The next morning I woke to the sweet aroma of French toast. I headed right to the kitchen to see that Nathan was just finishing up making breakfast. “Morning, beautiful.” He didn’t even have to turn around to know I was there. It’s like we can sense when each other is near.
“Morning, it smells incredibly delicious in here.”
“Thank you, I hope you brought your appetite down with you.”
“I can eat.”
“Have a seat.” I sat down at the breakfast bar. He turned around and placed a plate with French toast and bacon in front of me. Then he brought me a bowl of fruit and a mug of coffee. “Orange juice as well?”
“Yes, please.” He poured me a glass and placed it next to my plate. “Thank you, for everything.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy.” He made himself a plate and sat next to me. Everything was delicious. The man certainly can cook.
“I’m guessing you are heading into the office soon.”
“After breakfast, yes. Do you have any work to do?”
“Yeah and I have actually been getting more requests. I’m going to have to start turning some down.”
“Why?”
“I won’t be able to handle everything myself.”
“I have an idea, if you’re open to it.”
“What?”
“Use my building and you can hire a crew this way you don’t have to turn down any work and you can delegate the work this way you don’t over work yourself. And if you want a day to yourself you have a staff to handle it.”
“I wouldn’t be able to pay anyone. I’m not there yet.”
“We’ll make it a subsidiary of my company and I will cover the costs.”
“I like having my own business not working for someone. No offense. I’m sure people like working for you.”
“Non taken and you won’t be. It’ll still be yours, I’ll just cover the business costs to run. Think of me as just an investor.”
“It does sound like it could be good.”
“You’d have your own floor in the building. You’ll be separate from me if that helps.”
“I think it may help. But why do I think you have anterior motives?”
“Why would you say that?”
“This way you’d have me in the same building as you at all times.”
“I’ll admit that is a nice perk, but I’m merely thinking of you and helping you grow your business. Besides there are many times I’m out of the office for meetings.”
“Alright, I’ll admit it would be nice to have an actual office and staff to spread out the work.”
“That was easier than I thought it would be.”
“Plus I‘ll be able to get out of here for a few hours a day. I’m going stir crazy with just sitting around here by myself all day and can’t leave.”
“I understand and I”m sorry but I’m going to be cautious. Give me the week and I’ll have everything ready for you. If you want I’ll have some candidates ready for you to interview.”
“I get to select my staff?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t take that away from you. You know what you need and what you are looking for.”
“Thank you. I appreciate everything you do for me.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’ll do anything I can for you. Anything to make you happy. To make your life easier. I know this hasn’t been the best situation or the easiest. But we’ll get through it.”
“I know, it just…sucks.”
“I know it does. Now I believe we have one more item to discuss, however, it’ll have to wait to later. I have to get to the office now. I’m going to get ready.”
“Okay, I’m just going to finish here then I’ll clean up before I take a shower.”
“Okay baby, I’ll be down and say bye before I leave.”
“Okay, I’m going to use today to just lounge around.”
“I’m glad. Now you’re getting the hang of it.”
“Hey, come next week I’ll be actually going in to work. I’m going to enjoy this while I can.”
“You can anytime you want, baby. You’re the boss.”
“You never do.”
“I prefer to be in control of everything and besides I never had a reason to want to stay home until you.” He gave me a kiss on the forehead then headed upstairs to get ready.
It’s funny he says that. I never knew I could love someone or be loved in return until him. I thought I was perfectly happy until he came along. Until him I thought I was living now I know I was merely existing.
I missed having lunch with Mike and my dad but I also knew Nathan was dead set on me staying here. Though he shouldn’t have an issue with me meeting my father and brother who are cops as long as I have his driver take me.
Kristina: I want to have lunch with Mike and my dad I miss them.
Nathan: Have them come over.
Kristina: I want to go out to lunch with them. It’s perfectly safe. I’ll be with two of Las Vegas’ finest.
Nathan: I don’t want you walking around by yourself.
Kristina: I won’t be. What if I promise to use the driver?
