The Billionaire's Personal Shopper

Brotherly Advice

That night at the Merigold Chocolate launch party I did something horrible. Well, it wasn’t something I regretted but I knew I should regret it. A good person would feel guilty about what happened that night. Lucas had been wonderful. He made me laugh, he showed he cared. He was the best date ever. Yet my date wasn’t the one I kissed at the end of the night. It was Mr. Blackwood. Thinking about that kiss which barely lasted for a second made me brush my fingers over my lips. I needed to talk to someone about it. I needed to get it off my chest. I had barely any friends I shared personal things with though. They betrayed me one too many times for me to trust people outside my inner circle. Most of the time I was happy living like this. At times like these though, I wished I had someone I could share my concerns with. I didn’t dare to talk to mom about it. I knew she was already fantasizing about my wedding with Lucas. We had one date and the moms were already giggling like teenagers sharing a secret. I couldn’t tell her about my kiss. I stood before the office of the one person I could run to. We never really had a great bond, but I felt like that night we spend together watching movies and eating take-out made us grow a little closer together. Nick was all I had right now. I knocked once, a firm knock which radiated confidence. It was unlike me at the moment, I didn’t know where that came from. Nick heard it though, he told me to come in. I stepped into his office and closed the door behind me. My brother was seated behind a glass desk, his jacket discarded, the first two buttons of shirt undone and his tie missing. He was having a rough morning. I shouldn’t have come here.

“Nina.” He greeted.

“Nick.” I greeted back in a small voice, “It seems that you’re busy. I should go.”

“Don’t be silly.” He looked away from his laptop and flashed me a warm smile, “Come on, take a seat. Don’t just stand there looking all awkward.”

His voice was gentle and his eyes were soft. He looked genuinely happy to see me. I hesitated, but when Nick raised an eyebrow at me in question I did take a seat in the chair across him.

“You okay?” I asked him.

He looked amused with me, “I should be asking you that question, shouldn’t I?”

“What do you mean?”

I placed my bag on the empty chair beside me, fixing my already perfectly straightened hair. It was groomed to perfection this morning yet I felt so nervous I kept fidgeting around. Fixing my hair, straightening the skirt of my black dress. I was a nervous wreck right now.

“You’ve never come to see me in the middle of the day. Something is up.” He shut his laptop and gave me his full attention, “You can tell me what’s on your mind. I’ll listen.”

He showed me that he would. Yet I had no idea where to start. I decided to just say it and get it over with, like ripping off a band-aid.

“I kissed Mr. Blackwood at the launch party.”

Nick was quiet for a minute, it looked like he needed to take it in. He reached for his cup of coffee, it was probably cold right now. He sipped it, the face he made was funny but laughter wouldn’t leave my lips. I just stared at him, hoping he’d say something. He placed his cup back down, looking more at ease despite that coffee probably not being good.

“Wasn’t that tall guy your date?”

"Yes, and I didn't kiss him. I kissed the man who is kind of my boss."

“Well, being your date doesn’t mean you owed it to him to kiss him goodnight. You aren’t in a relationship so you also don’t have to feel bad about kissing someone else. I mean, it wasn’t ideal especially since Jacob is more or less your boss. But things happen you have no control over. Instead of worrying about something you can’t change how about you focus on something you can change?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you want to change your relationship with Jacob?”

“No, I like working for him.”

Nick nodded, “Then let him know. Tell him that you crossed a line that night and that it won’t happen again because you want things to stay professional between you two. It’s recommended that you talk things over so there won’t be any room for assumptions.”

It made sense, it was best to keep that relationship professional so talking it through so that we were both on the same page sounded like a good idea to me. Surely a man like Mr. Blackwood would appreciate it too.

“You’re right.”

Nick leaned back in his chair, “Your date was a nice guy.”

Lucas was an amazing guy, there was absolutely nothing wrong with him. I knew that. I blamed it on my curiosity and Mr. Blackwood’s dark looks. There was just something about him which lured you in. Many before me go caught up in his dark lure. I couldn’t hold it against myself. If I kept remaining myself that our relationship was supposed to remain professional my body would eventually get the hint. I hoped.

“Yeah, Lucas is great.”

Nick’s eyes glittered with amusement, “Are the moms getting what they want?”

“Me dating Lucas?” I asked, “Maybe. But I want him to contact me first for a second date.”

"How old-fashioned of you." He didn't look impressed by it, "I don't believe in this old fairy tale of guys being the ones who need to make the first move. We live in 2018 dear sister of mine."

“I know that.” I glared at him for calling me out like that, “But I don’t know, it would give me the confirmation of Lucas liking me enough to want to see me again.”

“And maybe needs that confirmation too.” Lucas pointed out.

I huffed. I hated how Nick was right about everything right now. It was best to leave before he’d completely make me feel like an utter moron. I got to my feet and collected my bag. Nick knew what he did to me. He smirked, watching me pull myself together.

“You are right and I will contact Lucas soon.” I let him know that he was right with my head held high. It was false confidence though. I was sulking on the inside, “I’ll leave you to it. You seemed very busy before I decided to talk about my personal things.”

“You can always come over to talk about your personal things.” Nick let me know, “I don’t mind.”

I did mind when my brother was right and pointing out why I wasn’t in that calm voice. It annoyed me that he sounded like an old wise man. I smiled at him and walked out of his office, closing the door quietly behind me. I took a cab back home and scrolled through my emails. My heart raced when I spotted Mr. Blackwood’s email.

