18. Evie

eighteen

It was another day at home. I sat with my legs crisscrossed, a few meters from Sophie, who mimicked my stance. “Now, we’re going to focus on breathing. I want you to keep your eyes shut and listen to your heartbeat.”

I peeked at her and saw her eyes were shut.

“Good.”

“How many heartbeats can you count?”

A part of me hoped she’d respond. But there was no answer.

You’ll not only be helping her. You”ll help me too.

“It’s okay, Sophie. Just focus.”

Meditation would help cultivate a sense of calm for any internal turmoil she might have. It would also reduce worry.

I continued to stare at her. She was in a spaghetti-strapped Barbie singlet and pink bum shorts. Her cheeks were a bit flushed, probably because she was doing this for the first time.

Her long lashes fluttered intermittently. It showed how hard she was trying. I didn”t have much time to continue staring when the loud blaring of my phone interrupted.

Shit. I thought I put that on silent. I quickly hunted for it in the pile of softballs before I found it. When I saw the caller ID, I sneaked a glance at Sophie. I was surprised to see that, despite my rummaging, her eyes were still shut.

What a good darling.

Dusting invincible dirt off my pants, I tip-toed outside.

“Evie!” A high-pitched sound scratched my eardrum as soon as I held the phone to my ear.

“Emma!” I mimicked with a hiss.

She paused before saying. “If you’re trying to mimic me, then you”ve got it wrong.”

“Nope. I”m just trying to make you hear what screeching sounds like. What’s up?”

She huffed. “Ugh, whatever. I just called to tell you that you actually saved my relationship. I cut it off with the other twin and told my boyfriend. He was angry and still hasn”t completely gotten over it, but we’re navigating it together.”

“I”m glad you took the right path, Emma.”

“You know I might not have listened to you, but I looked up the Spanish saying. He who does it pays for it. I didn”t want to pay for shit.”

A small laughter escaped my lips. “Typical Emma.”

She huffed again. “Say, you haven”t given the complete gist about your workplace.”

“What more do you want to know, Emma? That”s all there is.”

“I want to know how you’re suddenly in New York and how the fuck you got into Thorne industries.”

I peered over my shoulders at Sophie. She was still in the same position.

“Well, he and my father are friends, so I just kinda ended up here.”

“Lucky bitch,” she snickered.

I started to walk away from the playroom. “Well, I”m also his daughter’s nanny.” I stopped at that. It was out of line to violate my client’s confidentiality.

“So, you stay in his house?!”

I pulled the phone away from my ear. I was pretty sure I”d be partly deaf by the end of this call. “Easy, Emma.”

“You”re living in the same house with the most successful billionaire in New York, and you expect me to be quiet?”

My irises touched my forehead from how far back I rolled them. “Chill girl. Plus, it”s not roses and sunshine like you think.”

“Girl, please.” She made a weird, sputtering sound with her lips, I’m sure. “He’s like the sexiest forty-two-year-old I”ve seen in my entire existence. Maybe he’s muscles and orgasms instead.”

I immediately interrupted her snicker. “That”s so not it. Plus, how do you know his age?”

“Duh, the internet. Plus, what”s not it?”

Right… the internet. Tell me why I never thought of searching for him. Maybe because I didn”t need it?

“I”m here for work, not to have orgasms with my boss.”

Yeah, right. Who was I kidding?

When I heard a light-clattering sound, I turned to see Joseph passing. I quickly made a silent prayer that he didn”t hear me.

One day, Emma would implicate me.

“His wife is dead. I see no reason why you can”t indulge...”

“Shut up, Emma.” My voice grew thick. If only she knew I’d indulged thrice. And my body still craved more.

“Okay. But does he at least walk around shirtless sometimes?”

Again, I rolled my eyes. “He works, Emma. With suits.”

Her voice dropped. “Ahh, bummer.”

I’d now gotten to the living area. Plopping on the couch, I stretched my limbs. I quickly shut my lips when I realized the animalistic sound that sliced my throat.

“Oops. Seems someone is tired,” she commented.

“Just stretching.”

“So, you”re telling me you have no gist for me? I”m highly disappointed in you.”

She did sound disappointed.

For a split second, I contemplated telling Emma about me and my boss’ shenanigans. But maybe now wasn”t the time. Anyone could hear us, and I didn”t want to raise my hopes.

Wait. Raise my hopes for what?Don”t think about it, Evie— don’t think about him. I quickly shook my head.

“I”m glad to have disappointed you,” I grinned. “Talk to you later?”

“Okay.

“Bye, boo boo.”

“Bye, boo.”

The call ended, and I strode quickly to Sophie. I caught her eyes opening briefly, but when she noticed me, she shut it.

It warmed my heart to know that she was a bit mischievous.

