Chapter 21
Alice Mendes
I'm getting ready to leave when I see the door open and Oliver step out. He must have forgotten about our dinner… and who am I to remind him? But then he comes over to my desk and says:
“I'll expect you at eight o'clock—don't be late. I'm sending a driver to pick you up, and I'll make sure you're cleared to come up. See you later.”
He doesn't even wait for my response and walks to the elevator. I follow him with my eyes until he steps inside. Before the doors close, he gives me a wink. That's when it hits me.
Catarina appears at my desk and notices something's off. I drop into my chair, and she immediately asks:
“Grab your things and let's go, because you have a lot to tell me, you little sneak.”
I give her a discouraged look but do as she says. As soon as we're on the street, I tell her where dinner is going to be. She picks up the pace so we get home faster. When we get inside, she pushes me straight to the bathroom and orders me to take a long bath.
I find all of this a bit strange, but I have to admit I need a relaxing bath. I take longer than usual. When I come out, I find Cata waiting for me, with several dresses thrown on the bed and some shoes set aside.
“What's all this? It's just dinner at his place.” I finish talking and notice the new lingerie she gave me—the one I never wore because I thought it was too extravagant. “And what's this supposed to mean?” I ask, pointing at it.
“Well, the lingerie is to wear under one of these gorgeous dresses we have here. So put it on and let's try on the clothes.”
“Cata, it's just a simple dinner.”
“A dinner where your boss is going to cook for you. So at least give him something nice to look at. And as for the lingerie… what if you lose your virginity tonight? At least you'll be prepared.”
I turn red at her comment and decide to get dressed. I end up choosing a black dress with wide straps and a modest neckline. It falls to my knees but has a slit that goes up near my thigh. To complete the look, black stiletto pumps. I do basic makeup and put on the red lipstick I love so much.
I'm ready. I grab my purse. At the door, my friend wishes me good luck. I think I'm really going to need it.
When I go downstairs, I see the driver he sent parked in front of my building.
Very punctual. He opens the back door for me, and I settle in.
I'm nervous. It's my first date—and it's at his place, no less.
Maybe it would have been better to meet at a restaurant, somewhere public.
I would have been more comfortable. But it's too late now. All I can do is face it.
I arrive at the building. It's tall, imposing, beautiful. He lives in the penthouse. I greet the doorman, who asks my name and immediately lets me through. I see that Oliver has a private elevator. I type in the password I received earlier by text.
The doors close and the elevator starts to rise.
Well, Alice… there's no running away now.
A few seconds later, the doors open. And there he is, right in front of me. A gorgeous man wearing dress pants, barefoot, his shirt sleeves rolled up. The buttons are open, revealing part of his toned chest. He smiles at me, a gleam in his eyes.
My God… Lord, help me!