10. Carina

CHAPTER 10

Carina

" T hanks again for giving me a ride. Alex said he could send Reggie, but that's just weird," I say.

"What's so weird about it?" Odessa asks as she merges into traffic. "I'm driving you right now. Pretend I'm some old man, and it's exactly the same."

"I don't know. I mean, it's not like an Uber, but it's just strange to me to think that people have someone available to drive them places."

"Ahem. I've been at this for almost an hour now." Odessa points to herself and then the steering wheel.

"This is different. You're my friend and you're doing this out of the kindness of your heart. Plus, you want to see where he lives."

"Don't you?" she asks.

"No, why?" I shrug. "It's just a house."

"Just a house," Odessa says. "He's a billionaire. No way does he live in ‘just a house.'"

As I shrug again, Odessa turns past a stone gate with oversized lanterns onto a small road lined with tall trees and an evergreen box hedge. The trees are bare from winter.

The evergreens clear, giving a view of a perfectly manicured lawn leading to taller trees in the distance.

I never leave the city much, so seeing an area with so much space is always foreign to me.

Everything I do is for my grandmother, and she believes everything we need is within walking distance. I glance at the GPS screen on Odessa's dashboard.

"Where are we?" I ask. "GPS says we arrived."

Odessa laughs. "You need to get out of the city more, sis. We're here, as in on his property." She points ahead. "There's his ‘just a house'."

I look ahead to where the trees part. The road continues, but I don't see anything I would call a house.

Instead, I see the small road leading to limestone columns, where the road changes from asphalt to a pale stone-designed circle in front of a three-story French chateau-style building three times larger than any house I had ever seen before.

This can't be a house.

The third floor of the building is dark grey slate, squared off, reminding me of a Tupperware lid with arched windows jutting out from it. The rest of the house is cream-colored limestone, with tall inset windows and Juliet balconies on the second floor.

To the left is a smaller, matching building with five garage doors, and to the right is an attached oval conservatory with a shiny gold-colored roof.

We must have taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up at a museum. This can't be a house.

Butterflies swarm in my stomach.

"We need to go," I say.

"Go? We just got here." Odessa follows the driveway into the circle that curves towards the home's entrance.

In the center of the circular driveway is a fancy frame pattern that reminds me of my grandmother's scrapbooks.

Odessa stops the car directly in front of the house's arched entryway and puts it in park.

"No, not park, drive." I try to move the shifter to drive, but she smacks my hand away. "I shouldn't be here. We have to go. This is a really bad idea."

"What are you talking about? He's expecting you. You said you'd do this. Tonight's the ball. You have to get ready."

By the garage, I notice a dark blue minivan with Jerry, Nakia, and Tom deep in conversation as they carry boxes into the house.

My stomach sinks.

"I can't believe they're here already," I say, pointing at them. "They dressed me last time and did my hair and makeup." I sigh as I wrap my arms around myself. "I know I didn't tell you, but I changed my mind. I'm only here to tell Alex I can't do this. I can't hurt someone like he wants me to. One of the reasons I asked you to drive is so I wouldn't be stuck out here."

Odessa's face is covered with confusion. I can see her trying to work out what's going on in her mind, but something isn't connecting for her. She shakes her head. "What about Lydia?"

"I know, but I'm thinking maybe there's something else I can do for him instead. I think it'll be better if I tell him in person. Maybe we can work out something. Like maybe he needs an assistant or…" I look around at the ornamental trees, the grass, and the tree-lined driveway. "a landscaper." I grin at Odessa, then stop and shake my head. It's just like me to make stupid comments when I'm nervous. "Sorry about that."

"Now isn't the time for jokes," she says. "Why haven't you said anything about this sooner? Does Lydia know?"

"No, she doesn't know. I can't tell her anything that might stress her." I shift in my seat to face Odessa better. "Here's the thing, I was uncomfortable the first time with the dress and everything. And… well, I did things I'm not very proud of. That guy, the man in the mask, I can't even explain it, but I lost my head around him. I can't feel that way and do what Alex wants me to do. It'll hurt too much. Plus, I don't know what Alex is thinking; that man in the mask isn't going to fall for someone like me."

"But your grandmother. You made this deal."

"I know. Trust me, I know. Alex has done so much for her that I can never repay him. But we talk every so often now. He calls to see how she's doing and makes sure everything is going well. He's not as bad as he seemed before. I think I can reason with him."

"There's no reasoning with someone like him," she says. "Listen, I know you don't have a lot of real-world experience, but you have to know that there are a lot of bad people in the world. And from where I come from, if you don't pay your debts, they'll find another way to get what they're owed."

"Alex isn't like that."

"You sure? How do you even know?"

I don't. I know nothing about Alex. I shift in my seat and look at his home. His mansion. I don't belong in a place like this.

