Chapter 6

KEIRA. 

I signed the documents and passed it to him and he had a satisfying smile etched on his face. 

“Good …. I will send you a copy of the contract. Remember you can't back out on the deal until the contract is over…” He told me. 

Regardless of us using gender pronouns, it dawned on me that I didn't know the gender of my employer. I was over the moon and didn't catch on. 

“Excuse me? Is it a man or a woman? I mean the house owner?” I probed and he gave me that weird look. 

“A man….” He replied. 

Gosh, damn… I don't want any more men in my life. I know this is strictly work and is not like I'm emotionally available but I didn't want to be getting entangled with that gender. 

“Is he allergic to human beings as well? I mean he could hire cooks and maids?” Didn't know where I got the confidence to even ask silly questions. There are thousands of people out there who would take the job. I know my suggestion wasn't needed but I can't help it. 

“Apparently he is. He doesn't like crowds so one person is enough.” He smirked and I heaved a sigh of exasperation. 

“I would be giving you the address, you can move in today or whenever you like… or you can come with me so I can show you around the penthouse.” He demanded and his eyes quickly darted over to my luggage. 

“Judging from your luggage, you don't seem to have a destination either” He added and my lips formed a straight line. 

“I …. Ah….” 

“Let's go….” He cut me off immediately and stood up, walking out of the coffee shop and I tagged along, of course, with my luggage..

When we got to the penthouse, he showed me to my room in the middle floor. The downstairs area was basically a big kitchen and living room, it had a fitness center and a spa too. I was really impressed with how nice the penthouse was, I didn't get why the owner wanted to change the design, but I guess he had his reasons. The middle floor had more spacious bedrooms and private balconies. 

The last floor, which was almost the rooftop, was where you could see the breathtaking views of the city and relaxation. 

“You can call my number if you have any questions” He said after handing me his business card. I had kept my luggage and followed him downstairs. 

“Alright sir.” I replied. 

“Here is the card key to the penthouse.” He stretched out his hands to give me the card and I grasped it. 

“Thank you.” I muttered and he nodded. 

“I will leave you to catch up” He said and began walking away but paused on his tracks as he turned to me. “The resources for the design will be provided. Also you don't have to worry about keeping the penthouse clean always, we hired someone who shows up every two days to clean when the boss is not around, you just have to direct and be around” He added and I nodded in agreement before he finally walked away. 

I went upstairs to the middle floor the moment he left and slumped on the bed. The room given to me was so spacious. I can't believe this is happening, it still feels like a dream.

I needed to rest, I have been having it rough since the day I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I can't believe I accepted to take care of a penthouse and also the house owner coupled with an interior designing job. 

Well, not like I had a choice, it seemed like the heavens heard my prayers and everything happened at once. 

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, my cellphone's ringing pierced the air, jolting me awake. My eyes snapped open, and I was suddenly alert, my senses racing to catch up with the sudden interruption.

When my eyes darted over to the clock hanging on the wall in my supposed room, it was 5:30 am. What?! Did I actually sleep for such long hours? God….. I massaged my temples and glanced around, my luggage was still staring at me while I was in the same outfit from yesterday. I can't believe I didn't even take a shower. 

I was still trying to inhale the stinky scent of my outfit before my cell phone began ringing again. 

 I picked it up and flung it over my ear. “Hello” 

“Hello, this is Mark, the hiring manager. Have you made breakfast for the boss yet?” he asked and my eyes darted over to the clock again, this was 5:30. 

“No…. I'm” 

“Don't tell me you are still in bed, Boss would be leaving by 7:00 am” He asked and I stood erect immediately as if those words made me agile. 

“No sir. I'm in the kitchen already,” I lied. 

“Get over with it” He instructed and I agreed. 

“Alright sir” 

I hung up that minute and stood up. I wouldn't have time to change my clothes, I mean I haven't even unpacked my luggage. I rushed downstairs, which was the last floor. 

I went over to the kitchen and of course the food time table was available in a banner on the wall. But Mark told me I could incorporate whichever dishes I liked. 

I can't believe I'm doing wifely duties for money. At least it was better than doing it for a cheating bastard. 

Scrambled eggs, sausages and potato, that was for his breakfast. If he hates egg yolk then am I supposed to fry just the egg white? This is harder than I thought but I ended up frying the entire thing. 

By the time I was done with preparing breakfast, it was almost 7. I finished setting the dining table and heaved a deep breath. I walked over to the refrigerator and took a jug as I poured cold water into a glass to take. 

