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“It loses it's luster pretty quickly.” She says dryly, clearly having spent her entire life visiting places such as this one.
“Maybe for you.” I say, turning back towards the lake. “I think I could stay here forever.” I sigh, taking a deep inhale of the fresh air, loving the smell of the water.
“Come on. You haven't even see the place yet.” She laughs, leading me down the closest stone path towards a home that looks like a quaint little cottage only it's more like fifty times the size. She leads me up a stone stairwell onto a gorgeous front porch that wraps around the entire home, which is secluded by large trees and bushes, giving off just the right amount of privacy without taking away from the atmosphere.
It isn't until we step inside the home that my jaw practically hits the floor. It's gorgeous. Open and spacious with not a single item out of place. The furniture and walls are neutral, decorated with modern art and sculptures only someone with money would be able to afford to have in their home.
There's only one other place I can compare it to and the moment the hotel room I shared with Bentley pops into my head, it's like a seed is planted and try as I may, I can't seem to shake it. Andrea gives me a tour of the home which includes six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private pool behind the property and private access to the beach just a few hundred feet away. And even as happy as I am to be here, a part of me suddenly craves the simplicity of my normal life in Chicago.
While people like Andrea and Bentley may be comfortable in this world, it's a bit out of my level of reality. By the time Andrea finally leads me to my bedroom, which is the size of Patty's entire house, I suddenly feel exhausted. I wish I could blame it on the flight, but two hours on a plane is hardly enough time for jet lag.
But it isn't until I spot the white box on my bed that everything inside of me seems to come alive. “What's that?” I ask Andrea as I drop my bags on the floor. Even though I already know, deep down I am praying that I am wrong.
“I have no idea.” She says, crossing the space towards the bed. “It's addressed to you.” She says, looking at the small tag that hangs from the bow tied across the box and then back to me.
“Shit.” I blurt, not sure what else to do or say. How did he find me here? How could he have possibly gotten it here this quickly?
“What is it?” She asks, turning to the side to face me.
“Bentley.” I answer without further explanation. Closing the distance between me and the bed in a matter of seconds, I quickly untie the bow and toss the lid to the box to the side. Sure enough, displayed in front of me, as beautiful as the first time I saw it, is the dress Bentley sent me. On top of it, an envelope.
“Is this it?” Andrea asks, stepping beside me to trail her fingers down the fabric. “But I thought you were returning it.” She says after I nod.
“I did. Last night.” I say, reaching for the envelope. “How did he get it here?” I voice out loud, flipping it over in my hands and peeling away the flap. With shaky fingers, I reach inside and pull out a rectangular piece of thick paper with perfect cursive scrawled across the front. Andrea stands silent at my side as I read his words aloud.
This gift is for your birthday. Your return has been rejected.
Should you seek to do so again, please refrain from visiting my mother and seek me out personally.
I am confident that I will change your mind. See you on the 29that seven.
Until then, Bentley
