I closed my eyes and breathed out. “Axel…” I whined. So unattractive.
He countered with his own emotional plea. “Please, Luca. Just allow me to do this for you. Think of it this way. You can also do your project in the car. How much time could you save by allowing someone else to do the driving?”
Motherfucker had me there. I was definitely going to have to get better at dealing with him. My irritation waned as I tried to understand his need to control everything. “Tell me why you think I need a driver? I’m having difficulty justifying his sitting all day. Some days I never leave the office.”
“Okay. It saves time, and that’s his job. George is not the only driver in New York to wait for his client. Would you want to take his job away, Luca? He probably has a family that relies on his income.”
Asshole.Would it be so bad to have a driver take me into the city? Pinching the bridge of my nose, I shook my head in disbelief. He was exhausting. “You have a counterargument for everything, don’t you? I bet you were in the Debate Club in high school. Your opponent probably ran screaming when you stood up.”
He huffed a reluctant laugh. But it was there. “No debate club. It wasn’t necessary. Thewhyyou so desperately seek is that I take care of the people around me. Especially my friends.”
“Fine. But only tomorrow.”
Of course, Axel had his own ideas. “I’ve already paid him for the week. You wouldn’t want me to have to ask for a refund, would you?”
I groaned. He had me there.
“That’s what I thought. When you’re finished at the office, he’ll bring you to my apartment. I’ve pinpointed places to consider, but I want your opinion. We can go out again, or order dinner in. I’ll leave it up to you. Bring your computer and your books. In fact, you can leave them in the car if you like.”
I blinked rapidly as I listened to his plan. He was too much.
“For the third time, Luca, what time should he be there?”
I released my heaviest, most irritated sigh I could muster. “Seven. Sometimes there’s traffic.”
“Good. A black SUV will be waiting.”
“Fine.” I was ready to hang up.
“Oh, and Luca. Leave your car keys with the driver. I need to borrow your ride.”
I sat up, ready to fire back. But the asshole ended the call. And when I called back, five times over the next hour, he didn’t pick up. It went straight to voicemail. “That fucker blocked me,” I muttered to myself.
The next morning, I exited my building to find the black SUV waiting. When I approached, the driver got out and met me at the rear passenger door. “Mr. Vaughn?”
I hoped he was ready for the most boring week of his life. “Yes. Call me Luca.” I placed my keys in his outstretched palm. “I think you need these.”
“Yes, sir. Nice to meet you, Luca. I’m George. Mr. Hughes ordered a variety of breakfast and lunch choices for you this week. He left me with strict instructions to make sure you ate before allowing you to exit the car. And you’re supposed to take the insulated bag for later.”
All I could do was laugh. Axel was taking this entirely too far. “Of course he did.”
George held the door open and waited for me to get in. When I was seated, he didn’t close the door. “I’m to wait until you put on your seatbelt. He said to tell you to buckle up, butternut.”
“It’s buttercup.”
He snorted. “Yes, sir. I know.”
I tilted my head as I snapped the seatbelt in place. As George closed the door and rounded the front of the car, I sank into the plush leather seat of the air-conditioned car. The smell of leather and coffee permeated the air, making my stomach growl. I had to admit, this was nice. Too nice. Luxurious treatment was meant for people who were somebody, not me. Edith’s words resurfaced in my mind. He didn’t need to buy my friendship. There was something sad about that idea. Deciding to leaninto the luxury while it lasted, I looked at the bright side. I wouldn’t go into work with disheveled hair or need to reapply my deodorant again. And I wouldn’t have PB&J for lunch.
Glancing at my choice of four beverages, I reached for the coffee. Taking a sip, I knew it was going to be perfect.
Taking out my phone, I sent him a text.
Me: You think of everything, don’t you?
Axel: I try. Have a good day.
Me: You too.