Nathan: If you insist on going anywhere then fine as long as Vinny takes you and waits then brings you back.
Kristina: I will, I promise.
Nathan: Then go ahead. There’s a bistro down the street I think you all will enjoy. Text me to let me know when you get there and when you’re back home.
Kristina: The bistro sounds good and okay. Home though?
Nathan: You know what I mean. I want my home to also be your home.
Kristina: I’m still thinking about it.
Nathan: We’ll talk later when I get home
Kristina: Yes, sir. Lol I’m going to go and get ready for lunch now.
Nathan: You minx. Do you know how hard I got from that last text?
Kristina: You can demonstrate later.
I send a group text to Mike and my dad abut lunch and start to get ready.
Kristina: Free for lunch?
Mike: Always for you sis.
Dad: Always for my girl.
Kristina: Great. There’s a bistro down the street form Nathan’s that he recommended. I’ll send the address.
Mike: Sounds good, see ya there.
Dad: Same see you soon.
That put me in an even better mood. I walked out the front door to see the guard that Nathan has required we have there. “Good afternoon Miss. Thomas. Are you ready to head out?”
“Yes, um, sorry I didn’t catch your name.”
“Andre, ma’am.”
“Hello, Andre. I’m guessing your boss has already informed you of my plans.”
He just nodded as he lead me to the elevator. “You know you don’t have to accompany me down. I’m capable of making it down all on my own.”
“I’m afraid I must insist.”
“Because he insists.”
“I’m afraid so ma’am.”
“Of course he did.” I mutter under my breath.
“Pardon me ma’am?”
“Nothing, I was just cursing your boss out. And please call me Kris.”
“I’m afraid not. It’s not professional. I’m to maintain my professionalism.”
For the love of god. I’ll never get use to all of this.
Kristina: You are so damn neurotic.
Nathan: Not neurotic, protective.
Kristina: It’s all the same to me at this point.
Nathan: Don’t worry about it right now. Just enjoy lunch with your family.
I left it at that. The next time he’d hear from me will be later. When I was good and ready. It may sound childish but fuck I’m losing my mind. We pull up in front of the bistro and Vinny gets out to open the door for me. “Let me guess you were instructed to walk me to the door.”
“Escort you in actually.”
“Do you not see how ridiculous this is?”
“Bosses orders.” He shrugs.
We walk in and I spot Mike and John right away. “Okay, you can head out if you want.”
“I’ll just sit over in the corner here.”
“Bosses orders?”
“Partly plus I really do like this place.”
“Fine, enjoy your lunch. You as well.”
“Thanks.” I walked over to where Mike and John were sitting.
“Hey, sweetheart. How have you been?”
“Good, dad, you?”
“Been good myself.”
“Hey, kiddo, who’s that?”
“Bodyguard, apparently.”
“Not by your choice it sounds like.”
“Nope, Nathan insists. Can’t go anywhere without him.”
“I’m not hating it.”
“Really? You don’t think it’s too excessive?”
“He’s taking good care of my little girl, I’m more than okay with it.”
“Same here, sis. Sorry to say. I’m liking this guy more and more.”
“Whatever. New topic please.”
“How’s therapy?”
“Good, dad. You’ll be happy to hear that he is also on Nathan’s side.” I replied dryly.
“Sweetheart, it’s not about sides. It’s about making sure you are safe and happy.”
I wanted to focus to be taken off of me. “So how’s the wedding planning going?”
“Good, Nathan set us up with a planner to help out. Since he’s handling it we give her what we want and she lets him know the details. She did ask if you’d go dress shopping with her tomorrow.”
“I’d love to. I’ll have to let Nathan know but I’ll manage it.”
“Great, I’ll let her know.”
“Have her send me the information and I’ll meet her.”
Right on cue my phone pinged with a text.
Nathan: What part of text me when you get there is so hard to do?
Kristina: Sorry, I got caught up with a conversation with Vinny about how you have him stalking me. Then got caught up with my dad and Mike.
Nathan: Guarding you, baby, not stalking.
