Stunningly Beautiful

Aubrianne Ivanov

As Miguel left to place our orders and fetch our drinks, Daniel chose to pick back up where we had left off. When looking at me, he smirked and said, "by the way, you know you are not so bad yourself. I must say you are stunningly beautiful."

I laughed lightly, "stunningly beautiful, huh? Is that right?" I was happy he understood and moved on from the topic.

"Yes indeed, anyone in their right mind would agree with me without question," he said, so self-confident as if what he said was final.

Shaking my head at his expression, I responded, "Well, it's all my mama.. that's for sure."

"Oh really? Only mama, huh? So what about your dad? Anything from him?" He asks, now leaning back on the couch, a hand resting on the arm casually and a friendly smile.

I sigh and shift slightly, feeling slightly thrown off by the question. Honestly, I did not expect to be talking about this so soon.

"I don't know anything about him except that I have his eyes. That is the only thing my mom ever told me," I responded, a bit non-interested, shrugging it off. Ensuring I came across as unaffected.

Thankfully, Daniel did not push.

That was not a road I was inclined to venture on just yet, or if ever. There was no need because this was a new place, and no one here really knew of my history.

For all they know, my parents are alive, well, and happily married.

Miguel was back with our drinks. After taking my water and Daniel his beer, we fell into silence. Daniel was gazing at me intently as he sipped his beer, eyebrows furrowed, and this time I arched an eyebrow, looking at him, "whaaattt?" I sing songs.

"Nothing, just curious about what's going through your mind." He answers casually, with a shrug of his shoulders.

Well, if you know me by now, my mind is constantly drifting to something or the other. This time it was curiosity. I was interested in hearing about life in Transcendent Lotharios. You know, nightclubs, restaurants, go-to spots to hang out, etc.

"Soooo tell me everything," Sitting up with renewed excitement, eyes sparkling, I jumped right in.

"Where are the good nightclubs? Or where can I do my shopping for clothing? Or where are the good restaurants?" I rattle out question after question. Not allowing Daniel to answer one before asking the next.

When Daniel's face morphs, eyes twinkling and a full-on grin, he is more than ready to educate me on all things TL.

Daniel wasted no time in telling me the deets. He told me about the best clubs to hit up, the finest restaurants for nice dinners, the most suitable spots for entertainment, and the most satisfactory shopping malls and stores in the city.

He also added his take on the places he just suggested to me, giving his views. He spoke of the diverse communities and how the people are so charming and welcoming, just like the one I will be staying at.

Crime is very low here, Daniel had explained. He also spoke of the cities, colleges, schools and theaters, museums, stadiums, and race tracks. He covered everything you can think of, and I even had many follow-up questions.

"Here you go," Miguel is back now, and this time it was with our meals and the little leather folder pad thingy with our bill, which I grabbed, and there I saw two mini chocolates and two mints.

How cute.

"Oh no, you don't," Daniel said, reaching and grabbing the leather folder from my fingertips.

"Fine, but I will have the next one," I said, a matter of factly. I did not put up much of a fight because this may not be the last meal I shared with Daniel as a friend.

"Next one?" Daniel asks, an eyebrow arch in question.

Waving him off nonchalantly, "Relax, I just figure we will become good friends, and this will not be the first or last meal we grab. Hey, I am already seeing you tomorrow. Just saying." I raised my hands in defense.

"Well darling, I hate to break it to you, but I am under strict orders to care for your every need and want. You are not to spend a dime of your money," Daniel says, as if it's a common thing.

"Wait! What???" I asked incredulously, as if what he was saying was so damn absurd.

Oh my god! Why am I not to spend a dime? Will they put this on a tab that will be deducted from my salary? Is this a joke? This may be too good to be true.

I mean, it just makes no sense at all. At first, I was like OK, maybe this is normal. The assistance with flight plans and assistance in moving and getting settled, the pick up from the airport, and trust me, I was so relieved with the help as I am on my own with this.

Though I would have had help from Jada, of course, we would have figured out the logistics of it. Nevertheless, I am thankful I didn't have to worry about those things, but the more I think about it, the more in my mind, I am like which new employer in their right mind would go through all this for a new employee and only an intern, for that matter.

This must be a trick of some kind, or I might be paying for this for the rest of my life working at that firm. Was it their intention for their new interns to get them so much in debt that they would have no choice but to stay on board and work till that debt was paid?

I need to start refusing things till I get to the bottom of this. Something is fishy. 'I am not to spend a dime?' Nuh-uh!

Daniel answers, "I have no idea, still trying to piece that puzzle together, but orders are orders, and they must be obeyed, or there will be consequences for one's actions or lack thereof when it comes to following a direct order from our Al... Mr. Thornton...., let's just say he can be very strict."

Is Mr. Thornton the one behind this? But why? I sighed internally after hearing Daniel confirm that Mr. Thornton is truly behind this.

I understand now that I must chat with Mr. Grey, Mr. Thornton's Right Hand.

However, I respond with an, "oh, ok, I see," as if what he said explained everything.

With that, he quickly settled up, and we were on our way to my home...

Finally, I was more than ready to get there, my mood suddenly changing as I went over the events in my head, trying to make sense of something that was beginning to no longer make any sense at all.

I came out of my deep thoughts when I heard Daniel's voice informing me that we were almost there.

I acknowledged him and then focused on taking in the rest of the way there. We were in a lovely little town with tall, extravagant apartment buildings, hotels, and suburban homes.

I took it all in as we sped past them, sucking it all up, having my fill. Trying to commit as much to memory as this is the path I will take to get back to the city for work next week. Though I figured I may pass it a few times before then, I at least started committing it to memory.

Everything looks very deluxe. I am impressed, yet again, with each building's designs, each hotel, each apartment building, the majority entirely glass; however, each in its own unique design, and then the others a combination of glass and bricks.

All I've seen so far is pretty awesome, and I know I haven't even seen much yet, and you know what? I am so looking forward to that tour.

"Hey, you ok?" Daniels asks, glancing over at me.

"Yea, I am good. Why?" I answered and asked curiously, now looking at the side of his face.

"It's just you've been so quiet," Daniel pointed out, and he was right, though.

"Yea, sorry, I do that a lot. I tend to drift off in my own world, sorry." I explained, glancing back at the view of the town.

"Oh, I get it. I will leave you to your thoughts." Daniel was back to focusing on his driving.

"Thank you." I offered a smile of appreciation. Drifting into my mind again!