7
7
KENNEDY
One thing I was sure of, Thayer was freaking rich. If Alessia was his relative from his father’s side, then
they were filthy rich.
I was in his bathroom as I stared at, at least twelve paper bags from a known brand—from underwear,
shoes, dress, belt, coat, and even makeup. I didn’t know which one I should try first. But of course, I
should start wearing my underwear. Then I put on the peach long-sleeve mini dress, which made me
surprised with the size that it was perfectly fit for me, and also the size of Follies pumps by Louboutin.
I put a little make on my face. I was not ashamed to show off the freckles on the top of my nose. Then I
brushed my hair and applied the nude lipstick on my lips. Once I was done, I looked at myself in the
mirror. I was far from how I looked yesterday. The fluffs under my eyes were gone. The glow on my
face was back.
It was time to move on and look for a new apartment while I had new friends to help me move my
things out. I stepped outside the bathroom and carried back the bags. I placed them at the corner of the
room, but Thayer was nowhere to find them.
My stomach twisted.
I grabbed my phone. Thankfully, it was now fully charged. Then I found a note with very masculine
handwriting.
Meet me on the rooftop.
T
I entered the elevator. Once I reached the last floor, I followed the arrow that would probably lead me to
the rooftop.
I stopped in front of the man around my age wearing a waitstaff uniform.
“Miss Gilby?”
“Yes?”
“Please, follow me.” He turned around.
I followed suit. “Where are we going?”
“Mr. Ash asked me to take you them.”
“Thank you.”
I tried not to look surprised, but I miserably failed as I ogled in awe at the three men in well-tailored
suits. But my attention was quickly caught by the man in the middle. His hair waved in the blows of the
wind with his hands in his pockets. The way he posed, he exuded confidence, glamour, power, and
authority. Who was this man? He was still a huge puzzle to me that I had no idea of solving.
I cleared my throat. They unanimously turned around. I felt suddenly self-conscious when three pairs of
eyes were pinned at me.
“Hi. Did I interrupt your sightseeing?” The view from the top was magnificent. The weather was just
perfect. No wonder Thayer chose this rooftop.
“Can I have the honor of sending you to the table?” It was Ash, and he looked handsome as ever with
classic slicked-back dark hair.
“The honor is mine.” I smiled as I hooked my hand around his arm.
“You look beautiful, Kennedy.”
“Thank you, Ash. You're not bad yourself.”
“Madam.” Lud suddenly bowed slightly, making me chuckle.
“What’s that for?” I joked. “Thank you for choosing this dress. It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it, ma’am.”
I unhooked my hand around Ash’s arm and faced the man who never ceased to amaze me. If I was in
a fairy tale land, I would have thought he was my prince charming. His dark blue suit and Faconnee
blue tie made his eyes stand out, and his aura a power as a god.
“You cleaned up pretty well.” It was an honest compliment. I couldn't even find the right word to
describe how he looked before me.
He smiled. “You look stunning, Kennedy.”
“Thank you, and to your personal shopper.” I looked around, and two were gone. “Wait. Where are
they?”
“They have important matters to do.” Of course. I did feel like Ash and Lud were ordered to be gone in
an instant.
“Did they even have their lunch?”
“It’s almost dinner, Kennedy.”
I sat down as he assisted me. “Thank you. Why here?”
“Skyscrapers, towers, mountains, and anything tall fascinates me. I was barely able to watch the
sunrise and sunset in New York.”
“It’s beautiful. Don’t you watch the sunset in your country?” Where he came from still intrigued me. He
was not definitely British nor Australian, but for sure, he came from a very prominent family. Thayer
may not ring a bell, but maybe it was his middle name or his fake name.
“Have you experienced almost half a year of winter?” he started as he sat across the table.
“Finland?”
“In Lapland. It wintered at least two hundred days a year.”
I drank my water. “Wow.”
“Levi was gorgeous at this time.”
“Let me guess, Levi would be your next destination.” The appetizer arrived—Spinach artichoke bites.
“I hope you don’t mind me choosing the wine.”
I raised my glass, swirled the dark red liquid, and it smelled divine. I took a sip and let it settle in my
tongue before I swallowed it down. “Good choice. I love Shiraz.”
“Glad you like it.”
“It feels like you know me well, Mr. Camren.”
He dropped his gaze down, and he looked melancholy.
“I’m sorry. Did I say something that upset you?”
He dubbed his lips. “No, Kennedy. I came here to visit my sick grandfather.”
I almost choked with my food. I quickly grabbed the water and gulped down. “I’m so sorry. How’s he?”
“He’s been in a coma for almost three months.”
“I don’t mean to pry, but is he Alessia’s father?”
“Yeah.”
I tried not to start with a touchy subject. I was still wondering if Thayer had someone special he left in
his country or wherever he came from because I felt right now that we were on a date. The setting, the
ambiance, and it was just the two of us in wine and dine.
“I don’t think I have enough space for dessert.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. The lamb was delicious.”
“I’ll have it sent your room.”
“That won’t be necessary.” I stared at him. I had no guarantee I would see him again. At least, I
remembered this gorgeous man across the table.
“Please? If it makes you feel better. The dessert has been paid for. You don’t wanna go it to waste, do
you?”
I rolled my eyes. “Good excuse.”
“What do you have in mind after this?”
“Can we stay here for a while?”
“Of course.”
“I wanna soak my feet in the pool.” I looked at the inviting pool to our right.
After our early dinner—late lunch, I took off my shoes. I sauntered towards the pool. The yellow lamp lit
up, giving a gorgeous glow to his medium skin.
I dipped my feet into the water. It was warmth, soothing my feet perfectly. “You should try this.”
He was sitting beside me, facing opposite mine. He turned his head to look at me. “Looks like you’re
enjoying it.”
“I don’t think you will catch an athlete’s foot or skin diseases, Thayer. Try it.”
“Thank you, love, but I pass.”
“Do you have Polydactyly?”
“What’s that?”
“Extra toe.”
He barked out laughing and shook his head in amusement. His voice echoed. “I swear I have ten toes
and ten fingers.” He showed me his long fingers. He was wearing platinum or white gold ring on his
finger.
“Heirloom?”
He chuckled. “Sure. Doesn’t this look like a wedding band to you?”
“It was a valid question, and you asked me about this necklace.” I showed at him.
He took it from my fingers. My skin warmed, tingles spreading all over. Electric jolts shot right below my
tummy, spreading billions of butterflies. This was just an innocent touch. I wondered how it felt if he
would just yank the back of my hair, devour me, and crush his mouth to mine.
My breathing increased. My pulse quickened. My lips went dry as I stared at his hand, toying the simple
pendant of my necklace.
I still couldn’t understand. Even in my clear mind, this lust and attraction we had with each other. Yet,
this man had the strongest self-control I’d ever met.
I licked my dry lips. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I lifted my gaze, meeting his—greener than the
virgin forest. I swallowed hard. He was burning two holes back at me with such intensity of desires Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
burning in his eyes.
“Fuck.”