“Are you turning into a stalker?” she asked, not opening the door any wider.
“Do I look like a stalker?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know that many stalkers,” she said, smiling even though she tried not to.
“Well, not many stalkers are known to bring breakfast muffins and Spanish blended coffee, but I do,” he said.
She let out a sigh then opened the latch. “I’ve already eaten, but feel free to sit down and eat.” She finished writing out her calculations as Kent took a seat opposite her.
“What are you doing?” he asked. Their friendship really was strange.
The billionaire businessman and the cleaner, she chuckled at her own thoughts.
“I’ve got money for your thoughts,” he said.
“And I’m not sharing them. You can keep your money, Kent. I’m doing what us mere mortals do.”
“Which is?”
She lifted her gaze to his. “I’m making sure I’ve got enough to pay the bills.”
He nodded. “Check this out,” he said, handing her the newspaper.”
Dropping her bills and notes, she took the paper from him. A picture of him and a supermodel was on the front page. Lana slapped his hand as he went to touch her bills. “It’s rude trying to look at a lady’s bills.”
She read through the story. “What’s this about?” she asked.
“Last week after our Chinese, I went home and discovered her in my bed with nothing but red underwear,” he said.
“The bitch, she should have been naked,” Lana said with sarcasm.
He gave her a pointed look. “You’re supposed to be my friend, and I’m sharing this with you.”
Lana smiled at the trust he was showing her. “You do realise our friendship is weird, right?”
Kent shrugged. “I don’t give a shit what people think of me.”
“Then why are you bothered by the newspaper headline?” She handed the paper back to him. Seeing the story had felt like a punch to the gut for Lana. It took every ounce of self-control not to show her feelings. She and Kent did not have that kind of relationship. He was a man with needs while she was a poor woman without any.
“I wanted you to know in case you saw it and thought the wrong thing,” he said.
“Don’t worry. I haven’t got any spare money to spend on newspapers or glossy magazines. Your celeb life is safe from me.” She stood up and placed the bills inside her safe before returning it to the draw in the kitchen. “Why are you here?” she asked.
“It’s Saturday.”
“So?”
“What do you normally do on a Saturday?”
“I bake.”
“What else?” he asked, getting up from his seat. He moved toward her, cupping her face in his palms.
“Erm, read a little. I don’t have any plans today,” she said. Her boring life was finally catching up with her.
“Then I’ve got to change what you do today. I forbid you baking on your own.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. She gasped then covered it up with a sneeze.
“What do you have planned?” she asked, feeling nervous.
“I’ve got to go to my parents’ tomorrow, and I was wondering if you’d go with me as my friend and date.”
“Really?”
“Yes, they’ll like you. They’re very down to earth kind of people, and I think it will be good for you to see me in a different setting.”
“Okay, why are you here today?” she asked.
“I need to go to an art exhibition today. I’m checking out some art. The event is very low key, and I’m not expecting any press. This is just a viewing today. Will you come with me, and I’ll treat us to Italian tonight.”
“You’re tempting me with food,” she said, groaning.
“Of course. I know the best way to get my own way is by tempting you with food. So, what will it be?”
Lana stared around her apartment and bit her lip.
****
Kent waited for her to speak. He’d been thinking of taking her out last weekend, but because work had overrun him he’d not gotten the chance. Then last night before he’d gone to bed, his mother called inviting him for Sunday lunch. Both of his brothers would be there along with his two sisters. All of his siblings were married or in some state of bliss with a partner while he remained single. His mother wanted him to settle down and have lots of babies.
He hated upsetting his parents. They were his rock in life and believed in him when he’d not the confidence to believe in himself.
“Come on, Lana. Tomorrow you’ll be saving me from my mother’s matchmaking skills, and today you’ll be saving me from boredom.”
She chuckled. “Why do you agree to do these things if you’re not interested in them?”
“It’s good business.”
“There is more to life than earning money,” she said.
He wanted to see her bills. There were a lot of papers on the table, and he’d seen some of the calculations. Kent had never lived like she did. Not once during his life did he worry about paying a bill. He’d come from money without fear.
How did Lana cope with living month to month?
“I’ll come but no press or lies. We’re friends, and we’re not dating. I’ll come as a friend but not as anything else.”
She was the first woman who needed to be coerced into going with him.
“Fine. Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Is there something wrong with the way I’m dressed?” she asked.
Kent didn’t think so. The sweater she wore moulded to every sinful curve. Her tits looked ever so full and soft.
“You’re fine.” He was dressed in a pair of jeans and white shirt. Weekends were his time to relax.
She grabbed her purse and coat before following him out of her apartment. They walked side by side to his car, which he’d parked in the spot he deemed his own. A couple of kids were checking his ride over. He nodded at their approval before helping her into the car.
“I can plug myself in,” she said, moving his hand out of the way.
“Nice car, man,” one of the kids said.
“Work hard at school, and you’ll be driving one of these beauties when you’re older,” Kent said.
The kid nodded. Kent climbed into his side and turned the engine over.
“That was nice of you to say,” she said.
“I meant every word. Some kids just need an incentive to try.” Placing the car in gear, he pulled out of the parking lot.