Four
Eve
Oh God, I hope he's not coming after me!
I silently prayed as I scurried to the exit, every eye inside the restaurant on me, my cheek a darker shade of red.
The maitre'd appeared out of nowhere and blocked my view.
“Are you leaving already, Madame?” He asked in a French accent, his judgmental eyes probing.
He was probably wondering if I was really the daughter of a conglomerate, seeing the way I behaved back there.
“I'm afraid yes.” I faked a smile. “Something urgent came up, and I need to take my leave immediately. Thank you for your services. I believe Mr Herman will handle the bills.”
“But…”
Before he could finish whatever it was, he was about to say, I sidestepped him and continued walking.
I turned slightly and flickered my gaze to where Charles Herman sat, and to my surprise, he was still seated in his seat, arms folded across his chest, his hypnotic eyes still piercing into mine.
He's probably disgusted.
I shuddered under his gaze and hurriedly walked out of the restaurant, then out on the road.
If I stayed inside that restaurant any second longer, I think I'm gonna kill myself.
I can't believe I had to do and say all that back in there.
Phew!
At least, I've done the deed.
No man will want to have a second date with a woman who did and said all that unashamedly during their first date. The look on his face says it all.
So, I'm sure Katy's safe.
The fresh air hit my face as soon as I walked out of the restaurant, making me feel alive again.
Damn these heels!
My feet hurt like crazy. How do these girls even walk in these?
I can't wait to go home and get out of these heels… and clothes… and be myself.
My phone was still ringing as I trudged down the road where I can be able to hail a cab.
I picked up the phone and placed it to my ear.
“What do you want, Steve?” I groaned.
“Hello to you, too, little sister.” He responded sarcastically.
“Sorry,” I said apologetically, rubbing my eyes. “I just embarrassed myself big time, so I'm feeling kind of… I don't know… grumpy, I think. What’s up? Why did you call?”
When he didn't respond, I knew exactly why he called.
“Hmm, let me guess, you want me to lend you another money, don't you?”
He laughed awkwardly. “Hey, what do you take him for? Can't I just call my little sister and know how she's doing?”
“No. No, you can't.” I responded, wincing in pain as the shoes hurt more and more. Why can't I find a goddamn cab around here? “The only time you call me is when you need something, specifically money.”
“Are you saying that I think of you as a bank?”
“Exactly. I'm more of a bank to you than a sister.”
“Hey, that's harsh.” He replied, sucking his teeth, “I just want to know how you're doing. How's school and everything going?”
“Steve, that doesn't suit you. How much do you need?”
“I told you that's not why I called…”
“I said how much.” I cut him off as I came to a halt, then bent down and began to take off the heels.
“I told you that's not why I called, but if you're so insistent, how about five hundred dollars? I promise I'll pay you back.” He stated, and I rolled my eyes. When has he ever paid me back? “Wait, is that too much? No, alright, four hundred. Is that too much, too? Okay, three hundred…”
“How about you come back home and apologize to Mom and Dad for what happened?” I suggested, clutching the two heels in my palms as I stood up and began to saunter down the road. “It's been two years now, Steve. They forgive you. They want you back. Just let your little, stupid ego aside and come back home. Then you can continue again from scratch.”
“Yeah, no, I'm not doing that. I'm good. Staying with Mom and Dad will only make me feel miserable about myself. They always remind me how stupid and naive and pathetic I am, and you know it. I don't want that anymore, Eve.” He paused and sighed. “I promise I'll pay you back. The boys and I are figuring something out…”
“Don't do anything stupid that'll put you in trouble.”
“And stop talking to me like I'm your little brother or something.” He snapped back at me. “I'm four years older than you.”
“So, act like it.”
He groaned. “Okay, just two hundred dollars. Hmm?”
I sighed, “I'm sending you two thousand dollars.”
“What? Two thousand dollars?!!” He hollered in astonishment, nearly busting my eardrum, that I had to take the phone away from my ear. That's an exaggeration. “Eve, are you serious?!! Where did you even get that kind of money?”
“Something came up.”
“Something? What something? Hold on, did Katy give it to you? Did you finally take my advice and ask her for money? See? I told you she would help our family out. They're enormously rich! Ask her for more!”
“Shut up, Steve!” I snapped at him, and he went mute. “This is the last money I'll be sending you, so if you want, spend it extravagantly ‘cause I won't be sending you another one.”
“Sure, sis! Sure thing, sis!” He thanked excitedly, and I rolled my eyes. “You're simply just the best sister ever! I love love love you so much!!! Take these kisses. Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!”
I chuckled, despite myself. “That's enough kisses.”
I love my brother, Steve, but he's stupid at times, which makes me want to snap his neck.
“Anyway, I'll be going now. Send the money, okay? Thank you so much, sis. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
The call got disconnected, and I sighed.
My big brother, Steve, has always been the ray of sunshine in our family. He's always been the one who made our parents proud, but ever since…
“Hey, pretty girl.” A deep, baritone voice called beside me, cutting off my thoughts.
I snapped my head towards where the voice came from and was surprised to find a dark, sleek, expensive-looking car parked beside me.
A good-looking man with lustrous blonde hair and a sharp jawline sat in the back of the car. He exuded an air of authority, power and unexplainable danger… and he also looked quite familiar, but I just couldn't place him.
“You need a ride?” He asked with a smirk, his eyes traveling all over my body, and it infuriated me for some reason.
“No, thanks,” I replied, trying to keep my voice casual. “I'm good.”
I made to continue walking when his voice said something that halted me in my tracks.
“How much for a night?”
“What did you just say to me?” I demanded, taking offense.
He ran his tongue through his lips, his eyes fixated on my exposed thighs.
“You heard me.” He answered, “How much do you charge for a night?”
Hot blood rushed to my face in utter embarrassment and fury. How dare he?!
“I'm… not interested,” I said in a cracking voice, then continued walking in unsteady steps.
But I could hear the car following me behind.
“Name your price, pretty girl.” I heard his voice drawling behind me. “Everyone has a price… and you're no different from other sluts I've slept with. So stop playing hard to get.”
I clenched my fist, then inhaled shakily, trying to calm down the rising anger in my chest.
I swear to God, if he says one more word…
“Don't keep a gentleman waiting.”
I hurriedly spun around.
“You imbecile!” I snarled at him, “How dare you?!”
Before I even knew it, I had already thrown one of the skyscraper heels at him. It landed on his face with a heavy impact, throwing his head backward.
“Ahh!“ He cried out, his hand flying to his face.
Seeing him wince in pain made me feel… good. Really good!
I bit my lips, then threw the other heels and him.
Satisfactorily, it landed on his face again, but this time with a more jarring impact.
“That's what you get for being a bitch!” I yelled at him. “Your mom did a terrible job in raising you! Up yours, creep!”
I gave him the middle finger before spinning around and taking to my heels, silently hoping he doesn't come after me.