Chapter 27
1 stared at him, arms folded tight across my chest.
ou can’t be serious.”
You
Karl didn’t blink. He leaned back slightly against the counter, still scrolling on his tablet like we weren’t even having this conversation.
Tm completely serious,”
You want me to be stuck here? All day? Every day! Just following you around like some well–dressed shadow!”
He looked up, his voice even. I want you to remember who made the niles.”
I scoffed. “Right. The contract
He set the tablet down and met my eyes. “Exactly.
I turned around sharply, walked to the dining table and sat down with a huff, not even touching the breakfast that had been laid out. I’d barely even touched my juice, I just sat there, arms crossed again, refusing to so much as lift
my fork.
He didn’t say another word.
He walked out like I didn’t matter to him. Like I was just one more thing on his checklist.
I stayed at the table for a while, staring at the eggs on my plate until they went cold
Eventually I got up and stormed back to my room.
I threw myself on the bed, grabbed my phone, and stared at the screen until I remembered the one girl who seemed nice during the hangout Natasha
in the texts
texts and hit call. It didn’t take long for her to pick up.
I found her number in
“Ellen! Oh my God. I wasn’t sure you’d actually call me back, she said with a cheerful laugh. “How are you?”
Isank into the pillows. “Frustrated.
She laughed again. “Yeah? What happened now?”
Thesitated for a second, then blurted it out. “I’m not allowed to leave the house without Karl’s supervision or permission. There’s security everywhere. I feel like a high–end prisoner.”
“Oof,” she said, dragging the word. “That’s… intense”
“You have no idea. I haven’t done anything wrong. I just, I don’t want to sit around all day doing nothing”
“You should be out there living your best married billionaire wife life,” she teased, “Not being grounded.”
“I was actually thinking about starting my own business,” I said. “Something fashion–related, maybe a boutique. I mentioned it to him yesterday and he said yes but now….. I feel like I’m stuck”
“Thane
really good idea” Natasha said quickly. “I think you’d kill it with something like that. Do you already have a concept!”
a hule straighter, plane pressed tighter to my car. “Not yet. I was going to visit other stores for inspiration before I got locked in”
“Well, there are some great dowrooms I can list for you, even online ones, she offered “Plus, if you’re doing boutique retail, it’s all about branding You’d need to figure out your color julene, logo vibe, target customer–like, are you doing high fashion or soft hisury?”
My Laram
Maried I spinning in the best way. “Probably soft luxury. Things that are affordable but still feel expensive. Clean cuis, neutral tones.” (can see that for you, she sand, sounding excited. You definitely give that vibe. Think Zara meets Jacquemus but more personal. You’d kill that”
bruled for the first time all inning. “Okay, yeah. I love that?
stli need a brand name,” she continued, “lustagram handle, domain. I know a guy who can design logos and another one who does marketing strategy. He helped my sister start her skincare line“
a
30:04 PM
Chapter 27
I pulled my notepad closer. “Can you send me their info?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “You’re going to do this, Ellen. I can feel it.”
| to not have me on house arrest”
“I just need Karl t
Natasha snorted. “Girl, if he gave you the green light, don’t let this little bump stop you. Let his guards follow you around, who cares. Just get your ideas out there.”
1 exhaled and fell back onto the pillows. Thanks, Natasha Seriously. This helped more than you know”
“Anytime,” she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice. “Now go be a boss. Make those guards carry your shopping bags while you’re at it.”
I ended the call and stared at the ceiling, letting out a breath 1 hadn’t even realized I was holding. Natasha’s voice still echoed in my head, her encouragement, her excitement gave me the push I needed.
I sat up ran a hand through my hair, then stood and crossed the room, collecting my thoughts. I grabbed my notebook and phone, hugged them to my chest, and headed toward Karl’s office
1 didn’t even knock this time. I just opened the door slowly and stepped inside.
He was behind the desk again, jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up, his wristwatch glinting as he signed something with quick, focused strokes. His head Lifted the second he noticed me.
“I’m ready.” I said, clutching my notebook tighter. To start the boutique. I’ve been working on some ideas, and I think I’m finally ready to get to it I’ll rent a store, maybe start with-”
He held up a hand, cutting me off mid–sentence.
“There’s no need for that”
I blinked, thrown off. “What?”
He leaned back slightly in his chair, tilting his head as he studied me.
“I recently acquired a company,” he said. “It was going under. The building’s fully intact, in a prime location. It’s mine now,”
I frowned. “Okay… and?”
“You’ll be working there, he said simply. “With me.”
-My brows lifted. ” “Working how?”
He picked up a folder from the side of his desk and placed it in front of him.
“As my secretary” he said. “You’ll start
start tomorrow.”
I stared at him, completely caught off guard. “Secretary?
He gave a single nod, tarn looked down at the folder, like that was the end of the discussion.
“You said you wanted to do something with your time. Fin giving you something?
I shifted my weight, hugging the notebook tighter. “But… I wanted to build something of my own”
“You sull can, lar said, lifting his eyes again. “Hut this way, you’ll be by my side. I’ll know exactly where you are, and you’ll gain the experience you need before jumping into a business”
I stood there, trying to decide if I was furious of Hattered.
He was still watching me, calun as ever, while my head spun with a thousand thoughts
Working beside him every day! This man who confused me more than anyone ever had!
