I watch as he smiles with a nod, and my mother—in a fluster—walks out of the room to fetch him a glass of this very expensive drink. I know it’s expensive as I remember my mother ringing my father to ask if it would be okay to spend over twenty thousand pounds on a bottle of drink. This drink must be pretty special if it’s worth that much.
“So,” my father begins as my mother leaves the room, “how is business treating you?” Drake rolls his eyes in my direction, and I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips.
“Is something funny, Evelyn?” my father snaps.
Seeing my eyes widening in fear, Drake speaks before I can even muster the courage to do so myself. “It’s my fault. I pulled a funny face to make her laugh. Luckily for me, it worked.”
I breathe a huge sigh of relief—grateful to this man for saving the day. It works because my father laughs, earning him a smile from Drake. My father seems to like this. For some reason, this man’s acceptance means a great deal to him.
“Business is going really well. In fact, I’m expanding to the Middle East. That’s why I wanted to get your opinion. I hear you’re quite knowledgeable with regards to the laws of the land out there.”
My father clears his throat with a smile and pulls his chair in a bit more. He places his hands together on the table like he’s getting himself ready. “Sure. What is it you want to know?”
Drake looks across at me for a moment, and I don’t know why, but my heart starts fluttering. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about business tonight. I’m sure Evelyn here doesn’t want us boring her with trade deals and logistics.” He gives a little chuckle, and it makes me smile. This complete stranger is making more of a fuss over me in one night than my parents have in about two years.
Don’t get me wrong; things used to be good around here. At one time, my parents did seem to care about me. Then, one day, things changed. My parents seem to have this terrible habit of spending more than they can afford. I’ve often heard them arguing over money. I’m going to a private school, and they often argue over that too. Over time, they started to resent me. I cost money and lots of it apparently.
My father looks at me like I’m a burden, but smiles in Drake’s direction and nods his head “Of course. Maybe you can pop by my office on Monday. How does that sound?”
Drake smiles. “Sounds perfect.”
Age Seventeen – Present Day
“Is he officially your boyfriend now?” Mandy asks as I lick my ice cream. We’ve just finished shopping where I purchased myself some sexy lingerie. Drake likes to lavish money and gifts on me. Normally, I don’t accept it—which pisses him off—but today I decided to spend a little. The only reason is so I can wear them for someone else. What better way to stick it to the great Drake Salvatore than to buy lingerie which I have no intention of wearing for him?
“Who?” I ask … even though I know exactly to whom she’s referring. Everybody knows about the great and infamous Drake around here, and most people also know that I am not to be messed with. Every boy at school gives me the widest birth possible because they know me as Drake’s girl. I’m not Drake’s girl. I’m not anything to Drake.
“You know… Mr Salvatore. He’s always around you and hangs around your family a lot. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”
I stop licking my ice cream and frown at her. “What do you mean by ‘the way you two look at each other?’ How do we look at each other?”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you can’t see it? I guess you bought the lingerie for him, huh?” She nudges me with a wink.
“No, I have not. He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Then, what is he? Because the times when I have seen you two together you both look at each other like you want to rip each other’s clothes off.”
I gasp. “No, I do not!” I protest.
“Evelyn, please. You can’t fool me. Besides, I can’t blame you. Every woman within a hundred mile radius wants a piece of that man. Hell, even I wouldn’t say no. But for some reason he only seems to have eyes for you, my friend. Lucky bitch!”
She snorts, but I don’t find any of this funny. Yes, part of what she says is true. He is that way around me, but only because he’s waiting for me. Only because in four months time I will turn eighteen and be his forever. Mandy doesn’t know or realise this. It would be too embarrassing to tell her that my parents sold me when I was just fourteen. She would also pity me. I don’t want her pity.