Brooke was speechless when she saw the special guest Thane had arranged to meet her.
"Mr. Grayson, you weren't exaggerating about her beauty. I can see why you spoke so highly of her," remarked a petite woman in a long black skirt and an off-shouldered white shirt.
Thane smiled as Brooke wheeled into the room. He hurried over to her, saying, "Brooke, meet-"
"Rachelle Van Gogh." Brooke finished his introduction, still in disbelief. She gazed at the elegant brunette, "Your fashion designs are truly exquisite."
Rachelle smiled modestly, "I dabble in a few things." She then turned to Thane, "You are quite the enigma. I tried setting you up with my niece, yet here you are introducing me to your girlfriend."
Brooke furrowed her brow, puzzled by the implications of the older woman's words. How could a man like Thane settle for a woman such as herself?
"Since you've met her, can you create a bag for her?" Thane inquired, all business.
"A bag? What's going on?" Brooke gave him a questioning look, knowing Rochelle's designs were notoriously rare.
Before Thane could respond, Rochelle interjected, "Your beau dragged me here to craft a custom bag, just for you."
"What?!" Brooke turned to Thane, "Is that true?"
Thane smiled warmly, "I simply requested a designer to make you a bag, nothing more."
Brooke was incredulous. Knowing the exclusivity of Rochelle's creations, she understood the immense value of such a gesture.
"It's unnecessary, really," Brooke shook her head, feeling overwhelmed by Thane's generosity.
Yet again.
Thane reassuringly placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's fine." Then, addressing Rochelle, he added, "Please spare no expense. I want the finest bag you can create."
Brooke was taken aback.
Was he really commissioning a personalized bag for her?
Not just ordering one off the shelf?
The scene felt surreal to Brooke, her jaw practically glued to the floor as Rachelle finished taking her measurements and set their next meeting for two days later.
Once Rachelle departed, Brooke turned to Thane with a puzzled expression, "I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Why such an elaborate gift? I haven't even properly thanked you for the clothes yet."
"To me, those are trivialities. If you desired it, I'd buy the entire collection for you," Thane replied, devoid of any hint of arrogance in his tone.
'Rich people, always on another level,' Brooke mused silently. 'Only someone truly loaded would think that way.'
"But still," she nervously twiddled her thumbs, "I have nothing to offer in return."
Thane knelt down to meet her eye to eye. "It's just a bag. But if you're insistent on reciprocating, make me a promise."
Brooke's heart fluttered as she found herself lost in his captivating gaze.
"W-What promise?" she inquired, her voice betraying her uncertainty.
"Promise me you'll strive to walk again," Thane requested in a soft, caring tone.
Brooke blinked in surprise. Was that even a favor for him? But the determination in his eyes conveyed a depth of his desire for her recovery.
He was dead serious.
'I get it now! This is all part of his plan against Ethan. If I sit like a vegetable, I won't be of any use to him,' Brooke reasoned, convincing herself that Thane's request stemmed from his 'vendetta' against Ethan.
Locking eyes with him, she made the promise, "I promise, I won't disappoint you."
Thane smiled warmly, "Good. I expect great things from you." His calm demeanor left her wondering what he truly thought of her.
Yet, she couldn't muster the courage to even ask him.
"But about the bag... it's too much," Brooke circled back to the topic, exhaling a sigh. "Next time, perhaps you could just cook me a meal, like you always do. A warm meal means more to me than a luxury bag."
"Next time?" Thane raised an amused eyebrow.
Realizing her slip-up, Brooke stammered, "I-I mean... you know, just in case you ever feel like being generous... not that I think you're frivolous in spending! No, not at all! With your resources, it's like you're overflowing with wealth..." Her words tumbled out in a jumble, her thoughts racing.
Distracted by her own ramblings, she failed to notice the faint smile playing on Thane's lips as he observed her with nothing but intrigue in his eyes.
Before she could further embarrass herself, Gilbert's sudden entrance interrupted her.
"Master Thane, the lawyer is on the line—Apologies for the intrusion!" Gilbert announced loudly before hastily retreating, closing the door behind him.
Flushed with embarrassment, Brooke turned to Thane urgently, "Oh no! I think he's gotten the wrong idea just now!."
Thane tousled her hair gently as he rose to his feet. "What harm is there in indulging his assumptions now and then?" he inquired in a charming tone.
Brooke was too astonished to muster a response.
Before he left the room, Thane cocked his head at her and said, "I'll see you at dinner."
She parted her lips to speak, but he was already gone before she could muster the courage to say anything back.
Cassie found Serena pacing anxiously outside her room, a troubled expression etched on her face. Just back from a meeting about an upcoming ad shoot, she was exhausted.
"Cassie! Thank goodness you're here! I need to talk to you—" Serena began urgently.
"Can't it wait? I really need to rest," Cassie interjected, pushing past her to enter the room. Serena trailed in behind her, closing the door.
"They've revoked my club membership! That wench Evelyn ratted me out!" Serena hissed in hushed tones, visibly upset.
Cassie chuckled, shrugging off her bag. "Already? I thought it would take at least another year for them to realize your lack of class,"
Serena stood in shock. "But I did it to help you—" she tried to explain, but Cassie cut her off.
"I don't care. Just leave. I need my beauty sleep, and tomorrow is going to be hectic," Cassie dismissed her, signaling for Serena to depart.
However, Serena persisted. "Evelyn said she'll reinstate my membership if I do her a favor."
Cassie scowled. "Are you not hearing me? I. Don't. Care. Deal with your own mess."
Serena continued, eyeing the bag on the bed. "She mentioned she'd forgive me if I gave her your latest bag," Serena confessed.
As soon as the words left her lips, Cassie lunged at her mother, delivering a resounding slap across her face. "How dare you, you bitch!" she seethed.
Wincing, Serena held her cheek, not just from the sting of the slap but from the shock of her daughter's physical reaction. Despite their strained relationship, Brooke had never raised a hand against her before.
"Get out! Leave now!" Cassie shouted, her anger palpable.
But the slap seemed to awaken something in Serena. She grasped Cassie's wrist firmly, halting her attempts to break free.
"Let me go! What are you—" Cassie protested, struggling against her mother's strong grip.
In a composed yet menacing tone, Serena issued a threat. "You'll do as I say and hand over that bag, Cassie—"
"Or what?!" Cassie retorted defiantly, resisting Serena's hold.
A sinister smile played on Serena's lips as her gaze fell to Cassie's abdomen. "Or I'll tell Ethan that the child you're carrying isn't even his!" she declared coldly.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Please vote, comment and send gifts, hehe...