Switching Places

By Margy Millet

What will happen if Rita gets discovered? Can she live with herself if her best friend professional future was ruin? Failure is not acceptable, successfully accomplishing the task at hand is the only priority she had. But the situation changed one evening the moment he was in front of her. Can she pull this off, even though her own life had been turn upside by her feeling for him?
No one had ever got to Phillip like she did, he was a known player, and no one had ever rejected his advances like Rita did. This fever and need he felt for her was strong, something new to him. He would find her. Will he admit that what he really feels is love?
Can their love overcome when the secrets are in the open and the dreadful words spill out at the heat of the moment?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532082955

Margy Millet

Margy Millet was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and she moved with her family to Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1973. She holds an associate’s degree from Quinsigamond College, and she and her husband, David, have three children and five grandchildren. Her passions include writing, Latin music, dancing, reading, and sports. She currently lives in Massachusetts.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

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Rita loved the streets all around her. Tonight it felt different from most nights when she walked these streets. She walked at a steady pace, but slowly enough to enjoy looking around. She could feel the energy of the night. She was in a hurry and had no time to stop and chat to anyone. She slowed down enough to hear the laughter of the children playing in the streets. She saw the parents sitting on the stairs in front of the buildings, watching their children. She enjoyed the buzz of people hanging out on the corners, talking, laughing. Then she saw the working people buying last-minute items for their dinner at the corner market. The night felt refreshing and cool to her. It was a beautiful early spring night. Everyone was enjoying the evening.

She turned the corner at Nova Street, past all the buzzing of the streets. She began to walk fast again; she had to hurry because she needed to be at Tim’s Place by seven o’clock. She quickly turned the corner at the end of the next street.

With all this hurrying, she didn’t see the man pacing back and forth on the sidewalk until she was right on top of him. She almost got knocked down; she had to reach out and hold onto him in order to keep from falling. Her reaction was to look up to see who this man was. She was perplexed by his beauty. He had deep beautiful blue eyes, a firm strong jaw, nice full lips — almost too full for a man — and fantastic light brown hair, almost blond. She felt the defined muscles of his arm under her hands.

It was as if time had slowed down. His face looked so familiar, like she knew him from somewhere, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. As she continued to stare at him, it came to her in a flash. Oh shit, it can’t be him, she mumbled to herself. She was horrified that he was standing right in front of her.

He had a hold of her arm with one hand; she tried to shake him off. He didn’t let go. He let go of her and she took a step back from him, moving her face away from his view. She couldn’t believe that it was Phillip Renault, the owner and CEO of the company where she worked. She had been working with the company for only a month, and now she was making a fool of herself in front of the big boss.

She tried to look him over without turning her face towards him. He seemed taller than what she imagined from the pictures. He was dressed in a business suit. She wondered what he could possibly be doing in this part of the city.

She looked around and noticed that he had a cell phone in his hand. Beside him, there was a car parked on the street with the hood open. She saw movement from the corner of her eye. There was somebody looking under the open hood, but she couldn’t see who it was.

Phillip was talking on his cell phone with someone from the tow-truck company. He was pacing the sidewalk like a maniac and hadn’t seen her coming until she walked right into him. He suddenly found himself looking into the most beautiful bright brown eyes he had ever seen. She was looking back at him, and he noticed the change in expression on her face from surprised to calm. He had to hold her so she wouldn’t fall. She struggled to get away from him, and after a few seconds he let go of her. He took a step back at the same time she did so he could get a better look at her. She’s gorgeous and so tall, he thought. He was six feet and four inches tall, so he was surprised that her head was only an inch from his chin; most other women he knew barely reach his chest.

Excuse me! she exclaimed turning her face to the side and taking a step back, continuing with her walk.

Excuse me, he replied, but he didn’t step aside to let her pass. He was enjoying the temporary closeness to her. He watched her take a step to the right and pass him. He turned to look at her as she walked away.

She subconsciously added some sway to her hips. She heard him telling the man under the hood that Fred, the driver of the house car, was stuck in traffic and that the tow truck wouldn’t be here for another hour. She could hear the frustration in his voice.

