Chapter 27

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but think, damn I look good.
The black drerss accentuated my curves. It had a slits on either side which ended mid-thigh. The neck line covered my neck, and it was sleeveless. It wasn't too short, neither was it too long.
Just the right amount of sophisticated and slutty, as Sara put it.
My black hair was curled, giving it volume. Sara had also done my makeup in a demure fashion, making me look mature. The Louboutins she had chosen went well with dress too.
By the time the clock struck seven-thirty, I was good to go. My heart beat was going through the ceiling. Gosh, I really do need to go out more
Then I remembered I never gave Kelvin my address, or my landline number.
Holy.Fucking.Shit
Just then, my doorbell rang. I walked quickly, well as quick as I could in these death traps, to the door.
When I opened it, I didn't expect to see some dude wearing what seemed like a drivers uniform
"Good evening, Miss Carter. Mr Hunt has assigned me to bring you to the rendezvous point." He voiced, offering me an all too friendly smile.
I blinked.
"Oh." Was all I managed to say. I was a bit confused as to how Kelvin knew where I lived.
He is a powerful man, with very many connections. How hard could it have been to locate me?
"Let me grab my purse," I announced then dashed to my room to get it, and then came back.
"Let's go." He nodded, and we left the apartment.
By the sidewalk, a sleek white BMW was parked. I assumed this was the 'designated car'. Typical billionaire shit.
"Hold on," the driver said, bringing me to an abrupt halt.
"Mr Hunt requested you to wear a blindfold."
"A blindfold?" I remarked, incredulous. "For what? Is this a date, or a kidnapping?"
He laughed.
"No, miss. For the sake of suspense. It's a surprise."
"Okay." I muttered, turning around so he could put the blindfold on. Afterward, he lead me into the car.
"Don't let me fall now, or I'll-"
I didn't get to finish my sentence because my derrière met the plush leather seat. A moment later, he brought the engine to life and drove off hurriedly.
All of what was happening was a bit too strange for my liking. The blindfold was ridiculous, and the ungodly speed at which the driver was driving it had me holding my heart in my hand.
"Could you slow down! Why are you in such a rush?" I yelled, hitting the seat in front, which I hoped was the drivers seat.
There was a bit of silence before he replied.
"I'm running behind schedule but we will be there in a bit."
And true to his words, a couple of minutes later the car became stationary
The door opened and someone helped me out. I was pretty sure it wasn't the driver, because this person's hands were a bit harder than his. The person also had on highly intoxicating cologne
Spicy, to be exact.
So, this had to be Kelvin.
"Sir, I hope I wasn't too late." Said the driver, from some angle I wasn't sure of.
He didn't reply.
"Okay, sir. I'm glad I could be of service. Have a splendid night you two." The driver said, and walked off.
Kelvin snaked his arm around my waist and took my hand in his free hand, beginning to lead me. He still hadn't spoken.
"Kelvin, what's with all the mystery?" I asked, but he remained silent.
I was pretty sure we were still outside because the semi-harsh New York breeze was biting my skin.
He began to walk, manoeuvring me through some double doors, then into what I recognised as an elevator
His grip on my waist was hard, almost possessive. It almost felt familiar.
"I'm beginning to get scared." I said, earning a low chuckle from him. His deep, rich laugh reveberated, sending chills down my spine.
Wait, when did his laugh manage to turn me on?
"Kelvin?" I asked, but was replied with silence yet again. Okay, now I was spooked.
The elevator dinged, and then Kelvin lead me out. Soon we stopped and he unlocked an door. Shortly after, the blindfold fell and my eyes were greeted by complete darkeness
With a flick of a switch, the lights came on
"Oh my gosh!" I breathlessly said, as I digested the splendour in front of me
I was standing in the living room of one of the most magnificent apartments I have ever seen in my entire 29 years.
It had a huge tear drop chandelier hanging off the ceiling.
A white leather, L-shaped couch sat in the middle in front of a gigantic flat screen TV. The floor had a fur rug on it.
