After my initial protest that I should have a say in my own attire, I gave it up. His taste was superior to mine. He knew the right fabrics to choose, what colors to combine, and what accessories to add. At one point, I asked him, point blank. "How come you know so much about women's clothing?"
His reply floored me. "I'm a scholar of the things wealth acquires. I haven't always been a billionaire."
"Oh, so you educated yourself on how a woman in your circle should dress? That's helpful." I nod. Twirling back and forth to make the sheer fabric float in the air.
"I know what I like." He smiles at me. "I educated myself on thoroughbred racehorses and fine wine."
After he arranges the delivery of what we purchased, he joins me, and takes my elbow too intimately. I attempt to shake his possessive touch off, but he says, "Be still, babe, and smile at me. Give me your most beautiful. There's a photographer hiding behind a potted plant trying to sneak your picture, but my body has him blocked."
"But I shouldn't be hugged up to you so intimately. I'm your personal assistant."
He chuckles, "Mickey needs a second to run interference."
"Oh, gotcha." I smile up at him, going along.
"This is part of your job, Samaera."
"What is?"
"Presenting a compliant front in public."
I frown at him, and he smiles, leaning down to whisper in my ear. "If he manages to snap a picture, how will it look in the tabloids if you're frowning at me?"
"Oh." I clear my brow. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Mmhmm. Everything you do outside of your new safe zones, meaning home and the office, is subject to misinterpretation." He leads me away. "You're no longer invisible."
19
Sebastian
When we exit the building,we stand on the sidewalk with Mickey waiting for my car. My Bugatti Veyron has been returned to the parking garage and replaced by my white Audi A8. The car I use around town. The one Samaera Ubered home in.
When it pulls up, Reno is driving. Mickey opens the door for us, and Sameara slides in first. He closes the door after I'm inside, then gets in the front.
"Hey, Reno."
"Hey there, Sam."
"You doing okay?"
"Yes," he grins at her in the rearview mirror. "I heard you got a new job?"
"I did. Some eccentric billionaire needed a personal assistant to keep his ass straight, and I accepted the challenge."
Everyone laughs.
Mickey and Reno chat about the Yankee's game while Samaera stares out the window. I have no idea what she's thinking, but I imagine she's thinking about the impending night ahead. I leave her to her thoughts. She's been through a lot today.
When we arrive at Central Park Tower, Mickey says, "Bossman, if you won't be needing us anymore tonight, we will leave you to it."
I nod. "See you in the morning."
I open the car door, get out, and then reach back in for Samaera's hand. She slips hers in mine, and I feel a slight tremor. Concerned, I pull her out but remain standing there rather than heading inside.
She says, looking up at the skyscraper. "So, this is where you live."
"Yep, this is it."
