He stood up and walked over to me. He moved gracefully, in full control of all his movements that were exact and purposeful. “Like I was telling your roommate, I can’t stay away from such a beautiful girl for so long. I missed you.”
“Is that right?” I said knowing that he was deliberately stroking my ego, but not caring. Winslow’s attention was very good for a girl’s self-esteem.
“I came to invite you to dinner. I have another gala to attend, this time I’m hosting it at my home and would love for you to be my date.”
I hesitated and for the first time since I met him, his confidence seemed to waver as if he wasn’t so sure that I would accept his invitation. For some reason, I found it endearing. Ultimately, that seemed to be the main difference between the two men. Hollis seemed naturally cocky and self-assured while Winslow was more introspective and difficult to read.
I found myself saying, “Sure.” I was enjoying the look on my roommate’s face too much to say no. She looked jealous and clueless at the same time as if asking herself what in the world this man saw in me. I didn’t know the answer to that question either, but I wasn’t going to dwell on it.
“When is it?”
“Tonight.”
“I guess you’ll send a car to pick me up then?” I asked, hoping that the car would not include Hollis like it had before.
“Actually, since you’re done with your shift, I figured we could spend the rest of the day together and end our evening at the gala. I get terribly bored with these events.”
“Yeah, poor you. Sucks to be rich,” my roommate cut-in bitterly with a mean little laugh.
I figured Winslow was just going to let her little comment go; instead he surprised me by saying, “I know it’s 2016 and all but being a decent human being still has its merits.”
My roommate narrowed her eyes at him and stomped to her room. I stared after her holding back a giggle.
“I guess she wasn’t too happy with your comeback.”
“She’s rude. She spent most of my time here attempting to belittle you. Of all the New Yorkers in the world, you just had to live with her?”
I shrugged, “It’s affordable.”
“Nonsense. Affordable does not mean you’re required to deal with that one. I had a grandmother like her. She made my life a living hell. The woman was impossible.”
“She has her shortcomings, that’s for sure, but she’s okay sometimes,” I said, although I wasn’t sure why I was defending her.
As if reading my mind, he said, “You’re such a good person, Ivy. You’re defending someone who pretty much just wants you to be miserable. You deserve better than this---” He gestured around my apartment.
I gulped, suddenly feeling terrible that all my hard work in college, all the times I sacrificed to study and do well hadn’t really paid off. I knew I was just starting off, but it was discouraging nonetheless and Winslow pointing it out to me didn’t exactly make me feel better.
I felt tears began to form and to my horror, one slipped down my cheek. I swiped at it, but he was already there holding my hand with a pained expression on his face as he swiped at my tear for me.
“Oh God, now I feel more pitiful than usual.”
“I must have said something wrong. I didn’t mean to offend you or hurt your feelings.”
I gulped, “You didn’t, at least not on purpose. I’m just really emotional right now and I don’t know why.”
“Because I was inconsiderate with my words,” He said frowning, regret clearly shown in his eyes.
He pushed a strand of my hair behind my ears and said, “I’m sorry. When I said you deserve better than this, I meant that literally. I have a lot more respect for your work than you give yourself credit for. In the short time you’ve been working for the organization, I’ve reviewed your work. Your talent is clear and your work is impressive.”
I blushed again. I looked down sheepishly and mumbled, “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. You’ve made a big difference already and I just want to make it clear that I have noticed and have appreciated all that you’ve done. But ultimately, you’re wasting your talent with us. That’s why I’ve arranged for you to interview with Kipp. Are you familiar with the company?”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “Of course. It’s only THE top public relations firm in the city.”
He smiled, “And I’ve spoken very highly of you to the CEO there. And she would like to meet with you.”
“I don’t know what to say. I mean...besides thank you.”
He shook his head. “Don’t thank me yet. I just got you the interview. It’s up to you to score the job.”
“Oh yeah, definitely. I get that. I just…wow...you have no idea how much this means to me. It’s been a struggle---,” I couldn’t continue as I got choked up. His faith in my skills, his faith in me meant so much. I wanted to be successful. Not only to prove to myself that I could do it, but also so that my grandmother would be proud. Ultimately, it was because I wanted my parents to be proud of me. Yes, they were no longer with me, but it didn’t decrease my desire to make them proud even in the afterlife.
“Oh no you don’t, no tears,” he said taking my hand, “We have the rest of the day to enjoy. Crying is for losers.” He joked.
“I feel like that’s something Hollis would say,” I joked and then immediately felt bad for mentioning his direct competition.
Winslow though was unmoved by mention of Hollis. He laughed and said, “You’re right. I’m sure I got that saying from him. Anyway,” he said taking my hand, “Let’s go. I have a very long day planned for us.”
