Chapter Seven
Dawn
The moment I step outside after lunch, a sleek, black limo-style SUV is waiting at the curb. I hesitate for half a second before the door swings open from the inside.
And that’s when I see her.
She’s exactly the kind of woman I imagined in Nikolai’s world—stunning, polished, effortlessly expensive.
Her platinum blonde hair is curled into soft, glossy waves, framing high cheekbones and sharp blue eyes.
Her dress is designer, heels perfectly matched, jewelry understated but undoubtedly real. And yet, the second she sees me, her entire face lights up.
“Dawn! Finally! I was wondering when you’d be done with your little tour. I am so thrilled to meet you.”
I blink as she gestures for me to slide in beside her. “How do you know my name?”
She looks at me, wide-eyed. “Oh, Nikolai didn’t tell you.”
I shake my head, confused.
She smiles at me, brushing a strand of hair from her face, other hand on her chest. “I’m Eleanor.
Nikolai reached out to me earlier today and asked if I would be able to take you shopping after lunchtime.
Since I’m in town, I thought, why not? I get to make a new girlfriend while simultaneously doing a favor for an old friend.
” She looks straight ahead, as if picturing where we’re heading.
“Oh, this is going to be so much fun. I haven’t had a proper girls’ day in ages. ”
I barely manage to keep up as she chats animatedly about all the places we’ll go, what I’ll need, how much there is to do.
For someone so elegant, she’s surprisingly warm.
It throws me off. I was expecting someone cold, maybe a little distant. Not this. Not someone genuinely excited to help.
The car pulls away from Blackthorn Tower, gliding through the city.
I pipe up, hesitating a little, “I’m not sure how I’m meant to pay for everything today. Where are we going?” I ask, hoping that it won’t be someplace too expensive, but judging by the woman in front of me, there is no hope of that.
She tilts her head at me in confusion. “Did he not give you his credit card? He specifically told me that he did. If he forgot, I could simply send him the bill.”
My eyes go wide at her knowledge of the card, and her offer to cover it for him, even temporarily. “He did. I have it. I just don’t know how good I feel about spending the money of a man I haven’t known very long. Especially on anything too lavish.” I shrink a little in my seat.
Eleanor lets out a bright and musical laugh at my thoughts. “Oh, Dawn, darling! He can afford it, I assure you. Besides, what would he spend his money on, if not on the attention of a beautiful young woman?” she nudges my shoulder playfully.
I laugh lightly at her remark, deciding not to read too much into it.
I glance at her, picking up something from earlier. “You’ve known Nikolai for a while then?”
She smiles, tucking some hair behind her ear. “Since we were kids. Our fathers were… very close, so we grew up together.” Her words are casual, but something in her tone shifts just slightly.
“He’s never mentioned you.”
Eleanor laughs. “That sounds like him. Nikolai doesn’t talk much about his past.”
This piques my interest. “Why?” I tilt my head.
She hesitates, glancing out the window for a second before returning her gaze to me. “Because it wasn’t an easy one to live through.”
I frown, caught off guard. “He grew up rich, didn’t he?”
“Money doesn’t mean happiness, my dear.”
The words are simple, but they land heavier than I expect. I shift in my seat. “So, what was so difficult about it?”
Eleanor exhales softly, drumming her manicured nails lightly against her knee. “His mother left when he was young. Divorced Byron and walked away.”
That makes me pause. “Walked away from him?”
She nods. “She wanted nothing to do with Blackthorn. Nothing to do with their world. And Nikolai—" she hesitates, choosing her words carefully. “—was left to be raised by Byron. Alone.”
A strange heaviness settles in my stomach.
She continues, “The family legacy and the pressure of perfection have simply always been part of their household expectations for generations. Even for children. And without anyone else to depend on, without any siblings to lean on, Nikolai carries that burden alone. Always has.”
I think of the man I met earlier today. The cold, calculated CEO.
I try to imagine being raised by him.
And suddenly, I start to understand why Nikolai is the way he is. “That… explains a lot.”
Eleanor gives me a small, knowing smile. “It does. Nikolai may be a little rough around the edges, but he has a big heart. Goodness knows, I love that man to death. He’s been one of my closest and dearest friends for our whole lives.”
I want to ask more, but before I can, the limo pulls smoothly to a stop.
