The Book of Rook

Chapter 9

ROOK

I lay in bed going over the evening in my head. I ripped off the band aid and asked her to be my pretend girlfriend. The idea came to me after my lunch with the commissioner. That meeting went well so I decided to take a walk around the city, thinking. I want this vice president job and that prick Hudson has a lead on me all because he has a stupid girlfriend.

I'm a good-looking guy. I can get a girlfriend, just not on such short notice. Not true. I can get anyone. Just opening my phone, I can probably call at least 10 women who would say yes. Only one problem. There's only one person I want to do this with. My Sunrise. The attraction was there already. I did tell her the truth that I felt comfortable with her. Can this plan backfire and screw me up the ass? Sure. But it can also turn out great and she can fall for me and we can live happily ever after. That's the best-case scenario. Who am I kidding? My luck sucks and it'll end up that she'll hate me and after the allotted time, she'll walk out of my life for good. That's a risk I'm willing to take. At least with her on board, I have an equal chance with Hudson. Plus since I'm competent, I'll get this job in less than six weeks.

I put my hands behind my head and stare up at my ceiling. This has to work. It's gonna work. We'll find out tomorrow at the party.

Work keeps both of us busy. At the end of the day, I see my little Sunrise packing up her stuff.

She still hasn't given me an answer and I hesitate to ask. She's such an unpredictable woman. I wouldn't be surprised if she told me to fuck off and walk away. What is it about her that makes me so nervous like a teenager?

Come on, man. You're Rook fucking Raines. Show the confidence you've always had before her.

I walk towards her desk and stand there with my hands in my pocket, waiting for her to notice me. Slowly her eyes meet mine. She's such a stunning looking woman. She takes my breath away.

"Can I help you?" she asks in a voice that clearly shows she's annoyed.

Her tone snaps me out of my thoughts. "You said you'd sleep on it, so..." I let my question trail off hoping she gives me the answer I want to hear.

She lets out a frustrated sigh and rolls her eyes. "Pick me up at 8."

I can't hide my smile as I slap the top of her desk and give her a curt nod.

Pierce parks the limo in front of Angel's apartment at 7:50pm. I'm early, so sue me. Yes, I'm anxious so I fidget with my bow tie. I hate wearing tuxedos but it's a requirement being a Raines. All these damn social events with the snobs of society. At least tonight, I'll have an elegant woman by my side. I grab the bouquet of flowers and open the door.

"Don't be nervous Sir. You look fine," Pierce says before I exit the limo.

"It shows, huh?" I ask nervously.

"If I may be bold to say. I've never seen you act this way before. Miss Jefferies must be special," Pierce says in his deep voice.

He's been with our family since as far back as I can remember. He took my mother's death hard since he wasn't feeling well that fateful day, so he called in sick. He blames himself. He believes if he had picked her up, she would still be with us. He's even said so. The same guilt that haunts my sister, haunts Pierce. No one was to blame except the drunk driver who caused the crash. That fucker came out of the accident unscathed. He did do jail time but that wasn't enough in my eyes. My father refused to sue. The man was penniless, and suing wouldn't bring her back, he said. He was right but I didn't care.