She hesitated for a second, then stopped to think. They were going to need help with the car. She hated herself for being such a good person. Damn it, this is crazy, she whispered aloud in frustration. She turned and said, Do you guys need help?

The man with his face buried under the hood popped his head out immediately. She saw that it was Kristian; she knew him from the senior management staff meetings that she attended every week. She recalled that Kristian was also the younger brother of the CEO and president of the company. Both men turned to look at Rita, and she noticed a family resemblance. Kristian was as tall as his brother, but less muscular.

Phillip looked again into her brown eyes, this time with a smirk on his face. I don’t have time right now for what you’re offering, sweetie, but maybe another time.

Kristian cringed at Phillip’s sarcastic remark, but he wasn’t surprised. His brother had always been very fresh with the opposite sex. Kristian turned to her and said calmly, No thanks. Somebody is already coming to help us.

Oh my God, he thinks I’m a hooker, she realized. She didn’t look at Phillip, but instead walked over to Kristian and initiated a conversation with him. She was struggling to keep calm and look relaxed. Well, according to what he just said, nodding towards Phillip, it sounds like you guys might be waiting a while.

Phillip, still undressing her with his eyes, sarcastically asked, So you’re a mechanic, too?

Rita ignored his remark and again turned to face Kristian. No, not a mechanic, she replied, but I’ve been around mechanics, so I know a little something about cars.

I bet you do, Honey, Phillip snapped with a smile on his face. She didn’t like the tone of his voice, so she turned around and began to walk away. Well if you guys want to wait, then I’ll let you be.

Kristian looked at Phillip with an angry expression and moved towards her. Phillip saw the anger on his younger brother’s face and decided to keep his distance. He watched Rita’s every movement like a kid in a candy store. Kristian went to reach for her, but he stopped himself, and in a shaky voice, he called to her. No wait, please don’t listen to him. Do you really think you can help us?

Yes, I do. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t think so.

Okay, then never mind what you heard from him. Please see what you can do.

He reached out his hand to her and introduced himself and his brother. I’m Kristian and the obnoxious and rude one over there is my brother, Phillip.

Phillip didn’t move from where he was, he just looked at them with his arms crossed over his chest.

Hi. I’m Rita.

Phillip couldn’t take his eyes off her. He didn’t say anything, he simply stood there enjoying the view. He was fascinated and amazed by her beauty.

Rita put her bag down and went to the front of the car to look under the hood. She bent at the waist and leaned forward to find a better view of the engine, and Phillip’s eyes became fixated on her firm and curvy bottom. Unaware that he was staring at her ass, Rita looked over some of the cables and made sure the connections were secure. Okay, try to start the car again, she instructed Kristian.

He walked to the driver’s side of the car and got behind the steering wheel. He tried the key. It made a funny noise but didn’t start. Rita moved to the battery and checked the connections. Try again, she repeated, but still nothing happened.

Next, she checked the oil pump and saw that one of the hoses going into the motor was slightly torn and leaking. She looked at the torn hose and spoke to Kristian. I see what’s wrong. You have a tear in one of the oil hoses going to the motor.

She moved away from the car and grabbed her bag to look for something that she could use to temporarily repair the torn hose. She remembered the electrical tape that she was bringing to Paul at Tim’s Place. She found the tape and stopped to look at her watch. I hope Paul doesn’t think that I’m not coming tonight, she thought. Paul was one of Rita’s friends and the owner of the club. He was nice enough to let her use one of the backrooms in the club to provide medical services to the women who worked there.

She grabbed the tape from the bag and went back under the hood to work on the hose. Kristian stepped forward as if to offer his assistance but was met with Rita’s disapproving glance. It took only a few minutes to patch the hose. She cleaned her hands with a cloth that she had taken from her bag.

Phillip stood there transfixed this whole time. He couldn’t take his eyes from her; her moves were so precise yet sensual, and he couldn’t believe how graceful she was. She knew what she was doing.

Try it again, she shouted from under the hood.

