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Her mother had always acquiesced to their father and Sienna had sworn she’d never be like that. But this wasn’t a big deal. Alejandro wasn’t a man she intended to date. He certainly wasn’t the man she would end up marrying, and, furthermore, his suggestion made sense. She could stay at his place for tonight at least, and then come up with a firmer plan the next day.
His driver was a handsome man named Raul, who looked as if he practised hardcore wrestling in his spare time. His arms were wider than her head’s circumference. When he spoke, his voice was gentle, though, and he opened the door for her with a kindly smile, which made her wonder how often Raul was asked to escort women home. She pushed the question aside. She already had the answer to that. Alejandro was a prolific bachelor. That was part of why she’d hatched this plan. She liked that she was just another notch on the bedpost to him. She liked that she could share this experience with someone who would likely forget all about her, leaving her free to focus on finding a suitable groom and planning the wedding, when the time came.
Barcelona was stunning. She focussed on the city as the car cut through traffic, the buildings a charming mix of old and new, the prominent Gaudí architecture eye-catching whenever they rounded a corner and one of his masterpieces sprung almost organically from the pavement. The sun was high in the sky, the heat of the day unrelenting, so she was grateful for the car’s powerful air-conditioner and tinted windows. Nonetheless, when they passed an ice-cream cart her mouth went dry from the force of her temptation. She stared at it as they passed, wishing she could trade places, just for a moment, with the children playing around it, their hands outstretched for the delicious treat.
The car drove on, turning into a wide boulevard with verdant trees lining either side, creating a canopy of shade for the generous footpaths. The buildings here were almost all old, stunningly ornate, many with either shops or cafes underneath them, so people spilled out, the sound of their laughter permeating the vehicle when they pulled up at traffic lights. The elegance of their dress made Sienna’s heart tremble almost to a stop. She looked down at the summery dress she’d pulled on this morning—one of her favourites—and grimaced.
She was as far removed from Spanish chic as it was possible to get.
Unbidden, the images—hundreds of images—of Alejandro’s former lovers flashed into her mind, adding to the pool of unease she always felt about her appearance. Oh, she was self-aware enough to know that her mother bore the blame for that completely. She also knew she wasn’t as overweight and unattractive as her mother liked to taunt. But nor was she svelte and glamorous like Olivia and Angelica. She was pale-skinned with freckles and auburn hair, and even though her puppy fat had left her when she’d outgrown adolescence, her breasts and hips hadn’t got the memo, remaining steadfastly curvaceous, meaning it was difficult to find dresses that fitted because the waists were invariably far too loose if she bought anything that actually suited her bust line.
Except for dresses like this—loose and floaty and somehow freeing.
But definitely not chic.
Definitely not Alejandro Corderó chic.
The car began to move again, sliding along the street. She caught a sign as they went—Passeig de Gràcia—and vaguely recalled having seen an article about this place in one of her mother’s high-end fashion magazines. They passed boutiques now, designer names visible between the trunks of the trees, the clientele obviously sophisticated and monied.
Sienna sat back in her seat, trying to stave off the sense of panic. She felt as though she’d stepped into a completely foreign world, and she had no idea what she was doing here. Despite the temptation to stay, she had a stronger urge, albeit brief, to beg Raul to take her to the airport instead.
But Alejandro...
Her stomach flip-flopped so she gripped the handle in the car door, frowning a little as her eyes continued to run over the streetscape without taking in any of the details now.
It wasn’t just Alejandro. It was Sienna too. She’d made this choice; she’d chosen to do this because she deserved it. She had never questioned her fate: marriage, as dictated by her father—only she’d long ago started to see her marriage as a form of revenge. He’d been seeking control, but she was going to take the money and use it in a way that he would hate.Her marriage was no longer a source of despair for Sienna, but a prospect she relished, because in making the match she could take back her power, could exercise control over her own life, in a way her dictatorial father would have never envisaged. But this was the ice cream on the cake. Another exercise of control, a way to walk her own path, to live her own life, away from the cloying confines of Hughenwood House.
Raul slowed the car, then turned into a side street, pulling to a stop in a driveway. A man in a suit appeared, a concierge.
‘Good afternoon.’ He opened the door for her.
‘Hello.’ She slipped into Spanish effortlessly.
‘Would you show Senyor Corderó’s guest to his apartment?’
‘Of course.’ The concierge gestured towards the doors—wide, glass, rimmed with thick gold frames.
‘My bag.’ She reached into the car but the concierge was faster, lifting it by the strap and holding it, so she couldn’t help but notice how tatty her holdall was.
‘Thank you.’ She turned to Raul and smiled. ‘I’ll see you later.’
He nodded once. Was that scepticism in his eyes? Fair enough. She supposed the women he drove home didn’t generally make repeat appearances.
Falling into step behind the concierge, she couldn’t help the little gasp that escaped her lips when they entered the foyer. Polished white tiles covered the entire floor, then gave way to walls that were wallpapered in gold and white stripes, a ceiling that was ornately patterned, and enormous chandeliers that hung in a line across the room. The ceilings themselves were at least treble height, creating an elegant and enormous space.
All for a lobby!
There were vases too, copper, overflowing with flowers—as they passed she breathed in and their fragrance was almost intoxicating. Lilies, bluebells and jasmine were surrounded by glossy green foliage.
‘Senyor Corderó’s apartment is at the top. Did he provide you with a card?’
She stared at him blankly for a moment before she remembered that, yes, he had pressed something into her hand as she was leaving. She’d just been too flummoxed by the reality of what was happening to take it in.
‘Oh, yes,’ she agreed, nodding towards the bag. ‘In there.’
The concierge passed the backpack over. She unzipped the front pocket and removed the piece of plastic.
‘Swipe it here.’ He indicated a slot, then stepped out of the lift. A second later, the doors pinged shut. She did as he’d said, then the lift was whooshing upwards. A mirror on the side wall caught her attention before she could realise it was there, and she saw the image she made and could only stare.
