Page 36 of Sweet Deception

But, if you want something not on her list, buy it.

Ok. Will I see you tonight?

Even if I have to kill someone to make it happen. I'm afraid it might be late, though. Text me when you're home.

Smiling, I give a thumbs up emoji before turning back to Joanna. I'd zoned her out again.

***

"I've got it Miss Davis." Joseph, the man who held my car door and followed us around all day to carry our packages, relieves me of the bags I tried to carry inside. He won't let me lift a thing and it makes me feel lazy. He's been calling me Miss Davis all day and no matter how much I've tried to get him to call me Kylie, he just smiles in response.

I've given up.

Joseph follows me up the stairs to the entrance of my brownstone as my downstairs neighbor walks out of the front door, eyeing me and Joseph. He's staying with a neighbor and not the friendliest. He only ever stares at me when I pass him in the hall, which is rare, but he always looks angry.

I don't even want to contemplate what he's thinking right now.

We arrive at my apartment to find a package leaning against the jamb. I notice the weight and carefully stuff it under my arm before unlocking the door for Joseph. As he steps past me, I look over the package to find it's addressed to me and take it to the kitchen table. Using my key to break through the tape on the box, I open the top and gasp at the contents. Inside, I find a brand new MacBook and iPhone, accompanied by a note.

As I pull the paper out of the box, Joseph asks which room is mine. Distractedly, I answer, "It's straight ahead. Thank you, Joseph." and open the note.

Angel, these are already set up. Your MacBook has everything you need for school and the phone is filled with all your contacts. I had the number switched over while you shopped today, so your current phone is no longer in service. Text me when you arrive home. See you soon. L.

"It's all clear, Miss Davis. Is there anything you need from me before I go?"

When I look up, Joseph stops before me with a set of keys dangling from his fingers. "What's this?" I ask still in shock from the contents of the package.

"Keys to your car."

"Uh, no, they aren't. My keys are right here." I shake them between us, frowning as Joseph looks at me, then glances down at the package and back up at me. It dawns on me then what's happening. Luca replaced my phone, my computer and all my wardrobe today.

I struggle to accept what is happening. Would he really replace my car?

Joseph isn't forthcoming with information, so we're both just staring at each other—his hand still outstretched with the keys.

Resigned, I sigh as I take the keys. "Which one is it?"

"It's the white and black Land Rover, ma'am." Then he turns and walks out of the apartment, shutting the door behind him.

"What the hell is a Land Rover?" I have enough foresight to lock the door on my way to the window to search for a white and black vehicle. I spot it across the street.

"Holy moly," I mutter in shock.

It's sleek. The body of the vehicle is white except for the top and the wheels, which are all black and it has dark tinted windows. It's so fancy, I don't know how I'm going to hide it from my parents.

Joseph catches my eye as he walks down the front steps and rounds the black SUV. I wait until they take off down the street before I punch the unlock button on the fob in my hands. The lights flicker, confirming its my new car. I click thelock button and make sure the lights flicker again before going to the couch and falling onto my back, flinging my arms out.

This has been the craziest day of my existence. Joanna piled on so many clothes while I was in the dressing rooms that I have no idea how much money we spent, but it has to be in the thousands. And that's only the clothes. I'm aware of the name brands Joanna kept picking, but Luca instructed her not to let me see the prices. It made it hard to turn anything down. I'm sure it's why he had that as a stipulation.

Joanna's good at her job. We got a lot accomplished, though I'm sure she would've gone longer if I hadn't pleaded exhaustion.

We dropped her off at home first since she lives downtown. I like her. She's down to earth and fun. We got along great and I'd like to get to know her more. I surprised her by asking her to lunch soon. After she got over her shock, she seemed pleased, but now I'm worried she only agreed because, technically, I'm a client. I'll have to let her know she doesn't have to cater to me because I don't want that kind of friendship.

I've missed hanging out with friends. My friends from college all graduated and moved during my absence last year. Not that I was in the head space to keep our friendships going. My two closest friends from high school went to college out of state and we slowly dwindled contact over the years. We still talk, but it's down to once a year at best and it's all my fault. My life has done a one-eighty since Dad's diagnosis.

Taking a deep breath, I decide it's time to start living again.

Realizing I'm still holding the box with my new phone. I open it and pull the phone out, searching for the power button. My current phone is an older model so I know how to work this one, only it's bigger and with a few new features.

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