We sit in silence as Leon drives his flashy Mercedes towards the upper east side.
After our awkward interaction, I didn't know what to say. Or think. This man gives me whiplash and I don't know what to think about him. Obviously he's an ass, but he's a confusing ass who's throwing me for a loop. So once he told me he was taking me to my new residence, I dashed off to my room, packing random shit, hoping that the last ten minutes was all just one strange dream.
I'm still pissed at him for thinking that he can dictate where I am and who I'm with. He's extremely entitled and just because we have this stupid arrangement, doesn't mean I'm going to become his little bitch. I won't become that person for anybody, let alone him. But maybe I need to learn how to play this game a little better. Right now I'm showing all my cards, acting predictable and bratty, and however completely understandable, it's not helping me in any way.
Maybe I need to learn to obey.
Alright, not 'obey', but if I'm more complacent and agreeable, perhaps Leon will get off my back and I'll be able to get away with more shit. Maybe I just need to learn how to please him, so I'm not constantly in the line of fire.
Yes, a perfect idea. From now on, I will be polite and classy.
"Where is this new place you're taking me to?" I question, staring out the window and looking at the pretty lights. The city always looks so beautiful at night. It's alluring, like a trap. Much more bad things happen in this city than good.
"You'll see," he says ominously. Why can't he just give a straight answer like a normal person?
"I hardly think putting me in a place around here is a good idea. I will stick out like a sore thumb." I mumble, more to myself, but he hears too. I know he does. He hears everything.
"That's another thing that reminds me, this weekend I have a personal stylist who will be taking you out to arrange a new wardrobe. If you're going to be my girlfriend, you need to look like it."
I'm about to spit something back at him, but am quick to stop myself. Polite, Phoebe. Be polite for once. "Is that really necessary? I think my wardrobe is quite alright."
His gaze shifts to my face, giving me a look that says, 'you don't really think that, do you?' "Fine." I agree, or more relent. I'm not going to get anywhere by arguing with him.
"Good."
It's another few minutes before we finally reach what appears to be our intended destination, though I'm a little confused as I stare up at the familiar building. "What are we doing here?"
Leon doesn't respond, but instead steps out of the car, tossing the keys to the valet and heading towards the entrance of the building. I stay seated in the car, wearily watching as he stops to look back. He jerks his head, motioning for me to follow, but I don't know if I want to. I do anyway because I'm not agreeable-Phoebe, but I don't look happy as I do it.
I lug my heavy bag until we get to the elevators, catching the eyes of several residents. They're probably wondering why this handsome gentleman isn't helping out the young girl with her bags. Because I sure am. You'd think after badgering on about keeping up appearances he'd be trying to as well. Clearly he thinks the rules don't apply to him.
Leon scans a pass and presses the floor one below the top. A sense of relief washes over me, but not completely. When I saw we arrived at the same building which houses Leon's penthouse, I was terrified that he actually decided to make me live with him. And while I'm grateful that's not the case, I wouldn;t say it's any better that we're only separated by one floor. I won't be able to escape this man, in and outside of work hours. If that isn't my biggest nightmare, I don't know what is.
"Why here?" I ask, penetrating the silence of the elevator. Leon's eyes flick down at me.
"I want to keep a close eye on you. I can't very well do that when you're halfway across the city. How am I supposed to know you're not out at some club sucking your face off with some boy who's carrying thousands of diseases in his mouth?"
I roll my eyes, if this man can't get any more dramatic... "I believe there's a little thing called trust?"
"You haven't done anything for you to have earned my trust."
"I could say the same about you." I mumble under my breath. This time he doesn't acknowledge my words.
Finally we reach the floor and the elevator opens up into a hallway splitting off left and right. Leon goes left and I follow him until we reach a door at the end of the hall. He once again swipes a pass and opens the door into one of the most beautiful apartments I've ever seen. I walk inside with my mouth agape, and drop my bag, to explore it further.
It opens into an immediate lounge room, similar to Leons, overlooking the city through huge floor to ceiling windows. There's a couch which looks like it could swallow me whole, and a flat-screen TV that looks like it belongs in a cinema. To the right is a huge kitchen with marble countertops as well as a dining table that could fit twelve people. To the left is a hall which I assume leads to the bedroom.
Holy shit, this place is all mine? For free?
"Like it?" Leon asks, and I jump, almost forgetting he's here. I swear I see the ghost of a smile upon his lips, but I could just be seeing things.
"This is mine? Are you sure? I don't even know what to do with all this space." I walk towards the couch, jumping face first into it, letting it engulf me in a hug.
"Do whatever you want with it. It's yours."
I roll over onto my back and stare at the high ceiling. "Until the company merges and our fake relationship is over."
"Right. Until then." I hear his dress shoes click against the polished floors, coming closer.
"This is amazing." I whisper, in absolute awe. I thought my life was over after I caught Alex cheating on me with my roommate. I thought I would end up as one of those broke college students who had to drop out just to afford a singular room to live in. And now? I'm laying on a couch in my humongous apartment on the upper east side.
I conveniently look past all that I've done to get here. And the reason as to why I'm living here. If I just imagine I won the lottery, it makes everything seem just a little bit better.
"The fridge is stocked with ready-prepped meals, but you'll need to go shopping for other things. You should get your first pay cheque on Tuesday."
"Wow, ready-prepped meals, you really went above and beyond, didn't you? I'd almost think you liked me." I grin, taunting him. And it works. He scowls, rolling his eyes, walking towards the window overlooking the city skyline.
"You need to be eating healthy and a good diet can help with many things. I don't want you to be putting bad things into your body while we have this...arrangement. That includes alcohol and excessive drinking."
My head snaps in his direction. Why did he say that like he knows something? "I don't excessively drink." I state.
Leon turns to look at me, revealing absolutely nothing across his face. "You may not regularly, but clubbing does count."
I scoff. "That's for fun."
"Yes, and I'm telling you to stop."
God, this man sounds like my father, ordering me to eat healthy and stop drinking. Who does he think he is? "What are you going to do if I don't?" I feel like maybe I could be stepping a line when Leon looks at me with those dark eyes.
I don't know what to think of the face he's looking at me with.
"I don't think you want to know the answer to that."
"And what if I do?" I challenge.
I know I should shut up and that polite and agreeably Phoebe wouldn't be pushing this man's buttons, especially when he is who he is. But the other part of me can't help it. I want to see how far I can go until I reach his limit. And I want to know what he'll do then.
Leons stalks towards me until he hovers above my laying form on the couch. His shadow casts over my eyes making everything seem that much darker. I lick my lips, nervous for what's about to come, and his eyes dart across my face.
There's something dangerous in the air.
"I can assure that you don't want to find out."
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Hey Guys!!!
So by popular demand, there will be some spicy time in this story. I cannot guarantee when, but it will be there. Thanks so much for reading, love ya'll so much!
-FoggyCloudyWords