CHAPTER 67

MELANIE.

“THERE IS NO WAY I'M RIDING IN THAT,” Taylor said, wrinkling her nose in disgust. I let my eyes sweep over the car again, checking for any noticeable defects I must have missed to warrant such.

“What’s wrong with it?” I asked when I found none. It was a Maserati in canary yellow. There was not a single chip of paint missing or mud on the tires. Even the exhaust pipe was shiny.

“I was expecting a stretch limo. Where is it?” Taylor sniffed, planting her hands on her hips. I just stared at her, half expecting her to suddenly burst out laughing and say she was kidding because if not…

“I’m just going to assume you're pulling my legs. I refuse to believe anyone can be this entitled. If you want a limo, order it yourself”, I shrugged and then got into the car. A smile immediately sprang onto my face from being behind a wheel again and after a few moments of waiting, Taylor threw her stuff in the backseat and gingerly got in beside me as if the car might bite her.

She immediately proceeded to ignore me and started tapping her nails on her phone screen. I revved the engine and took off, humming the lyrics to Staying Alive. I made a mental note to thank Blaine for coming through for me without asking any questions. I also need to formulate an explanation as to why I needed a car on such short notice.

I heard the sound of a camera going off and turned just in time to see her putting her phone down while muttering “Damn. Forgot to turn the sound off.”

“Did you just take a picture of me?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Don’t be so snippy. You get to be on my Instagram story, you should be happy” she replied with a fake smile, not even bothering to look at me.

I let it go for now and pressed a button on the remote to open the electronic gates. I swung up the driveway and got out after stopping in front of the doors, hoping she didn't expect me to hold the door open for her or anything.

Lauren stood just inside the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel and smiling at me.

“Carino, I didn't know you'd be home early. Dinner isn't ready yet.”

I returned her smile and held up my takeout bag, “That’s okay. I brought my lunch home. I was kind of in a hurry”.

I realized my grave error when the light went out of her eyes and her smile turned down at the corners.

“What happened to be lunch I packed for you and asked Jordan to deliver?” she asked.

I blinked in confusion, then realized Jordan must have kept it for himself.

For a man of his standing, he could be incredibly petty. However I didn't want him to get in more trouble with his mother figure, so I plastered another smile on my face.

“Yeah I ate it, but I was still hungry so I just got something light. I will still come down for dinner though, it smells good”, I complimented.

She narrowed her eyes at me and crossed her arms.

“What was the lunch?” she asked. I felt a bead of sweat run down my neck as I opened and closed my mouth like a fish out of water.

She sighed, “He took your lunch didn't he? I swear that boy behaves like he is still in preschool sometimes but you don't have to protect him. What was the emergency that made you come home ear....” she trailed off.

From the way her eyebrows disappeared beneath the line of the scarf on her head, I guessed Taylor had just entered. Took her long enough.

“Margaret, I have been waiting outside. Where's the footman?” Taylor demanded.

Lauren repeated, “Footman?” as I turned to face her.

“Melanie, and you haven't gotten the memo that nobody is going to give you any special treatment, you're either dumber than I thought or just delusional. Which one is it?” I challenged.

She glared at me then went back outside to get her luggage.

I sighed and turned back to Lauren and the bemused expression on her face.

“That’s the emergency?” she guessed.

I nodded, rubbing at the headache that was beating insistently at my temple.

“Yes. She's a... friend of Jordan's and she will be staying for a while. I hope you made enough dinner.”

“She seems very.. pleasant”, Lauren swallowed and I let out a laugh.

“You don't have to be nice about it. She's a bitch. Don't let her get to you, though.” Taylor came back in and immediately started up the stairs without sparing a glance at Lauren.

I made a face before following her up. I led her to one of the guest rooms and just abandoned her there before she started making any more demands. I took out my phone and walked up to my room, dialing Blaine's number. He picked up on the second ring as I pushed open the door to my room.

“Hey gorgeous,” he said with a smile in his voice and I couldn't help but respond.

“Hey. Thanks for coming through today” I answered, plopping down on my bed and frowning at the room. It's not like it was a pig sty, but it was looking way neater. Perhaps someone had come in to clean.

“I’ve got your back baby. So, are you going to tell me why I had to lend you a car? What happened to yours?” he asked.

I braced myself to lie to him, “Some kids vandalized my car and I haven't gotten my paycheck yet so I can’t fix it. I didn't want Jordan to get mad at me, that's why I haven't said anything”.

it was somewhat easier when it wasn't face-to-face.

“Really? Did you get any of their descriptions? We can try and track them”, Blaine's concern shone through his voice.

I shook my head before I remembered he couldn't see me.

“It’s fine. It happened a while ago and I'll be getting my paycheck soon”.

I held the phone in the crook of my neck as I spoke, and used my hands to bring out the fried chicken from the takeout bag. “Okay. I'll get someone over to come and take a look at the car and see the extent of the damage then we'll get it fixed”, he said.

“You don't have to do that. I'm fine, I promise”, I said around a mouthful of chicken.

“No. My girlfriend can't be hopping from taxi to taxi when I could do something about it. We're getting it fixed and that's final”, Blaine responded in a tone that brooked no argument.

I sighed, letting him win. “Thank you so much. I owe you one.” I could almost hear him rolling his eyes.

“Oh please. If I don't take care of you, who will?”

Warmth flooded my stomach at his words and I smiled. I kinda liked the feeling of being taken care of for a change, and not the kind that involved my lifeless body dumped into a river.

“I’m going to resume work tomorrow. I'm nearly half-mad with boredom. Want me to pick you up on my way?” I marveled at his casual tone and how normal it all felt. Going places together like a regular couple, which is what we're supposed to be anyway. I really could get used to this.

“I would like that”