Chapter 93 Hell Expensive
ANNA'S POV
“You can't just force me to do things like this,” I said in a slightly whiny voice, and I could see the pure excitement on Daniel's face. “What is it?”
“I'm just happy,” he said, pulling me in, as I got the scent of his perfume. “You're slowly opening up, becoming the whiny sister that I've always wanted.”
I couldn't help but freeze at that point in time. He was right. In the last five years that I had been around him, I was sleeping to myself, grieving. I had lost everything that I knew as family, and I was just trying to survive. It was almost like I was moving through a void space.
But now, I was smiling. I was creating drugs. I had my own company, and I was still in charge of the family's company. Things couldn't have worked any better.
I cocked an eyebrow at Daniel as I detangled myself from his embrace. “Are you trying to tell me that Isabel was never for once whiny?”
The question seemed weird, since I was never allowed to be whiny in the Hayes home. I was constantly being told that I was beneath Bella. I didn't get much of the chance to whine.
Daniel ran his hands through his hair like he was slightly ashamed about what he was about to say. “Isabel always wanted the business. If she was adopted when she was a child, I would have said she came into the family to take everything that belonged to mom and dad. She tried to show them that she was the perfect businesswoman. Perfect posture, chin up. Confidence on another level.”
He wasn't wrong about that. Isabel was the most confident person in the family. I didn't even think that shame had anything on her. I was just glad that things were slightly better between the both of us.
“All this doesn't matter,” Daniel quickly said, throwing my wardrobe.
“You can't touch all those!” I was screaming with laughter, but Daniel was already tossing most of my clothes on the bed as he went through them.
His face was scrunched up in what seemed to be disappointment. “What are all these boring outfits you have?” He asked, running his hands through my gowns.
“They are clothes. And they're hell expensive.”
He shook his head, handing me a black dress that I never seemed to wear. It was buried somewhere at the back of my wardrobe.
“I can't wear this,” I whispered.
He cocked an eyebrow. “And why is that?”
“It seems too…”
“Nothing. It will fit you perfectly, and show Ryan all those curves you have. Trust me, he'll be wowed.”
“I'm not trying to wow him. I'm just going on a date with him, and it's all because of you.”
Daniel wasn't even listening as he started arranging the clothes that he brought out, back into the wardrobe. “Black is his favorite color too. I definitely see a connection there.”
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the thought of having a connection with anyone else. I thought James was my soulmate. I wasn't going to have that connection with anyone else. Not now, not ever.
Daniel placed his hands against my slightly tense shoulders, massaging them. “You don't have to rush things, Anna. I can cancel if you're not up for it. But you definitely shouldn't allow whatever happened with James to define you.”
I knew that he was right. I was driven by everything that James had done. And even if my zeal for revenge wasn't exactly dead yet, I had to move on from him.
And if Ryan was going to be my first chance at getting back out there, then I guess I was going to take it.
“Thanks,” I whispered, and Daniel finally left the room. Another text popped in, and it was a text from Ryan, telling me that he was going to be at the house in about an hour.
My heart was practically hammering in my chest. I didn't remember the last time that I felt that nervous.
I had a quick shower, rubbing lotion over my skin before slipping the dress on. Just as Daniel said, it hung to every single curve like a second skin.
My hair was done in a ponytail, and I applied as little make-up as possible. I wore a pair of strappy heels, before heading downstairs, right on time. The door was opened by the butler, when Ryan came to sight.
I inhaled slightly, at how perfectly he looked in his tailored coal suit. It wasn't just any type of dinner date. He was making this one extremely official.
His eyes skimmed over my dress, before resting on my face. I didn't miss the way his lips spread into a smile, or the bouquet of wild roses in his arms.
You look gorgeous, Anna,” he whispered, and I felt myself let out a breath of relief. I was happy to see him. It felt like it had been ages. Especially since he hadn't been there at the launching of Celibrex.
My feet seemed to be rooted to the floor as Ryan walked over to me, handing me the roses. “My apologies for not being in attendance at the launch of your baby.”
I frowned. “My baby?”
“Isn't that what your drugs are? You care about them more than any other human. I don't need anybody telling me that they're the only things you care about, right after your family.”
I grinned, and I could see the relief in his face. “I'm sorry if all of this is last minute,” he added, making me shake my head.
“It's okay. Dan had a role to play, but here we are.” I called out to one of the maids that were walking past. “Place these in my room. And make sure they're well taken care of too.” She gave me a nod, before heading upstairs.
The flowers that he had given the last time were still there, but I didn't have any problem filling my room up with flowers.
“Shall we?” Ryan asked, giving me his hand. I took it without hesitation, allowing his warmth to shoot through my veins.
I got into his car that smelled fully of him. I inhaled more than I wanted to. The drive was silent, but I could feel his eyes towards my direction from time to time.
Ryan finally stopped at The Reds. One of the most expensive restaurants in the city. He got out of the car, opening my side, before handing the key to the valet.
“You didn't have to do all this,” I whispered. “A simple date at McDonalds wouldn't have changed anything.”
He looked at my outfit. “I don't think the both of us are wearing anything that gives McDonalds.”
I smirked. He was right. “Maybe during our next date, we can go somewhere simple.” Ryan added.
“And who told you that there was going to be another date?”
“You didn't irk at the idea. I think I have a chance.”
I waited to get angry that he thought so highly of himself. Instead, I felt myself get more intrigued by this man.
There was something tugging at my chest. A feeling that I quickly pushed down as far as it could.