Page 133 of The Rebel Billionaire

Debra claps her hands.

“It looks like everyone is here, and I don’t want to be late getting started. Welcome, everyone…”

She moves around the classroom, handing out the semester schedule.

“This contains all the dates for assignments and the industry professionals who’ll be coming in to work with you.”

She goes through each item in detail.

I open my notebook as she fills us in on what to expect from them and what they expect from us.

“Any questions?”

Everyone looks at their table, making her chuckle. “Don’t panic. My email is on the last page. If you have any questions, you can email them to me. If it’s something I think is beneficial for everyone, then we can go over it at the beginning of our next class.”

We all file out of the classroom.

“It was lovely meeting you, Brooke. See you on Tuesday,” Andie says as we hit the street.

“You too. Have a great weekend.”

A cab approaches, its roof light shining, but someone else gets there first.

“Get in,” a voice calls from the kerb.

My heart thunders.

“It’s okay,” I say.

The guy gets out, and I realise he’s a member of the security detail stationed in the apartment opposite. As I left, I’d slipped a note under their door telling them where I was going.

Better to beg forgiveness.

I step forward.

“Hop in, I’ll drive you home.”

I open the door, still praying he really is security and not one of the men sent to do me harm.

“You got my note?” I say when he pulls into traffic.

“We did. I should ask what the hell you’re playing at, but I get it. We both do. Give us your schedule and one of us will pick you up.”

“You don’t have to. I can get a cab,” I say.

“Not when this place is kicking out. Even a booked one is likely to get taken by someone else,” he says.

“I don’t want to put you out.”

He turns his head and grins. “We’re sat in an apartment, twiddling our thumbs. It’s not like you have us running all over the city.” He pauses, clearly realising what he’s said.

My life is boring and, by default, so is theirs.

I wake up, I go to work, I come home, I go to bed.

Rinse and repeat.

“It’s fine. Thank you, I’d appreciate the lift.”