“I can't wear this!”

“Shit, Cathy. What have you gotten yourself into?,” Catherine mumbled under her breath, regretting why she didn’t just accept his request. She sat there pouting and contemplating. Suddenly, the place became quiet again. The exact same silence that happened when Donovan entered the station.

Was this one of the perks of being rich?

Just like she thought, it was him. But why’d he come back?

***

Her eyes lit up with excitement as she stepped into the luxury car. The plush leather seats felt like a comfort she hadn’t experienced in a while. The closest to a good transport experience was the bus, and the seats were no where as nice as this.

Her fingers grazed the smooth fabric, and she couldn’t help but marvel at the comfort beneath her touch, a stark contrast to the stained seats she was accustomed to. Cathy called herself back when she realized she was almost drooling.

They drove for a while, then stopped at the mall.

“What are you doing at a clothing store? Don’t tell me you’re about to shop for one of your mistresses! Please, not a pencil skirt,” she pouted.

“No, we’re shopping for you. I can’t have you dressed like this to my house.” Her eyes bulged in disgust.

“Your house! There was no mention of that. I’m sorry, but I’m not that type of girl”

“Don’t be hysterical sweetie, you’re not my type!”. Catherine’s lips were pressed into a thin line. For some strange reason, his words actually hurt.

“Aren’t we getting out?”, she spoke. When she didn’t get a response, she stayed quiet. After a few minutes, Kenny stepped out of the car. He was handed a bag. .

“All set,” he said. In a matter of minutes they were in Dumbo. This was the first time she had been there. She only heard about it from some of the customers at the café.

***

They walked in silence for a while before Kenny spoke. “He’s not normally like this, believe me,” Kenny chuckled. Catherine laughed hard as she followed directly behind him. “Are you okay?”, Kenny asked. “Yeah”, she said, staring into space.

With shaky legs, she asked, “What’s your name?”.

“Kenny”, he answered flatly.

“No, like your actual name?”

“Kennedy”, he answered.

“Really?”, her legs stop shaking. “No really”, she asked, not fully convinced.

“Yes”, He nodded. Catherine took a pause. He bent forward, taking a close look at her face. Catherine began to laugh, hard.

“Wait, Kennedy?”

“Yeah”, she watched as his cheeks became flushed.

“It’s a nice name”, she ceased laughing. “Very nice”, she emphasized. Kenny moved his eyes away from her and back, a rare jewel she was.

“We’re here,” he put in the security pin and let her lead the way. He handed her the bag. Catherine thought she had seen it all, but was stunned at the scenery before her. It was picturesque. How could one family have this much wealth?

The mansion’s smart doors tore open to reveal a spacious living area occupied with marble floors and exquisite chandeliers.

Catherine’s steps felt unsteady as she walked the floors. Not just because Ruby’s heels weren’t the right fit, but because she felt out of place. Her eyes widened at the sheer opulence of her surroundings.

“The bathroom is over here,” she was transported back to the present. It took a lot of self-control to stop her from gawking.

Catherine pulled the gold handle and walked into the bathroom. Her heart skipped a beat as her gaze swept across the lavish space. The bathroom was bigger that both her and Ruby’s bedrooms combined.

She felt a little drowsy trying to gain balance. How on earth did she get here? She stared deep into the mirror. A knock on the door had her startled. She pulled out the clothes from the bag and put them on.

“What on earth?”, she mumbled. Struggling, she get her shoes on, tore the door and strode from the large passage into the vast space which was the living area.

Catherine observed how his eyes followed her every step. She was more than irritated.

“Shh, it’s time!”, Donovan stood with his shoulders squared as the sound of Mr. Stanford’s footsteps got closer.

This was the first time she ever saw him fazed, show respect or even reverence, or was it fear?

A tall figure emerged from the shadows, his tailored suit and confident demeanor setting him apart. The man looked like he was in his fifties, he exuded an air of authority and accomplishment.

His carriage was confident, with intentional strides. Was it possible that people walked like this? His demeanor was composed and self-assured, posture impeccable. He paid great attention to detail.

Catherine needed no introduction, the man who stood before her indeed Stanford Smith.

His sophistication and looks were matchless, the way he engages in conversations, displaying a deep understanding of the intricate workings of his conglomerate.

She enjoyed his genuine interest, as it was evident in his probing questions and nods of approval. Catherine answered all his questions without missing a beat.

After her interview, she was finally done with the Smiths. But one thing still struck her conscious, Teresa!

“Assign her a driver!”, Mr. Stanford urged. The man beside him nodded.

Catherine was escorted to the door and put in a car.

***

She changed into her comfort clothes and got on her laptop. Her day wasn’t complete with a power point presentation on how it went to Ruby. She received an email from an unknown sender. The sender’s name said ‘private’.

It read: “Change of plans. Seems. Let like you’re sticking around, anyway. You aren’t out of the clear yet. Let’s find a better compromise. Meet me at Davis park hotel, 55th North Avenue. Ignore this email at your own risk. Remember, I never dropped the charges”.

Catherine heaved a heavy sigh, “Shit!”.

A moment later, she got another email.

It read: “dress properly, you have a history. And, don’t be late”. Catherine was torn, with multiple emotions at a time. What had she gotten herself into?

She had to go, at least to hear him out. She had no other choice.

***

The next day, Catherine searched the location online. It was a hotel in one of the most prestigious locations in the city. Why would he choose a hotel?

Even if she was broke, she had no other option but to splurge, an Uber ride that would cost more than her daily meals. She wore a black mermaid dress with an open back that showed off her back and tiny waist.

She had emerald heels, gold bracelet, drop down ear rings and red lips highlight her blue eyes, wide like the ocean. Her dark hair in a sleek bun with a black purse to crown it all.