Be a Doll(10)

“Hm… Yeah, I mean, yes of course.’’ She cleared her throat and slid the heavy looking binder back in her purse. “I’ll be back with a few drawings and we will see what works for you. Of course, I’ll show you some fabric samples too.’’

“Good, very good.’’ I stood up and she followed me to the salon’s door. “I’m sorry to cut our meeting short, Miss Garber, but I trust your good eye and your creative sense. You have talent and I look forward to see what you can come up with.’’

“Thank you again for this chance.’’

I shook her hand and opened the door. “Same time in two days, then?’’

She nodded and adjusted her purse on her shoulder. “It works for me.’’

I turned to the left and located a maid that was walking towards us. “Could you please escort Miss Garber back to the front door? Let Mrs. Stein know that Miss Garber will be back in two days for another meeting with me and that we will need the blue salon again.’’

“Yes, Miss Hodge.’’

“Thank you.’’

As soon as they started walking away I went back in and closed the door, hoping that I could have a few minutes of privacy to finally see what this box and envelope was about.

I went back to the chair and sat, promptly snatching the box from the coffee table. I debated between opening the letter first or the box, but the box won. Slowly, I untied the bow and opened the lid of the box. My eyes widened when I saw what was inside.

A blue-green box with the writing Tiffany & Co. on top.

I grabbed the smaller box, a jewelry box, really. It was strange, but somehow my stomach was tying itself into knots. I opened the lid and gasped.

“What the…’’

Inside, the most beautiful engagement ring I had ever seen was blinding me. On a platinum thin band stood a solitaire cut diamond with light blue reflections and countless smaller diamonds of the purest white making almost lace-like designs, so delicate around the diamond. It was stunning and light looking in spite of the significant size of the diamond at the center.

With a lot of effort, I stared back at the coffee table where the cream envelope contrasted on top of it. I leaned forward and snatched the envelope, all the while keeping a tight grip on the box with the engagement ring inside. I made quick work of the envelope and found a nondescript page of some expensive paper considering the weight of it, folded in two.



Miss Hodge,

Tradition called for an engagement ring. I hope this one is to your appreciation.

I will be visiting next week.

M. Grimes



That was all. The knots in my stomach quickly untied themselves. If there was always a reminder that this was only a fa?ade, this short note was perfect to act as a reminder.

My eyes fell again on the engagement ring. I pursed my lips and folded the note again and discarded it on the coffee table. Once it’s done and the first box and the bow were on the table too, I pulled the ring out of the jewelry box to inspect it more closely.

It was stunning without being gaudy. I had no idea if he had been the one to pick it or if an assistant did, but that person had good taste.

I slipped it on my finger and it fit to perfection, weighing on my finger. It was a foreign feeling. I put my hand in front of me and stared at the ring on my finger.

That ring was beautiful, but it was also the symbol of the leash tying me to a man I couldn’t stand, a man I had to marry, a man I had to have sex with at some point. In three weeks, I wouldn’t be Lila Hodge, I wouldn’t be myself anymore. I would become Mrs. Mathis Grimes and nothing more.





MATHIS


“I hope this room is to your liking, Mr. Grimes,’’ Mrs. Stein said with a silky voice. Buttering me up was part of her job description since I was a high profile client, but it made me want to snap at her. I didn’t trust people like her.

I stared around the decent sized dining room and noticed the round bouquets of flowers near the windows and on either side of the two doors in the room. The dining table, that could easily sit eight people, was probably polished to perfection under the heavy linen of the tablecloth. At one end, two table settings were waiting for me and Miss Hodge.

“It’ll do, Mrs. Stein. Thank you for according me this evening with Miss Hodge.’’

She nodded and pinched her lips so much that it accentuated the beginning of the wrinkles around her mouth. “It’s understandable, Mr. Grimes. It’s best if you make sure she’s the right fit for you now.’’

I frowned, losing the indifferent mask I had on. My eyes locked on hers, her glasses offering no protection whatsoever. “I’m a man of my word, Mrs. Stein. Miss Hodge is wearing my ring and it is a promise in itself. I’m in business with her and intend on going through with it. My presence here has nothing to do with doubts.’’

She cleared her throat uneasily as her body swayed back when my cold tone hit her, but she’s saved when the door behind me opened, followed by the clacking of heels on the oak floor.

I turned around and I was met with the vision of Miss Hodge in a form fitting black dress with long sleeves. It left very little to the imagination as to what her body was like without any clothes on and from what I could see, it was stunning. My eyes followed the line of her delicate collarbone, then down to the generous breasts that would fill my hands. I kept on detailing her, watching the way her waist dipped and her hips flared with the kind of curves that drove a man to his knees. Carter Manor knew how to pick stunning women.