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GENEVIEVE
Staring into the LED lit mirror above my sink, I can’t help but wonder what a younger me would be thinking right now. I’m so far away from the empty bellied, scruffy little girl who used to run the streets begging for money, determined to make a better life for myself. I was always so tired and alone. Daddy was off working two jobs just to keep a roof over our heads and the electricity on, which didn’t always work, and Mum? Well, she’s better off left in the past, but the point is, that little girl couldn’t be further from the woman staring back at me now.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still have the same ice-blue eyes—as deep as the oceans, as my dad used to say—framed by long dark lashes. My arched, plucked to perfection eyebrows sit above them, slightly filled in, thanks to my incredible makeup artist Mackenzie, who just left. My once chubby face has morphed into one many pay to get, or so I’ve read in the gossip columns. My high cheekbones are enhanced by strategically placed contour, highlighter, and blush, and my plump lips appear thicker due to the pink and nude lip combo. My previously golden hair is now a long, icy blonde colour, which is artfully pulled back with a few stray curls falling down to frame my face, but not enough so my long, dangling diamond earrings—a gift—are concealed.
The elegant dress my stylist picked out is a lovely champagne colour, and it’s covered in tiny diamonds. The fabric moulds to my skin, showing off every deep dip and curve of my five-six body. The V at the front displays just enough cleavage so as not to make it indecent for tonight’s event, and the nearly sheer material drapes at my waist, falling to expose my tanned legs when I walk. The designer heels on my feet match the dress impeccably.
Every inch of me is polished to perfection, thanks to my team that just left.
Yet I couldn’t feel less like myself.
I can appreciate that I look beautiful, sexy, and elegant, just like the woman I always wanted to be, but a part of me wishes to muss myself just a little as a form of rebellion.
“I think something is missing.” The deep, honeyed voice echoes from the doorway. My eyes drift across the mirror, meeting Chaz’s deep brown gaze as he leans there in a suit, looking every inch the dapper aristocrat. He is a gentleman, a kind man, and it fills his eyes as they rove over my body, darkening with lust. His tongue sweeps along his straight, white, charming teeth, and when his eyes meet mine again, I shiver.
I was lost the very moment I met this man, and still to this day, three years later, he never fails to make me weak in the knees, the charmer. Pushing from the door, he strolls towards me, moving gracefully until his hand drops to my hip and his mouth presses to my throat as he kisses along my thrumming pulse.
“You look like perfection…almost.”
“Almost?” I smile, arching my eyebrow.
“Here, this will help.” I watch in the mirror as he pulls out a long, dangling diamond necklace, one to match the earrings he gave me.
“Chaz,” I whisper.
He slowly lifts it over my head and drapes it around the column of my neck, his soft, long fingers fastening the clasp as he speaks. “It’s an heirloom, my grandmother’s. It belongs on your neck, my love,” he murmurs, and when he steps back, he’s grinning widely, even as my heart skips a beat. My hand drifts to the necklace that must be worth more than anything I own, and I stare at it with wide eyes. Since I don’t waste my money on material things if I can help it, I never would have dreamed of purchasing something so extravagant.
“Good enough to eat.” He winks, and the charm he exudes causes me to drop my eyes for a moment before I turn with my hands out. He pulls me closer and kisses my head before he tips up my chin. “Are you ready for tonight? You’ve been quiet.”
I have, haven’t I? He noticed, damn.
“Just nervous. It’s a big moment,” I lie, leaning up to kiss his perfectly shaven face. Lowering my feet back to the floor, I move away with a fake smile. “Are we ready to go?”
Either he doesn’t notice or he accepts my answer, as he takes my arm without pressing further. “Let’s go, my love. The quicker we go, the quicker we can get back and have this dress on the floor while you scream your pleasure in my arms.”
I can’t help but laugh. Even after three years, he’s still insatiable. He still desires me as much as the day we met, and I feel the same. He stole my heart so quickly, charming me with fancy dinners, trips abroad, and gifts. He was never ashamed of me. No, he showed me off to the world, proud to have me on his arm.
Chaz Dandridge III.
He was the ultimate bachelor, and I managed to snag him. Me, the girl who came from nothing. If they call me new money, then he is old money. His family name is as old as they come. Hell, his family even has an estate and the heirlooms to match, like the one now dangling from my neck—something I knew nothing about. Just when I start to think I’ve settled into my new life and this new world that I worked day in and day out for—blood, sweat, and tears paved my way so I would never have to worry again—I’m reminded that however accustomed to this life I think I’ve gotten, I can still be surprised.
The necklace hangs heavily on my neck, like a promise.
It’s a promise of everything I’ve always wanted—family, a stable life, to be loved and cherished. I’ve always wanted to belong to somebody, and for somebody to be mine. Chaz is giving me exactly that. Our whole future is laid out before us, and I couldn’t be more excited for it.
“Wait here a moment, my love. I’ll check if the car is waiting,” he tells me, kissing my hands as he hurries over to the phone. Sighing, I wander into the open-plan living room. Well, my open-plan living room, since this is my penthouse. It’s decorated to the ultimate modern yet feminine standard, with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the glitz of London. With low-slung leather sofas, huge TVs and surround sound, a state-of-the-art kitchen, an elegant dining room, two bedrooms, three baths, and a rooftop terrace, the penthouse is everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more. When I saved up to buy it, I couldn’t believe myself.
My smile drops as I look around, seeing my life.
Isn’t this everything I ever wanted?
If so, then why does it feel so hollow?
* * *
“Genevieve?” Chaz coos.
I blink, turning my head from where I had been staring out of the town car’s window.
