Chapter 36: The exciting present

Brielle's POV

The following day, Jace made sure to treat me like a spoiled brat. I woke up to see him presenting me with breakfast in bed. The gesture had astonished me. The domineering Jace had brought me breakfast in bed. Why did that seem so humorous? I collected a tray of apples, toasted bread, cheese and coffee, and soft drinks.

"Hey Briel, how are you?" he said. Hearing his voice for the first time today made my insides tingle.

"I'm fine," I said sheepishly. "Is Hermione back?"

"Not yet," Jace answered. "Eat up, okay."

"Why? What's the rush? I just woke up," I said, pouting like a child.

"I am taking you out to buy the Bentley, that's why," he said coolly.

"What? We are buying it today?" I asked, blowing air with my mouth to cool my coffee down. I began sipping the coffee gently. I enjoyed the thick, rich, creamy taste.

"Yes, we are going this morning," Jace said. Jace left the room, and I finally let out the breath I was holding.

I was so excited to hear that I would get my car in a few hours.  I wondered what Hera and Ona would have to say to that. I had utterly neglected to call them last night to inform them that I would not be coming back. Jace had completely taken control of all my senses the previous night. I checked out the time, and it was still eight am. I decided to call Hera.

"Hello, baby girl!" I said, excited.

"Woah, you must have had good sex with the way you're sounding this morning," Hera commented, and I laughed.

"Guess what?" I said.

"Oh, please just talk already!" Hera snapped. "It'll be a waste of my time to make any attempt! With you, Brielle, anything could happen. You're a billionaire yourself."

I had imagined that Hera would have been able to guess right if she had just played along. However, I was not going to delay any further because Jace might be waiting for me, and I did not want to risk getting punished. Although, I smiled a silly smile and thought it would not be such a bad idea if I got punished by his dick again.

"I think his sister likes me," I said, shrieking.

"Wow, that's awesome!" Hera announced immediately. "I'm happy for you. Still, it doesn't explain why you didn't call to inform us that you won't be coming back home."

"Oh, that was an entirely different reason," I said, with the same silly smile forming on my face.

"Tell me about it," Hera pressed on.

My heart skipped a beat as Jace entered the room, glaring at me.

"No, not now. When I come home, we'll talk all about it!" I said and quickly added, "I got to go now, Hera."

"Brielle, you're supposed to be eating, not talking," he said briefly.

"I know. I'm sorry it was just Hera," I said defensively. "She wanted to know where I've been."

He shrugged. "Hermione is around, and she insists on tagging along with us."

"Well, of course," I replied. "I've had my fill. I don't feel hungry yet."

He scowled at me, and I fumbled with the toasted bread immediately.

"Don't waste my efforts. It took me time to make you breakfast."

Being submissive was fun, and the other part was just so stressful. After five minutes, I had eaten what I could stomach. I immediately ran out of the room with the tray of remaining food because he had stepped into the bathroom. I bumped into Hermione and spilled the juice on her dress.

"Hermione! I'm so sorry," I said, looking very apologetic.

"Oops, clumsy you," she said with a smile. "Must be the excitement of getting a new ride. Don't worry, and I'll change the dress."

I was glad that she did not fuss about spilling juice on her. I steadied myself and went into the kitchen.

Some minutes later, we were in the car dealership. There were so many cars, but Hermione knew just the right one for me. She handled everything, and finally, she handed me keys to the new Bentley Continental GT.

"Congratulations, Brielle," Hermione said, shrieking. Jace looked angry. I was pretty sure that he wanted to be the one to hand me the keys to my first car ever.

"Thank you, Hermione," I said, expressing genuine gratitude. "Jace, I'm so excited! Thank you, guys. Although I didn't think of it earlier, I should have mentioned that I can't drive."

"Don't worry, and I'm pretty sure Hermione will love to teach that to you!" Jace said, sounding sarcastic.

"Jonathan, that will be your job and not mine," Hermione said.

"I guess I'll just enroll for driving lessons,"  I said.

"No!" they chorused.

"You do have a place to park the car, right?" Hermione said, narrowing her eyes at me.

I looked at the car's size and nodded. "Yes, my place is big enough."

"Alright then, Jace, lead the way so that I can park this baby for her in her house!" Hermione said. "Unless, of course, you want it parked in our house, but I do not see the reason why you would want that."

"It's fine," I replied. "My house will do, thanks."

"Alright, but you're riding with me," Hermione said.

"I am?" I asked confusingly. I knew Jace would want me to be with him, but before I could protest, she had already opened up the doors for me and shoved me inside.

"Jeez, Hermione is so forward! Is this how she behaves to everyone or is it a special treat for me?" I began to wonder.

The drive back to my studio apartment made me feel very shy. I rode in the front passenger seat with Hermione as Jace led the way to my house. When we arrived at my apartment, Jace parked outside and alighted from his car. I directed Hermione to the very place I wanted her to park the car.

"You know you could just move in with Jonathan, right?" Hermione said, killing the engines.

