Page 19 of Bid For Me
Candy’s expression twists into rage, and she looks like she might throw her glass across the room. “Excuse me?” Her voice is full of icy fury. “Elle, that’s just…that’s low. Even for him. He can’t do that! I swear, if he thinks he’s going to hold this over your head?—”
She stands up, pacing the room in a huff. “What kind of scumbag blackmails a girl over her virginity? I’m serious, Elle! He’s a nightmare! Just like that damn best friend of his. Just…just sleep with someone and be done with it. Then he has nothing on you!”
“Trust me, I’ve thought about it.” I let out a bitter laugh. “But if I bail, I’ll be forced to pay him back, plus the auction fee to the charity for forfeiting.” I swirl the wine in my glass, trying to keep my voice steady. “And that’s more than I can afford.Waymore. Honestly, even my family would struggle to cover it if I could even bring myself to tell them why I need the money. And I’d die before that happened.”
Candy stares at me, fury flashing in her eyes. “I cannot believe this.” She clenches her fists, taking a deep breath like she’s about to march right over to Seb’s and give him a piece of her mind – or a punch to the face. “I’ll hurt him. I swear, Elle, I’ll mess him up. Street Candy can come out for an encore performance – just say the word.”
I let out a laugh despite everything, grateful for her fierce loyalty. “As much as I’d love to see you unleash ‘Street Candy’ once more, babe, I think we can put her back in her box for now. Besides, my family would kill me if I got involved in atabloid scandal involving my best friend knocking out the heir to Sterling-Knight Diamonds.”
Candy grins, but her eyes are still full of rage. “Only for you would I hold back, babe. But this? This is so messed up.” She shakes her head, exhaling deeply. “And you don’t even…I mean, do you even want to go through with it?”
I lean back, sighing as I think about the mess I’m in. “I don’t know. But maybe it’s not all bad, you know?” I glance at her, trying to make sense of it myself. “If Seb and I pull this off, both our parents would finally be off our backs. My mother’s been threatening to set me up with someone formonthsnow.”
Candy sighs, nodding in understanding. “Same here. I get it. Butmarriage, Elle? That’s a whole new level.”
“I know,” I murmur, running my fingers along the rim of my glass. “But it might actually work. I mean…I don’t know, maybe I’m just holding onto how things used to be.”
Candy gives me a questioning look, and I find myself smiling softly as memories start to come back. “Seb wasn’t always this insufferable. When we were kids, he was actually nice. He used to make me laugh, and when I fell off my bike that one summer, he’d come around every day with ice cream until I felt better.”
She raises an eyebrow, looking doubtful. “That doesn’t sound like the Seb I know.”
“I know, right?” I laugh. “Sometimes I don’t even recognise him anymore. But then, every so often, I’ll catch this glimpse of the old Seb. And…I don’t know, I feel like maybe he’s still there somewhere. Buried under all that arrogance.”
Candy sighs, her expression softening a little. “You’re too nice, Elle. Too forgiving. I’d have told him to shove his ridiculous proposal and let him figure it out on his own.”
“Trust me, part of me wants to,” I admit, feeling the weight of it all again. “But I just feel so…trapped. And not just by him. It’s my family, expectations, society…all of it. If I don’t go along withit, he’ll find a way to keep me out of the club too. And if I do, at least I’ll have my freedom at the end of it.” I hesitate, searching her eyes. “It’s not ideal, but maybe…maybe it’s the best option.”
Candy nods slowly, still looking reluctant but more understanding. “Alright, babe. But if he so much as tries to cross a line, you let me know. I’ve got a set of heels with his name on them.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I know you do. And I love you for it.”
“Elle, just remember – you’re allowed to have boundaries. And you don’t owe him anything, no matter what he thinks. Just…think about what you really want, okay? If you do this, make sure it’s on your terms.” Candy sighs, reaching over to take my hand. She squeezes it, her anger giving way to warmth. “Whatever you decide, Elle, I’ve got your back. But if this guy hurts you, I swear he’ll wish he’d never crossed paths with either of us.”
I give her a grateful smile. I know she’s right. But it’s a lot to unravel, and I can’t shake the feeling that this deal is going to change everything.
CHAPTER NINE
Seb
I havemy driver take me to Harry Winston after the diner. It’s the only fitting choice for a woman like Elle.
Sure, I could go to one of my father’s many shops and take my pick of his vast array of diamonds on offer, but I don’t want to. I don’t want Elle thinking this is fake or that I’m cheating by giving her a family piece.
Instead, I take my time browsing the high-end store’s extensive collection, the staff bending over backwards to cater to my every whim, with a glass of chilled champagne in hand. Maybe they know who I am, maybe they don’t, but they know I’m here to spend some serious money, and they’re more than happy to accommodate my every need to help with that.
Sipping it just reminds me of the picture Elle sent me this morning. It’s the first time I’ve seen her looking anything less than perfectly put together since we were kids. She doesn’t know it, but I saved the image as her contact picture so it’ll come up on my screen if she calls me. It makes me smile as I continue to browse the ostentatious rings.
Finally, I settle on a stunning diamond engagement ring, knowing it has to be perfect, as it would not only represent the beginning of my fake marriage, but also symbolise the trust and commitment I have for Elle. I want to make sure that Elle will never be at a disadvantage if this scam goes awry, but I can’t help but worry that it’s not good enough.
Despite knowing her for her entire life, I don’tknow herknow her, so I have no idea if this ring is the one she’ll like. They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but is the three carat emerald-cut diamond with tapered baguette side stones theright best friendfor Elle?
Blowing out a breath, I swipe my black First Royale credit card and have the item packaged up. While the staff are tripping over themselves, matching earrings catch my eye and I motion for those to be added to my order too. Then I second guess the studs, as a necklace…a cluster diamond collar…steals my attention.
It’s too much. But my breath catches at the thought of securing around Elle’s dainty little neck. More of a symbol of ownership than any mere ring.
It’s too soon for that,I tell myself, before thinkingfuck itand adding that to my order too.
Then just for good measure, because I can, I pick out a simple pink sapphire and diamond forget-me-not pendant. It’s silly, but it reminds me of the flowers we used to draw as kids, and pink used to be Elle’s favourite colour until her brother teased her mercilessly about it and she switched to blue. She’ll probably turn her nose up at it, but it’s the first thing I’ve ever selected thinking about something other than its status symbol. This necklace reminds me of the Elle I used to know, and it puts a smile on my face.