Lush Love

Guilt Becomes Pleasure

Elise:

Flor sent me a replacement and her name is Kelly. I am not happy with the minimalist decor of my apartment. I was living in a loft before this and I want to keep some habits that I developed while I was away. Like framing pictures that aren't professionally orchestrated. Figures, collectibles, and most importantly. I want the color schemes to be a little more... pink. 

As I am getting ready, I've been adding things to my shopping cart for the living room. It feels like I'm living inside a magazine and it's kind of boring. I'm also excruciating nervous about tonight and I need something to distract me. The best thing to distract me is to go over the contract but I don't want to meet his parents while thinking about anything personal. I do however have all the documents he requested. I am excited to send them over to him. I'm not sure why but I'm kind of nervous about it. Generally, I've been healthy. What I'm a little worried about is the two-year gap in my paperwork after being banished from my father's Empire.

"Ms. Walton, your phone is ringing," Kelly brought over my phone. I forgot it in my room. 

"Thanks," I took it from her and answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me. I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner tonight?" 

"Who is this?" I asked looking down at the screen. It's an unknown caller.

"Xion," he laughed. "I had to change my number,"

"Oh, hey. I can't do dinner tonight. I have a business meeting," he usually changes his number when he breaks up with his girlfriends.

"Oh, mind if I crash? We can have a drink after," 

Well, it seems we've reached that part in our relationship where I have to tell him that I've never been into him and that I actually am straight, I guess. I mean I've always told him I'm not interested. I've tried letting him down easily by explaining to him that I don't see him as anything other than a friend. The hard way where I told him that I am incapable of having s****l feelings for him because the thought of his genitalia disgusts me. And now here comes the cold truth. They say, third times the charm. Well, the third approach because I've told him countless times before and I know this is going to create a problem between us.

"It's not actually a business, business thing. It's kind of a date," that is literally burning my throat. I hate uncomfortable situations. I tend to avoid them. I am really good at avoiding them.

"A date? Like another one of your strategies dates Clarissa has made you go on?" he chuckled. I hate that they slept together. She revealed so much to him. We were actually not on speaking terms for a while because of that.

"No, this is all on me. I met someone I feel would be a pursue worthwhile," 

"Is that right?" his tone changed. He's getting sad. Dammit.

"Xion, I-" 

"It's okay. I actually have to go. I forgot that I have a thing with what's his name. We'll catch up later," 

"Okay," I let him hang up. I looked up to see that this is the final look for tonight. I need to put my dress on. Don't let this ruin your night. Just don't. He's a grown-up. He can handle it.

"Miss?" 

"Yeah?" I cleared my throat as I walked up to my room. 

"Are you okay? Did something happen?" Kelly asked worriedly. 

"I just hurt my friend. I mean I had told him before that I wasn't interested but I don't think he ever took those times seriously and he's hurt now,"

"Yeah, those things happen. You spoke your mind and it's not your fault. You shouldn't let this ruin your night," she tried to reassure me.

Kelly has been nothing short of helpful these past few days. She sleeps in one of the lower guest bedrooms. I let her know it was okay for her to move in if she wanted to. She's going to school here. It's not too far from where we are and I know she likes that it's more convenient. She lives pretty far. She's Flor's niece and anyone coming in with that kind of recommendation is welcome.

"You're right," I nodded. She smiled and walked away. This is absolutely going to ruin my night if I don't get it out of my head. 

"You're home already?" Rissa laughed. "Boring," 

"I have left, d**k," I rolled my eyes. "I am slipping on my dress. He's going to be here in twenty to thirty minutes. Something happened and I feel like crying," 

"Oh, baby. What's wrong?" she cooed. She always does that and I'm just now realizing it after her mother speech in my office.

"Xion called. He asked me to dinner and I told him that I was going on a date and he got sad and hung up on me after making up a half-assed excuse," I rushed out. "He said I have a thing with what's his face,"

"f**k," she snickered. "Okay, Xion is an adult man who needs to find a real girlfriend. Do you know why Xion pretends to be in love with you? It's because he's afraid of all commitments and not in the way you are. You're afraid of being committed to a lost cause. You want to endure maximum efficient love or nothing. Xion is afraid of being with someone who is going to sleep with half the football team without him finding out until the night before prom. Which is why you are the safest person to love. Because the probability of you finding the kind of love you want is very low. Do you get where I'm going with this?" 

"Yes, I do. I understand that but his feelings are still hurt. He doesn't know why he's doing what he is and if he does he's not ready to confront it," 

"That's not your problem. Your problem is about to arrive in less than twenty minutes. Put your shoes on, grab your purse, and wear a coat. It's freezing out there. I don't want you getting sick," 

"Okay. That helps a little. I'll call you back later," 

"Okay. Have fun tonight. I know you had a great time chewing your dad out. While you're the nicest person I know, you're also the meanest when the right chord is struck. I love evil Elise," 

"I am hanging up now," I laughed. 

"I love you. Don't hang up without saying it back!" 

I hung up. 

This dress is gorgeous. I have to admit that Pierce Kingsly has great taste. This is a floor-length, strapless, a line split down the front evening gown in a soft gold shade that sparkles. The entire thing is an exquisite glittery material. I don't know much about fashion but this is so pretty. I feel like a live-action Disney princess. 

"Miss, there's a Mr. Kingsly waiting downstairs," Kelly tapped on my door.

I gagged a little, my nerves are a wreck. Rissa named them the itchies because there are times when we've forced me into uncomfortable situations and my eyebrows itch so bad. It spreads over my face one tiny prick at a time. I usually have her to stop me from scratching little spots of my makeup off but tonight I am going to have to learn how to cope with it on my own. I'm ready for that, right? I told my dad where to stick it. I can do this. It's not too difficult.

