I was convinced that some of those tabloid jerks wanted to see me fail at my career path. I think some of them wanted me to return to posing for magazines and being just a pretty face, rather than trying to run a successful real estate empire. Knowing some out there wanted to see me fall flat on my face, I wasn't about to let them see me at my weakest.
No, the only way I'd get out of my penthouse unhindered and unrecognized – the only way I was going to be free – would be to change up my look a bit. I needed to do something to myself that made it easier for me to blend in with regular folks. It would be interesting to finally be treated like a normal human being while walking down the street. To experience that, I knew I'd have to make some changes to my appearance.
I put in a quick call to my assistant, Julia.
“You sure?” she asked me. I pictured her cringing as she spoke.
“Yes, you heard me,” I said. “Please pick everything up and bring it over to Allison's. I'll text you the address now. And please, Julia, don't talk to my father about this? In fact, don't mention this to anybody.”
“Of course,” she said.
I knew I could trust Julia with everything in my life. I paid her not just to run my errands, but to keep my secrets as well. It was more than just that though. I'd hired her because she was like an old friend to me, someone I instinctively knew I could trust to keep my confidences. I cared for Julia and wanted to believe that if the money ever ran out and I was flat broke, Julia and I would remain friends, even if I didn't employ her as my PA.
After hanging up the phone, I finished packing my bags. Nothing too obvious – I didn't want to start the rumor mill grinding with stories about me moving out or the whole trouble in paradise storyline that was a go-to for any celebrity couple. No, if I did move out of the penthouse, I'd have to be subtler about it. Discretion was the key. But for now, I was only going to be gone for a few days, and I wanted to bring as little as possible with me.
After all, I was going under the radar here. No designer clothes. No expensive makeup routine. I would just be Maddy, a normal girl, for a few days. And normal girls didn't need all the makeup and clothes I usually did. It was a little bit exciting, to be honest – the thought of being a normal girl with a normal life. I was looking forward to it.
My phone buzzed just as I was finishing up with my bag. It was coming from Derek – a text message because he couldn't even be bothered to call. Not that I would have answered. Hell, maybe he knew that already and decided a text was the safer route.
Just one message from my now ex-fiancé.
At the airport now, flying home. We'll talk when I get there.
“No, Derek, we won't,” I said to myself. “I'm done talking to you.”
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About the Author
K.C. Crowne is a romance author who wants her readers to enter a magical world of steamy and rugged alpha hunks who make it hard to get sleep at night.
She loves reading and writing steamy romances that feature gorgeous alphas who'd do just about anything to protect their women.
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