Double Standards // ziam

Chapter 8

Zayn's optimism stayed with him through the busy days of packing, and blossomed into excited anticipation on Thursday morning as he waved goodbye to his mother and stepfather and started for Michigan.

With the directions Sophia Sinclair had given him he had no trouble locating the elegant suburban community of Bloomfield Hills that night. He did have a little trouble believing that he was actually going to live there. One magnificent home after another flashed by as he drove down the immaculate streets.

It was ten o'clock at night when he pulled to a stop at the gates of a breathtakingly lovely Spanish-style condominium complex. The gatekeeper came out and peered at him through the open car window. When Zayn told him his name, he said, "Mrs. Sinclair drove in half an hour ago, Mister."

Zayn forgot his weariness as he pulled to a stop before a lovely courtyard with an arched entryway displaying the number 175. Sophia had promised to meet him here and show him around, and her Cadillac was parked in the driveway leading to the private garage.

"Well, what do you think?" she said a half hour later as they completed the tour of the luxurious apartment.

"I think it's wonderful," Zayn said, carrying one of his suitcases into the bedroom, where an entire mirrored wall concealed closet space. He opened a closet door and his gaze swung back to Sophia. "What should I do with these clothes?" It and every closet he opened were filled to capacity with wonderful designer suits and dress alike. Zayn recognized some of the designer labels. Most of the things still had tags on them and had obviously never been worn. "Your aunt certainly has very youthful tastes in clothes," Zayn commented. An aunt...interested in young men clothing...curious...very curious.

"My aunt is a compulsive shopper," Sophia explained disinterestedly. "I'll phone some charity and have them come over and take all this stuff."

Zayn ran his hand down a gorgeous wine velvet blazer then he glanced at the tag hanging from the sleeve. Not only did the woman have very youthful taste in clothing, but she also bought young men clothes of the same size Zayn wore. "Sophia, would you consider letting me buy some of these clothes?"

She shrugged. "Take whatever you want and give the rest away; you'll save me the trouble."

She had started down the stairs to the living room below, and Zayn turned off the lights and followed her. "But those are very expensive clothes-"

"I know what they cost," she interrupted irritably; "I paid for them. Take whatever you want-they're yours."

After helping him call the caretaker carry in the rest of his things from the car, she turned to leave. "By the way," she said, pausing with her hand on the doorknob. "My husband doesn't know I bought this place for my aunt. Georges feels that my relatives impose on us financially, so I've never mentioned it to him. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention it either."

"No, of course I won't," Zayn promised.

After she left, he looked around at the luxurious apartment that was now his home, at the marble fireplace, valuable antiques and gracious silk-upholstered furnishings. The condominium looked as if it had been decorated for a magazine layout. A vision of the alluring clothes hanging in the upstairs closets superimposed itself in his mind. "My husband doesn't know I bought this place for my aunt; so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention it..."

A knowing smile slowly dawned on Zayn's face as he glanced again at the beautiful room and wryly shook his head. Not her aunt-more like her lover! At some time in the recent past, Sophia must have had a Lover. Zayn shrugged the matter aside; it was none of his business.

He walked over to the telephone, sighing with relief when he heard the dial tone. The phone was working. Tomorrow was Friday, and Liam might call.

Early the next morning he sat at the kitchen table, making out his grocery list. Besides all the essentials, he needed two special items for when Liam came over: bourbon and Grand Marnier. Picking up his wallet, he glanced at the telephone. The thought that he might never call him pushed forward in his mind, but he shoved it aside. Liam had wanted him very badly in Harbor Springs; he had made that obvious. If nothing else, sexual desire would bring him back to him.