CHAPTER TWELVE

Time quickly passes by as I flick through Facebook and respond to my other notifications. It's only when I get a call from an unidentifiable number that I begin to get nervous. Is this Beth? It would be. Here goes nothing, though! I hope for the best as I answer the call.

"Hello?"

"Alessia, it's Beth," she says.

"Beth? I mean, hi."

"Where are you?" she asks.

"I'm in the back booth," I explain.

Standing up, I step out of the booth and raise my hand. I probably look like a complete nutter, but hey, I'll probably never see these people again. I notice a tall blonde woman looking confused, phone pressed against her right ear. Her eyes pass me, then dart back with a look of surprise.

"Ah, I see you." Before I can reply, she hangs up the phone and storm down the strip to greet me with open arms.

"Hi Alessia." She pulls me into a tight hug, then kisses my cheek. "It's lovely to see meet you, Kade's told me everything." I heave with relief.

"Okay, great." I smile.

"I'm completely stunned." She gasps. "You look like twins! Are you sure you're not adopted?"

"Thanks," I say. "And I'm sure." I cringe at the thought. My mother has proudly shown me the birthing video and it's not something anyone should ever see. I don't see how people do this for a job.

"Well, I'll be quick because I have a busy arvo and I'm running late." She huffs.

"Okay, what do we need to discuss?" I ask.

"I needed to discuss the changes in the movie role with Alessia, but I'll chat with Kade first," she starts off. "But for you, there's tonight's charity gala." Beth starts digging through her book in search for something. She pulls out a piece of paper with information about it.

"Okay, fair enough. What about tonight?" I ask.

"The charity event is something your mother is hosting for sick children or something." Beth winks, clearly proud of keeping this charade up. "This might not link directly to your career but it's an important meet up of rich families."

"What do I need for tonight?" I ask. "I don't have any clothing for it."

She shakes her head. "I've got an outfit prepared for you. I'll have it dropped off at Kade's apartment," explains Beth. "It's important you talk with the other people and get into photos. Kade's looking to make important business relations there."

"Okay, thank you." After hearing the importance for Kade's career, I'm even more nervous for a different reason. Now that I have to impress people for the sake of not only Alessia but for Kade, I'm left worried about all the things that could go wrong. Missed names, forgotten jobs . . . what if I'm supposed to know them? What if one of Alessia's toy boys is there or even another hater?

"No drama." Huffs Beth. "I'll organise for things to be delivered around three. I have to go now but I'll see you tonight." Beth shoves a folders back into her bag before standing up.

"Bye." Beth blows me a kiss and makes a dash for the exit.

I slip out of the booth and put my phone back into my bag. On the way out, I order a large coffee and pay for it. When I step outside of the café, I find Bruce standing by the car, a grin on his aged face.

"Hi Bruce." I smile.

"Would you like a lift or would you prefer to walk?" he ask.

If I have to stand all night in heels, I assume walking back to Kade's apartment isn't going to be a good idea. Instead of putting myself through the pain, I opt for the car. I'm sure Bruce would prefer it too, he seemed worried when I decided to walk.

"I think a drive would be pleasant," I reply.

Bruce opens the back door and I slip inside. I yell out a thanks before he closes the door and gets in the front driver's seat. I dread returning to an empty apartment but I'm excited for the outfit Beth has promised to deliver. So far, all of Alessia's clothing has been amazing and I know it can only get better. I've never been to a charity gala but it sounds like an exquisite event that will require a lavish dress to establish some kind of power / wealth balance.

As I look out the window, I watch the food shops flicker by. This makes me beginning to grow hungry and I consider eating out. However, I feel as if it would be sad to sit alone in a restaurant opposed to an apartment. At least with Kade's location, I can enjoy the serenity of the view in peace. Perhaps I'll crank up the music and fit in a dance work out. Jenna will be so proud of me since she thinks I need to lose weight.

Bruce drops me at the apartment block with a passcode to get to Kade's floor. The elevator door chimes open and I step inside. I click a few buttons and we're suddenly moving upwards. I hold onto the banister to prevent myself from falling over. I've had a fear of these things ever since I got trapped in one for a few hours. I honestly thought I was going to die. Dramatic, I know.

I walk straight to the kitchen in search of food. I immediately open the fridge and find a medium sized container with a torn piece of paper resting on the lid. I grab the note in one hand and the container in the other.

"Here's lunch, have a good day beautiful," I read aloud.

Well, that's pretty nice of Kade. I wonder when he had time to make me lunch? Perhaps that was before breakfast or did he return from work to make me food. At this rate, I never want to leave. How could Alessia fool around on such a wonderful man? It's easy to find a man willing to treat you like a Princess, but never his Queen.

Curiously, I examine the content inside the container. From a first glance, it looks like an Asian styled stir-fry with a mix of chicken and green vegetables. I'm not sure about taste but from all the other dishes Kade's prepared, I know this one will be amazing.

Kade doesn't leave any heating instructions, so I chuck it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and hope for the best.

