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„It’s mostly family money,” I try to explain. „And a combination of a very successful book deal and smart investments. I conceptualized and wrote ‘Elements of the Theory of Numbers’—”
„Oh, I’ve worked with that one!”
I chuckle. „Yes, every Math student in the country has, I presume. It was a much bigger success than anticipated. And I have friends who know how to turn a lot of money into even more money. That’s how I can afford this life, this house. I didn’t buy this on my income from the university alone.”
Her eyes widen. „Oh, wow. That’s impressive.”
„It’s really not,” I try to downplay. „I already come from a place of privilege. I have friends who had to work much harder to be where they are now.”
„Those…pact friends you mentioned earlier?”
I nod. „Yes, the Plutus boys.”
„Oh, the God of wealth,” she says. „Was your pact about becoming rich then?”
„That’s exactly it,” I confirm.
„And did all of you become rich?”
„Yes,” I say. „Very.”
„That’s amazing,” she says. „And something to be proud of, for you, too.”
„How about some Pimientos de Padrón?” I suggest, holding up a package of small green peppers, in an effort to divert the subject away from me.
She casts me a puzzled look. „What?”
„As a snack,” I elaborate. „You fry them with olive oil and add coarse-grained salt on top. It’s delicious. My family always used to eat them when we were in Europe.”
She looks back and forth between me and the pack of peppers in my hand, and I can see another question twirling through her mind, but she just nods.
„Yes, that sounds great.” She beams at me and winks. „You’re such a good host. At this rate, you’ll never be able to get rid of me again.”
I reciprocate her endearing smile. That sounds a lot better in my ears than it should.
Chapter 29
Claire
I awake to the sound of muffled meows, coming from outside the room. Confused, I turn over in a bed that’s not my own.
I need a few moments to realize where I am as I stare at the high ceiling above me, then I push myself into a seated position. The walls surrounding me are adorned in a subtle shade of light gray, and the windows to my left are dressed in high-quality, floor-to-ceiling curtains in white. The focal point of the room is the king-sized bed I’m in, with a plush, neutral-toned headboard and crisp, high-thread-count linens in a darker gray. The entire bedroom creates a minimalistic aesthetic. A low-profile, custom-designed nightstand sits on either side of the bed, the surfaces uncluttered, featuring only a small designer lamp on each side—and that’s pretty much it.
The entire room very much looks like him, so clean and reduced, yet stylish.
The other side of the bed is empty and I feel a sense of shame washing over me when I realize that he’s already up, while I was so fast asleep that I didn’t even notice him getting out of bed.
The meows grow more intense, followed by the sound of tiny claws scratching at the bedroom door.
I’m smiling as I peel myself out of the lavish bedsheets and put on the robe and the slippers from last night. Striking green eyes stare up at me when I open the door, and cute little Pi starts rubbing against my legs.
„Good morning, lovely,” I whisper as I bend down to pick her up. To my surprise, she starts purring the moment she’s in my arms, and my heart swells when she rubs her tiny little head against my chest.
„Oh, I love you, too, sweetie,” I say, before I give her a peck on the head.
I step out into an empty corridor. There’s nothing but pristine white walls and a couple of doors, no pictures or any kind of decoration that would reveal anything about the man who’s living here.
I try not to gawk as I make my way to the stairs, but it’s impossible not to. I’ve never been to such an opulent home before, and I can’t believe I’m here now. With him. In his home.
