Page 12 of Papers Don't Lie

“You boys are in a good mood.” Dad smiles at us from the head of the table, the face that used to hide behind a white blanket showing a little color.

“You don’t even know.” Tristan shakes his head, hiding a smile. “Coming home is always a pleasure, Dad.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I take it out, Kendrick’s name flashing on the screen.

“Can you excuse me for a second?” I ask before walking to my office at the end of the hall once I get Dad’s approval.

“Mr. Graves,” he says the moment I pick up the call. “She’s not here.”

“What? What do you mean she’s not there?”

He takes a deep breath. “I mean she disappeared.”

SIX

ESMERAY

I stuff another spoon of ice cream into my mouth, turning the TV’s volume up. If Blair reacted that way when she found out her boyfriend cheated with her best friend, I guess I kind of overreacted when I sent Mr. Graves the hugest dick at his house. However, it was well deserved andnot at allinfluenced by events that have nothing to do with him.

Apart from the fact that the dick was expensive as hell, by the time I changed my mind, I had already hit the order button under the pressure of my impulsivity.

Gossip Girlwas supposed to make me feel better about my gift, but now it makes me feel like a psycho. I can’t even enjoy my comfort show without comparing everything to my personal life.

“Ugh,” I groan, letting my head fall on the expensive pillow.

At least I wasn’t stupid enough to spend all of my money on Mr. Graves and assured myself another place to sleep for one more week—because staying at the Golden Palace Hotel under his name after what I did didn’t feel right. Now I’m staying at The Royal, and despite the big amount I spent on Kai Graves’s gift, I still have some left for when I leave.

All of my sisters would’ve encouraged me to do this instead of giving up. I realized that after a few days of intensively thinkingabout which turn I should take to make it right for everyone. This is the best conclusion I’ve come to.

I have a plan. After this week is up, I’ll find a job and live a normal life, far from the people’s eyes. One thing I’ll have to do is get used to being alone, which is something I know I’ll learn how to live with, if that’s the key to my happiness.

There’s a knock on my door, and I hum happily, knowing room service should be here soon. That’s the best kind of distraction. I get up to my feet, taking one more bite of the chocolate ice cream.

“Coming!” I scream when it knocks again.

The moment I open the door, my eyes are glued to my shirt, where I spilled some ice cream. I try to save it, brushing it off my clothes and popping it into my mouth. “You can put it there.” I point my finger next to the table, but when I look up at the person in front of me, it’s not room service.

It’s Kendrick.

Shit.

“Esmeray,” he says, an accusatory tone in his voice.

My back turns stiff, and the sweet taste of chocolate becomes sour on my tongue. It’s not because of his presence. I’m relieved to see him and no one else. It’s how easily he found me that I’m worried about.

“Kendrick.” I give him a trembling smile.

“Can I come in? Mr. Graves asked me to give you this,” he tells me and hands me another envelope. “There’s a note in it.”

I glance at it before taking it, its thickness weighing so much more than the last one. This guy really doesn’t get the message, and here I am, feeling the smallest amount of remorse for the impulsive decision I took.

“I take it my gift didn’t help me make myself any clearer, huh?” I ask, letting him come inside and closing the door after him.

Kendrick isn’t saying anything, so I turn around to force a reply from him, but I’m surprised to see a smile on his face. I fake a gasp, taking two steps further and touching his face, making sure it’s real.

“You smile?” I widen my eyes, keeping the edges of his mouth up. He slowly takes my hands off him, and I burst out laughing. “That’s quite the show.”

“Oh, trust me, it’s nothing compared to the show at Mr. Graves’s house.”

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