Chapter 8

Vanessa Vargas

"Wake up sleeping beauty!" A voice boomed and immediately I shoved a pillow over my head.

He knocked on my bedroom door.

"No."

He laughed.

"Come on. I'll open the door. Hopefully you're in a decent state." He said and I groaned.

I was. But I didn't want to wake up.

The knob twisted.

"It's too early."

"To buy books? Well alright then..."

"No. I'll go." I sat up and he smiled at me, leaning against the doorframe, his arm above him as he did.

"Up. Out of bed. Come on." He used his fingers, motioning me to stand.

"Ugh you're so impatient!" I wiped my eyes.

"It's 11. I think it's your fault you stayed up till 5am dancing to Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen." He raised his eyebrows.

"I think you should move out." I told him.

"Stand please." He said and I frowned, comfy where I was.

"How long till we have to go?" I asked.

"45 minutes."

"What? I won't even get to eat!" I stood and he shrugged.

"We can stop and get something before the meeting." He walked into my room as I went to the bathroom, immediately brushing my teeth.

"Smoothies." I said, not caring how much toothpaste was visible.

He nodded, unfazed.

I finished, rinsing my mouth, and brush.

"You just gonna stand there the entire time?" I asked.

"I was waiting till you told me what kind of smoothie."

"Uhm... peach mango." I said and he nodded, leaving.

"Thank you!" I yelled.

"I'm still right here." He laughed and I immediately began washing my face.

♠️♥️♣️♦️

I was proud of myself.

I had my hair slicked back into a ponytail with a slight middle part, the ends straightened and long, pulling on black heels.

I was currently living out my rich girl fantasy with my favorite perfume as I put the Chanel No.5 on my wrists and behind my ears.

I had on a gold chain, with small gold earrings and I wore mascara, brushing my eyebrows right, putting on a almost darker than nude lipstick.

I put on some gold bracelets, following with a few cute rings.

I literally admired myself like never before.

A week ago I looked awful from exhaustion, covered in stripper glitter and nasty cash.

Now look. I was hot as fuck.

I walked out of my room and Spade was on my couch, his eyes glued on me.

"I love it! Thank you. Literally thank you for everything." I adjusted the pants and he chewed his lip, looking away from me as he stood.

He walked to my island and handed me a giant foam cup.

I didn't care how hostile he looked right now, I wrapped my arms around his waist and he just stood there.

"I really appreciate you. For how much money you lost, you've been impossibly nice to me." I let the statue go, grabbing the smoothie as I walked to the pantry, looking around for a suitable snack.

I grabbed a small bag of X-tra cheddar Goldfish.

"Done." I looked at him and his tongue ran over his teeth.

"Come." He pressed the elevator button and we stepped inside.

"You were fine literally an hour ago. What's with the frown?" I sipped the smoothie.

"Caught me off guard." He looked at me.

"How?"

"You look very nice today." He complimented and I hummed.

"Should I change? Won't it be a distraction then?" This is what I was worried about.

"No, don't change, and if you are, then take it as a compliment." The doors opened and we stepped onto the main floor.

He offered his arm and I took it, my other hand holding the giant smoothie.

"I'm going to drop it." I said and he took it from me, holding it as we walked outside.

He opened the back door of the black SUV for me, I got in and he handed me the cup.

Flashing, cameras, his body blocked me as I got in completely before he got in.

He shut the door.

"Mr. Popular." I sipped the smoothie and he looked at me.

"Ms. Popular. You've been in the news since you've gotten here. Fyi." He looked at me.

"Why?"

"Me, 'an eligible bachelor' seen consistently with a woman who could look like a super model... that usually gets attention." He laughed.

I frowned.

I kept drinking the smoothie, earning a brain freeze.

"Jesus fuck!" I felt it in my right eye.

He laughed, the sound echoing in the car, the depth vibrating through my chest and suddenly I was fine.

"We're here." He told me, taking the smoothie from my hand as he got out, offering a hand to me.

I blinked, making sure I didn't ruin the mascara.

I took his hand at looked at him.

"Is my makeup smeared?" I asked.

He studied my eye.

"No it looks good." He nodded and I hummed as he handed me my smoothie back.

"Ready Ace?"

"Yup."