Sophia’s Point of View
I shouldn’t have agreed to this outing.
Yes, outing. I refused to call it a date. Because Reid Prescott and I would never go on a date.
I shouldn’t have agreed but Mr Prescott had sprung it on me so suddenly that in addition to his proximity to me when he had asked, I had found myself simply agreeing to his request.
I’d convinced myself it was going to be just a casual meeting until the stylists had arrived.
“What are you all doing here?” I asked barely able to keep my jaw from dropping when I returned from the library where I usually took my classes and opened my room door just to see a small army waiting for me with dresses, open make-up boxes, jewelry boxes and so many shoes.
A blonde in a pantsuit and closely cropped hair approached me with a bright smile.
“Welcome, Mrs Prescott. I’m Marina. The team and I are here to help you get ready for tonight.”
“Tonight?” I echoed looking at the organized chaos in my room.
Why would Reid Prescott want me to get dolled up just for a casual outing?
“Please come in, we have much to do.” The blonde ushered me in faster than I could process her words.
When they were done with me, I looked stunning in a forest green dress that dipped a bit in the back with a full skirt and a slit in front that was a bit higher than I would have preferred.
I looked good.
The last time I had been this dressed up was on my wedding anniversary day which had been abysmal.
I wasn’t optimistic about today either. Why did he do this and why on earth had I agreed to an outing?
It wasn’t until I saw Mr Prescott waiting at the edge of the staircase for me decked out in a suit that it hit me.
Was this supposed to be a date?
The troubling thought was enough to make me stumble a few steps but before I could fall Mr Prescott was there to hold me.
“Are you alright?” He asked, looking at me with an uncharacteric look of concern.
I stared at him for a moment before nodding and pulling away from his arms. I was overthinking this. I had been here for barely a month. Mr Prescott couldn’t have fallen for me within that time. Right?
We got into the limo and the car started up.
The atmosphere felt weird and not like our usual ignoring of each other.
Reid Prescott was the first to break the silence.
“You look good today, Miss Evergreen.”
“Huh?” I muttered as it took me a moment to realize he was complimenting me. “Thank you.”
It took me another moment to realize my suspicions had been right.
This was a date. He had gotten me a dress, shoes, waited for me at the edge of the staircase, opened the car door for me and complimented me.
Damn. Damn. What on earth happened to rule four: No falling in love?
Don’t get me wrong, Reid Prescott was handsome, unbelievably so or at least he was when he wasn’t scowling or smirking at me.
But I wasn’t going to open my heart to the first man who was interested in me simply because he was handsome.
It was time to clarify this situation with Reid Prescott and let him know that this would strictly remain a business transaction.
“Mr Prescott, I-” I began to speak but before I could finish, he interrupted me.
“Here you don’t have to call me Mr Prescott, Sophia,” His steel gray eyes were fixed on me. “Just Reid is fine.”
“What?” I echoed, my panic rising. He wanted us to drop honorifics when speaking to each other. This wasn’t good.
Before I could speak, the limo pulled to a stop and Reid Prescott stepped out a split second later.
Then my door at my side opened and there Mr Prescott was holding out his hand for me to take.
Heart racing with trepidation and more than a little dread, I took his hand and stepped out to flashing lights.
Flashing lights?
We were in front of a five star hotel that doubled as an event hall for only the crazily rich and the press were packed in front taking pictures.
I looked at Mr Prescott with growing confusion.
“We are here for a party?” I asked him.
Hooking his arm with mine and flashing a smile to the press, he slanted me a weird look.
“Of course we are. What else did you think we were here for?”
My cheeks flushed and I couldn’t meet Mr Prescott’s gaze from the embarrassment that flooded my veins.
“Nothing.” I muttered in response. How could I have misunderstood everything?
Mr Prescott slid his arm around my waist drawing me closer and I nearly jumped several feet in the air.
He leaned in and from afar he might have looked like he was kissing my cheek.
“Sophia, relax. The press is watching.” He whispered into my ear. Him calling me Sophia instead of Miss Evergreen still felt weird but I tried to relax.
This must be the debut back into the high society that he had told me about. The one where he showed me off as his wife.
Mr Prescott had done his part, paying for Mom’s hospital bills and my tuition. The least I could do was play along.
So I relaxed in his arms and tried to look like I was happily married while the flashes from the cameras increased as we drew closer to the entrance of the hotel.
Especially when the press recognized me.
“It’s Jerry Baxter’s ex-wife!”
“Did Jerry Baxter invite you to the gala?”
I ignored the flurry of silly questions aimed at me. Why would Jerry invite me to-
I paused suddenly noticing the banner at the entrance of the building. It read Baxter Shareholders Gala.
I froze at that moment, my heart stopping for a few seconds. The party we were attending was the Baxter Shareholder Gala?