Chapter 13

• Darren points in the direction of the bus stop, the bus that we would both normally take is only a couple of minutes away. I wave him off, resigning myself to this conversation. I'll catch the next one.
• "Oh yes it did, thank you so much" I reply and wave to Darren as he walks over to the bus stop whilst I kick my shoe against the pavement, sending a cloud of gravel dust to collect under my feet.
• "You're welcome. Where are you right now?" Crap, he probably wants to see me. I can't lie, and I can't avoid him forever. I've signed a contract, I have to follow through.
• "I've just finished work, at the university bookstore" I reply honestly, I can hear someone else talking to him on the other end before he responds.
• "Have you had lunch yet?" I shake my head before I remember he can't see me, god really? A whole lunch date?
• "No not yet"
• "I will be there to pick you up in ten minutes. Wait outside" I look back at the building I've just walked out of and sigh gently.
• "Okay, see you soon" he doesn't say goodbye, I hear the line go dead before I've even said 'see'. How rude, to not only not even actually ask me to go out on a date, but to demand that I wait for him and not say goodbye. This boy was raised without mEloisers, but I'm not about to tell him that in a hurry.
• I sit down on a bench outside the bookstore and tuck my feet under my legs before I take out my book. It's slightly colder in the shade, so wrap my jean Danteet tighter around arms and settle into the seat. I've barely had the time to open the book and get lost within it when I hear the loud roar of a car engine down the street fast approaching. I look up along with the other passers by as a sleek black car roars to a stop in the parking lot opposite the bank of shops. The only comparison that I could make is one similar to a bat mobile; low to the ground, sleek and modern, far too loud for anyone's good.
• I purse my lips together and pull a smile onto my face as Mr Whitlock emerges from the car and shuts the car door. I assume he's probably enjoying all the attention the car is getting, as people openly stop and take it in. Quickly rising from my seat, I stuff my book back into my bag and pull my bag onto my shoulder. He's dressed down today, in black jeans, a crisp white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbows and a pair of aviators resting on his nose.
• "Hi love" he greets me once I'm within ear shot. I smile gently up at him and blush as he leans down to kiss my cheek, placing his hand on my waist once again, just as he had in the negotiations.
• "Ready to go?" He asks coolly and I nod my head before he starts to walk back over to his car. He seems far more relaxed than the other two times I've meet him, maybe he won't rub me quite the wrong way this time.
• "Nice car" I tell him as he opens up my door for me, his face breaks out into a grin, boys and their toys.
• "It's new" he replies as I bend down and slide into the seat, the car surprisingly low to the ground. Thank god I'm not wearing a skirt or the people who have gathered to watch us would have caught an eyeful. I can't pretend I don't see them, they obviously stare at the young girl getting into the rich older mans car. They look at me as though I'm just like a cheap whore, if only they knew how expensive I was.
• I settle into the car and put on my seatbelt as I wait for him to slide into the seat next to me. The interior of the car is completely black, with leather seats and delicately clean floors. It looks like anyone's ever driven it, like it's just been driven out of a showroom.
• "I thought you were in Seattle? I ask as he puts his seatbelt on. He looks at me for a moment, a hint of a smile still visible on his lips.
• "I was" he pauses before turning the car on, his smile growing wider as the engine roars to life. I nearly jump out of my seat at the sound. "I flew back in this morning" he half shouts over the engine. The roar settles as we begin to drive down the streets of central London , unable to reach quite the speeds that this car was designed for.
• "Aren't you exhausted?" I ask him after adjusting to the sound of the car. I've never left the country, but I can imagine all the travel would have me utterly exhausted. He simply shrugs.
• "I sleep quite easily on planes, being in first class helps" his lips curl into a smirk as he looks to my side to see my reaction. I can't help but let out a soft chuckle, of course he would jump at the opportunity to show off his wealth. It's like he needs to keep reminding people he's rich or else he'll die, like how tinker bell needs applause to live.
• "How was your trip?" I ask in an attempt to keep conversation going forward, I'm scared that I will get nervous if it stops.
• "It was fine. Busy, lots of meetings" he shrugs. "I got you something" I raise my eyebrow and look at him quizzically.
• "You did? Why?" I'm honestly baffled. I certainly haven't done anything worthy of a gift.
• "Because I can" He simply replies. "It's in the glove box" I look ahead of me and calm my breaths as I reach forward to open the glove box. It pops open and inside are a few papers and a small black box with a simple white ribbon fastened on top. I tentatively reach my hand out towards it and sit it on my lap as I close the glove box, examining the box after doing so.
• "Go on open it, it's not going to bite you" Mr Whitlock lets out a soft chuckle at my hesitation to open it.