Holy crap! I didn’t expect anything to happen so fast! I quickly throw my clothes into the bag and head back to my apartment. I only have a couple of hours to find something to wear for tonight and then get ready. Of course, The Summit is nowhere near where I live, so I will need to transfer routes to get over to that area of the city. I’ve never been there, but I saw it advertised in magazines at work; it’s one of those places you could only dream of having enough money to eat there.
Less than an hour later, I arrive at Stacy’s on Third, which is what I expected: a high-end, very expensive, boutique. When I mention Bridget’s name, I’m immediately assisted by the owner, who ushers me into a dressing room and starts throwing dresses at me. It feels very different to be on this side of the dressing room; usually I’m the one finding expensive, beautiful clothes for women who are getting ready for a night on the town.
“Oh, that’s it! It will be perfect!” Stacy pulls me from my pity party when she steps into the room just as I finish putting on a dark blue dress.
“I’m going to—“
“Bridget told me where you’re going when she called me earlier. Rest assured Miss, this dress is perfect! We will pair it with some jewelry and shoes with a small heel, but you won’t need anything else. I recommend you wear your hair up, have a few pieces fall around your face, and curl them. Minimal make up, you’re a natural beauty anyway so you don’t need that stuff caked on your face.”
“Th… thank you.” I’m stunned by her compliment.
“Shall I wrap everything up for you?”
“Yes, please.”
By the time I’m back to my apartment, I have less than an hour before I need to take almost the same trip to head to dinner. If nothing else, I’m grateful that the electricity in the apartment has been turned back on. I don’t know how I would manage getting ready without electricity. If I decide to move forward with this arrangement after tonight, I’m probably going to need to come up with a contingency plan for getting ready when the electricity is turned off again at least until I can hopefully afford a new apartment… one at least where the landlord doesn’t randomly decide to turn off the power.
I take one final look in the mirror before it’s time to leave. I barely recognize the woman staring back at me. On one hand, she looks vaguely familiar… she looks like the woman I’ve been trying so hard to forget used to look like. But, there’s something else I see that I never saw in that woman. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but it’s definitely there, and it’s different from the woman who let him walk all over her. I shake my head, vowing to not think of him tonight, to not think of that life again. I may not live in a fancy house and have a lot of material things like I used to, but I’m happier now than I think I have been in my entire life.
“Good evening, may I help you Miss?” I’m greeted the moment the elevator doors open to the restaurant.
“I’m… I’m meeting someone, the reservation is under Bridget Wilder,” I take a deep breath, desperately trying to calm my nerves.
“Yes, of course, the other party has not yet arrived but I will show you to your private dining area for tonight.”
As we walk through the dining room, I try to take everything in. The large dining room is even more stunning than the pictures in the magazines. There are floor-to-ceiling windows that line two full walls, overlooking the city. I wish I could get closer to them to take in the full view, but I realize if I don’t keep up I’m going to lose my guide to the room. Just before we reach the back corner of the dining room, I take a final peek around the room and send a silent thank you to Stacy, who dressed me absolutely perfect for tonight.
“Miss, your other party should be here shortly.” He opens the door to the private dining room, ushering me in.
“Thank you.”
The private dining room is small with only a handful of circular tables throughout the room, but what captures my attention are the windows along the wall. Just like in the main dining room, the windows line the entire small wall. My feet bring me to them almost instinctively; I gaze out at the beautiful view before me. Being on the top floor, the restaurant sits higher than most buildings, providing an unobstructed view. I’ve never seen the city from this high; it’s truly breathtaking. I’m told the view from the nightclub that is part of this restaurant just one floor down is equally stunning. Most likely a view I’ll never see, but I try to take in as much from this view as I possibly can, vowing never to forget it.
I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize that someone else is in the room with me until they clear their throat. I turn around and am shocked at the man who stands before me. I never expected to see him again… and never in my dreams did I think he would be the man I was meeting tonight. I knew the chances of our paths crossing would be very slim. When he stepped out of the car to personally apologize for soaking me, I knew in that moment I would never see him. I knew right then that we were from two different worlds. I always hoped that sometime we would run into each other again, but I wouldn’t have thought of him needing a service like this.
“Umm…. Hi.” I nervously walk towards him, praying I don’t trip over my own feet as my legs suddenly seem weak.
“It’s nice to see you again, Miss…?”
“Mackenzie… well, Kenzie. It’s nice to see you again…?”
“Nicholas.” He shakes my offered hand. The moment our fingers touch, a jolt of electricity goes through me, almost like static electricity but stronger. The look in his eyes tells me he felt it too.
“Would you like to have a seat?” He gestures to the table behind me.
“I… I want to thank you again for paying for a new outfit—“ I nervously begin.
“Don’t… it was the least I could do,” he interrupts.
“I’m not sure… how this works exactly. I’ve never done this before,” I admit after an awkward moment of silence.
