Sign Your Name Across My Heart

Chapter seventeen

I did my shift at the library, came home and showered, made myself dinner, ate, then got ready for the art exhibit. It was hard to pick an outfit, because I don't have very many fancy clothes and I know Bram has money, so he's probably going to be in his best suit.

I don't exactly want to go, but I am excited to see the art. I did a bit of research about it online and it really does look breathtaking. I just wish that I could see it with Ash.

After destroying my closet, I settle on a skin tight dark chocolate brown dress that goes down to my ankles, hugging my body perfectly. I only spent $40 on this dress, so I'm not sure how fancy I'll look compared to everyone else there, but it's the best I can do with what I have. Besides, I'm running out of time. It's already 7:50 pm.

I have my hair curled, my makeup done. I pick out my gold necklace and bracelet, putting both of them on, before adding some rings to my fingers. I grab my purse, hanging it over my shoulder, before fighting with it while leaning over and putting on a pair of open-toed black heels.

I close off my bedroom light as I walk to my living room and to the front door, my heels tapping against the wood flooring along the way.

My phone dings.

I'm here.

My stomach churns. I leave my apartment, locking my door, walking down the stairs, spotting the Rolls Royce waiting in the middle of the road for me, bright lights illuminating up the street in front of him. I can hear the music from outside. As I approach the car, I see Bram inside with a big smile on his face.

I pull open the door and get inside, buckling up. "You look beautiful." He boasts.

"Thanks." I say quietly, not complimenting him back.

He's wearing an expensive watch, covered in bright diamonds. It's the first thing my eyes caught when I got into the car. He's wearing a black suit and black dress shoes to match. His tie is a deep red colour.

He takes off down the road, my body pinning to the seat. I wasn't expecting the speed. I nervously pick at my nails, a horrible habit I've had for as long as I can remember.

"You really do look beautiful, Libby." He mentions, again. Why is he repeating himself?
"Yes, I heard you the first time around." I mumble.

Bram looks over at me. "You have a gorgeous neck. Would look better with a hickey, I think. Want one?" He asks.

I scoff, wondering how he can go from being a genuine person to a disgusting man in the blink of an eye. "What are you, like fourteen? No, thanks. I'm good." I mutter, angrily.

"I'm only joking. Let loose a little!" He laughs, turning up the music. I can't tell what song is playing.

I stay quiet, not knowing how to answer him. Why would he say something like that? What kind of joke is that?

"I didn't tell Ivy we were doing this." He says, breaking the silence between us.

Ivy... I forgot to tell Ivy about this. I pull out my phone, hesitating, typing out a message to her, but everything I write sounds like I'm begging for attention.

Hey Ivy, by the way Bram and I are going to a- I erase it.

Hey Ivy, I forgot to mention that Bram invited me to an art exhibit and I thought it'd be a good way for us to get to know each other, like you've been saying.

I erased that one as well. I sigh.

"Don't worry, please." Bram says. He's watching me from the corner of his eye. He knows what I'm doing. "She'll be fine. She wanted this, right?" He cocks his eyebrow.