Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 44

"No thank you," I said, looking away from him, remembering what Kimberly had said about his ex-girlfriends who'd been spoiled to him.

Had they been there for him when they'd needed something from him? Because he was rich and powerful? Had they only there for him just because he was handsome and charming, exuding a muscular aura? Had they really loved him for him, or for all the other reasons above?

I felt chagrined now, blushing. I couldn't look at him. Not when he had mentioned my being able to borrow his card. I couldn't use him. Not that I'd even do that -- well, except for helping my family, but that was completely different from this -- because I would feel shameless if I did.

Michael looked at me as if he couldn't believe what I had just told him a heartbeat of a second ago.

"Seriously, Keller, I don't mind at all. Use it for whatever you want to buy or do."

"I'm fine! You don't have to hand me your credit card."

He blinked twice, then thrice. "Don't you want to buy a nice dress for later?"

I sighed. "Kimberly stubbornly said that she'd pay for whatever dress I'll get. You don't have to think about it. I mean, I don't like Kimberly using her credit card for me, but I have no choice. She forced me to it."

"But you don't have to worry now, because I'll take care of paying for whatever dress you'll buy," he stated slowly, one eyebrow rising. I felt like he needed to know that I was different. "It's not like I haven't done this before, Keller...I'm used to it."

Yeah, I thought bitterly, you were used to buying your exes whatever they wanted. They were just using you! Don't you see that?

I closed my eyes and sighed. "No, Michael."

There was a guarded hopefulness in the way he looked at me. "All right."

He took a few steps towards me, grasped the back of my neck with his big hand, and kissed my forehead. And without another word, he left my room, leaving me stunned and silent.

^^^^^

Feeling a little gloomy and strange, Kimberly was the one who tried to cheer me up without any effort.

She looked at me strangely in confusion but smiled and continued driving her candy apple Mini Cooper.

Beside her, I felt totally invisible and down. But that was okay, since I really didn't want anyone to look at me right now.

We ended up in the awfully busy Bond Street. Kimberly took me from store to store. I told her to find her dress first, so she agreed to that.

She went to a bohemian store and immideately fell in love with a whole Vanessa Hudgens ensemble in cream and gold, then she bought a beaded headdress.

"Yours is next!" she squealed in delight, clapping her hands while her tons and tons of shopping bags were jiggling in both her arms.

I protested, but she pushed me along with the other busy people roaming around Bond. I caught sight of the store called Alice + Olivia, where there were adorable dresses.

^^^^^

When we reached the Rigby's mansion, everyone stared at us -- namely the Marquess of Sterling's new object of affection.

They were all whispering about me and what I was to the marquess, but Michael and Kimberly ignored them, so I did too.

I was introduced to many guests and, of course, to the lord and lady of the house -- I kind of liked them all.

The garden was such a fantastic sight to behold, with a rose bed and a maze, and a giant fountain. There was a huge white tent occupying the side of the garden where we all gathered to eat and chat.

I was pretty much welcomed by most of the people, and Michael and Kimberly never left my side.

Also, for some reason, just as everything was going well, Kimberly slapped my thigh, making me scowl. I thought she did that on purpose, but seeing her expression made me think otherwise. She was staring at someone in front of us. Michael was somewhere in the tent, but it was only the two of us together for now.

"What's wrong?" I asked, staring at her oddly.

"Look!" Kimberly hissed.

And so I did. There were a lot of people in the room, but there were two newcomers. They were hot. Beautiful, to be exact. They were two blond people who looked like siblings.