I start typing, then backspace.
Type again.
Delete.
Then my phone buzzes hard in my hand. I jolt, and my pulse jumps as I see it’s from Alex. Why is he calling? We don’t even have ASL sessions on Thursdays.
Biting my lips, I answer.
“Hello?”
“I’m downstairs,” His monotone voice is calm and direct like always. “Get ready. I’m taking you somewhere.”
My breath catches.
“What?”
“Stop making me repeat myself, Lucas,” he says with a sigh. “You have fifteen minutes to meet me downstairs, or else I will come up myself and drag you with me.”
And he hangs up.
I blink. Staring at the screen. Did that just happen?
Knowing that Alexander will come up here to drag me, as he promised, I rush to the bathroom, brush and shower quickly, and I avoid pouring water on my hair because it will take minutes to curl and dry.
Thirteen minutes later, I’m already dressed up and rushing down the stairs of my apartment building. An SUV is waiting by the curb. Standing by the back door is the same driver who takes me to Alexander’s place. He’s stoic as always. I have a feeling he’s not just a driver but a bodyguard of some sort.
When he sees me, he gives me a polite nod and opens the door without a word. I nod back awkwardly as usual and slide into the backseat. The warmth hits me first, followed by the smell of expensive leather and polished wood. The faint Cologne that I’ve come to register as Alexander’s — dark, clean, and dangerous — wraps around me like a second skin and presses on every thought I’m trying to suppress.
Ashley's in the front passenger seat, and she turns slightly when she hears me enter.
“Hello, Lucas,” she says, smiling warmly.
I wave a hi to her with a polite smile, then turn to the side to look at Alex.
I feel his stare ever since I entered the car, and now, looking at his handsome face, which I honestly can’t get used to, warms something in my chest.
The car pulls away from the curb with a soft hum.
“Where are we going?” I ask low and quiet, leaning toward him a little so the two in the front won’t hear my voice.
Alex’s eyes stay on me for a beat before he answers.
“To get you something to wear for the dinner.”
I blink at him, surprised.
“Oh?”
“You’ll need an outfit.”
A moment passes. I let the words sink in.
Then I sigh and shake my head, my voice falling into something softer.
“I know it’s a formal dinner, but… I don’t like wearing suits or tuxes.”
Alex nods, like he expected that.
