Page 29 of My Totally Unfair Deal

In the morning, I wake to swollen feet and a covered breakfast tray waiting at the edge of my bed.

There’s a note resting on top of the orange juice:

Eliza,

I’m heading to the airport to exchange the luggage.

I bought you Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo heels—figuring one of them might be easier to walk in.

See you when I get back.

P.S.Here’s your printed schedule for the next few weeks, complete with appointment times in cursive.

Also, you’ll need to remain silent for the next three days, to preserve your voice before we begin your vocabulary & social etiquette training(s).

Yoga (To Teach you Calmness)

Pronunciation (business lingo)

Pronunciation (small talk & flirtation)

Silverware and dinner etiquette

Walk training (heels only—no exceptions)

Posture correction

Fine dining without looking like you're trying

Emotional regulation

Laughing at jokes that aren’t funny (for charity galas only)

Art, wine, and luxury car name recognition

Fashion layering and makeup (I have a specialist in mind)

This man cannot be serious…

FOURTEEN (B)

HARRISON

A few days later

Ihaven’t spent the night in my penthouse in three nights.

Each morning, I slip in early, walk Eliza through her much-needed lessons, then drive to The Four Seasons to lie in their not-as-impressive top suite.

It’s not ideal, but it’s better than waking up one morning and realizing I’ve crossed a line I can’t come back from. And despite her roughness around the edges, she’s incredibly stunning.

Pulling into my parking spot for the fourth time in this routine, I take the elevator upstairs and quietly unlock the front door.

The apartment is still—no footsteps, no humming, no sounds from the guest room.

Okay, I’m safe...

I head for the shower and let the water run over me for at least an hour.

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