As I gulped down the glass of water, I heard the soft creak of the stairs beneath someone's feet. 

I spun around, the glass of water still in my mouth, and my gaze traveled up his body in slow motion. My eyes lingered on his legs, then rose to his torso, where a white towel was wrapped enticingly around his waist. Oh my God! This feels like a dream.

 My gaze continued traveling through his body and I couldn't help but marvel at his chiseled abs, it was more impressive than Zac Efron's!, I thought dazedly.

 Time seemed to stand still as I ogled his bare chest, glistening with droplets of water.

I stood there, frozen, the empty glass still in my mouth, my eyes fixed on his physique. I didn't know I had stared for long, nor did I realize he had stepped so closer. It was until he spoke that I snapped back to reality. 

"You're the hired interior designer?" he asked, his deep voice jolting me out of my trance. My gaze slowly rose to his face, and our eyes met. 

I felt a jolt of electricity, and my eyes widened in surprise. Quickly, I dropped the glass and bent down, hiding my flushed face. I can't believe this! 

The counter top was my shield when I bent down so it covered me from his gaze. 

 This is ridiculous! What a twist of fate? Who would have thought that I would end up working for the stranger I had one night stand with!

 Suddenly, I felt a rush of adrenaline, the memories of that night crowding my mind. I remember I made the move first. God, this is so embarrassing and I was even drooling over his abs and body right now. 

God, I must be dreaming right, If I am, I need to wake up! I pinched myself but I was still there. 

“Excuse me?” I heard his voice and heaved a deep breath as I slowly stood up. 

“Good morning, sir” I greeted enthusiastically, trying to cover up my stupid actions just now. But I gulped hard, struggling to keep myself in place from the wonderful physique standing before me. I can't believe someone twice my age is having such an effect on me. Was I normal? 

“Why did you bend over?” He asked in a plain voice. Did he not remember me? How stupid of me to be thinking he would. I was hiding for nothing. It was probably a fling and a casual one night stand, nothing deep or serious.

It was better he didn't, that way I would do my job comfortably. 

“Uh…I was picking up something” The perfect lie made its way to my lips.

“What’s your name?” He asked. 

“Keira…” I responded and turned my gaze away from his torso. I can't say why he didn't put on a shirt before coming downstairs,perhaps he thought it was a male interior designer. 

“I'm George by the way. I'm sure Mark explained everything to you?” He probed, walking towards the dining table. 

“Yes he did…” 

Just then, we began hearing voices outside.

“I need to see him! Allow me to see him!” The voice roared.  

“I'm sorry! I'm not sure Boss wants to see you! Please go!” 

George or my employer or boss, I don't know what to refer to him as. He stood up and walked towards the direction of the door to the house as he opened it. 

“Why the heck are you disturbing my peace?” he asked sternly and I furrowed my brows, catching a glimpse of the man standing outside. Liam? 

“I clearly told him you didn't want to see him,” Mark remarked. 

What was Liam doing here? Do they perhaps know each other? 

“You just can't fire me without a valid reason!” He gritted his teeth. 

“I have to.” George casually replied. 

“Then give me a valid reason! I have been working my ass off for this company, "he said.

“I'm still going to be supporting you as my son, Liam. But you shouldn't near the company walls anymore” George demanded. 

Son? I wrinkled my brows in confusion. I'm not hearing this wrongly right? George was Liam's father?! I threw my hands to my mouth in shock. 

“I don't want your support. I want to be listed as the shareholders! You shouldn't just fire me!” Liam insisted. 

“Enough of this discussion! It's my decision and it is final!” George growled and turned over, stepping back to the dinning table. 

Liam quickly pushed Mark off and walked in. “Why are you doing this?!” Liam spat, walking into the house as our gazes locked,his brows fumbling in uncertainty.

“Keira?” He called out, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“What are you doing here?” He asked, driving away his focus on George. 

“That's none of your business” I answered rudely.

“What do you mean it's none of my business,” he snapped back. 

“You two know each other?” George chimed in from the dining table. He still hadn't taken his seat. 

“She is my wife….” Liam blurted. 

“Ex wife, Liam….” I corrected him with a stern voice. 

“Whatever, that doesn't answer my question? What the fuck are you doing here?” 

A smirk crossed my lips and I suddenly got a brilliant idea. I didn't want to think about the consequences. I would worry about that later. 

I walked towards George and slowly linked my arms with him and I was loving the look on Liam's face. 

“Well, you see, I'm his girlfriend.” I said confidently and Liam's mouth went wide in shock.