Chapter 8: To the Penny

KIANA

“My driver will pick you up at eight on Thursday evening. Don’t be late,” Chase said, walking to the door, unlocking it, and holding it open for me to leave.

It took a moment to recover from his close proximity before my legs decided to move. As I was leaving, he called out to me one last time.

“And make sure you spend nothing less than £5,000 on your gown. I’ll know if you don’t. I want my contracted woman to look her best,” he added before closing the door and leaving me alone in the quiet, narrow hallway.

I pressed the button for the private elevator. As soon as the doors closed, I could breathe normally again. My palms were sweaty, and my skin was flushed. I felt anxious but oddly excited at the same time.

~What have I just signed up for?~

The driver was already waiting for me when I stepped outside. There was still plenty of time until the shops closed, so I guessed now was as good a time as any.

The salt-and-pepper-haired gentleman guided me into the car and softly closed the door behind me.

It seemed like he already knew where to take me.

He stopped outside a store I would never have ~dreamed~ of entering. Mainly because it was the priciest area in the city, and a girl like me could only afford to live a thrift-store life.

I did wonder if this gentleman driver had taken other girls to upscale boutiques and fancy salons so Chase could dress them up for his amusement. I rolled my eyes internally at the pathetic jealousy trying to creep in.

~Don’t be ridiculous, Kiana. He’s obviously been with plenty of women. Besides, this is just a business arrangement. It’s not like we’re anything serious.~

I shook off my thoughts before stepping into the first shop I saw. The stunning designs captivated my attention. But my smile turned into a look of mild horror in the mirror’s reflection the moment I saw the prices.

I meandered through the store, feeling the weight of judgmental stares from the few poised shoppers as they clearly picked up on my unease.

It was almost impossible to reconcile that I used to be like them. Although I’d never looked down on those who couldn’t afford the latest hot topic. That wasn’t how my mother raised me.

Still, that didn’t make their scrutiny feel any less piercing.

I made it a point to sneak glances at the price tags as inconspicuously as possible until I stumbled upon a dress that was exactly £4,999.

The soft silk gown was a masterpiece. Just like all the others I had seen, it was a testament to the designer’s talent.

It was a rich, deep purple with black diamonds decorating the hemline. The cut was asymmetrical, with a single shoulder strap on one side and a bold slit that ran down the thigh of the other.

It was the perfect balance of seductive and sophisticated.

I picked it up gingerly, as if my touch alone might unravel the stitches, and asked an attendant to show me to the changing rooms. I closed the door to the spacious room adorned with floor-to-ceiling mirrors before undressing.

I was almost too frightened to move around as I raised the gown over my head. But the material felt smooth and surprisingly strong as it effortlessly slid across my skin. The fabric settled over my curves and fit snugly yet comfortably around my figure.

It fit as if it had been made for me.

After delicately removing the gown, I hurried back into my clothes. The rumble in my stomach reminded me that I hadn’t been able to enjoy Mia’s homemade spaghetti Bolognese. Thankfully, I was ready to check out and finally head home.

As I handed the dress to the cashier, I remembered what Chase had said, so I added a £1 tip to the bill for good measure.

It wasn’t like the employees here needed the extra cash. They would rake in hundreds on the service charge for a single dress. Even the floor attendant was decked out in matching branded jewelry worth at least a solid four months of my café salary.

The cashier saw the tip and shot me a skeptical look, as if I had lost my mind. I chuckled to myself before thanking her and bolting out of the store faster than you could say ~mushu~.

I hurried back to the car and gave the driver my address. I decided to use the thirty-minute drive to do a little research on Mr. Winters.

What I uncovered left me completely stunned and mortified at my ignorance. He was beyond famous! Practically a celebrity.

~How did I not recognize him?!~

I really needed to stay up to date with social media.

Chase was a business school graduate with top honors.

He owned several five-star hotels worldwide, all with glowing reviews.

However, his security company was the most notable of his businesses. He had inherited it from his father a few years ago—hence the name Winters Security.

The list of clients who used his security services read like a who’s who of the rich and famous.

And his net worth was estimated to be…

~What the fuck?~

And here I was, grumbling about £50,000. That must seem like chump change to him.

~Holy shit! I was not prepared for that.~

Once I finished my research, I decided to call the shelter manager, Cam. I wouldn’t be able to volunteer this weekend, so I wanted to give her as much notice as possible.

She predictably picked up on the second ring.

“Hey, Kiana, everything okay?”

