Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
Lillian
I gape at myself in the mirror. I didn’t know I could look like this.
We’ve been at this for hours. Well, Amber’s been at this, turning me into a… a woman? I can’t find the right word for it. I know I’ve always been a woman, but somehow, there’s someone different staring back at me now.
Cool pink tones flush my cheeks, lips, and lids, and soft glitters accent me here and there. I don’t know the rhyme or the reason, but Amber knows. With her finishing touches, my eyes are like aquamarine jewels framed by thick curly lashes. I turn my face left and right, unable to get enough of myself.
I’m so cute.
“I’m going to burn you with this if you keep doing that,” Amber warns, waving the curling iron threateningly.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. You’ve just done such good work!” I gush.
“You know you’re pretty, right?” she asks, annoyed.
I don’t answer. She doesn’t need me to. My looks aren’t something I’ve ever focused much on. But maybe I should?
She’s already curled my bangs. They’re big and bouncy, hovering above my brows, and longer strands frame my face. She’s finishing up with the rest, which is twisted, piled onto my head, and fastened there with a bejeweled clip. I watch her tend to loose strands that seem to have avoided detection but are actually deliberately placed to draw attention to my neck.
Beneath the blush she applied, my cheeks grow warm.
Does she want me to tempt Charlie?
I shake my head quickly, ridding myself of the thought of him, and hear Amber gasp and click her tongue at me.
“Hello?! Hot iron right here? Actually, you’re done.” Amber switches the iron off and fixes me with a tired stare. “Isn’t he going to be here soon?”
Shit .
I guess there’s no escaping him tonight.
It’s Friday, the agreed upon day to debut me as his long-term-girlfriend-turned-fiancé. I’ve been putting off thinking about him repeatedly since last week. Which has been hard. He’s on TV a lot.
I didn’t want to think about what I’ve agreed to do. I don’t want to think about what that will really mean for me. When I’m asked to do something, as long as it serves our needs somehow, I’ll do it. There wasn’t much to think about when Anne asked me. I saw the advantages Amber could receive, and that was all there was to it. I’d have been stupid to decline.
But the reality of the situation is pressing in all around me, suffocating me, making it hard to breathe.
Unless that’s the dress I’m wearing. Amber picked out a pale peach gown that flows down to hover just over the floor—as long as I’m in heels. It’s tight in the chest and bodice but otherwise flows down my hips and legs. A side slit comes up to my mid- thigh, and the shoulders spill off to hug my arms, trapping them at my sides. I’m like a little doll in this thing.
It’s so beautiful, though. It’s the kind of dress you’d get proposed to in.
Amber’s got a good eye.
“Soon. Be here. Isn’t he going to?” Amber repeats with her eyes closed. I got caught up looking at myself again.
“Oh! Right, uh, what time is it?” I get up from her vanity chair and go hunting for my?—
“Phone? I put it in the suede clutch. It’s in the living room.”
“Thanks, Sis!” I dash out of her room and find the narrow pink rectangle waiting for me. When I check the time, it’s already too late. A message is waiting for me, sent five minutes ago, just two words: I’m here.
Fuck fuck!!
I have no time left, but all I can do is stand rooted to the spot. I don’t want to go. Right now, I’m still no one. I can still take off these clothes, wash this makeup off, and throw on some trash TV for Amber and me.
I hear her come up behind me and turn around to see her beaming face. She was tired and annoyed before, but now she’s hopeful—and confused.
“Is it time to go? When’s he coming?”
My little sister.
Emotion hits me in the face and makes me want to cry. I swallow it down, not wanting to ruin the makeup she perfected, and pull her into a hug.
“Thank you for helping me today.”
“Thank you for bagging a billionaire!”
Amber’s lighthearted words dissipate the thick emotion choking my throat, and I smile gratefully against her hair. I pull back and plug into a different mindset. There’s no turning back, no wishing things were different.
I’m going to seize our future with my fist.
“He’s outside, waiting. Wish me luck!”
“Uh, sure, but can you put those on first?” Amber points down next to the couch, where cream heels wait for me.
“Can’t live without you!” I sing.
The second they’re on my feet, I’m jumping toward the door, clutch in hand. I trust Amber’s already packed it with essentials. My only concern now is getting down the stairs safely. Her well-wishes send me out before the door shuts. A sinking feeling accompanies me through our apartment building along with the scent of something light and sweet Amber must have sprayed me with. Then I feel warm. She’s really done so much for me this evening. She thought of everything.
I can’t let her down.
When I get outside, the sun is low in the sky, casting oranges and pinks against the clouds. Idling by the curb is the same black car that picked me up before. Before I can wonder who the driver is, that same guy steps out and comes around to open my door for me. There’s an awkward air between us as I approach, so I avoid eye contact.
Man, what does he think of me? What did he see me looking like in the back seat that day?!
“You look…”
I’m lowering myself into the car beside Charlie when he starts to speak. His voice startles me out of my thoughts, smashing the memories of him onto my head like bricks.
Oh yeah.
This whole time, I was thinking about him without thinking about him, my fingers running over the events of that day like lumps beneath the carpet.
Now he’s looking at me again, his dark eyes intensely searing into mine. Is it my makeup? Maybe he thinks I’m?—
“Constipated.”
I turn woodenly away and nod.
“Thank you.”