Mmm, fancy.
Behind the lounge, was a kitchen cum dining room which had a romantic set up. A candle lit dinner, like from those sappy romance movies I usually waste time watching.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
I froze. No, it cannot be.
I snapped my head back so fast, that I thought I would get whiplash.
"You asshole! I had a feeling that something wasn't right, but I didn't want to believe it. What the hell is your problem?" I yelled, outraged.
A smug expression graced his gorgeous face.
"You didn't think I would really allow you to go out with that swine, did you?" He said pompously.
"Over my dead body. And I'm glad I did it too because that number you're wearing is giving me wild thoughts." He added huskily, shamelessly checking me out.
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest in an attempt to cover some clevage.
"It wasn't your place to do that, Mark. Who I go out with isn't any of your damn business. We established that already," I deadpanned, looking away from him.
"You established that, but I never agreed to it. I warned you against the absurdity of entertaining Hunt, you didn't listen and I acted."
I scoffed.
"Got to hell. You're not my father."
He laughed mockingly.
"Certainly not. I definitely don't think of you as my daughter." I shivered at his words.
"And you know what?" I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest in an attempt to cover some clevage.
"It wasn't your place to do that, Mark. Who I go out with isn't any of your damn business. We established that already," I deadpanned, looking away from him.
"You established that, but I never agreed to it. I warned you against the absurdity of entertaining Hunt, you didn't listen and I acted."
I scoffed.
"Got to hell. You're not my father."
He laughed mockingly.
"Certainly not. I definitely don't think of you as my daughter." I shivered at his words.
"And you know what?"
"What?" I murmured, feeling my pulse in my ears
Suddenly, I felt his presence behind me. He was literally pressing against me, and I could feel his hard body, which was clad in ravishing black tux.
He leaned down, bringing his nose to my neck. He trailed along my jaw, breathing me in. By now, my body was surely trembling.
"If I were your father, I wouldn't be thinking of ripping that dress off and taking you right here, right now."
Then he stopped at my ear. I felt his lips brush against my lobe.
That's what I wanted. To fool around and relieve this damn frustration I was feeling.
But no
I wouldn't do that. In doing that, I lose and he wins because all of this was just a game to him
So that is why I simply stepped away from him and threw myself onto the expensive looking leather couch. He looked surprised by my actions
I smirked.
"I would really love that, boss, but the problem is I'm on my goddamned period." I spoke, earning a look of disgust mixed with anguish from Mark.
"Anywho, is this your apartment?" I asked, cooly changing the topic.
My smirk then mutated into a genuine smile of gratification
He dug his hands into his pockets.
"Well, actually it's yours now."
I did a double take.
"Mine? As in this pricey apartment is mine? How?"
"I did say I would allocate you a new residence. Well, this is it.
I had the sudden urge to hug and squeeze the life out of him but I remained seated, trying to act nonchalant.
I failed miserably
I got up and did infact run and engulf him in a tight embrace.
He laughed.
"So I assume you like it?"
"I do! A lot! Thanks!" I squealed, momentarily forgetting that we almost did the nasty a minute ago.
"But," I said, shoving him away from me. "I am still quite angry with you for sabotaging my date with Kelvin. I hate you!" I almost screamed, my bubbliness suddenly disappearing.
He then smirked, and damn it that smirk made my stomach do flips.
"Why don't I make it up to you with some dinner." He said, grabbing my hand and leading me to the dining area.
The glass table had two places set. There was a bucket with ice and champagne in it, along with two wine glasses
"What kind of dinner only consists of dumb champagne?" I announced, wondering where the food was.
He gave me a blank stare.
"It's in the oven, Aubrey. You know, to keep it warm." He said slowly, as if he was talking to a toddler.
I looked out the large window by the side of the kitchen/dining room, embarrased. Maybe that wasn't a bright question after all.
He grabbed me by the waist and made me sit down at one of the places.
"Why don't you have a seat, and I'll serve you."
