Chapter 2. Meeting Phoenix Farrington in Person

Looking at my own reflection, I can agree that I look like someone who is a part of the elite life- and the makeup artist did what she meant. She really brought out my feathers- I am not really aware that if I dolled up a little…looked after myself a little, I could be pretty too.

But this makeup cannot really mask away the nervousness that I am feeling at the moment. Looking around the lavish restaurant where I was supposed to meet Phoenix Farrington made my palm sweat heavily. Jenny also mentioned that this is kind of a test of my behavior and confidence… I have to act like I am on an actual date with the gorgeous billionaire.

The concierge arrives to take me to a reserved table as I feel a lot of gazes thrown my way. But I make sure to walk confidently, swaying my hips with a cocky, slash, flirty smile on my face.

“Mr Farrington will be arriving shortly.” He informs as he motions me to take a seat.

“Thank you, can I just get a glass of water before then, please?” I ask, my throat feels very dry, but hopefully, it isn’t evident in my voice. He nods, and I look around at several tables filled with very nicely dressed people.

The place screams elites only. After a few minutes, a waiter arrives with a jug of water and pours some water into my glass. The waiter is near my age as he looks at me up and down…literally checking me out. I clear my throat and shift in my chair uncomfortably.

Maybe I should go to the bathroom or something…I don’t want to make a scene here. “Can you please stop staring at me like that?” I ask, suddenly annoyed. “You’re making me feel very uncomfortable.”

But he doesn’t even budge as he smirks at me and whispers, “You’re the one who is dressed up like an attention seeking whore.”

And before I can teach the bastard a lesson, a heavy deep voice in a dangerously cool tone asks, “Did you just call my beautiful date a whore?”

The waiter moves away, and I see Phoenix Farrington standing there. He is dressed in a black, perfectly tailored suit, his grey eyes have a dangerous glint, and his jaw is clenched hard- he looks like a hunter here for a kill.

“Get out of my face and don’t you dare show up in this place until you learn how to respect women.” He threatens in a low whisper as he adjusts his bow tie and smiles at him humorlessly. “Also apologise to my date.”

The waiter looks at me, his face drained out of color, “I- I- am sorry… ma’am.”

“It’s alright.” I say, “but like he said you need to learn how to respect women. I haven’t dressed up for attention- I am here on a date and wanted to doll myself up for…myself.”

I feel Phoenix’s gaze at me, and our eyes meet for just a span of a few seconds before he looks back at the waiter and s him to get lost. My heartbeat accelerates when our eyes meet the second time as I get up to shake my hand with him, but instead of shaking my hand, he kisses my knuckles, and my entire body flushes in response.

Oh.

Am I crazy, or does he look much better in reality? Or maybe it’s the restaurant lighting?

“We’re on a date, sweetheart. And I am sorry…if I knew that this place has some unrespectful bastards like him, I would’ve suggested a better place.” He says, asking me to take a seat. “I have seen you a number of times at Jenny’s place before.”

He has? Why don’t I remember seeing him?

“I don’t think we have ever talked before like this though.” I answer, and he nods.

“Yes.” He lets out a sigh, “I was rather a bit too preoccupied back then and certainly didn’t expect to meet you like this.”

“Me too…life can be weird at times.” I say as another waiter arrives with menu cards in his hand.

He is staring at me…but it doesn’t make me uncomfortable but rather gives me butterflies. I don’t even know that he knows me all along, and how can I never know? That’s what happens when you’re too much inside your head, Scarlet.

After the waiter leaves, he takes out a file and pushes it in my direction. “That’s the contract. Take your time reading it…I trust Jenny plus I have seen you since you were a kid- it’s going to be make everything easier.”

“Okay…” I said.

“When you’re graduating?” He asks.

“Three weeks later.”

“Hmm.” He looks thoughtful for a minute before he suggests, “Well, if you do sign the contract then till your graduation we will pretend we’re dating and very much into each other. Your graduation will give us the right amount of exposure we need as a couple.”

“You will be coming at my graduation?” I ask, a little nervous. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“You don’t want me to?” He asks a question back.

“Umm it’s just-..” I fidget with my fingers under the table, “it’s nothing, you can come if you want to. Whatever convinces others that we’re dating, right?”

“How comfortable are you with PDA?” He asks while scanning the menu.

I go silent, pretending to scan my menu.

“You know kissing and hugging…stuff like that.” He says, looking bored.

I roll my eyes at him, “I know what that means… it’s just I have never done this before…I haven’t even dated a guy.”

He looks really surprised, “How come?”

“What?”

“How come someone like you…still single?” He asks.

I just shrug my shoulders in response, “It doesn’t matter. I think I will be okay with PDA but no kissing.”

“What?” He asks, bewildered, “then how in the world are we gonna convince the world that we are mad about each other?”

“Not just on the lips…everything else is fine.” I say, specifying it out for him.

“Add that in the contract then.” He says, rubbing his temple as he has a headache. “Let’s order something. You must be hungry.”

The rest of the dinner was in silence, with just small talks here and there. He insisted on giving me a lift home, and I had no choice but to agree- he can be really persuasive, and not to mention his measured, cool steel grey eyes made the hair on my neck stand.

He stops the car in front of my small house and opens the door for me. “So, I will need an answer by tomorrow. If you don’t want to do it, don’t come to my office and if you want to do it, come with the contract.” He explains.

Is he always this bossy?

“Don’t you think that’s too short a time period?” I ask, crossing my arms, a bit annoyed. It’s not every day that I am told by others what I am supposed to do and how.

“You have a problem with authority, don’t you?” He asks, amused.

Asswipe.

“No.” I lie.

That seems to amuse him even more as his grin widens, making me scowl. “You can always decline. After all, not everyone can fit into my world. It’s a dark, dark world- and you’re too naive for it.”

Excuse me?

Holding my chin up high so as to show that he doesn’t intimidate me, “You will have your answer by tomorrow.”

“Cannot wait for your answer, Miss Page.” He says with that annoying smirk. God! I would love to wipe it off.

“Have a safe drive home, Mr Farrington.” I say goodbye before trying to walk off inside, but he holds onto me, pulling me back to him. What is he trying to do?

He wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into his body, and the smell of his perfume makes me feel dazed. And then I feel his hot breath tickling my ear, making me gasp inwardly.

“We are being followed around already.” He whispers, making my belly flip flop. “See, you’re really good at this. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime, Scarlet. If I were you, I would sign the damn contract already.”

“You said I have till tomorrow.” I whisper back before pulling myself away and decide to give those photographers a show. Placing my hand on Phoenix’s cheek, I plant a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek. “Tomorrow baby.”

It felt really good to be in control somehow as I walk back inside without looking back. Closing the door behind me, I let out a shaky breath and try to calm down my racing heart. Is he always going to hug me like that- for six months?

It’s an act. Just a damn act. God, I wish I had dated someone, so my hormones wouldn’t light up and go crazy at every single touch of his. Remember what you’re doing for Scarlet- to get out of this hell.