Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
I shudder, glancing away so I don't catch his father's eye. The memory of that night is always there, lingering beneath the surface, threatening to make an appearance.
"Everything okay?" Seb asks, leaning close.
I nod and sigh, pasting on a smile. This is what I have to do. To be pretty, to be a distraction. There is no time for me to have a mental breakdown.
"Yeah, I’m fine. Just feeling a little overwhelmed. Do you know all of these people?"
He takes a sip of water and then leans back in his seat, surveying the room. "Know them? No. Know of them, mostly. Everyone knows the big players in the game."
"And we are...a big player?"
His dark gaze casts back on me, and when he smiles, I feel less like prey that’s about to be eaten. "Short answer: yes. Grandfather would accept nothing less. I’ve been trained and prepared for this job since I was a little boy.”
“Is this what you want to do? Like if you had a choice, would you run the family business, or would you choose to do something else?” I’m not sure why I ask that question right then, but I feel compelled to know if this is what he really wants to do with his life or if it’s a sacrificial duty.
He shrugs. “I don’t think there was ever going to be a choice. When you’re born into this world, the choice is made for you. If I didn’t choose this path, I’m not sure I’d know what else to do. Nothing else seems to hold my attention.”
I nod and find my eyes gravitating to Drew. Sebastian’s response reminds me again that Drew doesn’t always get a choice in the matter. There’s always someone bigger pulling the strings, ensuring he follows directions or suffers the consequences.
It’s hard to be angry with him when I know these things. Yeah, what he said about me not belonging here hurt, but it wasn’t a lie. I don’t belong here in a room full of criminals. This place isn’t me. But that didn’t mean he had to point it out so rudely.
I look away but find myself looking back toward him every couple of minutes. Even in a room full of people, I can’t seem to stop being distracted by his presence. Thankfully, the staff start to arrive with food. Salad first, then soup, then the main entrée.
I poke at my salad, take a couple of bites, and offer Sebastian my soup. He shakes his head, declining it. The staff make quick work of the dishes, and I feel a pang of guilt watching them carry so many plates and silverware.
By the time the main entrée arrives, I’m ready to climb out the window. The pristine china is placed directly in front of me, and I stare down at the contents. It’s some kind of roasted chicken with a mushroom sauce drizzled over top.
“Why are you looking at it like it’s still alive?” Seb asks before shoving a cut piece of chicken into his mouth.
“I’m not.” I lie.
“You are.” He chuckles. “Just try it. It’s actually delicious. I mean, it’s not your burgers and french fries good, but it’s still good.”
I smile back at him, and with more hesitation than necessary, I cut into the chicken, spearing a piece on my fork. Like a toddler refusing to eat their vegetables, I cringe, then shove the fork past my lips and into my mouth.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the explosion of flavor that fills my mouth.
“Good, huh?” Seb notices the way my face lights up, and I nod, taking another bite. I’m nearly done with the entire dish before I realize it. When one of the waitstaff circles back to grab plates, I order another glass of wine.
While I wait, I reflect on what happened near the bathroom. It shocked me when Seb stepped in like he did. If he had given me the chance, I would have handled that asshole myself. Now, there's more tension than necessary, and I'm on people's radars in a bad way. I don't want to be the liability here, and I don't want to be seen as a weakness for Seb. I feel like by him stepping in, he's set me up as a weakness to exploit, and I can’t help but wonder if others in this room see me the same way.
I know it wasn’t meant to be a kick at my ego, but this is my first chance to show I’m a strong leader beside Sebastian.
"Oh, darling, the dessert is divine," Stella gushes.
I glance down and realize my dinner plate has been replaced with a dainty slice of turtle cheesecake, and the glass of wine I asked for sits beside it. Well, shit. Was I that disassociated? I didn’t witness them bringing dessert.
I shrug and dig into the cheesecake, eating every last morsel. When the dessert is cleared, the conversations grow louder. Many appear to grow restless and choose to stand or walk around the room.