somewhat chaotic and spontaneous way about her that left me breathless. Claire was pretty, but she didn't have that intensity.

I tried to focus on her, tried to flirt, but all I could think about was how Ruby talked fast when she was nervous, how her eyes sparkled when she was defiant.

"Lorenzo?" Claire blinked, waiting for my answer.

I realized she had asked me a question, but I had no idea what it was.

"What? Sorry, what did you say?"

She laughed.

"I asked if you want to leave here with me."

Samuel shot me a look as if to say: Now's your chance!

But I didn't want to.

Shit. I really didn't want to.

I sighed and gave Claire a polite smile.

"You seem amazing, but I don't think I'm in the mood tonight."

Samuel's eyes widened.

"What?!"

Claire shrugged, not seeming too offended, and went back to talking to someone else at the bar. Samuel pulled me by the arm.

"Lorenzo, you're completely screwed."

"I know."

He let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Seriously, man. You just rejected a wonderful woman because your mind is stuck on a woman who PAID YOU to spend the night with her."

"I know." I repeated, frustrated.

Samuel took a sip of his drink and shook his head.

"Well, my friend, I only see one solution to your problem."

"And what would that be?"

He smiled.

"You need to see Ruby again. And this time, without her being able to run away."

I was silent for a moment, processing his words. Maybe he was right. I needed to see Ruby again. Not to demand anything from her, but because, for some reason, I felt like this story wasn't over yet.

And I wasn't the type of man to leave things unfinished.

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