Chapter Sixteen
I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at the boxes stacked neatly outside of my closet. And then staring at my apartment – still not entirely sure I even recognize the place anymore. Over the last couple of weeks, I'd spent a lot of time with Brady, but even more time with Valerie, and my entire world changed. Or at least, my entire living space.
For starters, it wasn't just an outfit that Valerie had helped me pick out at Katrina's – it was a wardrobe. An entire wardrobe. Skirts, sundresses, blouses, dresses that were more formal – I suddenly seemed to have an outfit for every occasion I could possibly think of. And probably some for occasions I couldn't even imagine right now.
I can't even begin to imagine how much money Brady spent on a new wardrobe for me. It would probably make my head explode if I knew. But it's not just that.
But while I was busy playing debutante with Valerie at Katrina's or was out having dinner and drinks with Brady at some fancy restaurant, he'd been sending somebody over to redecorate my place. And when I say redecorate, I mean – everything. All of my old furniture is gone, replaced with new things. Television, computer, dishes – everything. My house is now filled with beautiful, top of the line furniture and gadgets.
They left some of my old things. The personal items like books, knick-knacks, pictures. But sitting amongst the new, top of the line, nice-looking things, my stuff looks old. Shabby. Out of place. Which is kind of how I feel right now.
My phone rings and I answer it without even looking at the caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Miss Johnston?” comes a voice I don't recognize.
“Yes?”
“Your car is downstairs.”
“Okay,” I say numbly. “I'll be down in a minute.”
Brady had left me a message letting me know that he was sending a car for me. Said he had some grand adventure planned for the day. Apparently, we were getting the ball rolling on our little marriage facade. I sigh as I realize that with the ball rolling, it's too late to back out now.
I put on the blue sundress from Katrina's – the first thing that had grabbed my attention in the store on that first trip. I tied my hair back into a ponytail and put on some strappy sandals that Valerie had picked out. Standing in front of the mirror, I look at myself and then twirl around, overcome by a fit of the giggles.
Although everything is changing and I don't know how I feel about Brady making unilateral decisions for me like this, I have to admit – the nicer clothing makes me feel pretty. Something I can't say I've felt in my life. At least, not very often. But as I look at myself in the mirror, look at the way the sundress hugs my body – I feel like a million bucks.
Turning on my heel, I walk out of my apartment, careful to lock up behind me. With all of the new stuff in there, the last thing I want is for somebody to break in and take it. I may not know how I feel about it all yet, but that doesn't mean I want somebody to steal it from me. I'd at least like the option to let it grow on me.
Stepping out of my building, I see a man in a dark suit standing there in front of a black late model BMW. It's a very pretty car – and not the usual Town Car I was expecting.
“Miss Johnston?”
I nod and the man hands me a set of keys and I look at him questioningly.
“I'm Tommy from the dealership,” he says. “This is your new car.”
“My car?”
He nods again. “Your car,” he says. “The title's in your name and everything.”
“You're kidding me.”
He smiles. “Not at all,” he says. “Mr. Keating asked us to drop it off for you this morning. He had us pre-program directions to his place into the GPS unit. Said that he wants you to enjoy your new car and drive over. But he did ask that you be to his place by eleven.”
I look at the keys in my hand, nodding slowly. New clothes. New apartment. New car. It was like a whole new life was being thrust upon me, whether I liked it or not. I know that most people would be squealing in delight at the turn of fortunes, but I'm not most people. Somehow, this just feels so – wrong to me.
“Do you have any questions for me, Miss Johnston?” he asks.
I look at him, totally unaware he is still standing there. “Oh no, I'm sorry,” I say. “I – I think I'm good.”
“Very good,” the man says. “Enjoy your new car.”
“T – thank you,” I stammer.
I watch him get into another car waiting at the curb, giving me a wave as they drive off. Then I look at the car in front of me and feel a swarm of butterflies battering the inside of my stomach. My car. I'd never had a car of my own before – let alone, a brand new, top of the line BMW.
To say I'm overwhelmed would be a massive understatement.
Checking my watch, I see that I have a little more than forty-five minutes to get to Brady's house at the time he asked, and not knowing how far he lived, I figured I should probably get moving. Sliding behind the wheel, I inhale the new car scent, savoring it. I never actually believed I'd be the owner of something so amazingly gorgeous. And I nearly burst into tears when I opened the glove box and saw that the title was indeed, in my name.
As I hold that piece of paper in my trembling hands, I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear a phone ring.
Incoming call from Brady Keating, the car's computerized voice announces.
I quickly look around the car, trying to figure out how to answer it when I see a button on the steering wheel with a picture of a phone on it. I press it and hope it is what I think it is.
“H – hello?”
“Well good morning, my betrothed,” Brady says and laughs, his voice filling the entire cabin of the are. “And are we enjoying our new car?”
“It's amazing, Brady,” I say, awe still coloring my voice. “I can't accept this though.”
“Of course, you can,” he replies.
“I really can't,” I say again – even though it kills me a little inside.
He laughs softly. “You can,” he says. “And you will. It's in your name, so it's yours.”
I sigh. “Brady, we're going to have to talk about some things,” I say. “I mean, the clothes, all of the new stuff in my apartment – the car – it's all just too much.”
“Nonsense,” he says. “There is no such thing as too much when it comes to my beautiful bride.”
“Your beautiful fake bride, you mean.”
There's a moment's pause on the line before he speaks again. “Of course,” he says, clearing his throat. “But, we have to sell it, right?”
“Right,” I say slowly. “We have to sell it, I suppose.”
I wonder about that pause in his voice though – wonder if it means something or if I'm just reading too much into it. And then I think about what Valerie said – about Brady liking me a lot – and what he'd said at the restaurant when he first pitched this crazy idea to me, about me being beautiful.
All of those thoughts swirl around in my head and I have to wonder if maybe, Brady actually does like me. But, that's crazy, isn't it? He's a playboy. He likes pretty, supermodel kind of women – not women like me. And this – this is just a business arrangement. I tell myself that everything, the clothes, the furniture, and the car are all just business expenses to him.
I clear my throat. “So,” I say, trying to push all those thoughts out of my head. “What is our grand adventure today?”
“Well, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, now would it?”
I laugh. “I think I've had enough surprises the last few days.”
“Nonsense, darl – sorry – Amanda,” he says. “The surprises are just beginning. Now, think you can be here by eleven?”
“Ummm – I'm not sure where here is,” I say and start fumbling with the GPS unit.
I've never been all that great with technology, and the GPS unit is doing nothing more than making me feel even more inadequate. Brady, apparently hearing my struggle through the phone, laughs softly.
“Press the button on the side,” he says. “The one marked number one.”
I look at the unit and then press the button. A map to what I assume is Brady's house appears with the route already highlighted.
“Just listen to the little woman inside the box,” Brady says. “And you'll be just fine.”
“Umm – okay,” I say. “I guess I'll see you soon then.”
“Lookin' forward to it.”
He clicks off the line, leaving me staring at the GPS unit like an absolute idiot.
“Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained,” I say.
I put the car in gear and pull away from the curb – and let the little woman in the box guide my way.