“Neither do I,” he chuckles. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves. “I currently work at a bakery in the mornings and, for now, as a personal shopper in the evening.”
“Did you grow up in New York?”
“No, I’ve lived here for the past two years.”
“Where did you grow up?”
“On the West Coast; how about you? Did you grow up in New York?”
“I was born in New Jersey, but I’ve lived in New York most of my life.”
“What is it you do?”
“You don’t know?”
“Should I?”
“I guess not,” he chuckles. “I’m often recognized from the tabloids stories, so I just assumed… Reporters love to try to destroy me whenever they can.”
“Sorry, I can’t say I read many tabloids.”
“I’m the CEO of Parker Financial Services, PFS for short. We are one of the largest companies in the investment and financial management world. We offer not only investment services but financial advice to large businesses seeking to grow or are struggling where they currently are.”
“Why would the tabloids have an issue with that?”
“The business articles written about me are typically very on point with what my company does. The tabloids though like to destroy my personal life. I’m sure you will see the articles if you Google me and then you’ll know what I’m talking about. That’s one of the reasons I’m actually meeting you tonight.”
“What exactly are you looking for? I mean, I know what your profile told me, but… ”
“I need someone by my side at events, dinners, and probably even just an occasional date to keep the reporters off my ass. Apparently being seen without a date, or with various women at different events, is a sign of my inability to manage the hundreds of people that I currently employ. I’ve tried everything, and my PR department can’t think of anything that we haven’t tried to throw them off. I don’t know if Bridget explained, but I’m going to need someone to sign an exclusivity con
tract, meaning—“
“She explained. I can’t accept dates with other men.”
“Exactly. I need the media to think we are a couple so they get off my ass and let me focus on my business.”
“I understand.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why are you doing this? I mean, clearly in my situation I have a problem and this is a perfect solution. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s in it for you?”
“If I can be honest, it was a hard offer to not consider. As I said, I currently work two jobs most days of the week, but despite that, I barely make enough money to pay my bills. I would love to go back to school one day, but I don’t want to take out more student loans and live in debt the rest of my life. There are other things I want to do, and Bridget’s offer seemed like a good way to earn enough money to do those things.”
“I see.”
“Sir, ma’am, your dinner.” The waiter places large plates in front of both of us.
“Bridget must have ordered for us, if you’d prefer something else, we can send it back,” Nicholas offers.
“No, it’s fine. It smells delicious.”
We spend the next hour slowly getting to know each other over dinner; the initial awkwardness is now gone. I learn that Nicholas lives and works in Manhattan but that his company takes up most of his time. From the sound of it, he often works as many hours as I do when I work both my jobs. He is honest in saying that he doesn’t have time to date woman and is not interested in dating at this point of his life because he knows he doesn’t have the time. He describes recent events that he has been to, I think to let me know what I can expect if we decide to move forward with this arrangement. Nothing he says about the events raise a concern for me; it sounds very similar to things I used to attend with him.
“Kenzie, I want you to know that sometimes these events can be rather boring. It’s a lot of business discussions, contracts being negotiated, and spreadsheets are being reviewed. It’s not going to be fun—“
“Nicholas, I… I have an idea of what to expect. I… I’ve been to these types of things before.”
“Oh?”
“I can mingle with guests and will not require your undivided attention. I understand that your focus is on these events and not on the company you’re with. It’s fine.”
“They won’t all be like that,” he quickly explains. “Sometimes these events are just social events that I need to make an appearance at. A charity fundraiser, a hospital dedication, or a park unveiling—those types of events would probably be more enjoyable. Of course I still find them to be a waste of my time, but I’m obligated to attend. The food is usually halfway decent, sometimes there’s dancing, and there’s always good drinks.”
“It’s fine, really.”
“I’m going to speak with Bridget tonight, Kenzie, but I want you to know that I’m going to tell her that I would like an exclusivity agreement with you. I wanted to let you know now so you have an opportunity to think about it. If you agree, I have a charity event this weekend I would like you to accompany me.”
“I…”
“Take the time you need tonight to think about it, I’m sure Bridget will call you tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“Can I walk you to your car?” he asks as we ride the elevator to the main floor. Carter joined us as soon as we left the private dining room. I’ve confirmed that Carter is not only his driver but his bodyguard as well.
“Oh… I didn’t… I took the subway here. There’s a stop a couple of blocks away.”
“Carter will take you home—“
“No! I mean, that won’t be necessary. The subway is fine, I take it often and know the stops and transfers to get home.”
“Shit, I’m sorry, I forgot that part.” He nods at Carter, who immediately flags down a cab. “The cab will take you wherever you need to go.”
“Nicholas, that’s not—“
“Please, I can’t let you get on the subway at this hour of the night. Let the cab take you home. I won’t know where you live, but will at least know that you arrived there safely.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that.”
