FINALLY IN LOVE

CHAPTER FOUR

He closed his eyes remembering her smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her family. His thoughts normally focused on numbers and strategies were now consumed by Anita Carter. It was a light he had never seen in his cold, calculating business world.

Kelvin took a sip of malt, feeling the liquid freeze his throat. What is happening to me? A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Jim, his assistant, entered with a folder in his hand.

Mr. Sterling, here are the reports you requested on Miss Carter’s background. Kelvin hesitated before taking the folder. Part of him wanted to know everything about Anita, another part felt guilty for invading her privacy. Thank you, Jim, he said. Place the folder on the table without opening it. You should go home now.

Alone again, Kelvin fought the edge to dive into the information about Anita. Instead, he picked up his phone and, before he could think twice, dialed her number. Anita was in her small apartment in the Bronx helping her mother get into bed when her phone rang. Seeing Kelvin’s name on the screen she felt a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

Hello, she answered, leaving the room so as not to disturb her mother. Anita, Kelvin’s voice sounded softer than usual, I hope I am not disturbing you. No, you are not, she replied, taking a seat on the warm sofa in the living room.

Is everything alright? There was a pause at the other end of the line. I wanted to know how you were after our last meeting. I was worried. Anita’s heart raced. It was the first time Kelvin had shown genuine concern for her outside the context of his business.

I am fine, she said, her voice betraying a little emotion. It’s hard to balance everything, but I am dealing with it. Kelvin closed his eyes, imagining Anita in her small apartment which was so different from the luxurious world he was used to.

Anita, I know I have asked a lot of you. If you need anything, Kelvin, she interrupted him gently, why did you call? The question took Kelvin by surprise. He found himself at a loss for words, something rare for a man known for his eloquence in business.

I, I don’t know, he finally admitted. I guess I just wanted to hear your voice. The silence that followed was full of unspoken emotions. Anita felt her heart squeeze, torn between the attraction she felt for Kelvin and the fear of getting too involved in a world that wasn’t her own.

Kelvin, she began, her voice trembling, what are we doing? This, this wasn’t supposed to be real. Kelvin stood up and walked over to the window. The city below seemed small and insignificant compared to the whirlwind of the emotions in his chest.

I know he replied softly. But Anita, you have changed something in me. For the first time in years, I am questioning everything I thought was important. Kelvin’s words hit Anita like waves, making her shiver. She looked around her small apartment at the family photos on the walls, at the worn furniture full of memories. How could she reconcile this world with his?

I am confused too, Kelvin, she admitted. You have opened up a whole new world for me, and shown me possibilities I never imagined, but I am afraid. Afraid of losing who I am. Kelvin felt a pain of guilt. He had dragged Anita into his world without fully considering the consequences for her.

Anita, you are the most authentic person I have ever met, he said fervently. Don’t let anything, not even me, change that. Silent tears ran down Anita’s face. What if it is too late? What if I am already changing? The vulnerability in Anita’s voice awakened something deep in Kelvin. He realized that he didn’t just want their business deal.

He wanted to get to know her truly, to understand her struggles and her dreams. Then we changed together, he said softly. Anita, I want to know your world as much as you know mine. Can I visit you tomorrow? The proposal took Anita by surprise.

Kelvin Sterling, the Wall Street tycoon, wanted to visit her humble apartment in the Bronx. Are you sure? She asked with uncertainty. Absolutely, Kelvin replied without hesitation. They agreed on the details and when they hung up they both felt that something fundamental had changed between them.

The next morning, Kelvin found himself standing in front of Anita’s building feeling strangely nervous. He who had negotiated millions without blinking now hesitated in front of an apartment door.

Anita opened the door, her eyes widened as she saw Kelvin in simple jeans and a polo t-shirt. An obvious attempt to dress more casually. Hi, she said, a shy smile on her lips, come in. Kelvin entered, his eyes roaming the small apartment.

It was modest, yes, but there was a feeling of home that his luxurious penthouse never had. It's cozy, he commented sincerely. Anita relaxed a little because of his reaction. Thank you. It’s not much, but it’s home.

At that moment, Catherine came out of her room, stopping abruptly when she saw Kelvin. Ann, who are you? She began, her eyes widening in recognition. Wait, are you Kelvin Sterling?

Kelvin smiled, holding out his hand to Catherine. And you must be Catherine. Anita talks about you a lot. Catherine looked from Kelvin to Anita, her expression a mixture of confusion and excitement. Ann, you didn’t tell me you knew Kelvin Sterling. Anita blushed, feeling caught between her two worlds. It’s complicated, Cathy.

The tension was broken by Rhoda’s weak voice coming from the bedroom. Anita, who’s there? Anita cast a worried glance at Kelvin before answering. He is a friend, Mom. Can I bring him to meet you? With Rhoda’s permission, Anita led Kelvin into his mother’s room. Kelvin felt a lump in his throat at the sight of the frail woman on the bed but was greeted with a warm smile.

So are you the famous Kelvin? Rhoda said, her voice weak but warm. Anita has been talking about you a lot. Kelvin was surprised by the emotion he felt. Here was a family united by love, and facing adversity together. It was something he, with all his money and power, had never really experienced.

They spent the morning talking. Kelvin listened intently to the Carter family stories. He laughed at Catherine’s jokes, was touched by Rhoda’s strength, and found himself increasingly enchanted by Anita. When it was time to leave, Kelvin felt transformed.

In the elevator, he turned into Anita. His eyes shone with new understanding. Thank you, he said, simply for showing me what matters. Anita smiled, feeling that something had changed between them. It was no longer just a business arrangement.

It was the start of something deeper and truer. As Kelvin walked back to his car, he knew that his life would never be the same again. Anita Carter had entered his world as part of a plan, but now she was becoming the center of something much bigger.

Back in her apartment, Anita sat on her bed. Her emotions are in turmoil. She picked up her diary, a habit she had kept since she was a teenager, and began writing. Dear Diary Kitty, today Kelvin Sterling entered my world and I think for the first time he saw me.

Not the Anita I pretend to be at events, but the real me. The scariest thing is that I think I am starting to see the real Kelvin in him too. What does this mean for us, for our deal, and my heart? Only time will tell.

She closed the diary, looking out of the window at the city that never sleeps. Somewhere out there, Kelvin was also contemplating the future, knowing that their lives had become intertwined in a way that neither of them could have predicted.