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- Chapter Seven -

Amina

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How fucking dare he?

Stomping around upstairs, I threw back the balcony doors that belonged to my bedroom.Bach Devine, you might just be the most condescending man I've ever met.

Honestly, how could he call me a product? How could he callanyone a product?I was still fuming, especially as I remembered how confidently he'd told me everything.

The man had stood there with his perfect teeth and his even more perfect body, lecturing me about needing amakeover.Who did he think he was?

I know who he is,I told myself grimly. Propping my forearms on the white railing, I stared out into the brilliant green backyard.He's the guy who's rich enough to afford a place like this.

But so what? Did he think money meant he could treat people like they were property? It was disgusting.Hewas disgusting.

And I was planning to work for him.

Groaning, I covered my face.I told him to fuck off.Korine would have died on the spot if she'd seen. Or maybe she'd have applauded. Thinking about her made me understand why Bach’s comments had upset me so much. Murdoch had told me numerous times that I needed to dress a certain way or do my hair in the style he liked.

Was it my curse that I kept running into assholes?

I stood there for a long while, just listening to the birds and the gentle wind that ran through the fluffy green bushes. Citrus scented air tickled my nose. I was doing more than just calming down. I was avoiding the situation. Bach was waiting for me to sign the contract that would make me an official member of his music company. I’d woken up in a situation people would kill for. I should be rushing downstairs, pen in hand.

Except now I was having doubts.

I had to remind myself that he was my answer to a successful future.Especially after...No. I wouldn't think about that. One failure didn't determine a pattern.

Pushing off the railing, I headed back inside. There was no point in avoiding Bach. If I wanted to leave the city, I'd still have to confront him. And I didn'twantto leave. I wanted to sing. For that, I could put up with one more jerk.

I made it into the main foyer before I saw another living person. "Hey! Good, you're here," Violet shouted, catching me off guard. As beautiful as the mansion was, I seriously felt like I was exploring a very clean haunted house.

"Hey," I said, crossing to meet her by the French doors. "I was about to look for Bach."

"He left for work ten minutes ago." Glancing at her phone, she hooked her arm around my shoulders to guide me out into the sun. "We need to get over there. He's got about a half hour of free time where we can get this damn contract out of the way and begin more exciting things."