When I entered the playroom, I planted my foot heavily on the ground to alert her that I was there. She still didn”t open her eyes. “It’s okay, Sophie. You can open your eyes now.”

Her cheeks were even more flushed than they were in the beginning. Hmmm. She knew what she did.

“That”s all for today. You’ll have a bit of break, and when you feel like we’ll—”

“We’ll go shopping!”

A familiar loud voice tugged my attention to the entrance of the playroom. Gwen was there in a black, knee-length wrap dress.

She really loved sneaking up on people. I acknowledged her wide grin before she went to talk to her niece.

“Hi, Sophie. Aunty’s going to take you shopping now.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned to me. “I want you to accompany me.”

I was a little stunned. “I mean, I —”

“Don”t worry, I”ve told Ethan already, but if you insist, I”ll call him.”

She started fishing for her phone.

I spoke up. “Forgive me, Gwen, but this is all too sudden. I”m not sure if Sophie is comfortable with going out right now.”

She pouted. “Come on, it”s just a dress store. And I promise it”s not crowded at all. It’d even improve her sightseeing experience.”

Maybe she was right, but still.

“You know, Ethan asked that I request permission from you. If you accept my demands, we can go, Sophie included. But if not, I”ll go to the store myself, which would make me very sad. So what do you say?”

“Uhmmm… I’m not sure—”

“You”re really going to let a girl go to the dress store all by herself,” she whined, taking small steps toward me. “I have no friends in New York, and it’s for my function. Please, Evie. I really need this.”

Hmmm. Maybe a dress store wouldn’t be a bad idea for Sophie.

“But I need to call Mr. Thorne first.”

“Here.” She tapped briefly before giving her phone to me. “Please.”

I accepted and brought the phone to my ear.

“What?” I didn”t expect anything less from the other end of the phone. His voice was gruff and sounded irritated.

“This is Evie. I wanted to ask if Sophie could go to—”

“Ugh. Fucking Gwendolyn.”

Umm….

Awkward silence danced between the lines for a while. It felt even more awkward as Gwen kept staring at me with wide, anticipating eyes.

“Have Lewis drive you.”

The call ended immediately before I had the chance to say anything.

“So…” she stared at me expectantly.

“Okay, I guess we can go,” I nodded.

I took a few minutes to change Sophie into something more appropriate– a white round neck and another pair of pink shorts. Then I changed my tank top to a white t-shirt.

Together, the three of us entered the car and were on our way to the store. It still felt a little weird that someone I barely knew wanted me to accompany her. But that’s how you make friends, right?

She was obviously a nice and really…really friendly person. Maybe she was indeed bored and simply needed company.

“You mentioned the dress is for a function.” I attempted to strike up a conversation when the awkwardness was getting thick.

“Ahah, yes.” She adjusted a little in her seat before turning to me. Sophie was seated between us. While I sat on one end, Gwen sat on the other.

“It’s a children”s mental health advocacy organization. I’ve decided to host a fundraising event here because I think it’d better expand my cause.”

I didn’t know what I was expecting, but maybe not that?

“That’s wonderful.” I decided not to say more than that, though asking if she started the advocacy before or after Sophie was really tempting.

“You know, you look really young.”

Mrs. Thorne had said that too.

“I mean no offense. But when Ethan told me that he’d gotten a replacement nanny, I thought it’d be someone older.”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint.” My laugh afterward was a little awkward.

She shrugged, then gave a tight-lipped smile. “It’s fine. You didn’t disappoint, though. Ethan told me about the progress.”

Then they must have a good relationship. Because Ethan wasn’t talkative.

I smiled lightly.

Like she read my mind, she continued. “Well, it wasn’t like he told me. I’m sure you know how my brother can be sometimes, but I…forced it out of him. I have my ways.”

Of course. I watched her adjust her position until she was facing forward. How much did she know about Ethan? I mean, I knew they were siblings, but did she know the… issues between him and his late wife?

“My son, Noah, would have loved this outing.” She chuckled lightly. “He loves pointing at dresses, and sometimes he helps me pick. That’s why I want Sophie to be here, too. Just... you know… in case she could express herself by pointing at dresses.”

All these, she said without turning to me. I had no answer to that, so I mimicked her position. I hoped Sophie would express herself, too.

After about half an hour, we got to the store.

I gawked at the opulent facade of the luxurious building. Standing as a beacon of luxury, its pristine marble exterior exuded an air of exclusivity.

Even the blind could see that only those with discerning tastes could step into the building.

I’d never been anywhere near a luxury clothing store like this. So, as we walked towards the entrance, my excitement began to climb a ladder.

Urging Sophie forward, we crossed the threshold.

I was immediately enveloped by the store”s lavish interior. Crystal chandeliers hung from lofty ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow upon rows of meticulously crafted mannequins. The mannequins were adorned in what I assumed to be the latest designer creations. Fuck. They couldn’t be anything else.