Kristina: So how’d you know I was here already anyway?
Nathan: For one I know how far it is and two I had to ask Vinny since my girlfriend can’t comply with one simple request.
Kristina: Fine, I’m here and safe and sound.
Nathan: That’s all I want. Enjoy the rest of your lunch.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I was suppose to let him know when I got here but I got so caught up that I forgot. He worries way too much.”
“I like that he worries the way he does.”
“It’s a bit much.”
“It shows he cares about you. He wants to look after you. You know I’m not going to be around forever. It’s good to know you’ll be in good hands.”
“Seriously dad?”
“What?”
“I hate when you talk like that. I don’t want to think about it.”
“I know but I have to.”
“And Jenna and I are going to want to start our own family. It’s good to know you have someone to look after you. I would feel horrible if you or one of them got hurt because I split my attention too much and couldn’t see something coming. You know you’ll always have me to go to I just feel better knowing you have someone who cares about you as much as we do.”
Lunch was good but emotionally exhausting. It wasn’t what I was expecting but it was what I needed. I know they are right it doesn’t mean it’s easy. When the car stopped in front of Nathan’s building Andre was waiting at the curb. When the car pulled over he opened the door to let me out.
“Good afternoon Miss Thomas. How was your lunch?”
“Good thank you.”
He nodded and lead me to the elevator. He hit the button for our floor and the doors closed. I just leaned against the elevator feeling spent. When the doors opened on our floor he walked me out and to the door. He stayed guard outside the door as I walked inside.
Kristina: I’m back at the penthouse.
Nathan: Thank you. I’m glad to see you made it back home safe.
Kristina: Yeah, I’m going to go take a nap.
Nathan: Is everything okay? Are you feeling okay? Do you need anything?”
Kristina: No, I’m good. Just emotionally spent. Talked with Mike and John about us and of course they agree with you on everything. Just had an emotional conversation and I just want to rest now.
Nathan: Okay baby. Rest, I’ll see you when I get home.
Kristina: Okay
I felt the bed dip and turned over to find Nathan sitting at the edge of the bed watching me. “Hey, baby, how are you feeling?”
“Better. Rested.”
“That’s good. I’m glad.”
“What time is it?”
“A little after six. I got home a little later than I expected.” He must have seen the startled look on my face. “Don’t worry about dinner. I called out for Chinese.”
“That sounds good actually.”
“It’’ll be here soon so come down when you’re ready and we’ll eat.”
“Okay, I’ll be down in a few.”
I stretched and finally forced myself out of bed. I couldn’t help it. His bed was so comfortable. When I got downstairs he had everything read on the dining room table. “Come, sit. Let’s eat”
As I dug in I knew I had to bring up tomorrow. This was going to be some talk. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Oh?”
“Jenna asked me to go dress shopping with her tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
“I told Mike that I would but of course I needed to let you know.”
“Okay, get the information from her. I’ll have Vinny take you to pick her up and drive you guys wherever you need to go. We’ll make it a special girls day. He’ll use the limo. Go dress shopping go to lunch and I’ll even throw in a trip to the spa. All paid for. Just have a good time. And this way if drinking happens she won’t have to worry.”
“Thank you. That actually sounds wonderful. I don’t drink though.”
“Baby, I trust you. You’re not the same person you were. I can see how happy you are though you try to hide it. Besides you’ll be with Jenna and she won’t let anything happen. Then you’ll come home to me.”
“You’ll be home early?”
“Yes.” His smile grew wider and I just realized why. I called his place home.
“I mean you’ll leave work early?”
“Too late baby. I already caught that. See? You feel at home here. Can’t you see it’s where you belong.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I’m right. You just have to admit it to yourself.”
I looked away and finished eating. It really was good. After dinner I sent Jenna a text letting her know about tomorrow and she was thrilled. She called me to confirm she read that right and I could hear the excitement in her voice. This was worth it. It made her happy and so I was happy. Nathan and I spent the rest of the night watching television before calling it a night.