Bryce took off his tux jacket and placed it on an empty chair. After, he discarded his black neck tie then unpinned his sleeves and rolled them all the way up to his bulging biceps.
From nowhere I started feeling hot. Watching him do all that was like watching a strip show
Maybe I should have taken him up on his offer to screw…
I was brought out of my wayward thoughts when he started pouring me champagne
"Here, have some in the meanwhile." He said calmly, then entered the kitchen.
I took the whole glass down in one swig.
Why the fuck did I decline that tempting offer? I haven't gotten laid in such a long time and now I'm feeling too horny!
Mark came back and laid a plate in front of me. My eyes almost fell out of their sockets when I saw the food.
"Wow," I commented.
"Did you make all this?
"No, this is actually from El Francisco's, that restaurant we went to the other day. It's the same food you ordered." He replied laying his plate down and taking a seat.
"You mean the food you impolitely ordered for me?" I retorted cheekily, then picked up my utensils and began to eat. "I was surprised, thinking you actually cooked because last time I checked you were a terrible cook."
"Yeah, I can't cook for shit." He said, laughing lightly.
"More like your cooking is shit."
We both laughed.
"How come I never ran into you after the divorce?" Mark asked, out of the blue.
I took a pause from eating after that question.
"Umm, I went back to Minnesota for a while. Needed a break from New York." He nodded, but I sensed a bit of disbelief there.
"How about you, what did you get up to the last 5 years?"
He took a swig from his glass.
"I sort of built a construction empire from the ground up."
Wow. Whilst he was busy upgrading himself, I was busy wallowing in self pity. That made me a bit indignant.
"Lucky you." I remarked, with a tinge of bitterness in my tone. Why do some people have it easier than others?
He dropped his utensils.
"Luck? It wasn't fucking luck, I worked my ass off for all of this." He fumed, his steel eyes dancing with indignation.
I also then dropped my utensils.
"I guess neglecting your wife did pay off after all, huh?" I laughed humorlessly, pouring myself some more champagne.
"You know what?" He countered, rising from his seat and getting into the kitchen.
"If I remember correctly, all I did was try my best to give you the life I offered you. You are the one who requested a damn divorce!"
I downed the glass in one swig, once again. "It's my fault, yeah? My fault you prioritized your stupid career over me!"
He opened up a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, grabbed a glass and poured himself some. He turned to face me, glass in hand, leaning against the counter.
My heart seemed to almost want to leap out of my chest. I think we both knew the answer to that question.
"What's your deal, Kylie? Why are you still hung over the past?" He said askance, playing with his glass.
"Do you still have feelings for me?"
Yes, I do you fucking idiot! Don't you see how I get when I'm around you? Are you that blind?
But I couldn't say that. Even though I was a bit tipsy, I wasn't about to leak that information.
"No," I said curtly.
"Why would you think that?" I then asked in return, pouring myself another glass of champagne. I really wanted to get drunk.
"Hey," he said, coming towards me.
"Don't you think you've had enough to drink already?"
Mark now stood in front of me, glass in hand, looking concerned. I grabbed his glass and drank the contents at once. I stood up to get the whole bottle of whiskey.
"Kylie, stop." He commanded, trying to prevent me from standing.
I shoved him away, and semi staggered to the counter, where the bottle was. Mark was following behind me.
I grabbed the bottle.
"I hate you, you know that?" I sort of slurred, taking a huge swig from the bottle.
"Why, though? I'm the one whose supposed to hate you for breaking my heart."
I slapped him. That wasn't even necessary but I did it anyway. He looked at me, appalled by my action.
I simply took another swig from the bottle. Slowly my vision began to blur, and I was struggling to keep straight. I was almost fully drunk.
"You b-broke my heart first, Mark. I left everything for you. I followed you like you were some religion, dammit. I-l loved you." I slurred, tearsHe just stood there, watching me with pity.
"And you know what?" I asked, and he remained quiet. I took one last big swig. "I never…"
Then I conveniently passed out. blurring my eyes.