Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
I took the phone, blinking away the confusion. “Hello?”
“If you were tired, you could have gone back to sleep, anjinho.” His voice was smooth, almost amused.
“I didn’t know that was an option,” I muttered, still trying to shake off the grogginess.
The line went silent for a moment, and then he responded, his tone more serious. “I’ll see you soon.” Before I could say anything else, there was a beep to signal the call had ended.
I handed the phone back to the driver, giving him a questioning look. “Why didn’t you just wake me up?”
His expression remained stoic as he responded, “Mr. Escuro made it very clear you aren’t to speak to other men without his consent. As far as touching, that would cause me to lose my hands.”
I stared at him. The image of the severed limb flashed through my mind. A brutal warning, wrapped in flesh and bone, delivered in an elegant box.
“We have arrived,” the driver added, his voice breaking through the haze of my thoughts. I looked up just in time to see him stepping out of the car.
I turned to look out the window, taking in the sight of the boutique Mateo had mentioned earlier. The name was etched in elegant script above the entrance, and the store itself was a study in opulence.
The intricate gold latticework on the windows and the polished marble exterior made it clear that this was no ordinary boutique. This was a place where only the wealthiest of the wealthy shopped, a shrine to excess and luxury. It clicked then, as I stared up at it.
My sister had shopped here before, flaunting the latest designer pieces as if they were as casual as jeans and a t-shirt in our rundown neighborhood. I remembered the countless times she’d returned home with bags from this place, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of having something no one else did. Eva had loved this world, thrived in it even. She’d been born for luxury, whereas I’d always felt like I was playing dress-up, an imposter in a world that wasn’t mine when she begged me to try the clothes on. Now, standing outside, I wondered what my sister would think of me being here now, under such circumstances.
Would she be proud? Horrified? I wasn’t sure, but the thought of her brought a fresh wave of sadness and determination. As I stepped out of the car, the driver, who had barely spoken three words to me since our journey began, said in a measured tone, "I will be on standby, Miss. Take your time."
I nodded, appreciating his professionalism, knowing he had to have an opinion on this whole situation. I turned and approached the grand entrance to the boutique. The streets around me were eerily quiet, devoid of the usual hustle and bustle as if the entire area had been cleared out just for my arrival. Mateo's doing, no doubt. As I pushed open the door, I paused, taking in the interior.
The boutique was a vision of refined luxury, from the sleek modern fixtures to the soft lighting that bathed everything in a warm, inviting glow. One wall displayed the words "You Are Beautiful" in elegant script, while the other featured a series of mirrors.
It wasn't the luxurious decor that made me stop in my tracks—it was the sight of Peyton and Melody waiting for me, their expressions a mix of relief and something else I couldn’t quite place. Beside them stood three fresh-faced staff members, each smiling politely, ready to cater to my every whim.
Peyton was the first to break the silence, stepping forward with a smirk. "We were wondering when you'd show up."
I froze, momentarily at a loss for words. "What are you two doing here?" I managed to ask, my voice betraying the surprise and confusion I felt.
Melody stepped forward, a wry smile playing on her lips. "We were summoned by your fiancé," she replied, drawing out the word with deliberate emphasis. Her eyes roamed over me and her smile tightened.
Peyton clapped his hands together loudly. "Alright, folks—let's get to work!"
His voice was upbeat, almost as if this were any other day spent shopping, but I knew him well enough to see it was an act.
The staff, who had been waiting attentively, immediately sprang into action. One of them, a young woman with a sleek bob and impeccable style, approached me with a warm, professional smile. "Miss Castello, it's a pleasure to assist you today. We’ve already taken the liberty of preparing a selection based on your measurements and Mr. Escuros’ preferences."
"You... already have my measurements?" I asked though I shouldn't have been surprised. Of course, Mateo would have thought of everything.
"Yes, Miss," she replied smoothly. "We've curated a collection that we believe will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. If you’d like to follow me, we can get started right away."