A kiss for Ree

Chapter 33

...

"You wiped out my phone!" I stated in exasperation.

"It was necessary. You're starting a new life, so start anew!" He replied.

"That's not for you to decide."

"Actually, it is" he said proudly, "It absolutely is."

"You-" I decided to drop that argument and ask something else, "You said Omar and Levi are okay but they're not in school.

"They aren't my responsibility and I can't keep them from bunking off school"

"I want to see them" I snapped.

He turned to me, both brows high up, he stared hard at me.

"Oh forget it!" I muttered angrily.

I sat stiffly against the window, arms folded, eyes trained on the blur of trees and street signs. Silence swam between Ludwig and me like thick fog.

Then it happened.

Grrrrrrwwllll.

My stomach let out a growl so loud, long, and shameless, it echoed off the leather seats.

There was a pause.

Then Ludwig chuckled. A low, smug, amusement laced laugh that made me want to slap him and crawl under the car at the same time.

"Wow," he said, casually adjusting his shirt, "Was that your stomach or an earthquake?"

I turned to him, "Shut up."

"I mean, should I ask him to pull over and check for damage? That was... impressive."

My lips twitched, my angry turned to annoyance.

"If I knew you were this hungry, I would've packed you a snack" he said, "Or an entire house to eat."

I punched his arm with all the strength I could mutter, enough to make him fake a wince.

"Stop laughing, Ludwig!" I said punching him again.

"I can't help it," he grinned. "You're tiny but terrifying. Even your stomach's dramatic."

I turned back to the window, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Just so you know, I skipped lunch and that's why my stomach is being dramatic."

"Uhn uh!" he said,"Take us to the restaurant Dad uses for his investors" he told the driver.

Ten minutes later...

The driver pulled up to L'Étoile, the most talked about restaurant in the city. The glass walls shimmered like a jewelry box. Fancy cars lined the entrance. A doorman in white gloves opened my door.

I froze. "Wait... here?"

"Yes, here." Ludwig stepped out and came around to my side, smirking. "Don't act like you haven't dreamt of this place. It's what all the girls in my class ever talk about."

I shot him a look. "I'm not all the girls in your class. I did not-"

"They go all, 'God, I just want to eat at L'Étoile once before I die...' Very dramatic. Very girly."

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to smile. Truth was, I have always wanted to go. But I wasn't about to tell him that.

"Whatever. I'm just hungry. It doesn't mean I would die to eat here."

"You'll also have to eat liver friendly food, I hope you remember?" He said in his ever controlling tone.

"Oh, I know," I said.
He moved beside me swiftly, offering his arm. "Incase fans take pictures of us, my dad is so into publicity."