“Oh really?” I asked, “So you already planned everything assuming I would say yes? That’s a bit presumptuous don’t you think?” I said pretending to be annoyed.
He shrugged, “Well, I’m a presumptuous man. Now enough talk, let’s go.” He tried to maneuver me out and I stopped him and looked down at my clothes. There was nothing wrong with my clothes, besides the fact that they were a bit rumpled from my mid-day romp with Hollis. I guiltily felt the need to shower hoping that it would wash away any evidence of what had taken place on the conference room table.
I quickly came up with a plausible excuse to take a shower. “Let me get changed first. And unless you plan to buy me everything I need for the gala tonight, I should probably grab some clothes and jump in the shower.”
He shook his head, “No need. Because you're exactly right, I’m going to buy you whatever you need.”
“No, I can’t let you do that.”
“You’re right. You can’t LET me do anything. However, I can do whatever I like. And what I would like to do is spoil you.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I joked, “I’m not too sure about that. I don’t want our relationship to turn into a Pretty Woman situation,” I said referring to the popular Julia Robert’s film from the 90s.
“Definitely not. That whole movie made me see Richard Gere as a creeper.”
“I know, right!” I agreed, amused by Winslow’s use of the word creeper.
He escorted me to his personal car, which sat behind our building, and I climbed into the sports car from a maker I didn’t recognize.
“What kind of car is this?” I asked as I settled into the plush seat next to him.
He shook his head, “It’s one of a kind. It was specifically designed for me.”
“You mean someone created a car just for you?”
He nodded. “Why not? I knew what I wanted and went to the person I knew could make it happen.”
“That must have cost you a pretty penny.”
“It did. But nice cars are my vice.” He then glanced at me, “Nice cars and beautiful women are my weakness.”
“Then what are you doing with me?”
“You should think more highly of yourself, Ivy. In a sea of arrogant, carbon copy, vapid beauties, you are a breath of fresh air. You’re a beautiful woman of substance.”
I met his eyes and then turned away. “You barely know me.”
He shrugged, “But I’ll get to know you and honestly, it doesn’t take years to realize that a person is special. It takes only seconds. I felt something for you instantly. Are you saying that you didn’t feel it too?”
Before I could answer, he added jokingly, “Or was Hollis’ presence at the time too distracting?”
I said what was on my mind, “He doesn’t want me to see you, you know.”
“That’s not his choice to make.”
“You’re right.”
He smiled boyishly, “I usually am.”
I smiled as well and settled back against the seat, growing comfortable. A girl could get used to this, was the last thought I had before I fell asleep.
When I woke up, I was alone in the car and I blinked a few times while I fought off a yawn. I looked around not knowing where I was. We seemed to be in the woods somewhere. It was clear we definitely were not in the city any longer. I had to admit, I was slightly alarmed. Moreover, where was Winslow?
Just as the thought popped in to my head, I noticed raised voices that seemed rather near. I climbed out of the car and looked around. There were acres of forest that seemed to stretch on forever. If it weren’t for the damp shoeprints that led in a particular direction, I wouldn’t have been able to find which direction Winslow had gone.
As I walked through the trees, they seemed to thin out abruptly and there sat an impressive cabin. Glass panes were where walls should have been. It sat at least three stories high and the architecture was a mix of rustic meets modern. It was a beautiful design. It was then that I noticed the cars that lined the driveway and I could hear music from afar. I stared into the house as I saw several individuals appear at the windows or find their way to the side of the home where a patio was located that led directly to a pier. Clearly, there was some sort of party going on.
I moved closer to the voices, recognizing Winslow’s voice and for the first time since I met him, he sounded angry.
“She has the right to know.”
“And you thought this was the best way to tell her. To bring her here? Have you lost your fucking mind?”
“You had the opportunity to tell her before; instead you led her to believe a lie.”
“A lie is better than an inconvenient truth,” Hollis retorted.
“I believe she deserves to know the truth and I intend to show her.”
“I’m not going to let that happen,” Hollis said softly.
“Then try to stop me,” Winslow growled.
I turned to walk away, wondering what that conversation was all about. Were they talking about me? If so, what was Hollis lying about? What was the inconvenient truth that he wanted to keep hidden? Or maybe I just needed to mind my own business; maybe what they were talking about had nothing to do with me. But for some reason, I didn’t believe my own attempts to calm my fears. What other woman could they be talking about? Unless I was one of many women who were a part of Hollis and Winslow’s lives.
I turned to go and ran into an imposing form who covered my mouth and wrapped arms like steel around my body hoisting me off the ground and silencing my screams. I clawed at hands the size of bear claws all while thinking to myself, Oh God not again.