Sophie and I trailed behind Gwen amidst the scent of delicate perfumes mingling with the hushed murmurs of a few other shoppers and the soft melodies of classical music playing in the background.

“Welcome to Elysian Elegance.” A tall blonde dressed in an impeccable suit greeted us, her voice smooth as silk. ”How may I assist you today, ladies?”

“We would like to get dresses. Something elegant and beautiful, suitable for a fundraiser.”

We? I shot her a glance. She didn’t look at me.

“This way, please.” We trailed after the lady until he led us to a section of dresses. A section of jaw-dropping dresses. “If you’d like me to assist you, let–”

“Thank you. It’s fine.” Gwen interrupted with a smile. The lady nodded briefly, then left.

“Wow.” I couldn’t help my awe.

The dresses were displayed like works of art on polished mahogany racks and gleaming glass shelves. Silk gowns in every shade of color cascaded elegantly alongside intricately beaded cocktail dresses and feather-trimmed evening wear.

My fingers itched to explore the sumptuous fabrics, but I had to restrain myself.

“Let me know if you see anyone you like.”

I was shaken out of my reverie. “Uh?”

“Oh, stop being silly. You thought you’d leave here without getting anything?”

It felt heavy to accept such luxurious treatment like this. I knew Emma would yell bloody murder when she heard my next words, but I spoke. “Thank you, but–”

“You know I’m not gonna listen to anything you say, right? And you know you’re accompanying me to the fundraiser, right?” Gwen folded her arms beneath her chest.

My eyes widened in shock. “Uh?”

“Again, don’t worry. I spoke to my brother about it, and he agreed.”

Before I could speak, she yanked my hand toward one of the racks. “Less talking, more picking.”

Her face was set in determination as she waited for me to begin my search. Under her relentless stare, the idea of dressing up and going out of routine for one night didn’t sound so bad.

“Thank you, Gwen.”

She snorted. “It’s nothing.”

Soon, she disappeared into another section, and I was left with Sophie standing by my side and a haven of beautiful dresses to search through.

“Sophie, Aunty Gwen is being so nice to me. I like her.” I started a one-sided conversation as I began my search. The first dress I saw was a long silk dress with a slit that looked like it’d reach my pussy. Nope.

I moved to the next. It was seafoam green. It was a v-cut neckline and had a pair of white gloves attached to it.

Somehow, the only image I could think of was Marilyn Monroe’s. Perhaps it would look good in a more traditional event.

“Will you help me pick, Sophie?” When I looked at her, her attention was fixed elsewhere on something else. I trailed her vision to another rack. Before I could do anything, she pointed.

For a moment, I was rooted in shock. Was she helping me choose? Was this because of the conversation with Gwen in the car?

I moved to the dress, and my breath almost caught in my throat. The gown was a soft shade of lavender.

I quickly unhinged the hanger, tilting the dresses to capture every view. The dress was crafted from ethereal layers of chiffon that seemed to float with every movement.

It was a sleeveless dress with floral embroidery that spanned from below the sweetheart neckline to the waist. The moderately high slit was the only design on the skirt.

Gorgeous. That was the only word to describe the dress.

“I see you’ve found one. It’s beautiful.”

I turned to see Gwen holding a black dress. “Not me, Sophie did.”

Her eyes widened momentarily. “Really?”

I nodded. She glanced at Sophie. “Did she…”

“No.” I understood what Gwen was trying to say. “She pointed.”

Her chest fell softly as she released a small chuckle. “Just like Noah.”

I smiled.

She turned to Sophie as if wanting to say a billion things but instead turned to me. “Come on. Try it on.”

Right. I had to do that.

Sophie’s face was blank when I turned in the direction of the dressing room. I got there and moved the velvet curtain aside before entering. I tossed the curtain back when I entered.

My excitement doubled as I pulled off my clothes and put on the dress. The chiffon material melted against my skin. It felt just as gorgeous as it looked.

When I turned to the large ornate mirror, I was stunned. The dress fitted me perfectly, accentuating my curves. It was like a match made in heaven.

Slowly, I fisted a part of the curtain and moved it aside to reveal the waiting eyes of Gwen…and Sophie.

“Wow. You look amazing.”

“Thank you,” I smiled, wringing my fingers together before me as I lowered my chin. I didn’t know why I felt shy.

“I’m sure those curves will kill my brother.” My heart struck against my chest, and I quickly whipped my head to hers.

She eyed me like she didn’t just say the weirdest thing. Then shifted her weight to her other foot like she was getting bored.

“What?” She scoffed. I held my breath as I watched her expression slowly morph into a knowing look. Then she leaned into my ear to whisper. “I know you were fucking my brother the day I arrived in his office.”