I glance outside. We’ve arrived.
The storefront is massive. Glass, sleek lines, luxury woven into every detail.
I swallow as I step out, suddenly feeling too out of place. This isn’t my world.
I glance at Eleanor, who’s already waiting for me with a knowing smile.
“Welcome to your new wardrobe!” She exclaims excitedly.
I exhale sharply, gripping the strap of my bag. This is going to be a long afternoon.
The boutique is even more intimidating than I thought it would be. Everything is immaculate—sleek racks of designer clothing, plush seating areas, private dressing rooms that feel more like luxury suites.
Eleanor moves through the store like she owns the place. She pulls items without hesitation, stacking dresses, coats, heels into the waiting arms of sales associates. Every piece more expensive than the last.
She hands me a gown—a deep, midnight blue.
I run my fingers over the fabric, in awe of its delicacy. “This is beautiful.”
Eleanor lifts a brow. “It’s Nikolai’s favorite color.”
I blink.
Before I can even process that, she winks. “And it matches your eyes.”
I exhale, stepping into the fitting room.
By the third dress, something starts to feel… off. Not in a bad way, just. Strange.
Every single item Eleanor picks is something Nikolai would like. Not something that simply looks good, but something he would notice.
I hesitate, watching her drape a silver bracelet over my wrist.
“Silver suits you.” She muses. “It’s also what he prefers.”
I stare at her. “Eleanor, you’re not trying to imply anything, are you?”
She lifts a brow, amused. “Why? Is there something to imply?”
I scoff, a little too fast. “No.”
She hums, stepping back to admire the way the bracelet catches the light.
Then—with the ease of someone stating a fact— “Well, he’s never given an unlimited shopping spree to any other woman, so I must admit, I simply assumed.”
I freeze. I don’t know what to say to that.
Eleanor watches me carefully, then gives me a soft laugh. “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
It didn’t. That’s the problem.
Because knowing that I’m being treated differently makes me feel… good. Special.
I swallow, forcing a casual shrug. “It’s fine.” But as Eleanor turns back to the racks, I can’t shake the warm feeling.
After visiting almost every shop we could possibly walk to, we make one last visit to a jewelry store on the corner. We spend some time in there, ooh-ing and ah-ing.
Just as I think we’re wrapping up, Eleanor stops at a glass case, eyes skimming over delicate necklaces and earrings. She taps a finger against the glass. “That one.”
The associate pulls out a pair of earrings—sleek, silver, set with small but stunning dark stones.
Eleanor picks them up, turning them toward the light before holding them out to me. “These will look stunning on you.”
I look them over. “Why?”
She smiles. “Because they’ll pop when you’re standing next to Nikolai. They match perfectly with the shades of brown in his eyes. It’s perfect.” She lets out a satisfied hum.
Something warm coils in my stomach. I take the earrings carefully, trying not to read too much into it.
. . .
After having said my goodbyes with Eleanor earlier as her driver dropped me off back at Blackthorn Tower, I managed to drive myself home—somehow, without falling asleep at the wheel.
I took a shower as soon as I’d gotten home, so my damp hair is almost dry now after trying to put everything away.
My new clothes, shoes and heels don’t properly fit into my closet with all of my old things still inside it.
I let out a breath at the sight. As exhausting as today was, I had fun.
And I do have to admit, I am feeling pretty giddy after spending so much money on myself today.
I’ve never dreamed of owning clothes like these.
Near the entirety of my original closet are thrifted items.
I smile at them, though I’m still struggling with the idea that I used someone else’s card. I don’t even know how much we spent today, because Eleanor was swiping the card herself against my protest to put things back at every check out.
I need a bed. I sigh to myself. Couch it is.
I wrap myself up into my favorite blanket and curl up on my lone couch, the one piece of evidence that someone lives here. I close my eyes, awaiting the sweet promise of sleep.
I mull over the events from today, an involuntary smile spreading onto my cheeks as I think about Eleanor’s warm personality.
I think about what she told me about Nikolai’s childhood, his mother.
I run back over my day at work, even if it was cut short for a required shopping spree.
I have no clue how I managed to get here, but maybe moving back to Santa Monica wasn’t such a mistake after all.
I have an old friend back, a new friend, and a very intense and charming man to keep me busy. Maybe life is good.