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Yet Paul was still attentive. He checked up on me while he was out of town and made sure I knew that I could contact him about anything, big or small.
The Hudson penthouse still overwhelmed me with its grand luxury. I decided to take each room with ease. Being alone wasn’t bad, and I could do anything. Paul had some of his clothing delivered to fill one of the walk-in closets. My closet only had the clothes that fit into the two suitcases that I kept under the weight requirement for my flight from Wisconsin.
Paul also didn’t just leave me alone. I had a housekeeper who made me food and Ben, my new driver, who had an envelope from Paul when he showed up to take me to class. I opened it to find a white credit card with my name on it, a passkey for the penthouse, and an updated, amended agreement for me to sign.
No excessive drinking or drug use.
All visitors must log in and pass a background check.
Respect all private information of all parties.
I’d taken the time to look at the appendices in Paul’s contractual agreement. It included an apartment at the end of our relationship and bi-weekly monetary bonuses if we stayed together, which made me feel sick. I put it away and refused to read another word. When I’d spent time with him, he’d seemed so personal and friendly. When he touched me, he was passionate and sincere. But then he sent more contracts, rules, and regulations, which ultimately made me feel more like a business investment rather than a person.
Mine.That was how he referred to me.
I belong to him.
My heart skipped a beat, even though I knew he thought of me as someone he kept under his control, instead of someone special to him. I was learning things about myself. I liked physical attention, which didn’t surprise me, given that my parents were so affectionate. But I was also learning that I felt deeply for those who showed me affection. Paul hadn’t been gone long, but I was missing him. And that had me worried.
Was I already in over my head?
Paul: My assistant Nichole will contact you to confirm appointments. You can redecorate the Hudson and set up your studio. I will return this weekend, but you can always call me.
I immediately opened my laptop on the dining table to read Nichole’s email message.
Subject: Nadia Sokol Appointments
M.R. Salon hair appointment evaluation. Once a week.
Peninsula Spa De-stress Retreat. Once a week.
Tricia, Private shopper for your apparel. Mr. Crane will attend.
Please write back and confirm your schedule.
Are all of these appointments necessary?I picked up my phone and hesitated to call Paul. Surely, he wouldn’t want to go over minute details. The esthetician from the spa had alreadysent so much stuff for me to use. On the other hand, Paul was flawless and took good care of himself. Of course, he’d expect the same of me. I decided to make it a practice of swimming regularly in the pool for exercise. Thirty laps for forty-five minutes in the morning and before I went to bed.
After checking my college schedule, I sent back my available times. Ten minutes later, I had a confirmation from Nichole. Evidently, Paul surrounded himself with other people who moved as fast as him.
I put on my swimsuit and jumped into the pool to do my new routine of morning laps.
A private heated pool only for me.Inconceivable.
The Hudson had so much extravagance that I had to wonder:What’s Paul’s place like?Just as extravagant, no doubt. And Paul put me in charge of decorating. I had no idea how or even where to start setting up the studio.Indeed, it was easy to enjoy this world. However, the magnitude of his affluence put me at a disadvantage.
Besides that, I couldn’t continue to keep everything from my parents, and I needed advice. But from whom?
I wasn’t sure what I could tell anyone. Sadly, Sophie was the only person who would understand. But she was also Sophie. It wasn’t that I hadn’t forgiven her per se, as in many respects, I wouldn’t be here without her actions. I got a few lackluster texts from her, so I didn’t feel guilty for not responding to her. I didn’t actually trust Sophie, and right now, I needed someone who knew me inside and out.Xander.
I avoided returning his calls since he’d been so negative about me spending time with Paul.He’s also right about everything.
Drying off, I stepped into my empty walk-in closet. I took down a sleeveless knit sweater and dark denim jeans and headed down in the elevator. It stopped for an elegant older woman dressed in a suit and heels.
“Hello.” I greeted her with a wave.
Her pinched expression and silence were enough to wipe the beaming smile off my face. I curled my chin under and tightened my grip on my portfolio case.Sorry.
Even though I lived here, I didn’t belong.
