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He had to play that card. It made me wonder if he’d already crossed that imaginary morally gray line. He’d paid for my expensive education happily. Had I known he’d call in a favor, I would have worked four jobs to make ends meet. I was trapped now. The man was my father. “That’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, Selena. In truth, I would certainly hate for you to lose the opportunity you have to indulge in that dream of yours but as you might remember, I know almost every real estate developer in town. I’ve talked with them.” He eyed me carefully.
My jaw immediately tightened. I’ll be damned. My father had done many horrible things in his rich life but he had never threatened me. I was suddenly at a loss for words. “As I said, I’ll need to think about it.” Whatever was really happening inside the firm had him rattled.
And me pissed off. I crossed my arms, my back rippling with tension.
He stared at me for a few seconds before nodding and heading to the door. “Just do me a favor and take my offer as an opportunity. You will truly be useful.”
An opportunity. In battling the enemy? Useful? Like a commodity? It wouldn’t be the first time.
Great. Maybe I could use that as a sign in the front window of Sinful Treats. Blackmail, a real opportunity.
I closed the door behind him, holding my breath until I was certain he was halfway down the hallway. Only then did I stamp my feet like I used to when I was a little girl.
“Oh!” Why did my father need to make a big deal out of everything? And why did I allow the man to get to me?
I stormed back into the kitchen, tossing the towel halfway across the room. It was time to ice the cooled cupcakes. Maybe I’d add a meanie face in the icing. I snickered from the thought, almost immediately hearing a blip meaning an incoming text on my phone.
Another grimace crossed my face and I was pretty certain it was my mother making a push of her own. I was in the kind of mood that I could do something rash. Snapping the phone into my hand, an immediate smile broke out on my face.
Unknown: What are you up to this morning, mystery girl?
Why was it a white-hot heat immediately pulsed in my core? Even my nipples were aching. For all I knew, the man could be a troll or at least someone Willow had hired to play the part in order to get back at me for the wretched date she hadn’t been able to get out of.
It was her fault she hadn’t driven herself to the restaurant. Not mine.
As I typed a little line, I anxiously awaited his reply. When he did, I had to lean against the counter, trying to keep my cool. The few lines were short but delicious.
His reply at the end? A devil emoji. At least the guy had a sense of humor. As silly as it sounded, it was nice not knowing his name.
The conversation ended there but at least it gave me another smile, my mood brightening. Sadly, I had a feeling my mood would end up in the toilet by the end of the day.
Or maybe I needed to garner a brand-new attitude, thinking of the offer in happier terms.
Yes, a decision did need to be made and I had the distinct feeling I’d end up working for my father all over again. If I didn’t do it quickly, he’d try to weasel out of the deal he’d made.
There could be worse things in life, especially since I seemed to have the upper hand. Maybe it would be fun to topple an empire, using my newly acquired skills in becoming a ruthlessly conniving bitch. I could take a few lessons from Willow. Right?
One year. Tops. And my own office. My own staff. I’d ask for a half million, not a penny less. Maybe more. And no more twelve-hour days or weekends. I would continue to pursue my dream and hold my father to his promise. Damn it.
A sly smile crossed my face for a change. Yes, I could parlay this into a perfect opportunity.
Perhaps my petty but joyful glee meter was working overtime.
As my mother would say, not a good look on me.
Not that I cared.
My father had wanted to toughen me up. Fine. I was one tough and strong girl.
Besides, I deserved the best in life and I’d need to be the one to reach out and grab it by the balls.
No matter how many feathers I ruffled.
CHAPTER 6
Valerio
