Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 44

The window on the passenger’s side lowered as soon as she knocked.

Larissa bent down to look inside. Unexpectedly, her gaze was met with a pair of dark.

eyes.

“Mr. Rogers?” She looked at the man in the driver’s seat, surprise filling her voice.” Where’s Dylan?”

Kevan retracted his gaze and looked straight ahead, leaving nothing but a cold profile in her direction.

“Something came up suddenly and he wanted me to pick you up.” His reply was concise and to the point.

“Oh.” Larissa nodded. Then, she was faced with a difficult decision.

She didn’t know where exactly she should sit.

If she sat in the passenger’s seat, Kevan’s imposing presence might be too much for

her to handle. On the other hand, if she sat at the back, she couldn’t help but feel as

if she would be treating Kevan as her chauffeur. She was afraid she would end up offending him.

“What are you waiting for?” Kevan turned to her and narrowed his eyes impatiently. ” Do you not want to go anymore?”

“No! Of course not!” She decided to stop overthinking and pulled the door on the passenger’s side open.

Fortunately, Kevan did not say anything.

Before, when Dylan was around, the atmosphere in the car would still be somewhat lively. Now that it was just the two of them, the air felt unusually charged, the silence surrounding them thick and heavy.

About half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a three–storey building in Roseville.

“We’re here.” Kevan unfastened his seat belt.

Roseville was filled with quaint, historical buildings. Because of its unique

architecture, it was very popular among young artists. A lot of people visited the area for their wedding photos, and it’d even been featured as a backdrop in numerous fashion magazines in the past.

In the past few years, more and more photography and styling studios had been established on this particular street. The studio Kevan was bringing her to was one named “V. Style“.

Larissa had read about the studio online before. It was a well–known studio founded by the renowned stylist, Vivian Watts, and it specifically catered to acclaimed stars. Never in her life did she imagine she would ever find herself here to receive the same treatment given to prominent,celebrities worldwide.

The studio had a reception hall for its guests on the first floor. Its interior was bright and ornately decorated.

“Do you have an appointment?” a stylish, young woman greeted them and asked with a smile.

Kevan gave her Dylan’s name.

The smile on her face widened. “So, it’s Mr. Shields! This way, please!”

They ascended the spiraling staircase directly to the third floor.

“Vivian is waiting for you inside.” The woman gestured to the door.

Larissa followed Kevan into the room, observing her surroundings as she walked.

The entire third floor was connected, with no partitions in between. It did not feel empty, however. Rows of clothing were arranged in a messy but orderly fashion according to the year and season of their release.

At the heart of the room, a warm yellow screen stood. In front of the screen was a couch, which a woman currently occupied.

Upon hearing their footsteps, she put down the tablet she held and stood.

“Mr. Shields, I’m the founder and manager of V. Style, Vivi-” She stopped mid- sentence, staring at Kevan unblinkingly, a startled expression on her face.

After a long pause, she regained her composure and continued. “Vivian Watts. You can call me Vivian.”

Kevan did not bother to correct her even though she’d mistaken him for Dylan. He nodded at Larissa, who was standing by his side, and said, “Style a simple and elegant outfit for her. It doesn’t have to be too pretty.”

His request left both Larissa and Vivian stunned.