Kristian turned the ignition, and this time the car started right up. He jumped out of the car with a smile on his face, turning to look at Rita. Thank you so much. You’re an angel.

Phillip couldn’t believe she really fixed the car. She was gorgeous and smart, a combination that he was unwilling to see in a woman before. He turned to her, So how much do we owe you for the service, Sweetie? Then he hastily added, Wait, maybe now that the car is fixed, I can make use of some of your other services.

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing; he had just insulted her, and he didn’t even blink. She turned brusquely and looked right at him. She was furious. Contrary to what you think, not everyone from this part of the city is a prostitute, she snapped at him.

She walked away from him and grabbed her bag that was still on the sidewalk. Her face was hard and her jaw was tight — she was furious with him. The nerve of this guy, to label her without knowing anything about her. She turned back to him and spoke calmly. You don’t owe me anything. A simple thank you will do.

Phillip was dumbstruck by her reaction. He didn’t understand what the big deal was; he treated women like this all the time. No woman had ever talked back to him that way. The sparks in her angry eyes were bewildering. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Bite my head off, why don’t you. Nobody does anything for free anymore, he snapped back.

Some people do.

She turned her attention to Kristian. She could no longer face Phillip. She calmed down a bit before she spoke. This is just a temporary fix. You’ll need to bring the car to your mechanic right away and tell him one of the oil hoses needs to be replaced.

We will. Again, thank you. Can we give you a ride somewhere?

No thanks. I’m not too far from where I’m going.

You’re sure?

Yeah, I am. You should call off your man Fred and the tow truck. She looked at her watch — she only had ten minutes to make it to the club.

Phillip turned away from her, got on his cell phone and dialed the tow truck company’s number. She took advantage of the distraction, turned and waved goodbye to Kristian, and walked away. Kristian waved back without saying anything. Phillip, who had received another phone call, finished his conversation then turned to say something to her, but she was already gone.

Where did she go? he asked his brother with annoyance in his voice.

Kristian just yelled at him. She left, you idiot. What were you thinking? I can’t believe the way you spoke to her. You were so rude.

Phillip ignored Kristian and climbed in the driver’s side of the car. He waited for his brother to get in and drove off.

Kristian made the call to the chauffeur, and then the brothers shared the ride home in silence. Phillip couldn’t get Rita’s face out of his head. She had the brightest brown eyes he had ever seen, not to mention a beautiful face and an incredibly hot body. He pictured her slim bronze body and her curvy hips in his mind. He could see the muscle definition and her gorgeous curls of brown hair. She was the perfect woman.

Rita walked faster than before; her heart was beating at a rapid pace, and it felt as if it would explode. She needed to get away from him. She turned the street corner and rushed towards Tim’s Place, a topless dancer bar with a club on the other side. She realized as she went into the club that she was only a few minutes late. Hi Paul. Here’s the black tape you needed. She threw the roll of tape to him and tried not to face him.

Hi Rita. Is everything okay? You look awfully flushed.

Yeah, I’m fine. I just stopped to help someone in the street and it just got a bit heated.

She didn’t go into any more detail with him; she didn’t want to think about Phillip, never mind talk about him. She went to the back of the club where the women were already waiting for her.

They all moved close to her with concerned expressions brought on by her later-than-usual arrival. Rita saw the worry on their faces and assured them that everything was okay.

Rita was glad that she volunteered her medical services to help the women. She went to the small backroom, got her medical instruments out of her bag, called the first woman in, and began the usual checkup. No one mentioned anything more about coming in late. Eventually, she finished all the appointments. Throughout all this, she couldn’t get Phillip Renault’s face out of her mind.

Rita went to the bar and made small talk with Paul while one of the shows was going on. She looked at her watch: It was 10:30 — she still had time to talk to Reggie before she had to go home. She noticed that Reggie had finished her dance.

I’m going to see Reggie for a few minutes. I’ll meet you out front at 11:00, she stated.

Okay, he responded.