When the microwave beeps, I take the container out and mix the rice around with my fork. The steam burns my face but it smells pretty decent. I check the container to make sure it doesn't look weird before I stab the broccoli and take a bite. It's a bit tough and cold to eat but the flavours make up for the amazing taste.

If I don't forget, I'm going to make sure I get a few master classes from Kade. I think he could teach me so much about cooking.

Taking the container, I sit at the bench and gaze out of the window. I'm still getting used to the view and I hope I never stop being in awe of how beautiful this county is. At night, it's perfect. I love the lights of the surrounding buildings.

As I scoop more food onto my fork I hear the toilet flush. The noise makes me frown and then think of Kade. Maybe he finished work early? That doesn't seem plausible but I don't know who else could be here. I swivel around in the chair and observe the kitchen entrance.

I consider arming myself with a weapon if it's a random person robbing the apartment. However, that seems highly unlikely due to the security system in place. It must be Kade!

Surprise courses through my system when a strange man walks out of the hallway instead of the handsome Kade Taylor.

He's dressed in black knee-length pants, a dirty white wife-beater and a red and black flannelette over long sleeved shirt. The man's hair is slicked back with grease and he's smiling back at me happily. I'm assuming Alessia must know him. I hope to goodness this isn't one of her flings on the side. I can't go there with any one of them!

"Hey." The guy waves. "I'm just waiting for Kade."

"Oh, okay." I grin. "Does he know you're here?"

"Nah mate." He shakes his head. "I was in the city and thought I'd say hi."

"Okay." I nod.

"I'm Tyson." He points to himself, a frown of disbelief overcoming his face. "The best friend, remember?"

"Um..." I frown as I bite my lip. I don't remember Kade mentioning a best friend before and I'm very surprised it's Tyson. He doesn't appear like the typical guy Kade would surround himself with. I'm not sure who Kade's friends are, but I'd assume they'd be someone who seems to like the same things as him. Tyson just, hm, I don't know.

"Don't tell me a couple of months overseas has made you forget everything!" says Tyson.

"No, hey, I remember you." I try to laugh it off. "How could I forget you?"

"I haven't changed that much," mutters Tyson.

"Must be a new haircut or something," I offer.

"I tell you, those bloody American's and their brainwashing!" he mutters to himself.

"I'm sure..." I turn back around in my seat as Tyson walks into the kitchen area.

Tyson opens the fridge door and looks for something. When he doesn't find anything, he slams the fridge door shut and stares back at me.

"When you are finished, we're getting proper food," he says.

"Did you want some of mine?" I offer.

He walks closer to the bench and peers inside the container before shrugging his shoulder and sticking his tongue out like a small child.

"I'll pass, thanks."

"Suit yourself." I shrug my shoulders.

When I finish, I place the container and fork into the sink and wash my hands.

"Are you ready to leave?" he asks.

"Yes." I nod my head.

Tyson grabs his keys while I retrieve my handbag from the entrance. We both climb into the elevator and go to the ground floor.

Tyson leads me to his sleek black car which is parked further down the street. I worry about the repercussions of getting into the car of a stranger but I've gotten this far working with strangers. Not sure why I should be worried now.

He unlocks the car and we climb in. Tyson is very quick to do his seatbelt up and put the key in the ignition. He doesn't appear to look much at the passing traffic or take it easy pulling out of the tight parking spot. Instead, he puts the pedal to the floor and shoots straight out of the bay and merges into the traffic. A few people beep their horn, but it doesn't faze Tyson by the slightest even though it should.

We speed away and I try to inconspicuously hold onto the side of the car. Tyson casually looks around as he tries to navigate the busy streets of the city.

"I'm so hungry right now, where's Macca's around here?" he asks.

"Uh, I can't remember." I shrug my shoulders. "Never had much use for it." From the size and weight of Alessia, it looks like she's either got a fast metabolism or never eaten a burger in her life before.

"We'll keep driving until we find something, I swear there's one around here somewhere." Tyson turns down another street and continues searching for the fast food venue. Some time later and a few more streets away, we find the bright yellow sign high in the sky.

"Finally!" he yells out in excitement. "Food time." He swives into the drive through, narrowly missing a car. He speeds down the short space and flies through the empty drive-through. When he gets to the first speaker, Tyson puts his window down and starts ordering his meal.

"Do you want anything?" he asks.

"Uh, frozen coke maybe?" I smile.

"And a frozen coke, thanks." Tyson listens to the food order and corrects the mistake on his burger and then moves forwards to the next window to pay. By the time he gets to the third window, he's delighted to receive his meal.

Tyson drives off and asks me to hand his burger to him. I'm slightly worried with how he's going to drive with one hand on the wheel and other holding his food. But somehow manages to balance the two and still drive in a straight line.

He takes a bite into his burger and then spits the mouthful out the window. There's a few honks but Tyson disregards the fuss of the outside world.

"Ew," he shrieks. "Someone put pickles in my fucking burger," he grumbles.

I cling to the side of the car and pray that we make it back to Kade's apartment safely.