Page 22 of Deadly Secrets

“I’m feeling better, but some days are hard. There are so many things in my day-to-day life that I’d love to share with my parents. They studied here too, so they were very excited when I received my admissions letter. I could feel they were proud although my dad’s ambition was for me to attend an Ivy League college.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. What did your parents do for a living? I’ve seen the shoes and the clothes you wear to class, so I’m assuming that you’re either a European princess studying incognito in America or the heiress to an oil empire…” she said with amusement.

“My dad owns…well, owned a pharmaceutical company, and my mom was the founder and director of a non-profit charity,” I explained.

“Is that why you want to do bioengineering? So you can work at your father’s company?” Maggie asked.

“Well, that’s the funny thing. I have just inherited fifty-one percent of the shares, making me the major shareholder, so I technically own the company.”

“WHAT?” Her voice was so high-pitched that I was sure she woke up the entire building, maybe even the dead.

“In fact, the PR team will publish an announcement tomorrow.”

As soon as I told Maggie, I realized that I felt excited and scared in equal measure. Just a few months ago, the thought of working at my father’s company and following in his footsteps filled me with dread, but now things were different. I wanted my parents to be proud of me. I didn’t know what the future held, but something told me I was on the right path.

“Now, let’s finish the assignment so we can watch La La Land.”

“It sounds like a plan.”

Chapter 10. THE CAVE

(Sienna)

“He’s gonna go mental when he sees you in that dress,” Maggie said while I stood in front of the full-length mirror that sat on the wall in my bedroom. I’d bought a few dresses but finally settled on a royal-blue silk midi dress with spaghetti straps. Elegant but sexy. Although I’d contemplated different pairs of shoes, Maggie persuasively insisted that the Giuseppe Zanotti flashato leather wrap sandals in argento would be the perfect choice if I wanted Noah at my feet tonight. I had styled my golden-brown hair in a messy low bun with some strands of hair loosened at the front. The only jewelry I wore were the white gold and diamond mini hoop earrings my parents bought me when I turned eighteen last February. I’d done my makeup heavier than usual: smoky eyes, long black eyelashes, and peachy nude lips with a glossy finish.

“If he doesn’t make a move tonight, probably half of the club will.”

“You look amazing, too, Maggie.”

“Don’t deflect my compliment. It’s true. You’re beautiful. Own it, grab your purse, and let’s get an Uber. I’m dying to see if The Cave lives up to the rumors I’ve heard.”

“What do you mean?” I was curious about the club because there were no pictures or info online, which I found weird. But I have to say, everything she’d talked about so far had piqued my interest.

“Nobody knows what the club looks like unless you’ve been inside. All mobile devices, including purses, are left in a locker because photos and videos aren’t allowed. Haven’t you noticed that there are no pictures of the club on Instagram? Matt from algebra told me that when you get to the front desk, they give you a bracelet with a QR code, which they link to your locker and debit or credit card so you can pay for all the drinks by just showing your bracelet. So if you drop or lose it, report it before you go from Beyoncé-rich into bankruptcy in less than an hour.”

The Cave sounded mysterious, and I was getting increasingly excited by the minute.

We called an Uber, and I texted Noah to say we were coming.

Me

Hey, birthday boy. We’re on our way, and we’ll be there in 15 minutes.

Instantly, I saw three dots dancing on my screen.

Noah

Your name and Maggie’s are on my birthday guest list, Noah Nakamura; no need to wait in line. BTW, I can’t stop thinking about you. I hope you like to dance.

Me

Are you a good dancer?

Noah

I’m good at so many things, but as I said…you’ll have to find out *wink emoji*

As we neared our destination, a surge of anxiety coursed through me, causing the inside of my thighs to grow increasingly sweaty. Uncertainty hung in the air. I had no clear expectations for what lay ahead tonight, but a part of me hoped that my underwear ended up on Noah’s bedroom floor.

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