Rita went towards the dressing rooms, looking for Reggie. Reggie was her best friend in this strange land. She was very glad they had met. They had connected instantly and quickly became good friends. Hi Reggie, you looked great out there.

Reggie smiled at her. Hey girl! You always think I’m great.

Well, that’s because you are, Rita replied. I need to talk to you. Can we go outside for a minute?

Reggie turned abruptly to look at her in surprise. Okay, let me grab something to throw over my shoulders, replied Reggie, moving towards a chair in the corner of the room. She grabbed a shawl and they silently walked outside together.

Are you okay? asked Reggie with concern.

No, not really, Rita answered. You won’t believe who I ran into on my way here tonight, Rita blurted out.

Who?, Reggie asked, concern in her voice.

Phillip Renault!

Phillip Renault? Phillip Renault, your boss? In this part of the city? No way. Are you sure?

Rita had been pacing back and forth while talking. She was anxious about her encounter with Phillip. The plan would go to hell if he knew who she was. Rita didn’t hear Reggie talking to her because she was so involved in her own thoughts. Reggie touched her on the shoulder and she almost jumped out of her shoes. Of course, I’m sure. I literally walked right into him on my way here.

You are serious? Wow! Where?

I wouldn’t joke about him. It was over by Nova Street.

Rita began pacing again, this time in front of Reggie. She thought about all the work she had done this month that could be ruined if she wasn’t careful.

What did you do?

What could I do but talk to him? Kristian was there, too.

Both of them? What were they doing here?

Their car broke down.

Wow, do you think they knew who you were?

Rita could see that Reggie was worried about her; this was a factor that Rita hadn’t considered before this moment. Rita knew that the plan would fail if Phillip found out who she was. She kept calm; she didn’t want Reggie to see how freaked out she was. Reggie was a great friend and the last thing she wanted was worry her.

No, No way. Phillip has only seen me in the video conference calls, and Kristian was too busy under the car hood to notice me. Besides, he only saw me for an hour a week with a lot of other people around.

Reggie put her arm around Rita for comfort. Rita appreciated the gesture and gave Reggie a smile. Rita was happy to have her as a friend. How about you? Did you let on that you know them?

No, I played it like I didn’t know who they were.

Good for you.

Would you believe that I actually felt bad and offered to help them?

Of course I believe it; you’re too nice. You’re always helping somebody.

Rita had even helped Reggie, in the middle of the sidewalk in this same neighborhood one spring afternoon.

Anyway, Phillip refused my help, but Kristian didn’t.

Well, it sounds like Kristian is the more sensible one.

Yes, he is. You want to know what Phillip thought?

Whaddya mean? Rita’s face blushed with anger and embarrassment.

A hooker! He thought I was a hooker! Do I look like a hooker to you?

No way. You don’t look like a hooker. He must be blind … or stupid, she laughed.

Rita could see the humor in the situation now, and she laughed along with Reggie. Her face resumed a serious expression when Reggie spoke. You’re the least likely woman to be a hooker that I’ve ever known, and I know a lot of them.

Reggie, if he ever found out what I’m doing here, it would mean a lot of trouble for Jenny.

He won’t find out.

I hope not.

You’ve been keeping to yourself at work, and you’re doing such a good job keeping your friend Jenny informed of everything that’s happening with the company.

Yes, everything has been working out pretty well.

Rita was satisfied with how the plan had worked out so far, especially the part about moving out of the company-leased apartment. At first Rita’s friend Jenny doubted that the plan could work, but now Rita knew that Jenny had changed her mind with all the progress Rita had shown her with the new job.

One thing’s for sure, he definitely won’t appreciate the trick you two are pulling on him and the company.

He’d be pissed off to say the least, but it had to be done.

You’ve done a good thing, Rita, and that’s what’s important.

Rita knew Reggie was right, but the reason for the charade would make no difference to the company. It would jeopardize Jenny’s future in the company and perhaps her future as a professional in the investment business if they discovered her.

I know, but it sure was scary tonight, she stated.

I bet, agreed Reggie.