"Hmm? But I'm not sure that I'm ready for that yet," I said, controlling my already shaky tone.

I was nervous that Hermione might think less of me see where I lived. She had, after all, returned to the house last night to complain that the hotels were not up to her taste. I wondered where she had eventually stayed the night after leaving for the second time.

"Why? Is it because you enjoy living alone?" she asked wide-eyed.

"I'm not living alone," I replied, stepping out of the car. Hermione threw me the car key, and I caught it. "I live with my girlfriends."

"Oh alright, not bad then!" she said.

"So, do you want to come in first, or should I call my friends out to show them the car?" I said.

"Both, I'll love to see you inside your house, and then we can show your friends the new car."

I wondered if Hermione knew that Enrique's girlfriend was one of my friends. It also left me wondering if she would accept Ona like she had accepted me wholeheartedly. It seemed, though, that nobody cared who Enrique decided to spend the rest of his life with, which seemed rather unfair to Jace.

They were both the sons of billionaires. Jace came up from behind me, holding my hand, and pulled me away. He gave Hermione a triumphant look.

"Don't ever pick a ride with anyone over me again, even if it is my mother that's offering it," Jace whispered coldly and sent shivers down her bones.

"Yes, daddy," I replied in a hushed tone too.

Ona unlocked the door and was very excited to see us. I immediately spotted Hera leave whatever she was doing and walked down to us.

"Hermione, this is Ona, one of my bosom  friends!" I said.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you finally!" Ona said, extending her hand. "I'm Enrique's girlfriend, by the way."

Hermione shook her hand and looked at her with scrutinizing eyes. "Not bad. You look stunning, Ona."

"Hey, I'm Hera; it seemed so delightful to see the exquisite beauty of De Leon gene finally," Hera introduced herself as we stepped deeper into the living room. "Hi Jace, how are you?"

"Hera, I am good!" Jace said.

Hermione said to Hera, "I'm Hermione dear! I love the fact that we both have the same initials."

"Yeah, true," Hera said, smiling.

"Brielle brings the wine," Hermione chimed.

"What wine?" I said to myself nervously.

After a moment of hesitation, I brought the best wine I could see. We popped it open and began to drink. Hermione looked comfortable, and she sat down with us like we all had equal status. I started to feel a tad bit jealous, seeing that she gave equal attention to everyone.

It seemed just in her nature to be pleasant and kind. I did not feel so special again, but I thought I was still the one with a car. Jace and I sat relatively close, but we did not touch. About five minutes later, after a brief small talk, Hermione rose, indicating that it was time to go.

"Alright, Brielle, I think it is time to go, and you should tell your friends about the little surprise!" Hermione said gingerly.

"What surprise?" Hera said, rising quickly and fixing me with a look of betrayal.

"Don't give me that look, and it's something that is best seen than told!" I announced, feeling my excitement quickening again.

We stepped outside. Hermione led the way to the car. She patted the car softly and said, "This right here is Brielle's new car!"

"Woah damn! Brielle, congratulations," Hera said, hugging me and, of course, Hermione.

"This is nice," Ona commented with a tight smile. I could understand why she was not so jumpy about it. All she had to do was ask Enrique to buy hers, and I was pretty sure it was going to be a done deal.

"Thanks, guys," I said.

"Jace must be treating you very nicely," Ona said to me, and I blushed.

"Haha, really, you think?" Jace asked. "Well, actually, it was Hermione's idea anyway."

"Hmm, I see," Ona answered. 

"Yes, it was my idea, and thank you for not taking the credit you do not deserve!" Hermione said, and we giggled.

"Alright then, Brielle, let's go!" Jace said, wanting to pull me away, but I stood firm.

"Jace! Honey, I have to stay back," I said.

"What, why?" he asked, looking stunned.

"Hera has her modeling competition, and it's happening tonight," I said. "I have to be her backbone, you know, please."

"Well, can't we just go together when it starts?" Jace asked.

"I'm part of the preparation team," I said, sounding as sweet as I could. "The event doesn't kick off until later, but I have to be there now."

"Well then, Jonathan, I guess it is just you and I that are stuck together!" Hermione said, sounding devilish.

After they left, they prodded the car and fiddled with everything on the inside. Hera said that she could drive and that surprised the hell out of me. I entrusted the keys to her, and she took us for a short spin to prove herself.

However, my heart was jumpy the first few minutes when we hit the road. It was not until I saw how Hera took mastery of the road that I calmed down. I envied her, though. Ona looked happy and sad at the same time. She was not so good at hiding her jealousy.

"Ona, if it makes you any happier, then I guess I should let you know that Enrique will be in town soon," I said as we were returning home.

"Really?" Ona said, leaning forward. "When did he tell you that?"

I told her when but I also asked her to play along and act surprised when he came. At least I had done a little to alleviate her jealousy.

We were heading home to begin preparing to go for Hera's runway competition. She was expected to be at the venue by noon, but the event would not kick off until six pm.