I think back to the ball and all those people dressed up and enjoying themselves as if they go to parties like that every day. Those are the kind of people who pull up to a monstrosity like this and call it home. Not me.

I'm in over my head.

"Can we just go?" I ask, turning to Odessa again. "I'm sorry to drag you all the way out here, but I can't even be here."

"Umm, I think it's a little too late for that," she says before flicking her eyes behind me. "You never told me what he looks like."

"Huh?" I turn around and see Alex standing in the doorway, his blue eyes staring directly at me, into me. His face is stoic, showing no emotion. He's dressed in a suit as usual, and his feet are planted firmly on the step as he slides his hands into his pockets. "Crap, yeah, that's him."

"He's cute," she says.

Reggie comes out from behind him and rushes over to the car.

"I'm so sorry, miss," he says as he opens my door. "I didn't realize you had arrived."

I can't tear my eyes from Alex's. It's as if he's staring into my soul, and I feel suddenly naked. I wonder what's going on in his head. Why is he like this? Why do I feel like this?

Reggie reaches his hand out to me, and I take it as I climb out of the car.

"Yeah, don't mind me," Odessa says as she gets out of the car.

Reggie glances over to her. "My apologies, Miss Odessa."

Her brow shoots up but then relaxes as she reaches me, giggling.

"I could definitely get used to that Miss Odessa stuff," she says. "You really are in over your head."

"Shut up," I say.

"And look at him. He hasn't taken his eyes off you. Mmm! I wish a man would look at me like that."

"Stop. It. You're reading into things."

"Am I? Because you can't seem to stop looking at him, either. Mmm-hmm! There's some chemistry here."

"No, it's not like that at all," I say.

"The library," Alex says. "Now." He disappears through the entryway.

"What was that?" I whisper.

"That's billionaire speak for let me intoxicate you with the smell of books as I bend you over my desk," Odessa says. "If you're not interested, I love a good, ahem, library. I'll go in your place."

"You're crazy," I say as I playfully elbow her. "Now I'm going to feel even more uncomfortable in there. But trust me, it's nothing like that."

"Mmm-hmm."

"Miss Odessa, you are welcome to stay the night if you'd like. Miss Carina won't be leaving until morning," Reggie says.

"Excuse me? What? Who says I won't be leaving until morning because it wasn't me."

"Master Alex has stated that by the time you return from the ball, you should get some rest."

"Well, Master Alex doesn't tell me what to do. I'm not even going to the ball."

Reggie leads Odessa and me into a two-story foyer with a curved staircase leading up from the marble floors to the next level. My apartment could fit in the foyer. Ahead, I notice a wide room with a stone fireplace. Reggie waves his hand towards that room.

"Miss Odessa, make yourself at home. I'll show you to your quarters later unless you'd like to freshen up now. I've arranged for you to have adjoining rooms with Miss Carina in the south quadrant overlooking the lake."

"Ohhhh, sis, I could definitely get used to this," Odessa says as her eyes light up. "I won't be far if you need me. Good luck!" she says as she heads to the next room.

"But we have to go," I say, my voice echoing.

"The library is this way," Reggie says as he begins to walk behind the staircase and down a hall.

I follow, knowing that I need to talk with Alex about my not wanting to do this. From the look on his face, I can tell he already suspects what I have to say.

Reggie stops before a pair of large carved wooden doors with golden handles, squeezes the plunger of a handle down, and opens the door. As I step into the library, I let out a gasp.

I'm hardly aware of the door closing behind me. The library is two stories with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace at one end and a wall of glass on the other that faces the lake. Along the long walls of the room are books filling every shelf, from floor to ceiling.

In front of the fireplace is a fluffy throw rug, and two oversized couches scream for me to take a nap. By the glass wall is a broad, simple desk with two upholstered chairs facing it. Dark wooden beams run across the ceiling. The library is rustic and stunning but with a relaxed feel that's different from the chateau's exterior.

Alex is staring at the river with his hand on his cushioned desk chair.

"You're having second thoughts," he says without looking at me.

"No… yes," I say with a sigh. "It just doesn't feel right." I look around the room again, stunned by the massiveness and beauty of everything.

"You don't feel right. You feel out of place. That's it, isn't it?"

He turns around to face me, sliding his hands into his pockets again.

"I don't know. I'll be honest with you, I'm torn."

"Because you want to do the right thing, but you also want to help your grandmother. I understand that. And I know I put you in a bad situation. But you need to understand that you can do this and that all of the stuff," he says as he raises his hands and extends his arms out, "none of this matters. This is all stuff, nothing more. What matters are people. What matters is taking care of each other and taking care of your family. And that's why you're doing this." He steps closer to me and his hand cups my face as his eyes hold my gaze. "You belong here just as much as I do. And if you had any doubts about yourself at the ball last month or even tonight, you should push those away. Because without even being there, I know that you will be, far and away, the most fascinating and beautiful woman there. Own that, Carina. In the next room, they're waiting to dress you and make you up. All they're really doing is adding shine to an already sparkling, flawless diamond."

