Chapter 91 Puzzles
Simon is completely smitten, and I can understand why.
Robert is attentive, sweet, and he says all the right things.
My eyes drift back to that ring again that is on his pinky finger on his right hand when dinner is over.
Ben has an identical one. It's from his fraternity house. Everybody gets a ring like that after they completed their studies, marking them part of the society forever.
"We should do this again sometime." I smile, hoping it comes across as sincere.
"Definitely." Robert smiles back.
T.J. joins me after they leave. "At least the food here was great."
"Look into him." I tell him immediately. "He's wearing the same fraternity ring as Ben."
T.J. shakes his head. "That fucking snake."
"If he is part of Ben's posse, Ben knows I'm seeing someone." I contemplate. "That is if Simon is telling his boyfriend about my dating life. Don't worry, I've never given him a name."
"And Miguel is all worth it?" T.J. asks, but I don't hear a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He just genuinely wants to know.
I think of his love confessions that sounds pure. I feel his presence around me, always making me feel safe and protected. About the way he fucks me, and makes love to me.
"He's worth it." I sigh. "And he doesn't want us being a secret anymore, but I don't know if I'm ready for the media shit storm."
T.J. frowns. "If he loves you, he will understand that. There's no need to go public now. If he's really that into you, what is one more year of waiting when people have probably forgotten you and Ben were ever together."
I agree with T.J. I think it's too soon to just start walking hand in hand down Rodeo Drive.
I also know that Miguel is going to be pissed if I tell him I want us to stay a secret a little longer.
I don't want our relationship to overshadow my parents' careers. I just know we will be in every fucking headline, forgetting that my father's team is playing extremely well, and may win the Superbowl for the first time.
I'm not taking over his spotlight.
Mom is still up when I get home, seemingly waiting for me.
"Hey, I wanted to ask you something." She says hesitantly, and I hate that she's unsure to ask me something. She might be overbearing, but our relationship has always been easy.
"Sure."
"So, we're launching a new perfume line." Her eyes glow with excitement. "And Dario thought it would be great if you become the face of the campaign."
I've modelled for them before. Her fans loved it, I hated it. I may dance on a stage, but I wasn't made for the spotlight like she is.
"Oh, I don't know." I'm selfish, I know that.
My mother's company with Dario is ultimately going to become mine, unless she decides somewhere along the line I'm not worth it, especially since I don't show much interest in it.
"Hear me out." She holds up her hands. "Dario thinks it would be a great campaign, and I agree. You're young, you're fresh, and most importantly, you look like me. It will be like a throwback campaign, but for a new generation."
I agree it sounds like a great campaign, but it will definitely put me even more in the spotlight. That I'm already trying to run from.
T.J.'s words replay in my mind.
If Miguel really wants me that much, waiting a little longer wouldn't matter. Especially since he's been waiting for so long already. What is another year?
"It does sound really cool." I try to match her optimism. "If it can be done around my schedule."
She claps her hands excitedly. "It's gonna be great! I can't wait to tell Dario."
My phone rings, notifying me of a video call, and I'm both excited and apprehensive when I see it's Miguel.
"Hey." I answer, going to my bedroom for privacy. "How are you feeling?"
"Miserable. You're not here." He's lying on the bed with his one arm behind his head, looking sinfully delicious.
Maybe Mom should get him for a campaign.
I can't help but smile. "I miss you too. I just got back from dinner with Simon and his new boyfriend."
I don't tell him about my suspicions about his boyfriend. He already has a lot on his plate with leaving his job, wanting to move back here and taking care of his mother. I trust T.J. to figure things out.
"Any news about the company?" He wants to know, making me smile even wider.
I should stop comparing him to his brother, but Ben never really cared much about my company.
"I'm going tomorrow morning, see how things are going."
"Thanks again for visiting me, in Berlin and here. I think you might have healed me."
I chuckle, my cheeks burning with how much I'm blushing at these man's words. "I definitely did not do that."
"I'm about to have dinner with my mom, talk tomorrow?"
"Yes, bye."
I'm still smiling like an idiot after we end the call. If I can just break the news to him to tell him I think we should keep our relationship private for a while longer, life would be ideal.
My phone rings again, thinking it's Miguel who wanted to say something, but instead it's T.J.
"You're not sleeping yet?" I joke. "Since I'm giving you such a busy social life."
"Check your emails. I sent you a file on what I could find on Robert."
We end the call and I immediately check the information.
There's a picture of Ben with his fraternity brothers at his graduation, and Robert is on that picture.
I'm a little confused. I was literally at his graduation, why didn't I see Robert or why didn't Ben introduce me to him?
Robert is an accountant, and he works for Jeffrey's family's firm. The same Jeffrey who was fucking Katherine with Ben, and who probably killed her.
It is no coincidence that he's dating Simon. How do I tell him he's being manipulated when he seemed so happy?
And that it's all because of me?