“Did you remember to go?—”
“I’m not constipated, thank you,” I cut him off curtly, sighing forcefully. The driver slides behind the wheel—after stealing a glance at me in the rearview mirror.
“You didn’t remember to wear any jewelry,” Charlie notes like a teacher taking marks off.
I slap my hand to my chest, and sure enough, he’s right. There’s nothing there, even though Amber laid something nice out for me. I half expect her to come running out of our building, but the driver has already pulled away.
“Oh—”
“I prepared for that,” Charlie continues, directing my attention to him, and slips a hand into his pants pocket. He’s dressed simply in a fitted long-sleeved shirt with a few buttons at the throat, but it’s so intimidating. His broad shoulders and thick arms so close to me make my pits sweat.
Did I put on deodorant?
He presents a long slender box to me, its velvet exterior inviting my touch. I pluck it from his fingers, shooting him a glance to make sure that’s okay, then open it up.
I gasp.
Inside rests a heart-shaped diamond necklace on a dainty silver chain. Charlie carefully removes it.
“I didn’t know what you’d be wearing but thought you’d look nice in this regardless. Come.”
He motions me forward, and I lean toward him, speechless. I knew he had money coming out of his ears, but none of it had anything to do with me. Until now. He fastens the necklace around my neck, coming in so close I can feel his breath on me, and I go completely still. His masculine scent draws me in.
And reminds me of being alone with him.
Say, “Thank you, Charlie,” and I’ll be nice to you.
“Charlie—”
“They’re waiting for us already at the restaurant. When the car stops, wait for me to come let you out. Then put on your show for the camera. These pictures will be all over the internet faster than you can blink.”
Charlie settles into his seat as he briefs me on the situation, all business. I nod, snapping into the mood as well. He smiles at me gently.
“You look lovely tonight.”
“Heh…” I don’t know what my lips are doing. They’re pulling into a shape that resembles a smile, but it makes him frown, so I stop doing that.
“We’ll work on that.” Charlie laughs and busies himself with his phone.
I look out the window, unsure of what’s going on. Did last week really happen? He’s a gentleman right now.
Then I remember we’re being listened to. Maybe the driver knows we aren’t really a couple, but he doesn’t know Charlie’s true nature.
I make a note of that and sink into my own seat, letting the weight of the diamond on my chest ground me in the moment.
Here we go.
When the driver pulls to a complete stop—staring straight ahead—I worry my heart will beat so hard that the diamond will jump. Photographers hover around the entrance to Emerald, tipped off by the sleek black car parked at its entrance. They’re ready to get the shot. I don’t move.
Charlie smiles warmly at me, then exits the car, on his way to my side. I grab my clutch and take a deep breath.
This is my boyfriend.
We’re on a date.
We’ve been dating for a long time now.
The door opens. His hand extends out to me, and I take it, beaming up at him with an unspoken thanks. I let him support me as I step out into a cacophony of shutters. But I ignore them and look only at Charlie, like he’s the only man in the world. He shuts the door behind me and touches my lower back. I walk closely beside him, allowing him to guide me. He mostly ignores the photographers, too, only waving a little in greeting before returning his attention back to me. I see I made the right choice in pretending they’re not there.
A male host opens Emerald’s doors for us and sweeps us inside. Then the snapping stops.
“Mr. Carter, Ms. Bennett, thank you for joining us this evening,” he greets us, and I can’t help but be surprised to hear my last name. Charlie should know that much, at least. “If you’ll follow me…”
Charlie guides me along while I look around. As its name suggests, the restaurant boasts a rich green interior with gold accents. It takes my breath away just to be here. My heels click on the black glossy floor, startling me. I’ve never commanded so much attention before—even though there’s no one around to see me. Just like he said, the place is empty, save for the three of us.
“Here you are,” the host says as he stops before a gold circular table. Two plush emerald chairs sit side by side, looking cozy together.
“Thank you,” I breathe, still a bit in awe.
The warmth of Charlie’s touch drifts away as he pulls out my chair and motions me to it. The host leaves us without a word. The smile on my face is genuine when I take my seat, letting the velvety cushion cradle me.
“Wow!”
Charlie settles himself and looks at me. When our eyes meet, it’s like I’m doused in cold water. There he is again, the Charlie from before. The smile slips from my face, and he quickly presses a finger to my cheek.
“No, no, no. Keep smiling. I need you poised, like a good girlfriend. Can you do that?”
I will the smile to come back, but it won’t. His lips are still curved, but there’s that sick glint in his eyes. It screams a warning at me.
“Stay poised, and I’ll give you a treat at the end of the night.”
His fingers drift to my lips.
I hear footsteps approaching, and the smile returns to my lips. I turn in anticipation to the waiter, a young man with his long hair drawn back into a ponytail.
“Hello!” I chirp out before he can say anything, a little too eager for a distraction. Charlie’s hand creeps onto my thigh, and I try not to stiffen.
“Good evening. I’ll have the pleasure of serving you tonight,” he says smoothly, looking between the two of us. “I’ve received Mr. Carter’s order in advance, so please relax, and I’ll bring your dishes out to you shortly. We have a delicious evening planned for you.”
The waiter nods with finality before excusing himself. I wish I could ask him to come back because Charlie’s grip is tightening on my thigh. I keep looking at the waiter walk away, then I look around the huge open restaurant. There’s nothing else for me to latch on to.
No one around.
Just me and Charlie.
“Delicious,” he echoes in my ear.