Dangerous Love

Chapter Twenty

At exactly eight o'clock, Daniel drives up in an elegant Mercedes coupe, taking another look at my dress. Oh yes, Kate has done a really good job for me - I'm wearing a chic burgundy dress with black high heels that fit perfectly and look very modern. I smile sheepishly. He opens the passenger door for me. Thank you! I sink into a deep leather seat. Where are we going? I ask curiously. "Paige is curious as always," he remarks with a grin. Suddenly I feel sweat on my forehead; it's pleasantly warm in here. Did I actually just say that out loud? I can imagine him smiling at me inwardly. "Is your fever back?" he asks with a worried expression.

 And there he is, this other Daniel I know. "No, I'm really fine!" I reply quickly. We drive out of Manhattan for a while, past a dark forest. A certain nervousness tingles inside me. Eventually we arrive at an impressive property. "What are we doing here, Daniel?" "My family has organized a garden party." "Your family?" I ask, my knees shaking with tension. He walks around the car and opens the door for me. "When were you going to tell me this?" I ask. "I just mentioned it," he replies. He smiles at me as we cross the threshold of this impressive place and marvel at the splendor of the blooming roses.

 Daniel puts his left arm around my waist as we stand in front of the two security guards standing guard at the imposing brown wooden door. Ignore them, he whispers to me quietly. In the entrance area, a magnificent chandelier shines with flickering candles and the floor tiles sparkle in brilliant white. I am completely overwhelmed and don't know where to look first. On the right side, a huge spiral staircase made of dark wood rises. "Did you grow up here?" I ask in a curious voice. "Yes," he replies. "Wow, Mr. Stevens!" a man suddenly calls out. "Paige, please give him your bag!" "Of course, here you go." "Thank you, Miss." We go into the living area, where an elegant leather couch is waiting for us, surrounded by beautiful white marble tiles.

 My heart is pounding with nervousness, but Daniel seems to sense my restlessness. He takes my right hand in his and squeezes it reassuringly. Now we enter a wooden terrace, and I am amazed at the number of people here! "Breathe calmly," I say to myself. "Oh Daniel, my darling!" calls a stylishly dressed brunette lady in a lilac dress as she walks up to Daniel and gives him a warm hug. "Mom, this is Paige Morgan. Paige, this is my mother, Susan Stevens." She immediately takes me in her arms. "Oh Paige, I'm pleased to meet you!" "Oh Miss Stevens, the pleasure is all mine," I answer politely. "Just call me Susan, love." I return her smile. "Howard!" she calls out loudly to another, and Daniel, who is being met by a gray-haired, equally good-looking man in a black suit, gets a friendly pat on the back. "Dad, this is Paige Morgan. Paige, this is my dad, Howard Stevens." "Nice to meet you, Paige," he says. "Me too, Mr. Stevens," I reply shyly. "Just call me Howard." I smile back. "Daniel, does it bother you if..." I do that? Susan puts her arm around mine and we stroll through the garden together.

 So, Paige, how did you meet? To be honest, he accidentally bumped into me in a café, so that I got splashed with coffee. Oh dear, that sounds really unpleasant! And then it turned out that I am his new assistant. Susan can't help but giggle quietly. To be honest, she is very warm and friendly. Now, perhaps we should get back to the gentlemen. Daniel has been watching me the whole time. Daniel, I heard about your first meeting - how could you react like that? Mom, please, I have to suppress a grin. It's the first time he feels completely normal. I find it hard to comprehend the idea of ​​such a happy family. I shake my head inwardly. Paige, is everything OK? he whispers in my ear. Yes, a little champagne, sir, thank you, hmm, it really tastes great! Of course, is his answer.While Daniel is chatting with the business partners, I take the opportunity to go to the buffet. 

I put a piece of olive in my mouth. I still find it difficult to be around so many people. After more than five olives, I walk past the crowd until Daniel takes my hand. "Where are you going?""Nowhere," I answer quietly. "Come," he says, "I'll show you around the house." I nod carefully and we climb the spiral staircase, where there are many doors. Daniel practically pulls me along until we stop at a door. "What's behind this door?" I ask. "My childhood room." He opens the door and I see a teenager's room. Posters of football players hang on the walls, as well as some of his own pictures."Are they yours?" I ask. He nods. "They're really beautiful." Next to the door is a dark brown bed, and a little further to the left is a dark desk with a photo of him from his childhood. I sense his nervousness.