Page 42 of The Protégé

Elena:You got me a Land Rover. Why? (Shock emoji)

Orion:Because it reminds me of you. Stylish but also practical.

I stared at the message as warmth bloomed in my chest. That SUV was out of my price range. I’d always wanted one, but couldn’t afford it. Did he know he was lending me a dream?

Elena:Thank you.

Orion:Don’t tell me to return it for something simpler.

How did he know I wanted to say that? There was no use arguing with him. If he provided his employees with a luxury car for work, then I should take advantage of it while I could.

Elena:I don’t start until Monday. Why deliver the car today?

Orion:So you have a car for transportation. Yours is dead.

The repair shop had told me the car wasn’t worth the repair, and I sold it to them so they could use it for parts. I guessed Orion already knew this. I was scheduled to work tonight at Let’s Ketchup and also had to go get my hair colored.

Elena:The timing is good. Thanks again.

I wanted to continue chatting with him, but he was probably busy. So was I. I turned my attention to organizing articles and images for Musepaper and familiarizing myself with Orion’s shared folder. Then it was time for my hair appointment. I got my purse and slid into the Land Rover. The inside was like a posh world that was so foreign to me. I’d never driven a luxury car. Did he just buy this one? I inhaled the scent of the new car. Maybe he had several new cars sitting in some garage for his employees.

I sighed at how vastly my life differed from his. Orion wastoorich. I couldn’t comprehend his lifestyle.

I opened his email to get the address for the building location and punched it into the GPS system, preparing for Monday. The Land Rover drove like a dream as I turned into the packed parking lot of Salon Oasis. Elliot was efficient, transforming me with a trim and highlights that gave my hair a boost.

“Beautiful.” I stepped back and studied his artwork.

I smiled. “You never disappoint.”

With my new trim that added more layers to my long hair, I headed into Let’s Ketchup and used the bathroom to change into my restaurant T-shirt. It wasn’t so bad working multiple jobs. It allowed me to adjust to an unfamiliar state of mind. The chaos of a busy restaurant kept me on my toes and the stress of my career and financial issues away.

Bruce called in sick because he had to take his wife to the ER, so I offered to do delivery during my last hour of work. The day flew by, and I couldn’t wait to get home after this last drop-off. I pulled into a parking spot in front of the apartment building and rushed up the stairs, and rang the doorbell for Ed Nash.

An old man with a warm smile opened the door. “Elena, so good to see you.”

“Enjoy your food, Mr. Nash!”

“You want some?”

I laughed. “No thanks. I have dinner waiting for me at home. You have a great evening.”

I couldn’t believe he gave me a fifty-dollar tip, which was more than the cost of his meal. Grinning, I headed to my car, imagining the dinner and a hot bath waiting for me. It had been an exhausting day, and my shoulders and back begged for a bubble bath.

Someone bumped into me from behind, sending me into the side of a light pole.

“I’m sorry!” A man with a ponytail gripped my arm, preventing me from falling. “You okay?” He turned to his friend. “Yo! Watch your step!”

“It’s the damn uneven pavement. Sorry about that!” The guy with the red cap saluted me.

“Don’t worry about it.” I walked to my car and slid inside.

A second later, a knock sounded on my window, startling me. My heart raced at the sight of Orion. The man had gorgeous eyes that could switch me on instantly.

Why did I keep bumping into him?

He signaled for me to roll down the window.

Oops. I got distracted for a moment.

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