A kiss for Ree

Chapter 34

The door slammed open without warning.

I flinched, not because I was scared, but because it was too violent.

Ludwig strode in like he owned the place. Or rather, like he owned me.

"We're going out," he said, voice crisp and cold like the suits he wore. "Wear this."

He dropped a box on my bed, it was a red velvet, with gold trimmings and on it were a pair of heels that looked like they cost more than I had in my account.

I didn't speak, I kept my gaze from meeting his. He simply left without waiting for a yes.

The door clicked shut, and silence returned.

I stared at the dress. It was a beautiful blood red strapless dress, tailored to scream elegance. I didn't hate the dress. I hated that I hadn't picked it.

Even something as small as choosing my own clothes had become a luxury I couldn't afford. I hated the way Ludwig was controlling my life and made it even obvious.

I wanted to scream in anger and stump my foot on the ground but I held in the frustration like a bomb waiting to explode.

I took a brief shower before putting on the cloths that actually fitted perfectly, hugging my body like a second skin. I wore the heels too and I secretly prayed I don't trip and fall on this death trap.

Then I left the room and walked down the stairs.

Ludwig stood by the door, face glued to his phone and a smirk plastered on his face. His eyes widened with amusement as he read whatever was on display.

Then he looked up, and for a moment, he froze, as if he hadn't expected the dress to fit or maybe they fitted too well. I walked up to meet him and clear my throat uncomfortably as his eyes traced me, trying to decide whether to admire or possess.

"You look..." He paused, tilting his head. "...expensive."

I rolled my eyes, of course he'd say that, "Put me in a locked safe then."

As if I wasn't already in one, living in this gigantic dumb house.

He chuckled cockily, offering his arm. "Thats the plan."

I took his arm only because I didn't want to walk alone on this heels and end up on my face in public, I need support.

****

The drive was smooth, I tried not to say anything at all, I was just pissed and bored with life especially now that I've given Omar my phone again.

Ludwig talked about investors, appearances, dinner guests I didn't care about. I just tried to nod sometimes.

At one point, he suddenly turned to stare at me fully, his eyes trailing down my body, I tried to stop a blush from rising up my cheeks.

"Will you stop that?" I snapped.

"You should wear red more often," he said. "It makes you... unforgettable."

"Funny," I replied, "I was hoping to be invisible."

He laughed before seating properly ones more.

The place he was taking me to was a rooftop lounge. An exclusive, candlelit, laced with perfume and politics. Waiters bowed. Cameras flashed. We were seen, I felt like I was a celebrity. Was all these even necessary.

We sat together at a table, Ludwig pulling out my seat for me before going to his. A waiter came along and began to give pour us drinks, red wine.

"You couldn't have at least ask me what I would actually like to drink?" I said to Ludwig after the waiters left.