Rita checked the time on her watch. Wow, it’s already 11:00. I have to go. Paul is waiting for me out front. He’s walking me home. I’ll see you Friday night.

Okay, Friday.

Rita walked away, but after a few steps she stopped and looked at Reggie. She smiled at her and Reggie smiled back. Thanks for being such a great friend. I never thought I would have any friends here, she stated smiling to Reggie.

Are you kidding me? You’ve helped me so much with my dancing and schooling. I’m lucky to count you as one of my best friends, pointed out Reggie.

She went back gave a hug to Reggie and they said their goodbyes. They went back inside the club, Reggie went to the dressing room and Rita went into the backroom for her bag, then out front to meet Paul. They walked quietly for almost a block, then Paul looked at her, unable to stay quiet any longer. Are you sure you’re okay, Rita?

Yes, I’m sure.

You seem quiet; that’s not like you.

Not like me? she emphasized with a frown on her face.

Yeah, you know. You usually talk my ear off from the club to your place.

I do? she exclaimed, trying to sound normal.

Yes. You know, you talk about the dancers, the club, everything else. So, what’s up?

Rita looked at him and gave him a big smile. Paul had been extremely helpful in letting her work with the women at the club, giving her a chance to help them. She was very appreciative of all that he had done, which was why she couldn’t involve him in what was going on. She replied calmly. Nothing really. I was just thinking about work, that’s all.

Rita wasn’t sure that Paul believed her, but he wasn’t the type to be pushy. He gave her nudge in the arm. Okay, if you say so, but if you need to talk, I’m all ears.

Thanks. I know.

I know I’ve said it many times before, but I’ll say it once more: Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and the women and the club.

You’re welcome. I’m happy to help all of you.

I know you are.

He stopped in front of the apartment complex where she lived. He turned and looked at her. Here we are. I’ll see you Friday.

Thank you. Yes, Friday.

CHAPTER TWO

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Rita looked around. The complex was quiet, but there were only a few lights on. She crossed the small plaza in the middle of the complex and began to climb the stairs of her building. She took the steps very slowly, mulling over the events of the night. After a month of being in this city, tonight she had finally seen him, right in front of her — the man she had been dreaming about. The same man she had to stay away from. She had been dreaming of him ever since she saw his picture in the company’s newsletter. She had been attracted to him, a man she had never even met in person until this night and had only seen a few times in video conference calls. But why now? Why tonight? she asked out loud, rubbing her head.

She went straight to the bedroom and looked for her pajamas. She crossed the bedroom, went into the bathroom and took a shower. She felt refreshed. It was almost time for her regular phone call with Jenny. She went to the kitchen, grabbed a yogurt from the refrigerator and took a spoon from the drawer, then walked to the table and picked up her laptop and phone. She set herself comfortably in the bed and looked at the clock on the nightstand. She still had a few minutes so she ate her yogurt. When she finished, she dialed Jenny’s number. Jenny was Rita’s best friend back home, and Jenny was the reason she was in another country and participating in this charade.

Hi! How are you? asked Rita.

Hi! I’m fine, Jenny responded.

How’s Mom doing? she asked. Esther was Jenny’s mother. With no parents around any longer, Esther was the closest thing Rita had to a mother. She had always called her Mom, and Esther didn’t seem to mind. As a matter of fact, she seemed to like it.

She’s doing well, replied Jenny. The checkup today was very positive.

Great to hear, she said. Rita already knew how Esther was doing because Dr. Wheaton’s office sent reports to her every week. She liked to hear the news from Jenny though so that she could also gauge how Jenny was doing.

How about you? Are you okay? Rita asked again.

I’m okay, Jenny replied in a tired voice.

Rita hesitated for a second before continuing. She was determined to keep a positive attitude about tonight’s mishap.

Jenny, I have to tell you something.

Jenny didn’t reply. Rita knew that Jenny knew her too well not to sense from the tone of her best friend’s voice that something was wrong. Rita also knew that Jenny would sense if she was keeping something important from her. Yes, Rita had to tell her the truth.

What? You sound distressed.

Yes, I am a little bit.

There was no other way to