Chapter Seven
It took Petra three weeks to finally leave the house and to go to his office, along with the restaurant.
Three weeks of being with Drake. She got to the car fine, but the moment they approached the gate, she’d tell him to stop. Each day was a little easier, but still, she couldn’t help but be afraid. Leaving the grounds … wasn’t something she wanted to do.
Finally, after three weeks and believing in Drake, she left her home. His company was amazing. Everything was high tech and to get in the building, clients were given a password for each stage which they had to have in order to make it to their appointment. By which time, there was more security on offer.
Not only did Drake’s company offer personal services, but they also installed top-of-the-range security and would advise each client on a case-by-case service.
She couldn’t believe how amazing it was. He even showed her some cameras that were even better than the ones she had fitted. By the end of the tour, she’d already contracted them to come and update the ones in her home.
Drake gave her a fiancée discount.
Next, he took her shopping for a dress. She hadn’t wanted to wear a dress but he insisted. Drake always did.
The assistant was nice. She didn’t stare at her face for too long, which she did like. In fact, other than a few curious glances, no one stared.
The scarring had faded but she was always aware of it.
After the dress, Drake also arranged to have her hair done and to give her a luxurious spa treatment. He was never too far. Whenever someone was too close and she couldn’t handle it, he was there, holding her hand, guiding her. By the time it was ready to go to the restaurant, she was terrified.
The Italian place Drake recommended was popular and it even had a valet. Drake pulled up and as the guy opened the door, Drake waved him off.
“I don’t think I can do this,” she said.
Drake took her hand. “You can do anything. Do you trust me?”
She looked toward him and nodded.
“I need to hear you say it.”
“I trust you.” She didn’t think it would be possible to trust anyone, but he’d proven himself to her. She did trust him.
He hadn’t run away or let her go. Drake had even surprised her when he’d been the one to organize the paperwork with Gale and signed all of his rights away to her fortune and company. He’d told her he would do anything to prove his love.
Slowly but surely, he was breaking down her doubts and giving her a chance to hope. He climbed out of the car, rounded the vehicle, and spoke to the valet before opening her door and crouching down.
“I want to take you in that restaurant and have a meal with you, Petra. I’m not ashamed to be seen with you and there’s no reason for you to keep on hiding.” He cupped her face and this time, rather than pull away, she pressed her face against his touch. “Please, come on a date with me.”
“I’ve never been on a date.”
“Then please, do me the honor tonight.”
She didn’t argue with him. Taking his hand, she trusted him, and he led her into the restaurant where the maître d’ was waiting. They had a quiet booth, private, but it still made her feel part of it all. It was strange, beautiful, and it was a date she would never forget.
He ordered her an appetizer to try, their main course, dessert, and she was able to forget about her concerns about being out in the open.
When it was over, he led her out. She did notice a few pointed stares but they didn’t bother her. It was strange to even care.
The only person she wanted was Drake and as he took her home, his romantic night didn’t end there.
He carried her up to the bedroom they now shared and made love to her well into the night. Not once, or twice, or even three times. She lost count and was on a blissful cloud of joy, which was taken from her the next day when she found her father waiting for her outside the gate.
She’d left Drake in bed, letting him sleep in. Standing in her security room, she saw her father pacing.
“Damn it, Drake, I know you’re in there. It’s time for us to have a little chat now.”
Rather than buzz him in, Petra left her house and walked the mile-long driveway toward the gate.
The moment her father saw her, he looked surprised. “Petra, honey, I didn’t expect to see you. I was hoping to talk with your guard.”
“Drake’s not coming,” she said.
Her father’s lips pursed. “So, you know.”
“Do I know that you keep sending bodyguards to pretend to fall in love with me in the hope of getting their hands on my money and company?”