CHAPTER ELEVEN

When I wake up the next morning, the apartment feels empty. It's not a pleasant feeling to wake up alone and in a strange place. It just feels . . . odd. Still dressed in my pyjamas, I wander into the kitchen in search for a glass of water.

I expect Kade to already be gone. Freshly shaved and dressed in an expensive tailored suit for his daily meetings. Instead of that, I find him standing in the kitchen wearing a pair of blue cotton briefs flipping eggs. The other pan is filled to the brim with, sausages, tomatoes, and mushrooms. This looks delightfully nice.

My cheeks go red with embarrassment. You'd think from the extensive education that Kade would know what pants are, and maybe when it's appropriate to wear them. Instead, he feels completely comfortable standing in his underwear.

"Hey," I awkwardly greet.

I'm not completely sure how he feels about last night or what he remembers. It's hard to decide how much of my memory is real or what extent has been warped from my over active imagination. Last night felt too much like a dream. I find it hard to understand why he would want someone like me.

Sure, I do share the same body features as Alessia, but there must be more. There has to be something special about Alessia to make risking it all worth protect her. I don't understand it, there has to be more to the puzzle than what I'm seeing now.

Kade returns the wave which is followed by a bright grin. I take a seat by the kitchen bench and cross my arms over my chest. With a pleasant smile, I lean against the bench.

"What are you cooking?" I could see the fundamentals for a breakfast serving, but with Kade, it could potentially be anything. The heavenly smell of food is making me hungry. To be honest, I'm game for trying anything.

"Just a mix." He shrugs his shoulders.

"Sounds good." I smile. "How are you feeling?" From the amount of alcohol I consumed myself, I'm surprised I didn't feeling horrible.

"Great, yourself?"

"I had a good night," I reply.

"That pleases me to hear so." He winks.

"Okay."

"I have a meeting soon but I wanted to make you food," Kade explains.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." I'm perfectly capable of cooking my own food, but the fact he's gone to the effort warms my heart.

"Alessia's manager will be in touch with you today. She's on board and excited to work with you. I'm not sure what she's planning, but I believe it could be an appearance."

"That sounds fun." Meeting with Alessia's manager sound exciting yet so nerve wracking. If she sends me on an appearance, it'll be my next chance to actually experience the hardest part of the job. Hopefully, it'll involve having either Jenna or Kade by my side.

"Bruce will drive you to and from the meeting," explains Kade.

"Okay, thank you." I'm grateful that Kade has given me a chaperon because I'd be completely lost wandering around the city by myself.

"Have you heard from Alessia?" I ask.

"I have heard," he says. "Things are going . . . I do know I can't bail her out forever." From Kade's response, it gives me the sense that people don't believe he's doing the right thing. It's hard to make a judgement call, so I won't do it. However, this does make me even more curious.

"Don't worry," I say.

"Alessia has never done much with her life. I don't count on her starting now." I flinch back from the brutality of his comment.

Kade dishes up two plates with an assortment of food. It's all fatty, greasy, and deliciously good. I can see Jenna rolling her eyes and telling me I shouldn't eat this . . . something ridicules about going on a diet to shed weight. I've never been into the crazy phase of being skinny, healthy however, that's another thing.

"I'm sorry it's nothing gourmet, but its food."

"Did you forget who you're talking to?" I giggle. "This is amazing and I like that you went to the effort to make me breakfast. So, thank you." I smile. Kade grins spreads wider just as my curiosity grows.

I take the knife and fork from the bench top and dig in. It's hard to know where to start so I go with the fluffy eggs.

"Would you like a drink? I'm making coffee," he offers.

"Coffee would be great, thanks again."

Kade grabs two cups from the cupboard and then boils the kettle. He spins through the kitchen collecting the rest of the ingredients in his wake.

When the coffee is made, Kade slides the cup in front of me. He walks around the counter top and takes a seat beside me to eat his food. We don't talk much, just eat. It's not an awkward silence but not an entirely comfortable one either.

I want to say something about the events of last night. Instead, I find myself shovelling scrambled eggs into my mouth. This removes the chance of say anything about it. I'm kicking myself under the table for how much of a coward I'm being.

Kade manages to polish his food before I crack halfway. Despite finishing, he stays at the table to sip his coffee. While he looks casual leaning against the kitchen bench, I see his eyes consciously checking the ticking clock ever few seconds.

"I'm a slow eater, you know, digestion and all," I begin to explain. "You can leave." He's another classic example of why Kade is perfectly dreamy, he's a complete and utter gentleman in just about everything.

"No, it is fine," he quickly dismisses.

