FOR RICHER, FOR POOR

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It's been a while since I woke up to the smell of a fresh pot of coffee at my apartment. Is that humming? Olivia is humming? I woke up and went to the counter. "Good morning. I'm sorry we haven't gotten time to talk. It's just the café is taking up a lot of my time," I said.

"No worries. I understood this was bound to happen," Olivia said placing a plate with bacon and an omelet before me.

"Since when do you cook?" I asked surprised. She just smiled and her cheeks turned pink in the slightest. She just turned and continued cooking. "Well? Tell me?" I asked now my interest peeked.

"I started seeing this guy. He's a chef at Juin restaurant, you know the fancy restaurant. And he has taught me a thing or two." Olivia said blushing.

"I'm happy for you. Is that where you've been spending the night these days?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows, I chuckled picked a piece of bacon, and took a bite.

"Yes, it is." She said with a bit of hesitation.

"What is wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing is wrong. It's just that…" she started then stopped as she placed a cup of coffee before me.

I reached out to touch her hand and brushed on it, to try and assure her that she could talk to me.

She came and sat on a stool beside me, "you know you've never asked me how I get to pay my rent yet you have never seen me work," she explained.

It never really occurred to me to ask her about her personal life. I figured once she was comfortable with me she would just open up. I nodded in understanding urging her to go on. She seemed unsure if she wanted to talk to me about it.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me about it," I said reassuringly.

"No, I want to tell you. I'd rather you hear it from than from someone else." She said, "You don't even know my last name. It's Dennings. I'm Olivia Dennings." She said finally like a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders. I looked at her unsure what exactly she meant. She looked at me, "Really that's all the reaction I get?" she asked surprised.

"To be honest I have no idea what you're talking about. Is your last name supposed to mean something?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, that's a first. I have never found someone who doesn't know Dennings Inc," Olivia said. "We own the biggest import company in almost all continents." She said.

"Oh, that's great for you," I said awkwardly having no idea what else I could have said.

"Anyway, that aside there's a family feud going on and I'm expected to get married and take over the family business. I don't want to hence why I'm here, I was given a year to think about it or my parents will disown me," she explained.

"What has all this got to do with your new boyfriend?" I asked.

"I like him. Like a lot. I'm not sure if my parents would accept him or not. What if they don't? I have like another four months remaining in my year." She explained.

"If you love him then everything else shouldn't matter. I'm sure your parent would want you to be happy and if he makes you happy that shouldn't be a problem." I said.

She stood up and walked to the bathroom, "Oh Kat if only it were that easy." She said with a sigh. I was about to respond when my phone rang, it's Trisha. I signaled for Olivia to give me a minute I pick this call.

"Hey Trish, is everything okay?" I asked. "I was wondering if everything is okay with you. You always come here early." She asked. "I'm sorry today I felt like sleeping in. You guys bought everything that was needed right?" I asked.

"Yeah, we bought everything is running smoothly. I called to tell you that this handsome guy has been waiting for you here for a while. He said his name is Lorenzo?" she said, I could picture her ogling him.

"He's there early. I'm on my way. Oh, and Trish?" I responded.

"Yes Kat," she answered.

"Stop ogling at the guy." I hung up before she could answer with a smile.

I had to go and meet Lorenzo but I didn't want to leave things like this with Olivia. "No problem Kathleen you can go, I'll be fine." She said from the bathroom.

"Are you sure? Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. We can still talk about it later." She said.

"Yes, we will," I said in conclusion and hopped in the shower. I dried my hair, tied it in a high ponytail, wore a black long-sleeved stripped white jumpsuit and a pair of low cross-strapped white sandals, took my handbag confirmed everything was okay, I said goodbye to Olivia, and went away. I took a taxi to the café, I went straight to the counter once I got there. Trish and Myra pointed to where Lorenzo was. I looked at him and waved. I said hi to Amanda who seemed engrossed in what she was doing. She's passionate about her career I'll give her that.

I went to sit at the table Lorenzo was at. "Hi," I greeted him once I got to the seat. "Hi, Kathleen. Beautiful as always." He said offering me a single rose.

I just looked at it and placed it on the table, "Seriously Lorenzo what happened? We spend a whole week together working on this café, us bonding over how important this is for me and you don't even show up let alone even let me know about it?" My words came pouring out with so much emotion.

"I know I let you down but would you let me explain myself please?" he pleaded. I nodded.

"I had every intention of coming here to be with you on that day. It was just as important to me as it was for you but a friend of mine was in an accident. That's what the call was about that morning that's why I left in such a hurry. By the way, I'm sorry for how I treated you that morning," he explained, I nodded in agreement at the last statement, "Are you your friend alright?" I asked.

"Yes, she is." He said. "She" is what rang out in that statement. His friend was a lady. I felt like my heart was just punched but I put myself together.

"She and I have been friends since we were kids so I had to be there for her. Please hope you understand. Lena is just such a drama queen. But I'd like to make it up to you." He said. "What time do you close up?" he asked.

I cleared my throat and said, "At around 9 pm."

"Okay, I'll pick you up then. I have something to show you. As my way to say sorry." He said excitedly.

I sighed. "Please say yes. I promise you'll like it." He said in an attempt to persuade me.

"Okay then, I'll see you then," I said finally giving in.

He smiled at me, that smile I missed so much. He reached for my hand and kissed it, "I promise you won't regret it." He said then left.

I looked at the rose on the table. I think I might be falling in love with Lorenzo. But don't know much about him, why would I fall in love? I'm just overreacting I'm just glad to see him again. I sighed and went back to the counter to try and make myself busy. I needed to hire someone else to help Trisha out. "Do you guys know someone who I might hire to work here to help out?" I asked Amanda, Myra, and Trisha. They all shook their head. Guess I'm hiring someone, I need to put out an announcement. The day flew by with no hitches. Gordon texted me at around 7 pm. Hey Beautiful. Are you free tonight? He texted. Hello, I'm not, unfortunately. I replied. I wanted to catch up with you. How about tomorrow? He texted. I might be free. And I'd love to catch up with you. I replied. Then I'll see you tomorrow. Have a beautiful night. He texted. You too. I replied. I was thinking about what Lorenzo was going to take me. I was very eager to see it.

At exactly 9 pm Lorenzo was at the café. And I think he was riding a motorcycle? Once Trish saw him she practically chased me out of the café. It was so embarrassing. "You ready?" Lorenzo asked once we were outside.

"Um, I guess so," I said.

"Ever been on a motorcycle before?" he asked with a smile.

"No, I haven't. But I always wondered what it would be like," I said as he handed me a helmet.

"Then today you get to experience it." He said with a smirk.

I was struggling to put on the helmet. When he came and stood next to me. "Allow me?" he asked. He was so close to me I could smell his cologne. He looked down on me. He raised his hand, reached for my hair, and let it down from the ponytail. He reached for my face and he gently brushed off from my face to behind my ear and I closed my eyes. He put the helmet on my head and latched it below my chin his fingers brushing on my chin I opened my eyes and looked at his. There was no room for doubt left in my mind as I looked into his amazing eyes. I was in love with him.