"How do I look?" I asked. I strapped my wallet purse to my leg. All my things are in there and I don't have to carry them. Like a ninja. They're hidden away where I can reach for them and pull something fun out and no one would know where it came from.

"You look amazing," she smiled. 

"Thank you, Kelly," 

"You're very welcome," she stepped to me and knelt down in front of me to fix my wallet thing. She then covered my leg perfectly. "Perfect," 

She let me walk down on my own. Pierce is standing at the bottom of the stairs. He's looking around probably wondering why there's nothing in here. He looks amazing. There is a level of intimidation he reaches with minimal effort that just isn't taught. The man screams not only do I have my s**t together, but I also make other people do it too with a single glance. That's both scary and attractive.

"Where is all your-" he stopped when he turned to look at me. "I knew you'd look amazing in that but I seem to be at loss for words, Elise," 

"I think you're doing great," I laughed. "I had everything taken out. It feels too rehearsed in here," 

"All right," he smiled offering me his arm. "Shall we?" 

"Yes," we walked down together.

"How was your day?" he asked when his driver opened the driver let us into his Rolls Royce. He is definitely bringing out all the works. My chest is so wound up that I'm scared to scream out in excitement or worse. Make some weird inhuman noise that scares him away. I've done that.

"I found out that Clarissa and I might be a little too close for comfort. I had to scold her for something hilarious," I admitted. Why did I start with that?

"Can I know what it was?" he smirked.

"No, I don't want to embarrass her or myself. How was your day? Did you get my files?" 

"I did. However, I confess that I haven't looked at them because I find you to be very distracting. I don't want to go through tonight completely out of it," he averted his eyes. This is way too good to be true. Did I really find this person or did he find me?

"Me too," I laughed delighted. He looked over at me and grinned. 

"It's not working. Not with you dressed like that or smiling like you are," 

"Hmm, I was actually freaking out earlier. I feel oddly at ease with you around. Is that weird?" I asked.

"Yes, I've been told I need to lighten up. To try and be less intimidating," he scoffed. People are just the worst sometimes.

"Whoever told you that is a dumbass. Reason number three of why you're attractive is because of your intimidating aura," 

"There are two other reasons?" he grinned. 

"Yes," 

"Can I know them?" 

"Maybe later when I blurt them out like a total i***t. Sure," I looked out the window. Through the reflection of the heavily tinted glass, I can see him grinning. "So, your day?" 

"It wasn't all that great. I had to fire some people. The only part of my job I hate," 

"Oh," 

"What?" 

"I'm an asshole. That's one of my favorite parts about being in charge. I have a three-strike rule with all of my employees. Even my partners. Everything is tied up legally," I shrugged.

"I haven't thought about doing something like that. I guess it would be easier that way," he thought it over. There's a small pull on the right side of his lips giving him a very innocent crooked smile.

"Way easier and by the time they reach strike three you're so fed up, that telling them to get the hell out is satisfying," 

"Would you send me a sample?" he asked.

"Sure," I nodded. I reached into my dress and retrieved my phone to find the file. 

"Do you have a leg bag on your thigh?" he asked skeptically. 

"Yes, some outfits are ruined with any kind of handheld bag. Like this one. I feel like would take away from it," I sent the file. His phone pinged. 

"You sent me the file now?" he chuckled. 

"Was that weird? I didn't want to forget later," 

"A little weird but I understand that," he smirked. "I will save that for later. What kind of decor are you looking for? Any specific colors?" 

"White and pink but like a soft powder pink. Something less squared. I have no idea. I've got something I want saved on my phone," 

"Really? Let me see," he encouraged. I opened up the app on my phone and handed it to him. He scrolled through it for a few minutes before handing it over to me. "I know you and my sister don't get along but she's really good at design. She runs our entire interior design branch. She designed some of the things you have saved on there," 

"No way? She did always have the best projects. No matter how hard I tried to one-up her, I couldn't. I am obsessed with glitter," 

"She told me about your little rivalry," he laughed. "She said she could never beat you in anything," 

"I made her feel that way. I did say I was an ass hole," I sighed embarrassed. 

"You keep saying that but I have yet to see it," 

"Really? What I did to my dad and his fiance hasn't set for you yet?" I laughed. That is funny.

"You had more than one reason to do it," 

"Oh, I see. You're mean too," I laughed. He grinned. 

"I can be cruel, yes," he nodded pressing his lips together. 

"Hard not be when we're surrounded by people who don't know what compassion is. It's humiliating when you figure that out for the first time in the arms of the people you're taught to look down on. What feels amazing is when we flip the script on them. Guilt becomes pleasure," 

He looked me over before sitting back. The rest of the ride was silent. I didn't mean to do that. I didn't mean to push him in the right direction. I promised myself that I wouldn't do it to him but I feel like he needed to hear that more than I needed to say it. Telling people how to live their lives isn't normal. I mean not if you don't have a doctorate for it. There's a difference between giving advice and ruining someone's way of living.

"Master Pierce, we're here," his driver announced.

I put my phone back into its placed and fixed my dress. He stepped out first and then turned back to offer me his hand. I raised my hand seeing the massive ring I haven't taken off. He pulled me up. My chest bumped against his. The impact sent a jolt of excitement through my body instantly draining the laid-back emotions I was feeling in the car. This is definitely different than anything I've ever experienced before.

"Follow my lead?" he asked. 

"Of course," I agreed. 

The Kingsly Estate is bigger than my mother's. This place is designed into three different villas all connected by the main house. Each villa has its own private garden. There is so much history here. History of power. The Kingslys are old, old money. The kind of money that came to the new world as masters. I'm willing to be they have things that belong in the Met decorating this place. The security alone speaks for itself. It's so elegant.

"Welcome home, Pierce. It's been a while, son,"