Chapter 10

ARTHUR

She's not a princess, but she's better than a princess to me. She was too special. But I didn't need to explain that to Nathan.

I heard Nathan say something but I had been paying so much attention to Doris on screen, whatever he said didn’t really register.

“Excuse me? Come again?” My tone must have been colder than I meant it to be, because Nathan flinched.

“I said, what makes her so special?”

“Hhhmmn.” How could I describe it?

It was more than her beautiful, sad, Caribbean beautiful eyes. More than her body. More than our sexual chemistry.

I didn’t know what it was.

I returned my attention to the screen. Doris was there, nervously holding the hem of glamourous dress, and staring wide-eyed at herself in the mirror.

Nina seemed to be encouraging her. Doris surprised me because she looked unaware of her own beauty and very shy.

“She’s extremely cute.”

“What?” My voice had a possessive growl in it. I suppressed my inner cave man and nodded. “Yes, Nathan. She’s cute, beautiful, smart, alluring, and something more. Something I can’t put my finger on.”

Doris…I wanted to show her my New York. My favorite restaurants. The most exclusive clubs. The best shops.

I wanted to go with her to the nicest museums, and take her to Broadway shows.

Jewelry shops.

Wait. Jewelry shops?

I run my hands through my hair.

This is crazy.

But is it?

What are the chances?

Me being drawn to Doris, thinking she looked like that singer I saw in college. Hell, maybe she was that singer I saw in college.

The amazing chemistry we had, even when she was halfway across the room.

Then what are the odds?

Bob, the asshole, being Doris’ ex-boyfriend who cheated on her.

The woman Bob is marrying, my crazy mother, is Doris’ boss.

Doris happening by chance coming up to me and mistakenly thinking I’m a stripper.

Mia calling out in her sleep for mommy.

I put my chin in my hand.

Maybe all of this is fate.

Destiny.

Our red-hot explosive night.

Maybe all of this is meant to be.

I got up and paced.

And now I wanted to buy her jewelry.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

The way I couldn't stop thinking about her.

I even wanted to introduce her to my daughter.

Yes, it was crazy.

But it felt so right.

I opened the investigative file Nathan brought me on Doris. When I looked at the last pages, I saw something I hadn't had a chance to pay attention to before.

Doris’ foster father, Noah.

He was in a coma. That was terrible.

His bills are outrageous.

At least that's one area where I could help her.

I put in a quick call and anonymously covered the bills.

I focused on work for a while, but my mind kept straying to Doris. Her lips, flat belly, long legs, and quick mind.

I wish I could do more for her.

I want to do wonders for her.

I love the way she smiles in surprise with her slightly widened dark brown round eyes---

The curve of her smile tugs at my heart.

DORIS

Three days later…

Of course, Bob and Andrea’s wedding was held in the most expensive hotel in New York City.

I came to the wedding alone. I looked around, but Arthur wasn’t there. I knew I had to face it all. It's okay, it all will pass.

Doris, you can do it. You're the bravest girl. I kept cheering myself up inside.

I guess no one expected me to wear an expensive limited edition dress.

"Oh my God, you got this limited edition Dior dress! Oh, it's beautiful! I mean the dress."

"I really regret not asking my boyfriend to help me pay for this dress, it looks better on me than I thought it would."

"I think this dress is more striking than the bride Andrea."

"Shhh ...... keep your voice down."

......

The corners of my mouth couldn't help but rise at the murmurs of my colleagues.

Indeed, this dress belonged to me, and I loved the way I looked in it. If only Arthur could see it. I'm pretty sure I have a superb hourglass figure.

Why didn't I realize when I was with Bob that I had such a perfect and sexy body?

I realized how wonderful it was when Arthur stroked it and complimented it.

That's when I noticed a burning gaze. It was Bob, the groom. He kept looking at me. He couldn't take his eyes off of me.

I thought I heared Bob whisper to himself, "No. She looks more beautiful than the bride."

“Where’s your supposed executive boyfriend?” Andrea said, her voice nasty.

I was not going to stoop to her level. “Congratulations,” I said.

I was about to confess everything. I hated lying or misrepresenting. But I didn’t get a chance because Andrea was too busy spouting nonsense.

Luckily, before Andrea could figure out a way to taunt me more, some politicians grabbed her attention.

My colleague Anna and her boyfriend Peter looked my way. They seemed to be laughing at me. I hoped not.

Then I heard other co-workers whisper.

“Doris is such a vain woman.”

It was like a tidal wave of attacks. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. I was probably redder than a tomato because I was so embarrassed.

“Maybe she doesn’t have a boyfriend after all. Maybe she was duped.”

"Maybe she also rented her dress? With her salary alone, how could she afford such an expensive dress? That's Dior's global limited edition!"

I just raised my chin and ignored them. If they were this petty, they were not worthy of my attention.

I wanted to explain that I won the boutique gift certificate, but why bother? I doubt they'd believe me anyway.

At this moment, there was a commotion outside—

“My God, who is that?”

"Is he a movie star? He was driven in a special limited edition Rolls Royce and look; he has bodyguards!"

"He's so cool! Is he a guest of the bride or the groom?"

"Can someone tell me his name?"

As the commotion grew louder, I turned to see what was causing the excitement. And there he was, Arthur, walking towards me with his signature smirk.

I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest as our eyes met. Memories of our night together in the hotel flooded my mind, and I blushed at the thought.

Arthur walked up to me with a confidence that made my heart race. "Hey there, beautiful," he said in his smooth, deep voice. “You look fantastic.”

He looked me up and down, his gaze heated. The pure approval in his expression filled me with joy.

“Nice dress,” Arthur said and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then he put his lips against my ear, causing me to shiver. “Nice everything, actually.”

I tried to play it cool, but my heart was pounding in my chest.