“Good night, Kenzie,” he whispers as he pecks me ever so lightly on the cheek.
“Night, Nicholas.”
Chapter 10
Nicholas
“Carter, I want a full background check on Mackenzie Rose first thing tomorrow morning,” I request as soon as the car pulls away from the club.
“Sir, we already have a full background check on her. We can review it once we are back at the condo.”
“Why do you have a background check on Ms. Rose? I don’t recall requesting one.”
“You didn’t, sir,” he confirms. “After I learned her identity at the bakery, I had Asher run a full background check on her. At the time… sir… well, I wasn’t sure of your intentions, therefore I thought it would be beneficial to have it ready if you ever decided to make contact with her.”
“I see. Were you aware that I was meeting her tonight?”
“Not exactly sir. I attempted to obtain that information from Mrs. Wilder, but she refused to provide me with any information. Without knowing who you were meeting tonight, maintaining security measures was going to be difficult. I had Asher monitoring the club’s security cameras beginning half an hour before your scheduled meeting. It wasn’t until we left PFS that I received a text alerting that Asher identified the woman you would be meeting with after recognizing her from the background report.”
Mackenzie was the last woman I expected to be the woman Bridget arranged for me to meet tonight. When I thought about what type of woman might decide to become an escort, I never once pictured Kenzie as that woman. I’m still not entirely sure what I think about her and this situation; everything about her until now has told me she is not interested in money, yet her reason for becoming an escort was money. Of course she has dreams, which require money, and I was pleased to learn it was education related and not something crazy like plastic surgery or to buy a bigger house.
It’s still hard to wrap my head around the thought that she is the type of woman who would accept money in exchange for a date. I can’t help but wonder if her innocence is all some act, but at the same time, that innocence was there the night we met her on the sidewalk after the rainstorm. If I believe her, she had no idea who I was that night or even tonight, although I’m sure as soon as she gets home tonight she will be on Google, finding out everything she can about me. She will not only learn that I’m one of New York’s youngest billionaires, but she will also have the opportunity to read everything the media has written about me including when they rake my name through mud over my personal life. Ever since the plan my PR department came up with backfired, I have been attending events solo, which of course the media still thinks means I’m hiding something, but at least I don’t have to hear about why I bring a different woman to each event.
I’m hoping this arrangement with Bridget is the solution to my problems with the media. I hope that once they see I have the same woman attending events with me, they will forget the idea that I’m hiding something and will stop digging into my personal life. Asher has completed full background checks on Bridget’s company, and as far as they can know, she only provides consultation services to different companies along the East Coast. They weren’t able to find any trace of her running an escort service or any other type of business. If it was out there, they would have found it. Besides Carter, no one knows about my arrangement with Bridget. Asher believed he was doing a background check for a possible new customer I later changed my mind about. I try to keep my personal life separate from my work life, and this is one of those things that no one at PFS needs to know about… hell no one needs to know about.
“Carter, my office,” I request as we enter the condo.
“Yes, sir.”
He disappears into his suite before coming into my office
with a manila folder, which I can only assume contains the full background check of Mackenzie Rose. Carter is very good at his job, and this is just another example of knowing what I needed before I knew it. I should have known he wouldn’t take me past the bakery every day on our run without having completed a full check on her.
“Sir.” He hands the folder to me. I quickly take it but before I can open it I am reminded about what Bridget said about certain information needing to remain confidential and my promise not to access the information through the background check. I’m tempted to just say fuck it; that I need to know everything about Mackenzie if I’m going to move forward with this arrangement. Surprisingly though, I hand the file back to Carter, electing not to learn the information that Bridget said her staff require remain private.
“I’m not supposed to know her address, phone number, and emergency contact information,” I sigh. “It’s part of the arrangement so we both maintain our privacy.”
“I see.” His face shows his surprise.
“Tell me what’s in the file. I can’t know exactly where she lives, but does she live in the city? Does she have any roommates that I need to be concerned will find out about this arrangement?”
“Sir, she lives alone, according to the information we were able to obtain. She rents a very small studio apartment in a less desirable neighborhood—“
“Less desirable meaning what, exactly?”
“Let’s just say, sir, that I would not be comfortable going into that area without being armed—“
“It’s that bad?”
“Even with an increase in police presence around that area, the crime remains very high.”
“Why the fuck does she live there?”
“Sir, she has less than a couple hundred dollars in her bank account, so I doubt she can afford something in a better area of the city, at least without a roommate.”
“She works two jobs and can’t afford something better than that? Are the rent prices that high in this city?”
“Yes sir, they are. She pays over a thousand dollars a month in rent for her studio apartment, now adding in her utilities and transportation costs, she likely doesn’t have much left at the end of the month. She likely takes at least the subway and/or buses to work as there is no indication she owns a vehicle… that cost alone adds up.”
The Arrangement Duet Box Set Page 9