Miss Merigold,

I’d like to make an appointment to discuss updating my wardrobe just like we discussed.

Let me know when you have time to schedule me in.

I’m sure we can work something out.

Thanks in advance,

Mr. Blackwood

It seemed like a harmless email but I doubted he just wanted to discuss the shirts that still needed to be replaced. This email came by at an odd timing. It was good that I didn't have to contact Mr. Blackwood first. It gave me the excuse to see him. I emailed him back immediately.

Mr. Blackwood,

Does Friday morning work for you?

Maybe around ten?

Kind Regards,

Miss Merigold

I scrolled down my contact list and found Lucas' name. It was freaking 2018, I could contact Lucas and let him know I enjoyed our date and wanted to repeat it. Hopefully, he wouldn't turn me down. If he did well then there would be someone out there who was interested in me. I just needed to remind myself of that. Not wanting to stall longer because I knew I'd put it off forever I typed out a text.

Hi Lucas,

This is Nina Merigold. I enjoyed our date the other night.

Thank you for escorting me to the party.

I was hoping to repeat it.

Nina

It was straight to the point, no small talk and talking around it. I send the text and pocketed my phone. If I didn’t do that I’d be staring at the damn thing with my heart beating out of my chest. I needed to distract myself.

***

I did some groceries at a store close by, strolling back to the apartment with a heavy bag filled with produce and other things I needed to stock up my fridge and pantry. I was snacking on a small chocolate bar, it was pure chocolate which I didn't particularly liked. It wasn't Merigold either. My family's chocolate was way too expensive for chocolate to snack on to distract yourself from stupid mistakes which were made. I stopped in my tracks, staring at the shiny limousine parked in front of my apartment building. People in this building rarely rented a limousine so I knew right away who it was.

“Good evening, Nina.”

I greeted Lucas with a smile, “Good evening.”

The tall guy was leaning against the limo, holding up his phone and shaking it, “Thought I’d give you a response I person.” He pushed away from the vehicle and approached me with determined steps. I gasped when he leaned in and brushed his lips against my cheek, “I’d love to take you on an official date.” He pulled away, his eyes scanning my face.

“That was an official date.”

He shook his finger at me, “That was me escorting you to a party. A date doesn’t involve the presence of our families. At least I like to think so.”

“You are right.”

“So how about this Friday? We have dinner at some fancy place and maybe watch a movie after. You know the whole cliché thing.”

I grinned, “I rather like dinner and movie types of dates.”

“So Friday night?”

I nodded, “Yes, I’d like that.”

“Pick you up around seven?”

I gestured to the shiny vehicle behind him, “As much as I liked our ride to the party the other night, maybe we can have a more low key date. Also no fancy restaurant but just a place that serves good food without us needing to wear uptight clothes.”

Lucas’ eyes trailed from my perfectly styled hair to my high heels. I didn’t look like a woman who just arrived home from grocery shopping, I was aware of that. But even I had my low key days. I felt more relaxed and like myself during those kinds of moments. I think for our official date it was a good idea to show Lucas my true self. That way he could decide if he truly was interested in me.

“Fair enough, I prefer wearing jeans over this-“ He gestured to his black suit paired with a white shirt and red tie. The average formal attire. He looked good in it, but I could imagine him in a pair of fitted jeans. It would look good on him too, “Would I be seeing you in jeans and a sweater? That would be only fair, wouldn’t it?”

I tilted my head to the side, pretending to think it over. The one who suggested this low key date was me so of course, I'd wear jeans and a sweater. I'd also throw in a pair of sneakers, maybe the pink with mint ones. I liked those.

“I’ll be wearing my favorite pair of jeans then.”

He grinned, his eyes lingering on the shopping bag I was carrying. It wasn’t really like me either, well people close to me knew it was part of me. Those who were still getting to know me would find it odd.

“You’re into superheroes?”

I glanced down at the cotton bag with the superhero print on it, “Yes, amongst other things. Maybe you get to discover all of my secrets.”

He smirked, he then nodded at the bag, “Need some help with that?”

I raised a sharp eyebrow at him, “I think I can handle a few more steps.”

“With those shoes.” His eyes flickered to the heels I was wearing, “I’m impressed.” He grabbed his phone, it was vibrating indicating he had a call. The frown on his face told me he wasn't happy about whoever called him, "I need to run. Friday at seven."

"Friday at seven," I confirmed.

He placed his hand on my shoulder and leaned in, he pressed a soft kiss to my cheek and walked back to his vehicle. He got behind the wheel and carefully drove off. It was probably his boss, needing a ride. I went to my apartment to put away the groceries. I grabbed the items I needed to make some chicken stir-fry with broccoli, bean sprouts, carrots, and bell pepper and placed them on the counter. I grabbed my phone to check my messages and opened the email I received from Mr. Blackwood

Friday, at ten AM.

We’ll have to meet at my office.

My assistant will await you in the lobby.

See you then,

Mr. Blackwood

So I had a meeting with Mr. Blackwood in the morning and later that day I’d meet up with Lucas. I’d be meeting all the men I was currently attracted to. What could possibly go wrong? I placed my phone on the counter and started cooking. If I kept myself distracted I wouldn't do anything stupid as I did at that party.