CHAPTER 10

From the moment she fled her debut party, Bridgette has avoided being among the wealthy. She was fed up with her father setting her up on blind dates. Rich folks were all the same to her. They're solely interested in money, fame, and power. They have little regard for the feelings of others.

But now, she's inside a four-hundred-thousand-pound car, sitting beside a filthy rich guy who she doesn’t even know. They were both silent throughout the ten-minute drive, but every now and then, Bridgette stole a glance from him.

"Why do you keep on stealing glances, lady?" he asked without looking at her. She felt embarrassed and looked away.

"I wasn’t. I just want to look on the other side of the road. " Bridgette nervously uttered, making him chuckle.

"Look at you blushing." He suddenly maneuvered the car towards the side of the road and hit the brake. He quickly released his seatbelt so he could turn his body sideways towards her. 

"Do you find me attractive?" His face is now inches away from Bridgette. She could feel her heart thumping so loudly with what he was doing.

"W: What are you doing? S-Stop! I’m not attracted to you! " She was nervously panicking and pushed him hard. She also tried to open the car door, but it was locked.

All of a sudden, he burst into laughter. His eyes were all tearing up from laughing too much. I’m just joking. Haha! " He immediately fixed his seatbelt and started driving again.

Stop being so nervous. You look cute while blushing. I might fall for you. " He laughed so hard again with his own crazy antics, leaving her completely flustered.

"Stop! You’re not funny! Stop this car! I’ll just walk from here! " Bridgette frantically screamed while hitting his arms. Good thing he can drive well and unbothered by what she’s doing.

"Alright, I’ll stop. Just quit hitting my arms, "he replied.

There was a minute of silence after that, but he broke it when he spoke again. "My name is not Trent. I am Troy Seige Evans. I believe you are Bridgette Dawson. I like your name. Pretty, like you. " He took a quick look at her and let out a snicker when he saw her facial expression.

She rolled her eyes at him and looked away. He cleared his throat before speaking again, trying to hide the unfamiliar warm, fuzzy feeling he was feeling deep inside. "Hey, uhm. Where’s your office? I’m not familiar with the name of your store, Glam Closet. Is that right? "

Bridgette responded while staring out the car window. "J-Just drop me off at the bus station. I’ll just commute. "

"No. I insist. I’m intrigued by the name of your shop. "Please let me drop you there," he said.

Bridgette thought about it for a while. He stole a glance at him again.

I think he’s not a bad person. For a rich guy, he looks pretty decent. Plus, I still feel hungover. ’ Bridgette thought.

After a few minutes, she finally answered him. "Alright, it’s in Bakersville near Chez Victoria restaurant."

"Chez Victoria?" I love their Shepherd’s Pie!" Troy giddily announced, like a kid getting excited about eating ice cream.

Bridgette, being a fan of that restaurant, chimed in. "Me too! I like it when they serve it with—"

"Corn salad!" they said in unison, making them both laugh.

"Alright, now I can already see Mr. Pavilioni’s face beaming with a smile," Troy added.

I love that old man. He’s so full of passion, "Bridgette said.

"He and his deceased wife, Victoria, were one of our family friends. We frequented that place when my father was still alive. Now, it’s only me who visits his restaurant. My brother and sister don't want to be reminded about the good old days. " Troy felt a sudden pang in his heart after mentioning his father. Bridgette felt his pain and tried to cheer him up. Then what are we waiting for? Let’s have a bite of that warm pie! Come on! " Her enthusiasm made Troy smile again.

Ever since that day, Troy and Bridgette have become friends. Troy had been visiting her shop frequently.

Bridgette was busy arranging clothes on the rack when her manager slashed her friend Chelsey's attention by clearing her throat.

"Ahem. Someone’s leaving the shop again today. "Her knight in shining armor is here to pick her up and ride on his mighty black horse once more," Chelsey teased as Troy walked inside the shop holding a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers wrapped in rustic-colored paper.

"Hi Troy!" Chelsey greeted him. He smiled back and waved and walked straight towards Bridgette, who was indulging in what she was doing again. She hardly noticed Troy’s presence inside the shop.

Troy waved the bouquet in Bridgette’s face to get her attention. She was startled and looked back to see a man dressed in a pink Oxford shirt wearing a big smile on his face.

Troy! " I’m s-sorry. I was too busy. Why are you here? " She asked curiously. Her hair looked disheveled. Troy fixed it for her, making her blush and putting Chelsey in a chaotic mode because of his sweetness. She started squealing excitedly. It was a good thing it was just seven in the morning and customers usually visited her shop at eight.

Oh my gosh! I wish to meet my own prince too! " Chelsey dreamily sighed as she looked at Bridgette and Troy. They both looked at her at the same time. Bridgette’s brows furrowed while Troy just let out a snicker and turned to face Bridgette again.

"Oh, uhm, breakfast?" he asked.

Bridgette saw Chelsey's mouthed word "go" as an approval for her to leave. She took the flowers from Troy’s hand and nodded.

"Chels, call me as soon as the supplier arrives, okay?" Bridgette yelled as they walked out the door.

Chelsey saw Troy shake his head a bit secretly. It means not disturbing her while eating. She immediately knew what it meant.

With Bridgette, Troy found his new happiness and comfort. He feels warm and happy whenever he’s with her. She couldn’t help but visit her whenever he missed her. It’s like his system wanted to see Bridgette every day.

"Hey, where are we going? That’s Chez Victoria, "Bridgette worriedly asked after Troy passed by the restaurant where they usually eat.

Troy declared, "You've been eating too much pie lately. I wanted to take you somewhere else."

"Where?" Bridgette asked.

I’m sure you woke up early again today, or you haven’t slept yet. "I'll wake you up when we get there," Troy responded.

"How did you know?"

Well, for one, you haven’t fixed your hair yet. Then, I saw piles of inventory books at the countertop, so I figured you were doing your monthly inventory again just like last month, "he explained.

Bridgette blushed. She was so touched by Troy's remembering all these small things about her. She smiled secretly.

Troy adjusted Bridgette’s seat using his other hand to make it more comfortable for her to take a nap. "There. Sleep now, workaholic girl, "he softly said and patted her head.

"Alright, thanks." Bridgette hid the fact that she wanted to squeal with Troy’s gestures, but she immediately felt sleepy as Troy adjusted the temperature inside the car and played some soft music.

Months or years ago, this thing would never have been possible. But now, Bridgette can sleep inside a rich man’s car without feeling uneasy, scared, or irritated. Troy is the only rich man she has trusted so far. Bridgette fell into a deep slumber easily.

Troy drove slower so he could take a glance at Bridgette. For some reason, Troy considers Bridgette to be the most beautiful woman on the planet.

He pulled a strand of her hair dangling from her face and gently tucked it behind her ear and began driving again.