𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 ✓ [𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐎𝐍𝐄]

✎chaper ten × games people play

ᴘᴀʀɪs, ғʀᴀɴᴄᴇ
ᴇɴ ʀᴏᴜᴛᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ
ᴇɪɢʜᴛ ғɪғᴛʏ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴀᴍ  

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[Important note at the end of this chapter!]

  The drive to wherever we're going is an excuse enough to take another much needed nap. Within the two hour drive, we pass buildings that get farther and farther apart the further we go.

  I almost don't notice it when the paved road turns to polished gravel. The car turns into a gated driveway, with multiple other cars parked there.

   I smooth down the front of my new blouse. That morning, I went through outfit after outfit. None of which were up to Angelo's standard. Eventually, he gave me a credit card, a color swatch and a car to the nearest high end boutique.

  There I picked up a semi-sheer cream blouse that falls delicatly around my shoulder, exposing a bit of my collar bone. I found a coopery pair of silk wide legged pants and a black suede heel to pair with it. I found a simple gold ring with a small ruby set in it and a pair of matching earnings. A thin, layered gold necklace was the last peice I chose.

    Angelo had looked over my outfit choice fondly, instead of being irritated at the fact that I had purposely bought the most expensive things in the store. He'd made sure I got the right color to match his tie and I suppose the cohesivity was all he really cared about.

    The house ahead of the driveway is brinking on a palace, but I try not to look too impressed.

  Angelo helps me out of the car and leans to whisper in my ear.

  "Today, you're goal is to convince and deflect. Make sure people know were invloved, but don't go into too much detail. Speak highly of me, but don't be too doting. Pretend your hosting. Be hospitable and entertaining. You should do well with that."

  I nod. "So, pretend each of these people couldn't literally buy me?"

Angelo laughs. "Exactly. Hope you're a good actress."

  I scan the faces of the other guests as they exit their vehicles. Attendants dressed in crisp black suites direct them towards an ivy and rose covered alcove that likely leads to the back of the manor. I can feel my heart beat a little harder. This isn't like last night, were I can hide under the dim lights or loosen up with a bit too much alchohol.

   "Don't worry, I'll stay nearby. If they drown you with questions, just look my way." Angelo assures, but that doesn't make me any less nervous.

 I nod and we make our way towards the flowering threshold. When he slips his hand in mine, it's so casual I almost don't notice it.

  But I try not to put on too much of a fuss as we walk, with the whispering of other guests getting a bit more obvious.