Bliss' POV

The smell of burning food awakened me. I shot up out of bed. I couldn't run, so I hobbled on one leg to the kitchen.

"Ugh, good morning, Shane. What in the world are you trying to do?"

I walked over and saw what he was burning - bacon. What a travesty!!

"Uh, I was trying to fix breakfast."

"POW!!"

"Shane!! You are burning bacon!! For the love of humanity, why?! Throw that travesty out! Please tell me you did not fix the whole pack?"

"No, I didn't."

"Thank goodness. Listen, I am thankful you tried to fix me breakfast, but please don't do that again, okay?"

I just realized I had on a pair of booty shorts and a tank top. "Andrea is going to get it. She packed all the sexy, revealing stuff for me to wear."

Shane's POV

Bliss must have just realized what she had on because she started trying to cover herself.

"Holy moly!"

"Okay. I was so excited about last night that I wanted to surprise you with breakfast this morning." I was really excited. She has no idea how happy last night made me.

"Do you like scrambled eggs?"

"Yes, I do."

"Okay, I usually eat two eggs. So, two for me and however many you would like for yourself. There is some shredded cheese also in the fridge. And, pull out the pack of bacon."

I grabbed just four eggs, shredded cheese, and bacon.

"Good. Now, I bought you some of the best salt-free seasonings in the world. Look for that. You will need a bowl to mix the ingredients. I'll get another pan to fix the eggs."

"Sure." I got the bowl and found the salt-free seasoning. So, I cracked the eggs and put some cheese in the bowl. "How much seasoning do I need to use?"

"Good question. I never measure it. I usually put two dabs for myself. So, dab about four shakes, and that should be good. Grab a fork and mix it well. I already turned on the stove and put oil in the pan. It should be nice and hot now. So, go ahead and pour the mixture into the pan. Then, stir it like you did the sauce last night."

I did precisely as Bliss said, and the scrambled eggs were done within five minutes.

"I couldn't grab the plates."

"I'll get them, shorty."

"Hey, I can't help that I am 5'4", and you are well over 6 feet."

After grabbing the plates, I put the eggs on each plate.

"Now, it is bacon time. Turn the gas on medium heat and put the bacon in the pan."

"Okay." Every time I cooked bacon, I had the gas up really high. No wonder I burned it. So far, it is not burning.

"Looking good so far, Mr. Billionaire. Flip the bacon to the other side now. Let it get crispy, but not too crispy because we don't want it looking undercooked or burned."

I looked at the bacon again. I flipped it again to check the other side. "Okay, not too crispy." Bliss didn't say a word yet - not sure if that is good or not. So, I turned off the gas and put bacon on both plates, waiting for her reply.

Bliss hugged me and said, "Excellent job, Shane. Way better than what you did when I first came into the kitchen. Always look at your gas when you turn it on. If you turn it on high, adjust it to a lower heat."

Bliss gave me a high-five, then I carried the plates to the kitchen table, and we sat down to eat breakfast.

After tasting the eggs and bacon, "Breakfast is Bliss approved."

***********

Narrator's POV

Through the rest of July and August, Bliss taught Shane how to cook various dishes. She blew up at him twice but later apologized. And Shane didn't take it personally.

Shane taught Bliss how to do the payroll for the company. She was a fast learner and even caught a few employees trying to take extra hours or days off. Shane went into the office to deal with those employees.

Shane introduced Bliss, through video conferences, to a few of the companies he invests in. Shane also warned them about inappropriate behavior towards' Bliss or any of his employees.

Jessica and Andrea both moved into their new places - Jessica in Manhattan, and Andrea in Long Island, not too far from work. Shane let Bliss stay with him because she kept her promise of not living alone in their Brooklyn house.

Bliss' ankle was healing well. She could take off the walking boot and just wear an ace bandage. So, Bliss wanted to go back into the office. Everyone was very welcoming when she returned, and she was very grateful.

September arrived, and the ladies were able to sell their Brooklyn house. And they even got more than they asked for. Bliss was able to find herself a home on Long Island. With the sale of the house and what she already had saved, Bliss paid for the house upfront - meaning, no mortgage. It had everything Bliss wanted except for the double oven. But she was okay with that. Bliss was just ecstatic that she found it so fast. Bliss is planning to have a housewarming party in October.

Kevin and Aris moved into their new house and sent out invitations for their housewarming party at the end of September, which was approaching quickly.

**********

The weekend of Kevin & Aris' housewarming party - Saturday

(Bliss' new home)

Bliss' POV

"What am I going to wear to the housewarming party?"

I didn't want anything too fancy. Even though Aris did say casual, so let me pick an outfit.

After getting dressed, I went downstairs to the kitchen to pick up my needed things.

Kevin and Aris came up with the idea that the guests would fix dinner. They didn't tell me who they paired me with while fixing dinner. I have an idea, but that's okay. Shane and I decided to become just friends. He is coming to pick me up. So, I grabbed my things and waited by the front door for him.

