Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
How embarrassing.
Ignoring the rising heat in my cheeks, I offer the gentleman a polite smile and go to close the door.
He puts out a hand to stop it. “I’m sorry, I explained that poorly. Mr. Koch isn’t in the car. I’m here to take you to dinner. Just you.”
I blink, my arm going slack and the dress bag drooping to touch the floor. “What?”
“He understands you didn’t want to dine with him this evening, but he wants to buy you dinner anyway.”
“What?” Rumi demands, slamming her iced coffee down on the counter. “Sophie gets a sugar daddy who doesn’t want sugar and it’s Silvan Koch? What kind of fairy tale did you fall out of?”
If only she knew.
I still feel obligated to say no just because it’s coming from Silvan, but… I mean… it’s not dinner with Silvan. It’s just dinner alone.
“Then what’s with the dress bag?” I ask, holding it up again. “Why buy me a dress if he won’t even see me in it?”
“It’s a comfortable style,” the man assures me. “Not for his viewing pleasure, he just thought he would send you something suitable to wear in case you didn’t have anything. You’ll be dining alone, and then I’ll bring you back here when you’re finished. You won’t see Silvan this evening,” he specifies, since that’s clearly a concern for me.
That’s a little harder to refuse.
I’m famished, and I suppose he does owe me dinner.
Well played, Silvan.
Not that he gets anything out of it, so I don’t really understand the gesture.
“If she’s still saying no, I’ll go,” Rumi volunteers. “I’ll wear whatever he wants me to wear, and you can take me to him. I’m not stupid.”
Sliding her a sideways look, I murmur, “Thanks, Rumi.”
“Anytime,” she says cheerfully.
Kendra pipes up from the couch. “Mm-hmm. I knew something happened between you two last night, sneaking up to the escape room before the rest of us were allowed to go.”
“There was an escape room?” Sabrina bemoans. “I love escape rooms.”
Kendra nods. “He had it built just for the party in case anyone was wondering exactly how rich his family is.”
Rumi stayed home to study like I should have, and Sabrina had to work, so even though Kendra invited all of us to the party when she got the invite, only I went.
Scrutinizing the driver to make sure it doesn’t seem like a trick, I ask, “And you’re positive Silvan won’t be there if I go with you?”
“He wanted me to assure you that you wouldn’t have to see him at all this evening. He just wants to make sure you’re fed.”
“Oh my god, he’s so sweet,” Rumi says, clutching her chest.
Sweet, my ass.
But the driver seems to be genuine, so without further interrogation, I head to the bedroom to change into whatever Silvan sent for me.
Unless I hate it, of course. Then I will change into something of my own.
I still think it’s a little odd that he sent me a dress if he doesn’t plan to see me in it. When I unzip the garment bag, I find a soft cashmere wrap dress inside. It feels so nice when I run my fingers across the silky fabric. I’m definitely wearing this.
I grab my cosmetic bag and make quick work of brushing on some mascara and a coat of lip gloss, then look myself over in the mirror on the closet door. The dress is very comfortable, but the soft white fabric clings to my curves and—I have to admit—looks really good on me.
I grab a little cream-colored purse from my corner of the closet and slip on a pair of nude-tone flats.
My coat is definitely not appropriately classy to match the cashmere dress he sent over, but it’s the only one I have, so I pull it on anyway.
My roommates play up their jealousy as I leave. Well, everyone but Kendra, who watches wordlessly like she has something to say, but she never says it.
Once the door closes behind me, I ask the man in the chauffeur’s getup, “What’s your name?”
“You can call me Hugh.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Hugh. I’m Sophie.”
He cracks a smile beneath his mustache. “Yes, I know.”
“Right.”
Despite his casual and friendly demeanor, Hugh’s body is stiff as he stands in front of the elevator watching the numbers tick by. The doors open, and he gestures for me to step into the empty elevator first.
Once we’re inside, he presses the button to close the doors.
I peek over at him. “So, you work for Silvan?”
“His family, yes.”
A moment later, the elevator doors open, and we step out into the quiet of the lobby. He guides me to the front door and opens it for me so I can step out onto the sidewalk.
I’m stunned when I see a long black limousine parked in front of the building. Even though rationally I know it must be what he’s driving, I’m still floored when he approaches it and opens the back door for me.