Chapter 4

FOUR

When we got inside,I felt like I was visiting the Biltmore Estate—a place I dreamed of visiting after finding a brochure. That brochure got me through the hardest moments of my life because I would pretend one day I'd go there, and that, maybe one day I could live a life as lavish as that one. Stupid me. But now, here I was, twirling around in the foyer of a complete stranger's house, in awe.

The interior was even more stunning than the exterior, if that was even possible. The ceiling had this gold-encrusted design, the walls were a stunning shade of navy blue, and one wall had built-in shelves, meticulously decorated with gorgeous knick-knacks and picture frames. A stunning, velvet emerald couch sat atop a lavish rug, the accent chairs were a deep golden mustard color, and everything had this bohemian peacock yet rich vibe to it.

"Your home is stunning." I looked over at Raina, who had her sleeping son on her shoulder. She was beautiful. Her eyes were a lighter brown, but her hair was a deep raven like mine, except shiny and well taken care of. Her skin was a creamy tan, and her makeup was applied to perfection.

"Are you Indian?" I asked as she kicked off her shoes and gently put her bag down.

"I was born here in Charlotte, but yes, I am. My mom is actually Persian, and my dad is Indian, so half, but we really grew up immersed in the culture. I'm going to take Kai up to his bed, but please, make yourself at home. I'll be there in just a minute." Raina smiled at me and made her way up the curved marble staircase.

Tugging my dirty flip-flops off, I neatly placed them next to her Golden Goose sneakers.

For a moment, I felt bad that someone as dirty as me was in a place so beautiful. Here I was, in a house that easily had to cost five million dollars with a Goodwill bag in my hand.

Sighing, I let my calloused, rough feet glide against the gorgeous smooth floors. They weren't wood or carpet; they were marble, just like the stairs.

I'd never seen, let alone been inside a home with marble floors. I walked toward the built-in shelves and began looking at the golden framed photos—mostly black-and-white, professional images of Kai and Raina—and when I went to the other side, I lifted a large wedding portrait.

"It's been ten years, but it feels like yesterday." A voice startled me from behind and as I jerked around, the frame slipped and crashed to the floor.

"Oh, no!" the tall, handsome man, who was now crouched on the floor by my feet, called out.

Stumbling back, I avoided the glass and gripped the edge of the built-ins. "I'm so sorry!" I winced as he shook the shards off and lifted the now broken frame.

"Demi, are you alright?" Raina was at the bottom of the stairs, glancing between the two of us.

"I didn't hear him coming and I… I'm so sorry. I'll buy you a new frame," I stammered, even though I only had five dollars to my name and, by the looks of that frame, I'd need to add two more zeros at the end in order to match what it was.

"No, no… it's okay. I always joke that Jax is abnormally light on his feet." Raina grinned.

"This is my husband, Jax Roberts. Jax, this is my new friend Demi." She widened her eyes slightly at him as he stood with a pile of glass stacked on their wedding photo.

"It's so nice to meet you, Demi. Do you live around here?" he asked politely.

"No. I'm kinda new to town." I looked back down at my feet. Suddenly horrified that her husband was inches away from my chipped-up toenails and feet that were stained with dirt and grime.

"Well, Raina is what we call a people collector. She loves new friends, and I'm sure you'll find her to be quite useful in getting to know the city." He paused, but then did a quick sweep of my body before lifting his eyes back to mine again.

"Are you working somewhere?" Raina cleared her throat and looked at him with repulsion.

"Actually, I have an interview tomorrow with this surgeon, Dr. Ivory." I chewed on my bottom lip nervously.

Jax's demeanor changed. "Dr. Ivory?"

"Yeah, do you guys know him?"

"Demi, he lives right down the street from us." Raina squinted at me. "Why don't you come sit down? I'll order some food for us; there's this great Chinese restaurant, and I'm sure you're hungry since it's past dinnertime." She waved me over to the velvet couch. My stomach rumbled loudly as I sunk into the seat, and Raina quickly tugged her phone out to place the order.

Jax finished cleaning up the mess and began walking. But I didn't hear him. Peering over my shoulder, I looked at his feet.

He was wearing these strange looking white foam slippers. No wonder I couldn't hear him walking.

"What kind of shoes are those?" I asked Raina, who was finishing up the takeout order on her phone.

"These? Do you like them? They are my favorite slippers," she replied with a smile. I glanced down at her well-manicured feet covered in pink fluffy slippers.

"No, your husband's," I said quietly.

She tilted her head and looked deep in thought. "Jax is intense about his feet staying all soft and clean. He got those from some… podiatrist, I think." She shrugged and placed her phone on the sleek coffee table in front of us.

Nodding, I put my small grocery bag down on the floor by my feet, even more embarrassed that the man who clearly had a foot fetish saw my nasty feet.

"So, Demi, tell me more about this interview with Ian?"

"Ian?"

"Dr. Ivory." Raina pulled her legs up on the sofa and crossed them.

"Oh, right. Ian Ivory. I'm interviewing for—" I stopped mid-sentence. Here I was, sitting in front of a gorgeous, successful dermatologist, who was only a decade older than me. Her entire life was a complete contrast to mine. I couldn't tell her I was going to essentially be pleading for the position of lead toilet scrubber at the mansion down the road.

So, I lied.

"I'm interviewing to be his new assistant. Like medical billing stuff, I guess." My shoulders were stiff, my chest was tight, and I felt stupid for lying. "Are you guys good friends?" I quickly realized I had just lied about someone who lives only houses away and could potentially be one of their close friends.

"No, no… not at all. They are a bit… eccentric. But I do know Ian and Daphne are very particular with who they keep on their staff, both in their home and at their practice. Do you really want this job?" She laced her fingers together.

"I don't want this job; I need this job." I exhaled and just as she parted her lips to say something, the doorbell rang.