Chapter 15
Amber
I can’t believe the desserts that are on this tray. It makes me wish that I was actually going to the party tomorrow. If this is what they serve to people who are just the hired help, what in the world do they serve to the actual guests?
“Your desserts, Mr. Daniel,” Flora says, and there seems to be a familiarity there that strikes me as odd.
Not in a disgusting kind of way but in a motherly way. There is familiarity and affection in how they seem to be looking at each other.
“These look so delicious,” I say, and I can hear the breathlessness in my voice. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it. And that, coupled with the amazing views from the room, the gorgeous decorations, and the complete opulence that surrounds me, I might be a little overwhelmed.
“Flora, this is Amber. She’s the girl I was telling you about.”
“Daniel doesn’t usually bring people up here. In fact, I don’t think he ever has. I’m happy that he’s finally found someone,” Flora says, and it seems odd.
I nod, happy that Daniel doesn’t bring every girl he knows up here. I don’t want to be one of many. I want to be special. I suppose that’s the deepest desire of every girl’s heart, to be the special one for the man who is beside her. And for me, even doubly so, since I haven’t had very many men beside me and never anyone serious.
Flora talks just a bit more with Daniel, their conversation familiar and easygoing, before she walks out of the room.
“You were talking about honesty before she came in,” Daniel says as he adjusts the tray on the coffee table in front of us.
“I was. I was saying how I know you are honest, and I admire that.”
“In order to be perfectly honest, I need to tell you something, but first, would you like to choose which dessert you want? Or would you like a bite of everything?” he asks, handing me a small plate and fork.
“Oh goodness, it’s so hard to choose.”
“It’s tempting to have a bite of everything, but I suppose I’m just the kind of person that likes to stick with one thing. The chocolate ribbon cake looks amazing, and that’s what I’m going to have.”
Even with his food, he sticks with one thing. Which is funny, because that’s the way I am leaning too.
“The blueberry cheesecake is calling my name,” I say with a smile. “And I don’t think I’m interested in anything else.”
“It’s white chocolate blueberry cheesecake,” Daniel says, wiggling his brows at me, and I smile.
Then, we settle back with our desserts. I’m enjoying my cheesecake, it’s amazing, but I notice that he hasn’t taken a bite.
“I’m not sure what’s on your mind, but I’m not going to run out of the room screaming, unless you’re a vampire or something.”
He laughs, as I hoped he would, and shakes his head. “I’m not a vampire, but I think it’s almost worse.”
“Worse?” My stomach plunges. What could be worse than being a vampire? Surely he is joking? But he doesn’t seem like he is.
“Not worse literally, but sometimes it feels worse. Because when you’re in a position like I am, it’s sometimes hard to tell why the people who are with you are really with you.”
“Okay,” I say, taking another piece of the white chocolate blueberry cheesecake and putting it in my mouth. It melts on my tongue and is like a flavor explosion, coating all of my taste buds with absolute manna. I try not to close my eyes and hum softly to myself, but that’s what I want to do.
“She likes it,” he says, grinning at my expression.
I nod and then swallow. “And you haven’t even touched yours.”
“I guess I need to get this off my chest first.” He takes a breath. “I don’t work here. Well, technically I do, but Samuel Barrage is my brother. He’s a billionaire, yes. He’s taken what he’s been given and built an entire empire with it. I have worked hard as well, and I’m a comfortable millionaire. The reason I’m in the sitting room is because this is my house. Samuel uses it as his company headquarters here in Pennsylvania, but it’s mine.”
I’m glad he waited until I swallowed before he told me. I probably would have choked on my cheesecake, and that would have been a shame, because it’s really good cheesecake. Definitely the best I’ve ever had. By far.
I blink, my eyes fluttering, because I’m unable to stop them. My mind is racing, turning over other things, namely that Daniel is...rich.
Suddenly my throat is dry, and my hands feel like they’re shaking. I haven’t quite lost my appetite, but I’m concerned that it’s the next to go.
“Okay,” I say slowly. “I guess I feel like you knew I didn’t know, and you could have told me.”
“Would it have made a difference?” he asks, and for the first time, he feels a little distant from me.
I feel like maybe this is a sensitive subject for him. Like maybe... “Has this been a problem in the past?” I ask, wondering if my hunch is correct.
He nods slowly. “I mentioned that sometimes it’s hard to tell that people are with me for the reason I think they’re with me and not for something else entirely.”
“Like your money,” I say flatly.
He nods.
I breathe out slowly. The money doesn’t mean anything to me, but it’s obviously some kind of problem for him. I guess I’ll just be honest. I just wouldn’t know how to be any other way anyway.
“I suppose it doesn’t matter to me how much money you have. I suppose the idea that you actually own this house, this amazing room, that you are rich, doesn’t make me like you less. But I guess it doesn’t really make me like you more either. I already liked you an awful lot.”
I look at him directly. I’m not lying, and if he wants to think I am or to be suspicious of my motives, he absolutely can. But I had no clue when I stepped in and told him that I felt like I could fall in love with him well before I had any idea that he was anything other than Daniel, fellow employee and coworker, the guy who rescued me from the tangled-up tinsel.