Chapter 10 The Expensive Dress
The man's laughter echoed warmly, his amiable gaze making it difficult for Brooklyn to harbor any ill feelings towards him.
As Brooklyn's tension eased, the man offered a charming smile, inquiring, "Miss, could you possibly direct me to the Grandview Hotel?"
The Grandview Hotel was renowned as the most opulent and extravagant six-star establishment in Aucester.
Brooklyn found herself appraising this seemingly unassuming man. Despite his ordinary attire, she recognized his jeans as the latest offering from a high-end luxury brand, boasting a price tag of over $1,600. His luggage bore the unmistakable Hermes logo, and the zipper of his backpack was adorned with a limited-edition pendant from CUCCI, painstakingly handcrafted.
It was clear to Brooklyn that this man was affluent, which explained his immediate interest in the Grandview Hotel.
She gestured towards the intersection ahead, instructing, "Go straight, take a right, then continue straight. You'll find it on your right."
"Much appreciated!"
The man offered a slight bow in gratitude before briskly disappearing into the crowd with his luggage in tow.
Suddenly, a flicker of recognition sparked in Brooklyn's mind. She glanced up, but the man had vanished without a trace. A sense of familiarity lingered, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
Brooklyn journeyed back to her apartment via bus. As she approached her front door, her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Sebastian's car. She clutched her handbag tightly, her mind racing with the possibility of a shared evening outing.
However, when the car door swung open, it was Owen Hill, Sebastian's driver, who emerged.
"Mrs. Kingsley, Mr. Kingsley sent me to deliver something to you," Owen greeted her with a warm smile.
Brooklyn's excitement swiftly faded. Each time she allowed her hopes to rise, they were promptly dashed. She should have known better!
"What is it?"
Owen opened the rear door, retrieving two tote bags. Upon seeing the label on the bags, Brooklyn couldn't help but chuckle at her own naivety.
"Mr. Kingsley instructed you to present these at tonight's family gathering, as a gift for Mr. Quinn."
Brooklyn forced a smile, understanding that Sebastian had preemptively purchased the gifts to prevent any potential embarrassment. She thought to herself, 'He certainly spares no expense in maintaining appearances.'
"Mrs. Kingsley, unless there's anything else, I'll take my leave now."
As Owen prepared to depart, Brooklyn anxiously inquired, "Sebastian... how is he?"
"Mr. Kingsley was discharged from the hospital at 10 a.m. He's currently at the office, Mrs. Kingsley. Rest assured, his recovery is progressing well."
Brooklyn nodded, relieved. "That's good to hear, you may go now."
Brooklyn slipped into her newly acquired dress, a sleek black gown with a one-shoulder neckline. It was neither overly extravagant nor too modest.
Her ruby-encrusted high heels were as comfortable as they were stylish, flawlessly complementing her attire.
As she admired her reflection in the mirror, Brooklyn found herself lost in thought. It had been a while since she had dressed so elegantly.
After a moment's hesitation, Brooklyn reached for her phone, her teeth gritting as she dialed Sebastian's number.
The phone rang a few times before he answered, catching Brooklyn off guard. She hadn't expected him to pick up so promptly.
Sebastian's voice resonated through the line, deep and rich, akin to the soothing ebb and flow of the ocean. Even through the impersonal medium of a phone call, his voice was captivating. Brooklyn found herself clutching her dress, her fingertips tingling with anticipation.
"I received something..." Brooklyn intended to express her gratitude, but found herself unable to utter the words. She couldn't bring herself to thank Sebastian. He remained silent on the other end, seemingly waiting for her to continue. Knowing Sebastian's temperament, his patience was a rare treat, and she found herself secretly delighted.
Taking a deep breath, Brooklyn abruptly changed the subject. "When you were discharged, I wasn't there. Please remember to take your medication on time and in the correct dosage to prevent a relapse of your illness."
Inside the MBK International Building, nestled within the bustling Aucester Business Center, Sebastian found himself engrossed in a flurry of activity. His left hand clutched his phone, while his right hand flipped through a stack of documents, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Brooklyn's instructions, relayed through the phone, caused Sebastian's grip on the documents to tighten, threatening to crumple the crisp paper. He found himself wondering, with a hint of exasperation, just how many more ways she could find to infuriate him. The secretary, standing across from him and poised to hand over more documents, noticed the shift in his expression and promptly lowered her gaze, her fear silencing her.
Sebastian reached for his coffee cup, but a sudden thought stopped him. Instead, he gestured towards the water cup. The secretary, quick to understand his silent command, took the cup and filled it with hot water for him.
Sebastian moved the coffee cup to the corner of the table, replacing it with the water cup. He took a sip, then returned the phone to his ear, ready to resume the conversation.
Brooklyn, on the other end of the line, was growing anxious, her curiosity piqued by Sebastian's silence. Just as her patience was beginning to wane, Sebastian's voice filled the line. "You left your shift without permission, leaving your patient alone. How do you plan to make up for it?"
Caught off guard by Sebastian's calm tone, Brooklyn bit her lip, her embarrassment evident. "Today wasn't my shift, and you have already recovered," she retorted, her voice stiff with defiance.
Sebastian's fingers drummed on the table, a clear sign of his rising anger. "I see that you don't want to work anymore. If you want to go on strike, I can help you," he offered, his voice laced with mockery.
Brooklyn bristled at Sebastian's taunt. "I don't have time to argue with you. Meet me at The Kingsley Villa tonight," she snapped, before abruptly ending the call, immediately regretting her decision to contact him.
Sebastian's secretary, who had been nervously observing the exchange, let out a sigh of relief when she saw Sebastian's relaxed expression. He swiftly signed his name on the documents and dismissed her with a nod.
"An argument?" Sebastian mused aloud, a smirk playing on his lips as he savored the word.
Later that night, they convened at The Kingsley Villa.
The Kingsley Villa was a grand structure, nestled in the heart of a sprawling villa district in the eastern suburbs. Its luxurious exterior, consisting of a three-story main villa and two two-story annexes, was a sight to behold. A large courtyard sprawled in front of the buildings, adding to the villa's prominence within the district.
As darkness fell, two black cars pulled up to the villa's gate, one after the other. The door of Sebastian's car swung open first. Dressed in a sharp Armani suit, he exuded an aura of elegance and power that was almost suffocating.
Brooklyn, clad in a flowing dress and her hair styled in an intricate updo, looked radiant. Her delicate features were enhanced by subtle makeup, making her look incredibly charming.
It was as if she had gone back to some time in the past.