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“Act normal or they will know.” Ok, what in the hell is he talking about now? Have I missed part of the conversation? I nod and continue forward to the black Audi wagon parked outside. Adrian ushers me to the car and opens the door for me to climb in, hmm, smell the leather. This car is new; it has that new car smell. I scramble over the seat and look out of the dark tinted windows toward the airport hoping to catch sight of my honey. Adrian and the boys are putting all the luggage in the trunk and I sit in silence trying to sum up the situation. Is Josh really this protected in America that I can’t even be seen with him? This is ludicrous. Does he think I’m going to live in a cupboard hidden from the world? We are so telling my parents when we get home. Adrian jumps in and grabs my hand again.
“Drive,” he orders the driver without saying hello. How rude. The driver pulls out into the traffic but it is banked way back and we are standing still, and then I see it. My heart drops. A media frenzy, where photographers are running backward to try and get the shot. Joshua is walking through the airport and every one of the photographers is chasing him and screaming out his name. I sit still, frozen on the spot, as I stare out the window in horror. This is why he got changed. He knew that they would be here—waiting for him. I am brought back to the present by Adrian squeezing my hand again and I look at him bewildered.
“Is this normal?” I frown at Adrian.
He smiles and nods. “Unfortunately, yes. Now we find out what you are made of, Tash girl.” I frown as his words sink in.
“I hope you have a strong stomach,” he whispers as he puts his arm around me. “You’re going to need it. Joshua Stanton’s world can be pretty harsh.”
The luxury car manoeuvres between the busy traffic, but my mind is far from sightseeing. I am stuck with the ‘see what I am made of’ comment from Adrian. What did he mean by that? Does he think I am not going to last in Joshua’s world? I put my head back onto the headrest and close my eyes. What am I made of? And what of the ‘Joshua’s Stanton’s world can be pretty harsh’ comment? What the hell does that mean? Does he mean the other women in Joshua’s life are going to make my life a living hell? God, I’m so out of my depth here. Am I really considering giving up my safe little haven to move to…whatever the hell I am moving into. My mind then moves to Josh, beautiful Josh, and I smile. He’s so worth the fight, any fight. You know what? I would move to the moon to be with him so if someone wants to make my life hell…then bring it on bitches, I’ll be waiting. I just have to promise myself that I won’t let anyone put it over me. Stay true to myself. Yes, that’s the only way I have any chance of surviving LA, LA Land and its Botox beauties. I glance down at my faded jeans and slouchy off – one–shoulder black T–shirt. Is this even acceptable in Josh’s world? I’m the world’s biggest dag. I make a mental note to get my shit together and buy some new clothes—funky ones that kick ass. Hmm, yes, good plan. Adrian smiles and grabs my hand again. “You’re quiet,” he smirks.
“I suppose,” I answer. “This is all very new to me, Adrian. I’m feeling out of my depth.” He smiles a sympathetic smile and nods. “Will you promise me something, Adrian?”
He nods. “Anyt
hing.”
“If I am put into a situation where you think I will be with someone who I can’t trust, will you tell me?”
He smiles an honest smile, “Of course, Tash.”
I nod, feeling better. “What will you say?” I ask.
He frowns. “What will I say?”
I nod and smile. “Yes, code for snake.”
He laughs out loud. “You want to have a secret code for someone you can’t trust?”
I smile and pick up his hand and kiss the back of it. “Exactly.” I narrow my eyes as I sum up my diabolical plan. “So the word for snake is?” I ask.
He smiles again. “Cinderella.” He giggles.
I frown. “Cinderella—that’s a pretty lame code word. I was thinking Mole Patrol or Booby Trap.”
He bursts out laughing. “If I say the word Booby Trap I’m pretty sure Joshua will catch onto our plan.”
I nod. “Oh right, good thinking. But why Cinderella?” I ask.
“That’s what Ben and I used to call you before we met you,” he smirks. My mouth drops open. “Why would you call me Cinderella?” I ask.
“Because Joshua was besotted with you and we used to tease him.” I frown as I sum up his words, hmm, I like that piece of information. My confidence gets a much needed boost and for the first time since leaving the airport I feel a little excited about seeing Josh’s house. We enter a road with beautiful trees and get to what looks like a guard station, the driver slows down and the gates are buzzed open and we drive through.
“What was that?” I ask.
“This is a gated community, otherwise Joshua would be hounded night and day by photographers.” I nod again, feeling stupid. The car turns a few corners and the houses are all amazing. We slow and pull into a driveway with massive sandstone gates, the driver punches in a code and the gates slowly open. Shit. This can’t be his house, surely? It looks like something out of a magazine only a thousand times better. There is a massive circular driveway that joins onto a huge, and I mean huge, dark charcoal rendered space–age palace. Fuck. The gardens are impeccable and have beautiful lights shining up into all of the trees. There is a huge water fountain in what looks like a tropical heaven. Jeez, this is opulence at its best. There are a few cars parked in the parking bays to the left and Ben looks around at Adrian and raises an eyebrow.
“We had better wait in the car until Joshua gets here.”
Adrian nods. “Good idea.” Huh, whose cars are they? And why do we have to wait here?
“I would like to go in please,” I announce.
“No, we will wait for Joshua,” Ben snaps and I frown at Adrian.
“Is Cinderella inside?” I whisper. Adrian winks and nods. Right, that’s it. I barge the car door open and start marching up the stairs towards the front door. Adrian bungles out of the car behind me. “Natasha, stop now.” This only infuriates me more. What, is the house frigging full of Penthouse pets or something? I can hear music and laughter coming from the house as I get close to the huge metal double doors.
Adrian catches up with me. “Tash, I’m not playing Cinderella anymore if you are going to act crazy every time I say it, and trust me you will hear it a lot.” I scowl as I open the door and march in. I stare open–mouthed at my surroundings. There is a massive foyer with a beautiful pendant light lighting up the area. The floors are all dark polished concrete and the walls all stark white with massive abstract art adorning them. The place is so modern it looks industrial almost.