"Seriously, I'm okay." I smile. "I can eat by myself." Perhaps he's afraid I'm completely useless. Maybe I'll choke on the egg? Trip as I get off the stool . . . or maybe there really is zombies hiding in cupboards? It's nice but I feel as if I'm losing my independence here.

"Are you sure? It's a habit of mine," he explains. "Strict etiquette and all." He nervously laughs.

"Is that supposed to be a bad thing?" I ask.

"Undecided." He shrugs his shoulder.

"If it helps, I'm stuffed." I place my knife and fork on the plate. I've chomped through a majority of the food but the mushrooms.

"Are you sure?" He eyes off the remaining food.

"Yes, and I prefer raw mushrooms."

"Hm," he mumbles. "I'll remember that for next time."

"Thanks. Now, go get ready!" I instruct.

"Fine, I'm going, I'm going." Kade slowly raises his hands in defence. He finishes the last of his coffee and walks away.

While he's gone, I clean up the breakfast mess. I rinse off the plates and stack them in the dishwasher and then clean the bench top. It's only when I'm drying my hands that Kade returns to the kitchen almost dressed for work. I'm slightly disappointed.

"I'll talk with Beth later today. I hope we can arrange dinner or even drinks," explains Kade. "I'll have to check my schedule."

"Both sound nice." I smile.

Kade tugs on his grey suit jacket and then wiggles his navy blue tie into place. His white shirt is crisp and his black shoes polished to perfection. I wonder if those clothes belonged to Alessia's shop before she got rid of it.

"Great because I want to see you again tonight," he says. "I find this place gloomy sometimes."

"Okay." I look around the pristine white building in an effort to understand Kade's feeling. However, I don't see it. I'm left in awe at how perfect and stylish this place looks. However, I have a feeling that the gloominess of the apartment doesn't come from the placing of the furniture, but the memories it holds.

"Until tonight."

"Until then," I agree.

Kade pulls my body into a tight embracing which leaves me squished against his warm chest. As Kade's grip releases, he softly presses his lip against my forehead. As he steps away, I'm left feeling a little empty inside. Perhaps also cold from the loss of his body heat.

I follow Kade down the hallway and to the elevator. Without hesitation, he steps inside and disappear as the doors ping shut. I'm left surrounding by an empty pent house that feels cold and unwelcoming without the likes of Kade and his blue cotton shorts.

Instead of standing around waiting, I start moving. I head towards the bedroom in search of fresh clothing to wear. I don't know where I need to meet Alessia's manager, but I'm sure it'll be a nice start to the morning. I would like to get out and stretch my legs.

As I walk into the bedroom, the memories of last night comes flooding back. I imagine the feeling of his lips pressed against my cheek. I want him to wrap his arms around me so that I can enjoy the body heat radiating into mine.

I dress in a loose fitting white one piece body suit. Along the hemming of the outfit is black stitched pattern. It's comfortable and easily movable which makes it perfect whatever today throws at me. I keep my makeup simple with that natural glow.

Once I'm dressed, I leave the bedroom and head towards the elevator. A sense of relief over comes me as the elevator descends. I need to be out doing something to clear my mind. I don't care what I do, I just know I want to be out of here. I'm beginning to see what Kade means.

When I reach the ground floor, I find Bruce standing by the car. He opens the door and I find myself shaking my head.

"I think I might walk," I say.

"But Mr Taylor –"

"I know." I smile. "I'd prefer to walk."

"Okay but I will follow in the car. You will gain contact with me if you need a ride?" asks Bruce.

"I promise. Now, can you give me directions?"

Bruce intricately explains the directions I need to take to arrive at my destination – sounds like a posh café to me. Since I'm in a new place, I want to try something new. Impersonating a famous person is one of those, crushing on a multimillionaire CEO is the second one, and then everything in-between. I'd just like to add something normal to the list now.

The sound of cars whizzing past, motorcycles revenging their engine, along with the chatter on the street is a nice blend of distractions. It almost silences the thoughts floating through my mind. As I scan the area around me, I grow curious. I wonder where Kade works and what his office / building looks like.

I almost hate how my surroundings make me think of Kade. Am I walking past buildings his rivals work in? Are the people on the streets employers of those rivals?

Ugh, Lydia, you need to clear your mind and quickly.

Somewhere between the end of one street and the corner of the next, I find myself inside a snug coffee shop with mismatched furniture and exposed finishing. The glitzy stuff is nice but I like the refined, rustic look. I'm honestly surprised we're meeting here considering the look of Kade's apartment.

I order a coffee and settle in a corner booth for the wait. I hope to gosh that everything is going to go well! I really can't afford to lose this job.

dc