Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Avril
At work, they absolutely believed that somehow, I was dating Kir, a trillionaire with a family who had access to anything.
It seemed we were the toast of Manhattan, and for once, I loved the spotlight.
Our drinks came, and I had my usual Moscow mule.
Kir stuck with a gin and tonic. I committed that detail to memory.
Once we had our drinks, Kir asked his brothers, “What brought y’all to the city tonight?”
Xerses told him, “We have a meeting with Warren and Pedar tomorrow.”
My eyes narrowed on Roman and Xerses. “Concerning buying AO Data?”
Roman asked, “How did you know?”
I felt completely at ease with his family. “I work as an analyst there. I have an interview for senior analyst.”
I saw Britney smiling at me, and I winked at her. That night, the shy version of me was missing.
Xerses asked me, “Do you like working there?”
I shrugged and sipped my drink. “I… I like that my health insurance let me put my sister on the policy.”
Kir inhaled. “You never mentioned that was the reason.”
I faced him and the rest of his family, and my friends faded out, like we were completely alone with some background noise. “The reason for what?”
He pressed my hand. “Why you weren’t just quitting and finding another job.”
I smiled wider. “I… can’t have a gap in health insurance. I spent so much time focusing on paying for treatments that I never looked back.”
Then the world blared back into focus as Xerses said, “Maman said your sister had cancer. We’re all sorry.”
I lowered my head and stared at the drink. “Let’s not bring the party atmosphere down.”
Britney asked, “When are you inviting us over to see your new place, Avril?”
I gazed at Kir. It was really his place that I was crashing in. My hand trembled. “I’ll…”
He placed his hand on mine and said, “She wants to unpack some stuff on her own, but in two weeks, you’re all invited. I’ll set up a small party.”
I met his brown-eyed gaze. “Thank you.”
Kelly asked, “So, do you two have any upcoming plans?”
Kir said, “This weekend is obviously my brother’s wedding, but next week, we’re heading to Cancún so I can show her how to jet ski.”
Hope bounced in her chair. “That sounds fun. We should do that, Charlie.”
Kir bumped into my side. “You can invite your friends if you want.”
My eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
Britney, Kelly, Isabel, and Miley clapped.
I smiled. “How about your brothers?”
Roman said, “Sure.”
Miley raised her glass. “Another group trip!”
Everyone drank.
Kir whispered in my ear, “Avril, is it okay that I just invited everyone?”
My eyes watered a little. “Are you joking? It’s great, and honestly I’m excited we’re getting away with it.”
Miley asked, “Getting away with what?”
My heart raced, but I turned to my friend. “Getting away for a bit. Aren’t you coming?”
She nodded but didn’t seem convinced. “Okay, well, it’s nice to see you a little less stressed.”
Britney asked, “So, Kir, when did you realize Avril was special?”
My face heated. Kir had no idea that in a few minutes, she would ask about sex.
Kir said, “In Hawaii, when we spent some time together.”
Charlie said, “Yet you said you weren’t going to pursue her.”
My eyes widened. I had no idea they’d talked about me. “You said that, Kir?”
“I did. I wanted to see if the chemistry was natural when we got back.” His eyes were wide like he was being absolutely honest.
Roman said, “You play it close to the chest, bro.”
He shrugged and pointed across the table. “So, Jeff and Miley together seems like a dangerous combination.”
Miley’s face reddened, as she met my gaze. “We were talking about working together in a firm.”
Xerses asked, “Yeah? Work?”
Jeff shrugged. “And that’s it, though we’re going to talk about it more at the wedding.”
Kelly said, “Before you ask, Isabel and I are going to this wedding with Xerses and Roman because they don’t want to be left to themselves and talk only business.”
Britney pressed her hand to her chest. “So, I’m alone in the city.”
I’d had no idea we were all pairing off.
Charlie said, “I’m sure we can get you invited.”
Britney shook her head. “It’s okay, though, Charlie, I will stop by your place to get those theater tickets you offered. You can leave them with your butler and a note that they’re for me.”
Miley asked, “You’re sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yeah.” Britney smiled at all of us.
Kir said, “Avril’s yawning, and I want to get her home.”
I covered my mouth at the white lie and then gulped my drink.
Britney said, “Have fun, you two.”
We stepped out of the bar and into the limo with me on his arm. I giggled. Once I’d composed myself, I said, “I can’t believe everyone’s buying this.”
Kir slipped in beside me. “Why wouldn’t they?”
The door closed. As the car headed out, I asked, “Is it wrong I’m enjoying this?”
He shook his head. “No, not at all.”
As we neared his building, I sat up. “Wait. We didn’t ask your brothers much about their plans.”
We stopped, and he said, “It’s better to talk about it at the wedding.”
We headed inside. A doorman called the elevator.
We were back in his place overlooking Central Park within seconds.
He closed the door and took off his shoes, and I did the same.
It was his house, and it was a small thing to get used to.
The huge shoe closet reminded me of the movie Clueless , when Cher was searching for her outfit.
I wandered in and stared at Kir. He was honestly great to be around. I smiled at him. “Get some wine. I’m not tired. I’m too excited. I’ve never been an actress before.”
He headed to the kitchen. “Me either. I think I like being a little bad.”
I waited by the window and gazed down at the city. Everything felt far away from up high. The only way this would be better was if we were telling the truth, but that was impossible.
When he came back, I took the glass he offered and said, “We’re making you reckless after all, but seriously, today was great. It’s hard to believe I have work tomorrow, and then we’re off for the weekend adventure.”
We settled on the couch and sipped our wine.
Neither of us said anything, but it was nice to be next to him.
His body heat made me more relaxed. I realized I trusted him implicitly, which was crazy because we were lying through our teeth.
No one should have believed us. I wasn’t part of his world, and it should have been obvious.
I looked over at him and realized his eyes were closed. I put my glass down, picked his up off the floor, and put it on the table, whispering, “And you’re sleeping.” I found the throw and placed it on him. “Good night, Kir.”
It was nice to take care of him, even in a small way, as he’d done so much for me.