13. "I didn't realise you were in charge of my social calendar."
Dinner was quiet initially as we all sat together to eat. My parents indulged in occasional conversation about work and the house, while I sat focused on my plate of chicken, ignoring the fiery brunette sitting opposite to me.
Aurelia sat dressed in a lilac dress that reached her knees, the most length I had ever seen her wear since she had stepped into my house like a hurricane. It was a colour too soft for someone who always created havoc.
"Zayden," my father's voice cut in through the calming silence, "Jonathan called this morning. He told me how impressed he was."
I nodded, ignoring Aurelia's smug smile that I could see from my peripheral vision. "The terms were finalized. Legal's drawing up the contracts."
"That's excellent news." My father's gaze shifted to Aurelia. "And you, young lady, apparently left quite the impression."
Aurelia beamed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "What can I say? I do tend to have that effect."
Right. That dress she wore could have started a war.
"She helped?" My mother asked curiously.
"She impressed them with some very practical and fascinating points," my father said, sounding amused. "They practically tripped over themselves sealing the deal. What's more impressive is that she spoke so eloquently without even knowing anything about the deal."
Aurelia's eyes sparkled as she soaked in the praise, letting it get to her head that was already high up in the clouds.
I clenched my fork tightly in my hand. "She was only there because she wandered in," I said flatly. "It wasn't planned."
"But it worked," my father replied, unbothered. "You should take that into consideration for future meetings. Take Aurelia along with you. You could use her help."
I almost choked on my food. Take her with me? To discuss important deals? Yeah, right.
"I'm glad to help whenever." Aurelia grinned.
My mother beamed at her. "I knew it was good to have you in the house... do you want to go shopping with me tomorrow evening?"
I returned my attention to my meal, prepared to drown out their conversation.
"I'd love to. Can we go some other day though? I have a date tomorrow night." She spoke.
The word hit like a gunshot. It didn't register at first. My mind had to rewind and replay it to make sure I'd heard correctly.
She has a date?
What the hell?
"With who?" I asked before I could stop myself. It came out too fast. Too sharp. Too... curious.
She tilted her head innocently. "You don't know him. Someone I met at the gala last week."
The gala. That idiotic charity event where half the men in the city had tried to flirt with her.
"He seemed... charming," she added with a deliberately casual shrug. "We're going to dinner."
I stared at her, not even pretending to be civil anymore. "You're not going."
My mother glanced at the two of us.
Aurelia's eyes narrowed slightly. "I didn't realise you were in charge of my social calendar."
"I'm in charge of this house," I bit out. "And if someone's showing up here, they go through me."
Her smile sharpened. "Oh, don't worry. He's not picking me up. I'll take one of the cars and meet him there."
No, she wouldn't.
I set my knife down with a soft clink and stood from the table. "Excuse me," I said tightly. "I have a call to take."
She didn't even look at me, but I felt her smirk like a slap.
———
The next morning, before I left for work, I called for our house manager. I had something very important that I needed him to take care of for me.
"What can I help you with, sir?" He asked.
I cleared my throat. "Clear the driveway," I ordered. "All the cars. Take them to the downtown garage. Every single one."
He blinked, taken aback by my demand. "All of them, sir?"
"Yes. And have the garage door codes reset. No one uses a car tonight." I asserted firmly.
"But sir, what if someone asks?" He uttered hesitantly.
"No one will ask," I affirmed. "Mom and dad aren't coming home tonight. I'm taking my own car to work... no one should have a problem."
He nodded slowly. "May I ask why, sir?"
"No, you may not." I said coldly before heading to my car.
I drove to work, prepared to carry on with the rest of my day.
I returned home before sunset, which was quite early for me.
My chest was tight, throat burning with something hot and stupid.
I had no right to stop her.
But I couldn't let her go, either.
The thought of her laughing at someone else's jokes, looking across a table at some man like he was the center of her world—it made me feel like I'd swallowed a live wire.
She was doing this on purpose. To provoke me. To get a rise.
And damn it, it was working.
Just as I entered through the front doors, the sound of hurried heels echoed from the hallway.
And there she was.
Aurelia.
Descending the stairs in a rush, like some sort of chaotic goddess in stilettos, with her hair done up and lips painted the color of defiance.
Her dress—if you could even call it that—was a thin, silky red slip that clung to her frame. The neckline was criminal, allowing a generous portion of her breasts to peek out. The back? Practically nonexistent.
She hadn't seen me yet.
I stood quietly near the entryway, arms crossed, waiting for her.
She turned the corner and froze when she spotted me.
And for a moment, we just stared at each other.
She blinked, smile flickering onto her lips with mock sweetness. "Don't tell me you're standing there to see me off."
I said nothing.
She breezed past me toward the garage door, the scent of her perfume lingering. Sultry and maddening. Every nerve in my body pulled taut.
She tried the garage keypad.
Beep. Beep. Nothing.
Her brows furrowed. She tried again, more aggressively this time.
Still nothing.
I leaned against the wall, smug. "Looking for something?"
She turned around, slowly. "Why is the garage not opening?"
I shrugged lazily. "Must be a glitch."
"Glitch?" She repeated, suspicion blooming fast. "Then where are the cars?"
"Downtown garage," I said nonchalantly. "Getting detailed."
Her eyes widened as shock coated her features. "All of them?"
I nodded, hiding my smugness behind a cold, nonchalant facade.
"You took every single car off the property?" Her voice shot up, incredulous.
"Timing's unfortunate, isn't it?" I replied dryly, meeting her glare head-on.
Her mouth dropped open. "You've got to be kidding me."
I didn't flinch. "You should've informed someone if you needed transportation. This isn't a hotel where you come and go as you please."
"You did this on purpose." She accused.
I did. And I'll do it again.
"I manage this household. That includes the cars. If you needed one, you should've checked earlier." I affirmed.
She stared at me, jaw tight, fists clenched at her sides. "You really are the most controlling, arrogant—"
"—careful," I cut in coldly, stepping closer. "Watch your mouth, Sinclair."
Her eyes flashed. "Or what? You'll take away my shoes next?"
I almost laughed. She looked like a furious little devil in that red dress and those ridiculous heels, practically vibrating with rage.
"Why are you even trying this hard to go out?" I asked, eyes narrowing. "What's so special about this guy?"
She scoffed. "I can do whatever I want. I don't need to give you any explanations... you just can't palate the fact that I'm going on a date, can you?"
"Don't flatter yourself. One guy asks you on a date, and you start thinking you're something." I mocked.
"There are numerous men out there who appreciate me." She folded her arms across her chest.
I clenched my jaw.
"Real men, unlike you." She added, deliberately poking the bear.
For a beat, we stood there, caught up in a death stare contest. Her chest rising and falling, her mouth parted in fury.
But then she blinked, breaking the spell.
"Well, congratulations," she snapped, turning on her heel. "You win, Zayden. The big bad CEO got his way again."
She stormed back toward the staircase, heels stabbing into the marble with every step.
I stayed frozen where I was, watching her go.
My pulse was erratic, and I hated it.
I hated how much she made me feel.
And I hated that, no matter how many cars I sent away, I still couldn't drive her out of my damn head.