David’s POV.
“What the heck…?” Nathan says, clearly surprised I’m booking his whole restaurant for tonight.
Nathan’s family has one of the best restaurants in town and since he now manages all of his family’s business, the restaurant happens to be his.
I keep the determined look on my face even as Nathan taunts me with his ‘you can’t be serious’ look.
“I mean it. How much do you need?” I boast again, and he shakes his head. His eyes dim after a while.
It seems everything is sinking down given the knowing look on his face.
“Vera? You two are a thing now?”
Huffing, I nod. “Shits went south last night and I spilled my whole feelings to her.”
Nathan visibly exhales. “I knew that was going to happen.” He says, getting up.
“You knew, how?” I probe, my brows cocked.
“It was written all over you, clearly half of the day you think about her. I knew you’d fail to meet the demands of the NDA that says, just fling, no emotions involved.”
Okay, he has me right there but I don’t give a damn fuck that I failed.
“I couldn’t help it,” I mumble.
Nathan walks around the corner, getting to my side. Then. “I know, that’s the same shit you experienced with her mother. You loved Helen, I knew.”
As our eyes lock together, Nathan asks one damn question. “You failed to protect Helen, Truman. How sure are you that you’ll protect Vera?”
My heart flips as the question hits me on a deeper level.
My mind swirls with pictures of Helen when she was taking her last breath in my arms.
Pictures of the blood surrounding her body and the promise she made me make.
“Promise me you’ll protect, my daughter, Vera.” Her croaked words hit me.
With tears rimming my eyes I vowed, “I promise to protect your daughter.”
That was one thing I promised to Helen and before Nathan now, I swear again. “Hell, I’ll protect Vera with my life.”
Nathan nods, clapping his hand over my shoulder.
“Well?” I look questioningly at him.
“Follow me.”
In the next twinkling moment, we’re taking down the elevator. Arriving at the car lot, Nathan comes over to where his car was parked. But he suddenly catches a glimpse of my overloaded car.
“The heck is all that?” He points firmly at the bags in the back of my car seat.
“Groceries.” I snap, not wanting his mockery right now.
Who am I kidding? Nathan never fails to mock me at any chance he gets. He brushes into laughter quickly and I glower at him.
Nathan’s face turns red from laughter and he asks, “You seriously gonna cook?”
“Yes, why not?” I snap again, gritting my teeth. I don’t blame him though. It’s unheard of that David Truman’s handling the kitchen.
“I hope you don’t plan on making Vee purge right after.” He presses, still laughing.
I quickly give him the middle finger and dive into my car.
Nathan drives out with me and we take down the road, heading to his restaurant.
It takes about thirty minutes for us to reach and we go inside the restaurant through the kitchen. His staff buzzes around, finding something to keep themselves busy the instant they saw us.
“How many customers are remaining?” Nathan asks his manager– a rotund man with bald hair.
“Right about ten, sir.” He chirps, shaking and wondering why Nathan asks all of a sudden.
“I want everybody to leave once they finish dining.” Nathan orders.
Sure his staff looks just as puzzled as my board members looked earlier.
“Yes. Go on, serve the remaining ones.”
They all jump into it, serving the customers whereas Nathan helps me unload the groceries from my car and into the kitchen.
In record time, the customers leave and Nathan discharges his staff, save for his chief chef who I’ll be needing his help.
“My work here is done, man,” Nathan says, coming over to me.
“Thanks and don’t bitch about me burning the food or I swear I’ll kick your ass.” I scowl and Nathan laughs. He gives me a slap on the shoulder and then zooms right off.
Now, I take a breath and turn to the chief chef. Then. “So, teach me where we start.”
He nods eagerly while I roll up my shirt sleeves. I don the apron and cap and go right into the business of making dishes for my date night with Vera.
^
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Vera’s POV.
I strut around the makeshift stage again while Bruce and Connor gaze at me. I swear my lungs are screaming for breath as well as my bones but I don’t give up.
At least not when Bruce is here.
