Roommates

PART 13 : first day

Sienna's P.O.V

We finished the rest of the dinner quickly enough, and I had settled in to this new found confidence I had found from God knows where. Ryan began to eye me across the table and as spoke, but our conversation did not match our glances at each other. We spoke about the city and his sister, formal things. But we were figuring each other out, him more so. I didn't know what had come over me, but I felt strong sitting in my seat across from him. It was as if all the fear had suddenly left my body, I felt like I was running on adrenaline.

We decided we would skip dessert and just head home. I could see he was a bit uncomfortable and I didn't want to make it worse. Maybe he was a little confused, I wouldn't blame him. I would be too if I were him. I felt as if he probably felt as lost as I did, and maybe my being here made those feelings come back. One thing I've learned about being the heir to a lot of wealth is that getting everything handed to you can always leave you feeling a little unsure of yourself. You don't even know how to get what you want, you just get given it. Sometimes you don't even want it. That's how it works.

We headed home in a cab, and Ryan came back down to earth a little. Halfway back to the apartment he turned to me and properly looked at me, for the first time in a while.

"I'm actually going to head out to see some friends, so I'll get you dropped off at the apartment, or wherever you want to go."

I just nodded my head and told him it was okay and that I was going to go home. I god dropped off first and he asked if I'd leave the door unlocked and I said that I would. We exchanged goodbyes and I headed into the apartment block, eager to get to bed so that I could fully prepare myself for tomorrow.

----

The next morning I woke up at six a.m. Not by choice, but out of sheer panic. I bolted up in the bed and quickly checked my phone. There was a message from my mother. Of course. As always.

From : Mom
Great news! The driver I had hired for you is back from Kentucky. His mother passed away a few weeks ago so he couldn't work. Remember I told you? Anyway, he'll be outside your building at 7:45, don't be late!

I specifically remember telling her I didn't need a driver. I told her more than once. And no one here had a personal driver, not anyone under fifty anyway! Having a driver meant your parents could keep an extra eye on you and know everywhere you're going, because obviously the driver knows where you're going and who you're with. Having one was like having a babysitter. And I was trying to be independent, so you can see the dilemma.

I decided I wouldn't even reply to the message. But I would take the car to work and back. Because God knows if I didn't my mother would hound me endlessly and probably move up here and force me into the car every morning if I didn't. Imagine the shame of her daughter not being chauffeured to work everyday. People would think the List family isn't the richest family in the whole of Addison, Texas!

I quickly got up and showered briskly, not washing my hair because there simply wasn't time. I wasn't sure if Ryan had come home last night, I hadn't heard him anyway. I hadn't slept too well and ended up tossing and turning the whole night with nerves that crept back into my body after the dinner last night.

I got ready at a pace and ended up just sitting on my bed trying to breathe normally as I waited for 7:45 to arrive. I knew better than to go down early and wait for my driver outside, my mother would kill me if I did.

The time came and I grabbed a jacket and headed downstairs. I wore a smart printed dress and some equally smart shoes my mother had chosen for me before I had moved. She claimed the formal wear was better in Texas than in New York. She thought New York people didn't know how to dress properly. I gently reminded her that I was going to work for a fashion magazine and not a law firm, and that how formal I looked wasn't the main issue, it was whether I looked stylish or not.

She swatted that thought away and tried to put me in a plaid pant suit, which I kindly declined. We tried many way too formal outfits until we finally settled on the one I was currently wearing. I liked to look trendy and fashionable, but I also knew that coming in on my first day wearing all this seasons latest trends was not the way to go about it. I needed to look stylish. Like I knew what all of the trends were but still had my own personal style that would last more than a season. I needed to make an impression. I had heard someone say before that following trends was for the scared, and I wanted to seem like I wasn't scared.

A sleek black car sat outside the front door of the lobby and I knew it was my ride. I walked over to it and opened the door. I quickly got inside and shut it after me.

A middle-aged man with wise eyes and a bright smile sat in the front seat, wearing a smart black suit.

"Good morning, Miss List. Your mother left you a present on the seat beside you." He turned around and said to me, smiling.

"Good morning, thank you." I replied.

I turned to see what was on the seat. It was a small box. A jewellery box. There was a note attached

Best of luck on your first day,
Your father and I are so proud.

-Mom.

I opened the box and saw a beautiful pearl necklace with matching earrings inside. I put them on as the driver began to drive me towards my brand new job and I tried to ignore the sick feeling which swirled around in my stomach.