Page 55 of My Destiny

“It’s bright, cheery and makes me feel happy, I guess.” Her answer makes me smile.

“So, I need to buy more yellow clothes if I’m going to convince you to become my girlfriend.”

“It will take more than that, Mr. Cavanagh.” I chuckle, because I don’t believe that for a second. “What’s your favourite colour?”

“Red,” I say without hesitation. I don’t mention it’s because she was wearing red the first time I met her.

When we arrive at the mall, I exit the car first, along with Chris. Our eyes are everywhere. Brooke is oblivious to the fact that the messages are still coming in on her old phone. I’m grateful I kept hold of it, but I want to shelter her from this as much as possible.

She smiles as I help her from the vehicle. I spy the car that was parked outside the Penthouse fifteen metres away. Pulling Brooke into my arms, I place a chaste kiss on her forehead. “I want you to have a nice day today,” I say before releasing her.

“It just feels good to be out.” She seems happy and relaxed, unlike me. I’m on edge.

“Can I get you something to drink?” the waitress asks after we’re seated at the restaurant. I usually hate shopping, but today is different. I’ve enjoyed every second of my time with her. Well, not the part when she refused to let me pay for the clothes she bought.

“Your best bottle of champagne,” I answer.

“Oh, champagne,” Brooke says, rubbing her hands together. “What’s the occasion?”

“We have a lot to celebrate.” I reach for her hand across the table. “Like us becoming boyfriend and girlfriend, for one.”

“I’m not your girlfriend,” she says, laughing.

“I disagree.”

The smile on her face is bright as she turns her head to gaze out the window. “It’s beautiful from up here, isn’t it?” she says. The Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in the city—over three hundred metres tall—and the rotating restaurant gives us a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the entire city and beyond from up here.

I want to tell her it doesn’t hold a candle to her beauty, but I don’t. “It’s even more spectacular at night. I’ll have to bring you back here for dinner so you can experience it.”

Her eyes move back to me, and this time her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I’m a man of my word. In time, she’ll see I’m nothing like them.

“I’ve never eaten somewhere so fancy.”

“Well, get used to it.” I plan to do a lot of things with her, for as long as she’ll let me.

“Do they have a bathroom around here?” she asks, avoiding what I just said.

“Yes.” I point to the sign on the wall on the opposite side of the room. I know she’s worried I’ll eventually hurt her, but she’s not the only one with her heart on the line here.

“I’ll be back,” she says, removing the white napkin from her lap and placing it on the table.

The protective side of me wants to escort her, but she wouldn’t like that. She’s safe up here. “Okay.”

My eyes are on her until she disappears down the corridor. Once she’s out of sight, I pull out my mobile, to update Mike.

We’re at the restaurant.

He replies instantly.

My guy’s downstairs at the entrance to the lift. He’s eyeing everyone who enters. No sign of him yet, but I’ll forward you the message that came through a few minutes ago.

I stare at the screen impatiently waiting.

I’m watching you!

My head snaps up, and my eyes scan the room. When my phone dings again, I read his next message.

There’s no evidence that he’s actually watching. It could just be an intimidation tactic.