Ew. "On second thought, I'll take the glass after all."
He smiles as he pours it carefully, acting like a pro.
"So you're twenty-one?"
"Yep. Not far from twenty-two."
"And you're set to start work right out of school, I bet." I'm so proud that didn't come out snarky.
"Yes. Though, I doubt it's for the reasons you think. I'm not going to deny I'm lucky, fortunate in some areas even. Having a job lined up with my grandfather's company is one of those fortunate circumstances."
"And it's just that easy. Finish college and take over his business?"
He laughs, sounding a little condescending in tone, but I'm hoping I'm reading too much into it.
"Definitely not easy. My father hates it. He built his business on his own, and then he married into money. He came from the belly of the lower-class, and he earned his right to stand high in the upper-class - as you called it. He thinks I should start at the ground-level and work my way up."
"And you don't feel you should have to?" Entitled brat. "You don't think there are people who have been working and waiting for an opportunity like you'll have?"
"My grandfather needs someone to take over certain pieces of the business as soon as possible. Those pieces aren't the ground-level. Though there are others who have been waiting longer for this opportunity, this is the company my grandfather built from nothing. He wants someone he can trust, and he knows that's me. So is it unfair to some? Yes. But do I feel guilty for being the one my granddad trusts? Hell no."
I'm almost in awe. He definitely knows how to make you see his side of things. He'll be excellent at negotiations. It's crazy to think about all the times I've envied him and his friends for getting trashed and enjoying a good time, when he only looks at it as a future business investment. He's a workaholic and he doesn't even have a job yet.
It's as though he's proud of something, but I don't know what. Then it dawns on me. The mention of his grandfather. That's what's sparking the twinkle of pride.
"You're fond of your grandfather," I observe.
His smile quirks up while he resumes his task of dividing the fries on the plates.
"Very." Then he points to my full plate. "If that's the end of the Capperton Inquisition, how about we move to the living room and watch a movie while we eat?"
He's so confusing.
"One more question," I murmur softly while sliding off the stool and carrying my plate.
He heads into the living room and I follow, waiting on him to respond. He waits until he puts his food down on the coffee table in front of the couch and then he leans back.
"Yes?" he says.
"Why are you being so nice to me all of the sudden?"
He frowns as I take a seat beside him, making sure to leave a respectable amount of distance between us without going overboard and making it look like I'm disgusted by him. I was once disgusted by him, but he keeps... blurring the lines.
His eyes fall to my shoulder where one of my yellowing bruises barely remains visible.
"Because believe it or not, I don't like knowing you got hurt. I feel like an ass. Seeing the proof of the damage that could have been done... Let's just say it scared me. Now, can we eat?"
Chapter 5
Playing Games
My room looks like fashion central threw up in it. I've tried on seven dresses, three pairs of jeans, and fifteen or more shirts. Nothing looks right. Nothing even comes close to looking right on me. I don't look like a pretty girl dressed up and ready to party. I look like Raya Capperton, daughter of Ray Drivel, the conman's trashy daughter playing dress-up.
Just when I decide it's pointless, the door to my room creaks open. Butterflies ruffle my stomach as I anxiously wait to see Kade's blue eyes, but I'm met by a different pair of blues instead. My heart sinks back down from my throat as Ember walks in wearing an excited grin and a killer dress.
Her hair is tossed in perfect ringlets today instead of pigtails. Her red dress is just short enough to drag the eye down, and her classy cleavage brings the eyes back up. She looks far less innocent than she did yesterday. I'm jealous. I've got Paul Colton's latest line of fashion, and she looks better in her thrift store buy. Maybe that's the problem. These clothes are too dazzling for the jaded.
"Hey. I hope this is okay. Kade let me in and told me where to find you."