AllFreeNovel
Share Us
6
Cece
Stephanie is trying to calm her laughter. “You should’ve gone further!” she yells through the phone as I make my way toward Miyamota’s. It’s the restaurant I’m meeting my father at for lunch. I didn’t call her to relay my moment of glory—it’s what I’m calling my face-to-face with Maddox Barkley—but I was anxious to tell her, nonetheless.
“Any further and I would’ve had to kiss him, Steph.”
“Exactly!” She breaks into laughter again. “If you’re gonna play him like that, at least get something out of it for yourself.”
I giggle at her comment. It’s not like the thought didn’t cross my mind, it just didn’t cross it while I was putting on that performance for Maddox. At the time, I was both annoyed and flabbergasted at Maddox’s lack of knowledge of who I am. And not the socialite girl that’s made the headlines—complete with my hated, press-assigned nickname—but as his boss.
I was in the meeting with him and both Leslie and Tina while his manager negotiated his contract. Of course, I shouldn’t be that surprised because he only said a handful of words during the meeting, and the rest of the time he was on his phone. I can’t even be flattered that he was hitting on me because it’s Maddox Barkley. That boy hits on girls before, during, and after his performances at Luxe.
Still, seeing that shocked expression on him was humorous. And it eased the annoyance I was feeling. Knowing he can’t get what he wants made me feel a little better. I have half a mind to actually mingle a bit longer on the club floor tonight just to rub it in a little. Maybe even ruin his fun and approach him while he’s hitting on yet another girl. It’d be hilarious to see his reaction then.
“What are you doing right now?” Stephanie asks.
“What I’m doing right now is the reason I’m calling you. Remember that lunch my father wants me to go to?”
“Mm-hm.”
“I’m about to meet up with them. I need you to call me in twenty—”
“Cece, come on. Give the guy a chance.”
“Steph, I’ve met with him twice already. The first time was out of the blue when I gave him my number. Then, the second time, he practically grilled me. Where’d I go to high school, why I’m not in college, what’s it like being friends with a YouTuber—”
“He asked about me? You didn’t tell me that?”
“Stephanie, that’s not the point. It was like he wrote down a list of questions and memorized them to ask. If I’m gonna go out with someone, I want a real connection, not an interview. This whole thing is just a dumb setup by my father anyway. I know his family has money, but this isn’t the eighteen hundreds. Arranged marriages should be outlawed.” She laughs. “So, call me in twenty minutes. Okay?”
“Fine,” she replies with an exaggerated tone.
Hanging up, I wait at the intersection on Starlight Way. Miyamota’s is a sushi restaurant right around the corner from Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The luxury shopping destination is one of my favorite places, so I’m a little upset I can’t just shop for a couple of hours. I’d much rather be browsing Chanel handbags and the latest offerings at Jimmy Choo than sitting with the guy my father’s picked out for the rest of my life.
I love that my father is thinking about me and my life, but this is something I don’t know if I can force. Which makes the things Stephanie says all the more guilt-inducing. Winston seems like a decent guy. He’s focused on school to take a position in his father’s company once he graduates. He’ll definitely have a high-paying job, which I know is something important to my parents. But I’ve gone out with guys for money.
Wow, okay, that didn’t come out right.
What I mean to say is, I’ve dated guys who are wealthy. I’ve dated celebrities who’ve starred in major motion pictures, the newest pop star sensations, and even other socialites that my circle crosses over with. Sure, the money is nice. I’m not going to say I’m ungrateful for the money I have. I know I have it better than most people around the world. But love is something you can’t buy. I may be young, but I’ve been around enough to at least figure that out.
Besides, I’m almost positive I’m not leading Winston on. Aside from his twenty-question list, he doesn’t seem oblivious to that fact. However, I may be leading on my father if I keep doing this and don’t put my foot down that this isn’t going to happen. That’s why I’m using Stephanie as my out today.
Crossing the street, I enter the restaurant and immediately see my father, along with Winston and his dad, in the corner. It’s a beautiful sushi place, with soft lighting, marble floors, and crystal-clear windows that display the shopping area that laces the street.
All three men look over and get to their feet. My father in his charcoal gray suit, Mr. Thornhurst in a black one. My father’s is Dolce & Gabbana. I know because I picked it out for him. Thornhurst’s looks like it could be Gucci. Winston’s definitely is because it’s a dark sienna with the Gucci logo in light print over the lapel of the suit.
“Cece, honey,” my father calls to me, waving to the seat next to him.
“Hi, Daddy,” I greet him with a hug and kiss him on the cheek.
“Ms. Mavin, lovely to see you again,” Mr. Thornhurst says, extending his hand to me. Giving it a firm shake—something my father told me from an early age to do—he smirks. “Still got that handshake, I see.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply, smiling.
“Cece.” Winston offers me his hand.
Shaking it with the same strength, he simply smiles. “Winston.”