After putting the bags in the back seat, I got in the passenger seat of Shane's truck.

"Thank you for picking up, Shane."

"You're welcome. And I wanted to see your new house. From the outside, it is beautiful," he said as we pulled away.

"Thanks. I love it. I bought all new furniture and appliances for it and sold everything from the Brooklyn house. I am planning a housewarming party in October for everyone to come over. I liked the patio area in your backyard so much that I got one for my house, and I love it. Andrea and Jessica love the house too. They already claimed their rooms. Whatever keeps us together is okay with me. Your real estate agent was very nice and helpful in helping me find this house. It has everything I asked for, except for the double oven. But that is okay. The bonus was the gym room, and the equipment is new. And the three extra bedrooms. So, I was grateful for that. Mr. Connor said the house is new construction, and I was the first to see it."

"That is one of the reasons he is one of the best real estate agents in New York. He even helped me find a vacation home in Italy."

Shane's POV

"I invited all the executives to stay there when we go on the trip. You're welcome to stay there. It is plenty of room. Andrea is welcome to come too."

"Thanks. I think I will. I have always wanted to go to Italy since taking the language class in college. After my parents passed, I didn't really want to do anything or go anywhere. But now is a perfect time. I am excited and looking forward to it."

"I am too. Company trips are really the only vacation time that I take."

"Why? Do you not even take a weekend trip somewhere?"

"Too busy with work, I guess."

"I understand running a successful company takes a lot of work. But you also have to take time out for yourself occasionally, even for just a few days. When I first became Mr. Anderson's secretary, I never took a day off unless I was sick. He would always get on me about taking time off. He would make me even join his family for vacations. Now, I always make sure to take time off, even if I don't travel anywhere. Don't burn yourself out, Shane. I am sure you have a massive amount of vacation time because you are the boss. So, use the days to take time off. That is why you have an executive team."

"I think I will."

Traffic was on the light side for some reason. Go figure. But, later on, it will probably pick up. After parking my truck, Bliss grabbed her things from the back seat, and I grabbed mine. Then, we made our way to Kevin and Aris' new place.

"Ding dong!"

"Hi, Bliss and Shane. Come on inside. You guys can go into the kitchen. We are waiting for a few more guests to come. We already have a list of the pairs, so check with Kevin."

"Their place is really nice and spacious," Bliss commented while we walked towards the kitchen. We saw a few people in the kitchen - some I knew and others I didn't. Kevin then entered the room. "Hey, Bliss and Shane, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Kevin. I love your house."

"Thanks, Bliss. Aris did most of the decorating. I hear you have a new place yourself in Long Island."

"I do and love it. Shane's real estate agent found it for me. I am planning a housewarming party in October, and I want you both to come."

"We would love to. Shane and Bliss, you two are paired together, and you will be fixing burgers and chicken on the grill. That's why Aris texted you to get the ground beef and chicken. I'll show you where the grill is."

As soon as we were about to go outside, Bliss suddenly felt uncomfortable.

"Kevin, do you have a bowl that Shane can use to make burger patties?"

"Sure. I'll be right back."

Chase is here.

"Hey, Shane, it's good to see you again. And, Ms. Sanders, it's good to see you again too."

I needed to get Bliss away from him and quickly.

"Where's Kevin with that bowl?"

We saw Kevin walking our way. "Here is a bowl for the burgers, and one for the chicken, Bliss. You can prep in the kitchen first if you would like. Hey Chase, I have you paired with Nadia. She is standing near the refrigerator."

"Sure."

Thank goodness he walked away.

"Let's prep in the kitchen. It will be cleaner for us. Shane, you handle the burgers. Remember the way that I showed you? I have the seasonings in the bag I brought. And I have some food service gloves for you. I kind of already had a feeling that we would be working together. I got A-1 steak sauce to put in the mixture too."

So, we found a spot in the kitchen. I did precisely like Bliss showed me at my house after putting on the gloves - put the meat in the bowl first, then pour in the seasonings. I mixed both ingredients together. "Hey Kevin, do you have cookie sheets and some wax paper?"

"Sure. I will get it for you." He returned with wax paper and the cookie sheets a few minutes later. "One is for Bliss, and the other one is for me."

Bliss gave me a thumbs up to say thanks. I saw Chase staring at Bliss from the corner of my eye. I have to keep my eyes on him. If he does anything to her, I will hurt him.

Suddenly, we all turned around to see another one to keep away from Bliss.

****************

Thank you all for reading chapter 15.

1. Luxury brick home - © Can Stock Photo / tab62

2. Bliss' outfit is courtesy of PNG Tree - ©pngtree.com / Aleff Henrique

3. Kitchen with white cabinetry - © Can Stock Photo / Imphot

4. Master bedroom - © Can Stock Photo / Imphot

5. A patio at night - © Can Stock Photo / Bialasiewicz

Thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