Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Willa
I was shopping in Target when my phone rang. Pulling it from my purse, a number scrolled across my screen that I didn’t recognize.
“Hello.”
“It’s Damien. What are you doing?”
“I’m in Target doing some shopping. Why?”
“I need to talk to you about the annulment. Can you come to my place for dinner tonight? I’ll text you my address.”
“I guess I can. What time?”
“Six thirty.”
“Okay. I’ll see you then.”
“Good. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Damien, wait. Do you want me to bring anything?”
“Just yourself. I have a meeting to get to.”
“Okay. Sure. See you later.” Sighing, I threw my phone into my purse.
It was official. I was stone-cold broke with only one hundred dollars and twenty-three cents left in my bank account. I needed to find a job fast. I had difficulty charging the two orders I accepted, and didn’t charge enough to cover all the costs. But if it helped the people receiving the boxes, I didn’t care.
Matt and James walked through the door as I put the boxes together.
“Hello, darling.” Matt kissed my cheek.
“Ah, I see you decided to do the boxes after all.” James smiled.
“Yeah. I hope it helps the people they are going to.”
“Why are you only doing two boxes?” Matt asked. “You have fifteen orders.”
“I can’t do all fifteen right now. I already went broke just doing these two. I didn’t charge enough.”
“Ugh, Willa. I told you that you need a business plan.”
“This isn’t a business, Matt.”
“But it can be, darling,” James said. “You might be on to something here. Maybe you should start looking at it like a business.”
“I can’t talk about this right now. I have to finish these up and head to Damien’s place.”
“Oh? You’re going to visit your husband?” Matt smirked.
“Where does he live?” James asked.
I grabbed my phone and pulled up Damien’s text message. “180 East 88 th Street,” I said.
“Damn. I bet his penthouse is on the top floor,” Matt said.
I looked at my phone. “Penthouse 46, it says.”
“I knew it!” Matt exclaimed.
“Did Damien say why he wanted you to come over?” James asked.
“He needs to talk to me about the annulment. So, I’m assuming his lawyer got in touch with him.”
I’d just finished touching up my makeup and running a brush through my hair when there was a knock at the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and neither were Matt and James, as far as I knew.
“Willa, someone is here for you,” I heard Matt shout.
I grabbed my shoes from my bedroom and walked into the living room to find a strange man standing there.
“Mrs. Blackwood—I mean, Miss Aster. I’m Louis, Damien’s driver. I’m here to bring you to him.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re here to bring me to him? Like he’s royalty or something.”
Louis laughed. “I’m here to take you to his home.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Louis. Damien didn’t tell me he was sending you. I had my subway route all planned out. Oh, I like your tie. Bold colors.” I smiled.
“Why, thank you.” He nodded.
After I said goodbye to Matt and James, we headed to the black Audi sedan parked down the street.
“I apologize. This was the closest spot I could get.”
“Don’t apologize, Louis. It’s totally fine.”
He opened the car door, and I slid into the back.
“Here we are.” He pulled up to the curb and climbed out, opening the door for me.
“That was totally unnecessary. Thank you.” I smiled.
“You’re welcome, Miss Aster. Just go inside, and the doorman will help you.”
“Thanks, Louis. You’re really sweet.” I placed my hand on his arm before heading inside the building.
“May I help you?” The doorman named Bobby asked.
“I’m here to see Mr. Blackwood. He’s expecting me.”
“Yes, of course. You must be Miss Aster.”
“You can call me Willa.” I smiled.
He led me to the elevator and stuck a key inside the lock labeled Penthouse 46.
“This will take you straight up to Mr. Blackwood’s penthouse.”
“Thanks, Bobby.” I waved at him before the doors shut.
When I reached the forty-sixth floor, and the doors opened, Damien stood there, looking as sexy as he did the first time I saw him.
“Thank you for coming.” He smiled.
“I don’t believe I had a choice if we want to get this marriage—wow, just wow.” My eyes scanned his home. “This place is amazing.”
“Thank you. Can I get you a glass of wine?”
“Yeah. That would be great.”
“Which color do you prefer?”
“White, if you have it.”
“I do. I’ll go grab a bottle. Make yourself comfortable.”
I stood in the middle of the living room, admiring the expansive, open luxury space wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the city and the East River. I loved the washed white oak flooring, complemented by the light gray area rugs, matching gray modern furniture, and glass-top tables. A beautiful, marbled fireplace sat in the corner, adding class to the space.
“Here you go.” Damien handed me a glass of wine.
“Thank you.”
“I picked up some Chinese food. I hope you like Chinese. I probably should have asked first.”
“No worries. I like Chinese.” I smiled.
“Then let’s sit down.”
We sat at the table near the window. I could get used to eating dinner with a view like this.
“The view up here is amazing,” I said.
“The view is one of the reasons I bought this place.”
“How big is this place?”
“Just a little over four thousand square feet with four bedrooms and five bathrooms.”
“Why did you lie to me back in Vegas? Why did you tell me you were from Seattle and sold private insurance?” I cocked my head.