What's the coolest favor a family member has ever demanded that ended up making you happy? "Congratulations, you're going on a date," my stepmom said, throwing an old black dress to my face. I felt immediately suspicious.
From the eight years I've known her, she's never done anything nice for me before. If anything, she was the classic evil stepmom, making me work part-time to pay rent at home while studying for college, skipping every single one of my birthdays, even moving me from my bedroom to the attic, all because she wanted to use the room as a walk-in closet. She smiled sweetly, picking up the brush and running it through my hair.
Well, your stepsister Stella found this wonderful man, an heir to a new tech company at a networking event. She told me how he only says yes to double dates, nothing else. So, that's where I apparently come into the equation.
Just entertain his friend Sky. Before I could refuse, my stepmom added, "Anyway, you're going or you can find somewhere else to live. I hope you choose wisely because I really love living with you.
" She giggled like an evil version of Snow White. Well, given the threat, I had no choice but to go through with it, and thank God I did. The date was set at a fancy restaurant.
You know, one of those places that are literally designed to make you feel overconscious and out of place. My steps sister Stella and I showed up at the place early, clearly too excited to dive into the money. The two guys arrived late, but it didn't matter.
With faces, as handsome as theirs was, they could arrive a week late and you wouldn't get mad. My sister's date, Brennan, had a kind smile and glasses that matched his designer watch. My date, Sky, had piercing eyes that seemed like he was the type to always be four steps ahead of everyone.
A real challenge, but hey, I liked challenges. It was the reason why I chose to study cyber security in the first place. Sorry, just got back from a business meeting in Cabo.
Renan said, loosening up his tie. Stella's eyes went wide like she'd found the holy grail. Oh, I absolutely love Cabo.
Where did you stay? Private villa, obviously. Hotels are so.
He waved his hand dismissively. Common. Stella swooned at that word common.
Like it was synonymous to poor and unwanted. So for the next hour, I watched her gush over him, practically drooling every time he mentioned words like investment or funds. Meanwhile, Sky acted goofy, completely different from what I expected.
When our appetizer arrived, he looked at the three artistic drops of sauce on an enormous plate and whispered $9 per drop. Should we ask if they do refills? I grinned.
I love refills. We ended up ordering the weirdest things on the menu, rating each one like we were Gordon Ramsay. If you take this pizza to Italy, you'll get arrested.
We ended up laughing so hard, Stella actually texted me from across the table. Stop talking so much. I showed Sky, who nodded proudly.
And while everything was going great, there were definitely suspicious things that went on. When the check came, the big tech air Brennan asked to split the bill in four, while Sky pulled out a card and offered to pay for everyone there. But then again, maybe he was just humble, so I let it go until other more suspicious things happened.
Like for our date to the bookstore cafe, Sky picked me up in a Bentley, but mentioned borrowing it from Ban. But the moment we walked in, the staff greeted him under Bernan's name and mentioned reserving the entire place for the date. "Your friend's pretty generous," I said with an eyebrow raised.
Sky smiled. "Well, I'm sure this is nothing for a tech millionaire," I shrugged. Sure, but there are better things to spend on, you know, like what he challenged.
Like school supplies to teachers, maybe support small businesses. I don't know. Sky smiled.
Well, I'll definitely let him know next time. As for Stella, her date with Ren was at a modest apartment complex. Not a bad area, just definitely not tech millionaire territory.
Isn't this even remotely suspicious? I asked Stella. She rolled her eyes, admiring herself in the mirror.
It's called stealth wealth. Rich people hide the fact that they're rich all the time. Mark Zuckerberg wears the same t-shirt every day.
Yeah, but he doesn't live in a two-bedroom apartment. You wouldn't understand, she said. The rich move in mysterious ways.
Well, she was ironically right about that, just not in the way she expected. The next double date confirmed everything. Sky texted us his address, one that led to a fancy glass tower.
This can't be right, Stella said, checking her phone three times. The elevator opened directly into the penthouse. Florida to ceiling windows, modern art I'd only seen in textbooks, and an entire wall that made my stomach drop.
Magazine covers, dozens of them. Forbes: 30 under 30. Technov innovator of the year.
Wired game changers. Every single cover showing Skye's face. Stella laughed.
Okay, what game is this? Brennan and Sky stood in front of us and explained the entire scheme. Brennan works for me.
But don't get me wrong, he's the best manager out there. We do this every few months, Sky added, hands in his pockets. You're the fourth girl to fail the test this year.
Stella flipped out, screaming. This is fraud. This is illegal.
Stella was escorted out and Brennan grinned at us before leaving. Enjoyed the date. We stared at each other in silence before he broke it.
You're not surprised. I shook my head. No, but I wish it wasn't true because now we can't be together.
He took a step forward. Why not? I don't date rich soiled guys.
He smiled.
