Chapter 7

The coffee tasted quite bland today despite the fact that it was made the same way every morning.

Theodore’s mood resembled the weather outside—dark and cold as rain filled the day with its gloom. Theodore wasn’t sure why he was feeling so dull. Maybe it was because there had been no improvements in his Italian vineyard, or maybe it was because he hadn’t had a minute to just relax.

He no longer knew what it felt like to have a normal or fun life, and on some days—days like this—he was reminded even more.

He skipped through the morning paper as he continued to energize himself with the black liquid. Even the papers were boring.

He skipped to the sports section, where a woman was highlighted for winning a gymnastics championship. His lips twitched at the sight. She looked so happy with the trophy perched on her hip, as she posed for the camera with an older woman—her coach, maybe.

Theodore continued to skip through the paper as he tried to spark some light in his mood. The last thing he wanted to do was go to the office, but he desperately needed to for the sake of his business.

The doorbell rang like a song through the house, but he ignored it. Angela would get it, he thought. He didn’t need to get up.

But the ringing continued, and he realized that Angela wasn’t anywhere near the living room. Maybe she was all the way in the back doing laundry. That woman was always so busy.

Groaning, Theodore dragged himself from his stool and stalked towards the door, feeling even more annoyed than before. He knew it wasn’t a guest, or else the doorman would’ve called for him and sent them up through his private elevator. So whoever it was must’ve taken the secondary elevator or the stairs, which meant the visit was unplanned.

But when he swung the door open, his annoyance diminished when he saw a familiar face standing in the hinges of his door. She hugged a soaked, old coat around her body, and her hair was matted to her shoulders in a curly mess.

“Oh my gosh, come in,“ Theodore said immediately as he stepped aside to let her in. She must’ve been caught in the rain. Of course she was caught in the rain.

She quickly shrugged the coat from her shoulders, wanting to be rid of the wet clothes so that she doesn’t get ill. He hasn’t seen her since the day he took her to coffee. They haven’t spoken either, but she was always there on his mind, somewhere beside all his problems.

“Gosh, you’re trembling.” Theodore acknowledged with a frown as he sat her on his huge, warm couch. “I’ll be back with some towels and a blanket,” he added before turning down the hall.

Abigail’s body shook as the cold ate her whole. When she left the house, the rain had only been a light drizzle. But when she exited the cab, it was pouring cats and dogs.

It didn’t help either that the doorman refused to let her in, having her standing in the rain explaining that she was here to see Theodore. He didn’t believe her. She didn’t look like the person to have a meeting with him, and she understood it in every scrutinizing glance the man gave her.

He was a dick.

He didn’t even give her the decency of using the elevator that led straight to his living room. She used it the day he took her home, so she knew it was there.

Still, Abigail didn’t make a fuss. It wasn’t her place to make a big deal about it, and acting up would’ve landed her outside again.

Her eyes searched the familiar room as she sat in his surprisingly warm couch. The living room alone was bigger than her apartment alone, and quite warm too. She remembered stumbling down those very stairs, scared out of her mind the day she woke up after Theodore saved her from Vino.

Even though it was scary, she had still subconsciously studied the place, and now that she was back, she could admire it.

Abigail rose from her seat and brought herself towards the glass wall that gave the perfect view of the city. She was extremely high up, and everyone looked like tiny figures walking around under their umbrellas. The rain made it hard for her to see, but it was all oddly soothing.

“I got you some towels.” Theodore’s voice had her whipping around as he arrived with the two towels and what looked like the comfiest blanket she has ever seen.

“Thank you,” Abigail mumbled as she retrieved them.

“You can use the bathroom down the hall to the right. I left some dry clothes too if you’re comfortable enough to change. I can have Angela put yours in the dryer until you’re ready to leave.”

“That would be great, thanks,” she said with a small smile of gratitude.

She followed his directions and pushed through the first door that she saw on the right. The bathroom was lovely—lovely enough to have her inner self gushing like a ten year old at a toy store.

