A Royal Pain

Chapter 9 - Moving In

Sophia's POV

I stand in my dirty boyfriend jeans with legs spread apart as movers pick up the penultimate box I packed containing pieces of my apartment. The marker on it says Delicates. 

I rest my hands on my hips, feeling absolutely exhausted. 

It's been four days since we've had the meeting with the Firm and I've done nothing but pack and work for the entire week. Thank God it's Saturday. Finally, I'll be able to get some sleep - I feel like the bags under my eyes will start getting headlines if I spend one more sleepless night.

"Ready to go?" Liam, my new driver asks.

I nod.

"I'll wait downstairs," he announces, "so you can...say goodbye to your apartment," he says in a sweet way.

Oh, Liam... I've moved more times than nomads.

There's really nothing here than could make me sentimental. I was sentimental when my mother had to sell the house I grew up in after her divorce. But now... All stuff of a sentimental value to me can fit in one small box. And it does.

I look at the last box in my apartment, laying on the couch, marked VIP. I pick it up and leave my apartment, locking the door. The box is going with me - I'd never risk losing it in transport.

I descend the stairs and enter the car through the door Liam holds open for me. "Thanks," I make myself comfortable, looking distantly through the window. 

A new chapter begins...

"Care for some refreshments?" he opens a car department containing drinks and snacks, and original Pringles catch my attention instantly.

I hesitate for a moment. I almost never eat junk food - only at parties, I never buy it myself. All fat goes directly to my hips. I'm lucky wide hips finally entered mainstream fashion. 

To hell with it, I'll take one. How often does one move?

Well, five times in my case, but still. It's always a big change.

I enjoy the chips throughout the ride towards the center. I still don't know where exactly his apartment is. I bet it's a sexy man-cave. Like a penthouse with private entrance. Maybe even a swimming pool on top of the building...

As we park into a garage, I notice I'm probably not way off.

The door is opened for me and I'm met by the employees of the private residence that looks like a luxury hotel.

"Lady Sophia?" a tall slender man dressed in a hotel management attire approaches me.

"Yes," I reach my hand out. 

"You can call me Thomas," he smiles shaking my hand. "May I help you with the baggage?" he asks for the box I'm holding in my hands.

I hesitate for a second. "I'm fine," I say then. I don't want anyone's hands to get into this box.

"Very well, ma'am," he nods and gestures his hand towards the elevators. "Follow me, please."

I'm escorted towards one of the elevators and he slides a card for it to open. "This is your private elevator to the top floor, the penthouse," he declares. I knew I was right. He then hands me a copy of the card. "This one is yours. Should you misplace it, just ask for a new one at the reception inside," he shows me its location.

"Sure," I nod. "Thanks."

I enter the elevator and he presses one of only two buttons there are inside, marked P.

"This one takes you to your apartment," he explains. "The one marked R is for the rooftop."

I nod. "Very well."

"Have a great day, ma'am," he says as the door closes.

I'm transported to the top floor and as soon as the door opens, I'm inside the apartment's foyer.

Damn me...

There's a piano in the corner, sitting on top of a lavish carpet, right opposite from the hot tub in the other corner that sits on a dug-out floor covered with black stones, just like those in wellnesses and spas. 

In front of me is a huge living room with a gigantic QLED TV with a curled screen and a massive blue velvet couch that can easily fit eight people. 

Behind it all, there are three closed doors.

Then one of them opens.

And none other than half-naked Christopher walks out, with only a towel wrapped around his waist.

Followed by one of his whores...

But of course.

I give him a stiff smile saying You're so transparent.

He smirks at me, casually checking his Rolex as the woman wipes her wet blond hair with a towel. "Oh, is it that time already?" he plays cool.

"I'm so sorry," the lady looks suddenly ashamed, "I'll pack up my stuff and leave immediately," she hurries towards one of the sofas carrying her Louis Vuitton handbag.

"No need to rush," he caresses her back, laying a kiss on her lips, "Sophia needs time to unpack, anyway."

I decide to play his game. 

I approach the lady, reaching my hand out welcomingly. "So lovely to meet you..."

"Lauren," she says, blushing.

"Lauren," I repeat. "What a beautiful name for such a pretty girl like you," I smile.

Christopher seems dissatisfied with my chilled reaction. Seeing me with Antonio must have disturbed me more than I originally thought. 

"They could've at least taken your luggage," he nods to the box in my hand.

I wave it off. "Not a problem," I say and leave my purse on a glass table in front of the TV. "Which room is mine?" I raise my eyebrows innocently.

He narrows his eyes, still looking at the box. "What's inside it?" he can't resist asking. 

Oh, goddamn it. I knew it would raise suspicions. 

I shrug casually. "Just some documents I wouldn't like losing," I lie.

"Hmm," he mums looking at me. "Follow me, m'lady," he shows me to one of the rooms. 

"I'll be out in a second, bye!" Lauren yells but we both ignore her. Then as I enter the room we hear the elevator ding open.

She's probably gone, so I finally ask. "Did you check her ID?"

He contains a smile, but a gleam in his eyes reveals his amusement. "Freshly legal," he winks. "Just how I like them."

"Mm," I mumble casually, seemingly uninterested, then look around the large bedroom. 

"It's a single bed," I note in confusion. It makes no sense. I look at the carpet and see deep markings of what must have been the size of a previous queen bed. 

"Tough luck," he lifts a shoulder, leaning his arms on the doorframe.

"Not necessarily," I shrug. "There is a hot tub in here after all. Who needs a bed?"

His dead pan expression followed by a few seconds of silence ensures my victory.

"This is not where you'll be bringing other men, obviously," he says, unsuccessfully trying to put on a relaxed face. "I'll make arrangements for that in the nearby hotel should you need to."

I purse my lips in fake brooding. "Oh, I'll definitely need to," I say then. "Could you make one reservation for tonight?" I ask casually. "Thanks," I lock my hands around the doorknob then, trying to kick him out.

But he does budge. He just stares at me.

So I raise my eyebrows in innocent await.

"I'll be in the living room should you need anything," he finally gives in, turning around and walking his chiseled torso away. 

Stay cool, Sophia... I tell myself. Tonight is Rodrigo's turn.