I can tell he believes everything that he just said. I feel woozy, drunk from his words.

What is happening?

He moves a step closer to me and touches his forehead to mine. With a low growl, he turns and walks back to the window, shoving his hands back into his pockets and staring at the river.

"Go. Get ready for your date. Just remember our agreement. This relationship that you're going to have with him only needs to be as physical as you want it to be. And as for tonight, remember that whatever happens with him at the ball, you'll be coming home, here, to me."

I'm sitting in the back of the limo with a midnight blue strapless gown spread out around me. The material is thick silk with silver thread woven throughout, making the dress look like a starry night sky.

Even though I had been through this once before, it still impressed me how easily the trio transformed me from an everyday Carina into a beautiful princess.

I didn't see Alex after our encounter in the library. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. For a moment, I wanted it to happen. I can't deny that I felt something for him at that moment. Is that why I was so adamant with my grandmother that Alex is a no?

The reality is that he's helped me so much with my grandmother that between that, his large house, and how he looks at me and talks to me, it's understandable that something like that would overwhelm and confuse me. But Alex and I don't have that kind of relationship, and we never will. All that's between us is, at most, a friendship.

Still, I wonder about him. I wonder what he is really like.

I lower the privacy glass between Reggie and I. Reggie looks up at me through the rearview mirror.

"Do you need anything, miss?" he asks.

"No, thank you, Reggie. I was just wondering if I could ask you a few questions."

"Sure, I'll be happy to help as much as I can."

"I'm wondering about Alex."

Reggie narrows his eyes in the mirror.

"May I ask why?"

"I don't really know. I just don't understand why he's doing this. How could he do something so great as he did with my grandma but then turn around and ask me to break another man's heart?"

Reggie nods slowly. His eyes flick back up at me through the rearview mirror, then back to the road ahead of him.

"Master Alex is a complicated man. He's been through a lot in his time, and I believe that has sometimes made him push people away."

"Does he have anyone? A family? Friends?"

Reggie sighs. "No, nothing of importance except for me and work, of course. He bought that property years ago, and I thought maybe he was considering settling down and starting a family of his own. But now I see he chose it so that he could be as far away from everything and everyone as possible." Reggie takes his hat off and ruffles his silver hair. He sets the hat down on the seat next to him. "Alex hasn't had a very easy life. I think that's why he's isolated himself. He put all of himself into his restaurants—building them up, making them better. There are some that would be nothing without him. I think he started all of this just to keep himself busy and in an effort to forget."

"Wow, that sounds really sad. I wish things were better for him."

"Things are better for him. He seems much happier lately and more carefree. I think it might be because of you."

"Me?"

"As I said, miss, he's complicated. We'll be arriving at the ball in just a few minutes. Again, please enjoy yourself. Don't think about any of this stuff or why you're there. Just be in the moment. Don't forget I will be here at midnight to take you home."

"Home? To my apartment?"

"No, I'm sorry. I mean, I'll be here to take you to Riverview. I'm sure Alex will be waiting up for you."

The thought of returning to Alex's home and knowing that he would be waiting for me gave me comfort. Whatever happens tonight, whether I have that connection with my prince again or if everything fizzles, I know Alex won't hold it over my head.

Right now, it's time for me to live up to the dress, tiara, and mask that I'm wearing.

Reggie pulls the car up to the front of the building where the ball is being held. The carnival music and people pour out onto the sidewalk every time the door opens. Reggie opens the car door for me and helps me smooth out the wide skirt of my dress once I'm out of the car.

Reggie takes my gloved hand and gives it a fatherly pat. "You look stunning, my dear. Just keep in mind that whether it's tonight or even over the next six months, you're in charge."

I take a few steps forward, and my heart begins to race. I suddenly feel very alone, even though there seem to be so many more people around than at the ball last month. A camera flashes in my face, blinding me momentarily. I look at the ground, hoping my eyes adjust quickly, as several other flashes of light surround me.

I need to get out of here.

At a minimum, I need to get into the party, inside, where hopefully there is less chaos. But as everyone arrives, the photographers are relentless in getting the pictures they want.

Why are they even here?

I wrap my arms around me, feeling the soft plush of the faux fur shrug I'm wearing. I rub my arms, letting myself get lost in the long fur that I can feel through my gloves. It calms me and brings me back to center.

I look around for my prince, but I don't spot him in the sea of people and photographers. I take another step forward, moving closer to the entrance, when I hear his voice.

I don't need to turn around to see who it is, that voice has been in my dreams since I first heard it a month ago.

"I knew you'd come back for more."

My breath catches hearing him, and my body responds to the warmth of his breath against my neck. I spin around to face him as he smiles from behind his dark green mask.

"Let's get out of here," he says as he holds his hand out to me.