His house surely was nice, and it definitely reminded her how different they were from each other. Second thoughts of the talk she already dreaded filled her mind, but she quickly pushed them away. She needed this, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.

And since Theodore has been nothing but kind to her since they met, she tried to convince herself that nothing bad will happen. He will keep his word and respect the rules she had come up with.

A set of clean dry clothes sat on the face basin, along with a blow drier and more towels. She quickly ridded herself of the wet clothes, exchanging them with the dry ones and folded hers neatly for Angela to retrieve—whoever Angela is.

‘Maybe his wife’, she thought. He didn’t wear a ring, and it would’ve been highly inappropriate considering the terms they will discuss, but rich men don’t always cherish relationships. If he did, he would’ve worn his ring and he wouldn’t have never asked her to strip for him. Still, it was up to the both of them to know how their relationship works.

The blow dryer provided her with greater warmth as she dried the water from her hair. It left it frizzy and wild, but there was nothing in the bathroom to help her tame it.

Sighing, Abigail pulled the string on the leggings tighter and wrapped the blanket around her shoulder for more comfort.

“…Next time you call me before having someone who came to see me standing up in the f**king rain.”

Abigail walked in with Theodore cursing at someone harshly on the phone. She already knew who it was. It didn’t take a genius to guess, but chose not to acknowledge it nor make him know that she heard.

“Thank you for the dry clothes. They fit perfectly,” Abigail said as she stepped further into the room, gaining his attention in the process.

Theodore’s anger immediately diminished when he saw that she was all dry and no longer trembling. Just like on that night when he saw her running, seeing her in his doorway trembling like a leaf made him want to grab her in his arms and make the cold go away. He wanted to protect her from something as simple and natural as the rain.

Now, she seemed better. All wrapped in a cozy blanket with the extra clothes he keeps just in case his sister, Jessica, comes over unexpectedly. She loves doing that.

“I’m glad I could help. Please, sit.” He gestured towards the chair across from him since she was just standing awkwardly for no reason. “May I get you something to drink? Coffee? Wine? I have the best in the city.” His voice held a hint of humour and he was surprised when she chuckled lightly.

“Coffee would be fine, thanks,” she replied with a small smile. Of course. She wanted to get warm, after all.

The kitchen was never Theodore’s best place of talent, but he knew how to use a coffee machine.

Five minutes later, he returned with a steaming cup and handed it to her.

“Thank you,” she said, and he simply nodded before sitting across from her.

The anticipation of wanting to know why she’s here was eating at his brain, but first he needed to know that she was okay and warm. She didn’t seem uncomfortable, which was a good sign, but she was a bit fidgety as if something was subconsciously bothering her.

“Um, my clothes are folded in the bathroom. Your- um- wife can take them to the drier if she’s okay doing so. If not I’ll just-“

“My wife?” Theodore questioned, feigning confusion.

“Angela?” Abigail was even more confused than he was. But Theodore’s hearty laugh made her realize that she misinterpreted something.

“Angela is my helper, Abigail. Not my wife.”

“Oh,” she mumbled in slight embarrassment. But a man so rich and attractive didn’t seem like a bachelor type. Then again, google didn’t state that he had a spouse.

Silence fell between them again, even after she finished drinking the coffee. Theodore saw that she was trying to figure out how to start the conversation, but he didn’t want to startle her.

“I hope you’ve been doing well,” he said instead, wanting to somehow eliminate the silence between them.

She raised her head to look at him. “I have been, thank you.”

“You have?” he asked after seeing how her expression changed. “Is everything okay, Abigail?” Theodore was worried now.

If something happened to her…

“I um…I would like to accept your proposal. That is, of course, if it’s still available,” she blurted out, and Theodore’s eyebrows shot up in shock.

“My proposal?”

She nodded. “Yes. I will become your stripteuse, with of course, a few terms.”

Her words shocked them both. It was now out and said. Now, it all seemed real.