“Yeah, sort of. I wanted to let you know I won’t be able to help out for the next few weeks—maybe even months.”

“Of course, dear. Is everything okay?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“Yes, everything is fine. I just have a lot of work this semester. This second year is no joke.” I tried to sound as convincing as possible. I was never good at lying unless it was absolutely necessary.

“That’s fine, Kiana. You have done more than enough with all the love and care you’ve given these animals. You just focus on your studies. We’re not going anywhere.

“But don’t work too hard now. Take a weekend to yourself every once in a while. You’re only nineteen, and I go out more than you!” she scolded spiritedly.

“Yes, I will.” I couldn’t help but smile.

“Remember, the door is always open for you,” she concluded cheerfully.

“Thank you, Cam,” I said before ending the call.

Now it was time to quit my old job. I felt a peculiar sense of relief.

There was no way I could continue working there. Not with the amount of time Chase expected from me on top of my studies. Plus, I was earning more than enough to cover my expenses and save a decent amount after paying my university fees.

I sent my resignation letter without feeling much regret. They were overstaffed and eagerly looking for any excuse to let someone go. At least this way, I’d be making their decision much easier.

Now, all I had to do was get home and prepare for Mia’s barrage of questions.

Mia didn’t know about my past, and she never pried—something I was deeply thankful for—but she knew almost everything else about me.

The contract stated I was not allowed to disclose anything without consulting Chase. Mia would have to be an exception.

CHASE

Not even five minutes after Kiana had left, there was another knock at my door.

“Come in.”

Lucas strolled in, a puzzled expression etched on his face. “So, did she sign the contract?”

“Of course,” I replied, not breaking my focus from the task at hand.

“Just like that?” he asked. “She agreed without a fuss?”

“Well, she did have a few…~personal~ stipulations,” I admitted, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth as I recalled her spirited negotiation skills.

“Wait, ~you~ actually negotiated with her?” Lucas looked genuinely shocked.

“She drove a hard bargain,” I confessed, a half-smile playing on my lips. “Have you found out anything new since your first report?” I asked, steering the conversation in a different direction. I was intrigued to know more about her.

“She graduated valedictorian of her boarding school and entered university on a scholarship program. However, the funding for her scholarship was recently cut. She works part-time at a café and volunteers at an animal shelter.

“Aside from school and work, she keeps mostly to herself. Her life seems pretty ordinary, if not a bit dull,” he concluded with a shrug.

So, she wasn’t only a tough negotiator but also academically gifted.

“Is she everything you expected?” Lucas teased, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I shook my head. ~Far from it~, I thought. Her natural beauty was undeniable. She radiated a subtle glow that didn’t need any makeup to enhance it.

Her eyes were particularly mesmerizing, a unique blend of greens that were hard to pinpoint. The colors fused together flawlessly, making it difficult for me to look away.

She was a small package of dynamite, yet I could sense her shyness and anxiety in certain situations. Her stubbornness was clearly evident as well.

She wasn’t afraid to express her thoughts, which was something not many people around me dared to do.

“It’s funny. She never asked for more money, even when given the chance. She actually seemed taken aback by the amount I offered.

“Can you believe she tried to refuse taking my credit card?

“Joanna would have jumped at the opportunity to splurge on a shopping spree with my money.”

Lucas looked thoughtful. “That ~is~ rather unexpected,” he said.

~Does she not know who I am?~ I mused.

Suddenly, a notification popped up on my phone. She had just spent £5,000—~to the penny~. Well, £4,999 on a dress and a £1 tip.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What’s so amusing?” Lucas inquired, quirking an eyebrow at me.

“Nothing,” I responded, setting my phone back on the desk.

“Don’t break her heart, Chase,” he teased.

“No chance of that happening. She doesn’t have feelings for me. Besides, I have other things on my mind.”

“Sure,” Lucas scoffed, clearly not buying it.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Joanna’s betrayal. I had foolishly thought she was different, but she turned out to be just as deceitful as the rest.

I wouldn’t say I loved her, but I had started to let my guard down with her. ~Unforgivable~. Well, now my guard was back up—and stronger than ever.

My thoughts drifted to Kiana. Her uniqueness was captivating—a rare gem in this world. Her intense gaze was as alluring as a flame to a moth. Her demeanor exuded a gentle strength that was both fascinating and admirable.

I had never encountered anyone quite like her before, and I found myself secretly looking forward to the event tomorrow night.