Chapter 2
The bathroom was one thing, but in the walk-in closet, the second I slipped into something new, Thornton was on me like a bloodhound.
After all that messing around, the floor was filthy, and even my brand-new outfit got trashed.
I was heartbroken, gritting my teeth as I snapped at him, "Can't you control yourself? This outfit is brand new. I haven't even worn it once. You totally ruined the collar. How am I supposed to wear it now?"
Meanwhile, Thornton looked completely satisfied, pulling my damp self into his arms and holding me close.
"You're so ungrateful. I bought everything in this closet.
"Well, except for those two three-dollar couple T-shirts you grabbed at a street stall, that pair of blue canvas sneakers you bought with your freshman-year part-time job money, and the three scarves and one sweater your grandma knitted for you.
"And whenever I mess something up, I get you a replacement, don't I?
"Look at you, all pouty and pitiful. You're making me want you all over again."
Thornton was acting so much like a dog in heat that I could hardly stand to look at him.
But I never imagined he could blow through money like this.
I thought about all those clothes I tossed out before. If I'd known, I would've just washed them and worn them again.
My face went green, then pale, then green again, totally mortified.
I only ever took ride shares, always joined group buys for coffee, and wouldn't toss my fake lashes until I'd glued them on a dozen times. Yet it turned out I was just as much an accomplice in wasting stuff as Thornton.
In the dimly lit private room, the owner shut the door, looking pleased with himself.
Sharon's eyes lit up as five male models lined up in front of us.
I gave my verdict with a straight face.
"He's too skinny."
"He's such a flirt."
"He has no abs."
"You're really tan, been sunbathing much?"
"Tsk, tsk, you look kind of small."
I checked out the five guys in front of me, but none of them really caught my interest.
"I'm not being picky, but none of these guys even come close to Thornton in looks or build," I said.
Sharon was totally speechless. "Do you think every guy out there is Thornton? Girl, you're just way too pampered."
I couldn't even argue with that.
Thornton's looks were honestly just unfair.
And his body? Eight-pack abs, for real.
No matter how busy he was, he always made time to hit the gym.
He even tried to get me off the couch and away from my dramas to work out with him.
He was like a powerhouse that never ran out of steam.
And he poured all that energy into me.
If I stayed with him any longer, I'd probably shave a few years off my lifespan.
The phone screen lit up on the couch, and Sharon reminded me, "Hey, you've got a message."
[Dear customer, your phone bill is overdue by 20 dollars. To avoid...]
My phone bill was overdue, and I owed 20 dollars? Why was it so expensive?
This was daylight robbery.
I grumbled as I topped up my phone, feeling the sting in my wallet for a good while.
Sharon was about to order more drinks, but I stopped her. "We haven't even finished what's already on the table. Let's drink those first.
"And we even hired five male models tonight.
"Guys, come over and pour us some drinks."
It didn't take long before I was feeling dizzy. "I'm feeling dizzy. I need to step outside for some air."
I glanced over at Sharon. She was totally in her element.
She had a guy on each arm. And she was eating grapes while drinking.
As I stepped out into the hallway, I turned the corner and ran into a group of people, laughing together as they walked by.
The lighting was dim, and I had no idea someone behind me had just taken a picture.
Thornton had been running on fumes for days, only catching up on sleep during flights.
Finally, he arrived at his final hotel stop.
His personal phone had been eerily quiet the whole time.
He found it odd. Before heading out on his business trip, he had told Raven not to bother him. He'd be busy and probably wouldn't have time to coax her.
His words always went in one ear and out the other with her.
She couldn't care less how busy he was.
Usually, his phone would blow up with messages, such as group buys for coffee, asking him to help her slash prices on those bargain apps, sharing game links for extra chances, one after another.
But this time, she was surprisingly quiet.
He pulled out his phone, only to see that it was completely dead.
Thornton got a sinking feeling in his gut.
After plugging his phone in and turning it on, the first thing he saw was the breakup message.
The reason was just as ridiculous as her profile picture.
He slowly typed a single question mark: [?]
But she'd already blocked him.
Thornton let out a long breath. It looked like things just got a whole lot more complicated.
Before he could even catch his breath, his friend sent him a photo, accompanied by a message.
[What's going on? I just asked the staff. Your girl actually hired five male models?
[Are you feeling alright?
[I know a doctor who specializes in this. Do you want me to introduce you?]
Thornton texted: [Send me the address.]
Thornton added: [Never mind, I still have some things to handle here. Just tell them to clear the guys out.]
His friend replied quickly: [So now you don't think we're meddling?]
Thornton ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He asked: [Whose club is this?]
His friend replied: [The Everett family's.]
When I got back to the private room, Sharon was having the time of her life, totally lost in the moment.
One, two, three, four, five... wait, six?
Hold on, we only booked five models, right?
A man stepped out of the shadows by the door, his tall frame carrying an air of authority that made the whole room tense up.