Chapter 9: Don’t Wear Such Heavy Makeup Next Time
Summer’s POV
My hands trembled slightly against Brandon’s chest as I tried to maintain some distance between us. Through the expensive fabric of his suit, I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, completely at odds with my own racing pulse.
His dark eyes studied my face with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Then, without warning, his hand came up to touch my cheek. The contact sent an electric shock through my system, and I froze.
“Don’t wear such heavy makeup next time,” he said, his deep voice carrying an edge I couldn’t quite identify. “It doesn’t suit
you.”
The words hit a nerve I didn’t even know was exposed. After everything that had happened – the betrayal, the public humiliation, the gossip how dare he comment on my appearance? “Are you crazy?” I snapped, anger giving me the strength to finally push away from him. “Since when do you get to dictate what makeup I wear? Ill wear it as heavy as I want!”
I stood up abruptly, nearly stumbling in my haste to put some distance between us. “I should check on Grandpa!”
His eyes followed my retreat, that infufisting half–mile playing at the corners of his mouth. God, I hate how he looks at me I don’t.
like that – like he knows something
I knocked on the door to Grandpa’s private study, trying to calm my racing heart. Grandpa? Can I come in?”
“Come in, deart His warm voice helped steady my nerves,
The familiar scent of old books and leather enveloped me as I entered. Grandpa sat in his favorite armchair, surrounded by stacks of papers and leather- bound volumes. Just seeing him there, exactly as he’d always been, made something in my chest ache.
“Come here, sweetheart.” He patted the
espace beside his chair, and I went willing
willingly, grateful for any excuse to be away from Brandon’s unsettling presence.
“What are you reading?” I peered at the book in his hands, then reached over to close it. “I finally come to visit you, and not only do you invite a stranger. but you hide away in here?”
Grandpa tapped my forehead gently. “You silly girl!” He sighed, his expression growing more serious. “Do you know who Brandon really is?”
“Of course I know who he is, Grandpa. I couldn’t keep the edge from my voice. “Everyone on Wall Street knows Brandon Stark. But why didn’t you ever mention he was your student?”
“You were just a child then. Brandon was my most brilliant student after graduating Harvard, he went to London, so it’s natural you haven’t met him before,
Something in his tone made me wary. I knew that look in his eyes – it was the same one he got right before launching into one of his famous lectures.
He took my hand in his, his grip still strong despite his age. “Dear, what do you think about Brandon? I think he’s quite remarkable. If
“Stop right there.” I pulled my hand away. “Grandpa, what do you think I am? Some clearance item to be sold off?
“Oh? Using business terms now, are we?‘ His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Even if you were a clearance item which you’re not Brandon certainly in t I’m thinking of your happiness! These past few years… you think I don’t know what happened just because you didn’t tell me? I wamed you about Alexander being unreluble, but you wouldn’t listen.”
“Grandpa!” I felt tears threatening to spill over, ruining my carefully applied makeup. “Stop! I… I just trusted the wrong person. Now I see clearly, and I won! make that mistake again.”
“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about that useless man anymore” He squeezed my hand. “Let’s talk about Brandon. Summer, darling, I’m old. You’re my only worry now. I don’t care if you become rich or powerful – i just want you to be happy. Brandon… I know him. I trust him.”
“But L..” The words stuck in my throat. How could I explain? That the mere thought of trusting someone again made me feel sick? That every time Brandon looked at me with those intense dark eyes, I felt like I was standing on the edge of something dangerous?
How do I tell you, Grandpa, that your briliant former student has already proposed to me? That he found me at my lowest point and offered marriage like he was
ceriting lunch?
Chapter 9 Don’t Wear Such Heavy Makeup Next Time
I just watched Grandpa reorganize the papers on his desk – a nervous habit he’d had for as long as I could remember. The familiar gesture made tight. Here was the man who’d supported me through everything, and now he was trying to play matchmaker with Brandon Stark of all people.
my throat
come on it got my heart broken, Fm not that desperate. The thought came with a flash of indignation. If I wanted to date, I’m sure there would be plenty of men interested in me. And seriously, I just turned down Brandon’s proposal not long ago. What must he think of me now, with my own grandfather trying to set us up? God, this is mortifying.
The leather armchair creaked as I shifted. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the study windows, catching the dust motes dancing in the air. Everything about this room was exactly as it had always been – the wall of leather–bound books, the ancient desk Grandpa refused to replace, even the subtle scent of leather and old paper. It should have been comforting. Instead, it just reminded me how much everything else in my life had changed.
Through the study’s half–open door, I heard Parker’s officient footsteps in the main hall. “Mr. Stark? Are you alone? Where are the Professor and Miss Summer?”
Brandon’s deep voice carried clearly to where I sat. Pretty sure Miss Taylor can’t stand me right now.”