“You’re doing good, girl!” Bruce says, his voice echoing in the empty walls of the practice room.
Connor throws a look his way and smiles. I guess he’s happy Bruce approves of me.
Normally, all the model assistants in the company ensure their model does well so they can get more handsome pay. That’s not entirely the case for Connor, though. I believe he loves me and wants the best for me.
Grinning at Bruce’s words, I power on my movements, and a while later…
Someone claps as he walks into the room. Looking back, I see Deen walking towards us.
“My God, Vera. You never cease to amaze me with your movements.” The manager says to my delight.
I choose that moment to pause the practice and climb down the stairs.
“Thank you…” I offer as I hear strange heels clicking over the floor.
Looking back, I’m met with Claire’s icy gaze.
She comes in and lurches at Deen, “So about what we were discussing…”
She interrupted our small gathering intentionally and I scoffed and gestured Connor for us to give them space.
Even as I leave, I feel Claire’s eyes on me but I don’t give a damn mind to it.
Connor and I walk through the hall where other models are, chattering. Some were putting on their makeup and others their dresses.
Everyone is definitely getting prepared for the upcoming show.
Connor and I greet them but I noticed something. Half of the girls there didn’t respond to my greetings.
I hear Connor scoff and I look at him.
“What?” I ask nonchalantly.
“What else? Those are Claire’s toys. She managed to buy them over, huh!” He sneers and that’s when I understand why they behaved strangely with me.
It’s because they side with Claire. Who knows what she told them about me?
Anyway, I don’t care much what she said. I only care about what Sage and I discussed earlier about spying on David.
I wonder if she’ll get anything reasonable.
Well, Sage and I framed a believable lie where she would go to the mansion and give excuses about bringing something I forgot in the house.
Once they allow her in, she’ll sneak into David’s room and search for anything that can lead me on.
“Huh, finally. Gotta take a break.” Connor exhales and I chuckle.
“I knew your ass was already tired there.” I tease.
“More than tired. Bruce is one hell of a workaholic.”
“You bet.” I snicker.
Connor goes into telling me the latest happening in the company while I try to dress up and go back home.
No doubt, it’s already late by now.
I was almost done wearing my clothes when I heard Kess, one of the girls I rapport with come into the dressing room, chirping.
“Vera, you have a package.”
Swiftly, I turn and I see a strange girl about my age bearing a box with the Prada logo.
“What is that?” I ask in surprise.
“I was asked to deliver it.” She hands me the box and I sign on the clipboard, my heart was jerking rapidly as I tried to open the box.
Kess and Connor stand gazing at me and at the box as I fiddle with the lid of the box.
The instant I pull it all of us gasp at the elegant spandex dress with a plunging neckline lying inside it.
Well, there are also shoes. Heels to be exact and fancy clutches.
“Omigod.” Connor gasps.
“I bet that costs a fortune. It’ll take me years to save that kinda money.” Kess comments.
I still can’t find the words to speak.
“Who is your boyfriend, Vera?” Kess asks as she comes to look inside the box.
“Uh…” I stutter. “I’d rather keep that to myself…” I breathe.
My eyes land on the note sitting in the box as Kess brings out the cloth.
I rush and grab it before they do.
I unfold the note and I read the cursive handwriting.
Date night with Daddy. Look sexy for me, baby.”
I just knew even before I finished reading that David is the one doing this.
I bring the note to my chest and soak in the words.
“My, God. That’s romantic. I bet whoever you’re dating is someone of a higher class.” Kess says dramatically pouting her lips.
“That’s enough now, let’s get you dressed baby girl.” Connor intones.
And that’s how they help fit into the body-clinging dress, showing all of my hidden curves. My breasts were barely covered.
And Kess puts makeup on my face.
Swallowing, Connor and Kess lead me outside and Andrei pushes the door open for me.
I don’t need to ask because
I’m sure David already informed him.
As we roll away from Day’s Dream, I feel someone stabbing me with their eyes.
But I don’t give a damn, I only care about the date.
But even as we drive through the street, I still feel someone watching me…
To be continued…