FOR RICHER, FOR POOR

CHAPTER FIVE

I have to admit that was very impulsive of me to offer a job to a total stranger. But I couldn't help it, it was like someone else took control of my body and I didn't know what I was doing or saying. Meeting Lorenzo was like a miracle I didn't understand the amount of work that would be required to be invested in making the changes in the café and Lorenzo came in handy. It took a while to explain and convince Mr. and Mrs. Johnson about my new plan and renovation of the Sunnyside Café, they saw Lorenzo and heard him playing, and Mrs. Johnson was quick to jump on board. Guess the lady isn't as old as I thought.

We started by removing the chipped-off green paint that was on all the walls, deciding on whether the furniture was too old to be used or if it should be maintained. Deciding that the old furniture would help the café maintain its former vibe, we decided to build a shelter outside and set tables for people who enjoy the outdoors. What was remaining was the furniture for the outdoors and the paint for the walls, Lorenzo and I decided to go shopping for them.

"I once saw this antique shop that had amazing things." I said to Lorenzo while we relaxed from our day's struggle, "How about we visit it tomorrow and check out if we can find something beautiful yet unique?" I asked him.

"Sure, why not? Just text me the address I'll meet you there." Lorenzo responded.

I took another sip of the bottled water in front of me and I extended my hand to touch Lorenzo's forearm bringing his attention to my hand, I felt the hairs on his arm rise, and he looked at me, "I appreciate you helping me out. I know this wasn't part of your job description," I chuckled.

"I don't mind really," he said, "it's an added advantage." He concluded.

I looked at him confused, "What is?" I asked.

"Getting to spend time with you," he said with a smirk, which made him more handsome. Didn't think that was possible. He looked at his watch, "As much as I love spending time with you I have to leave, other things to do," he said rising from his seat, "See you tomorrow." He said as he walked out the door, I waved at him.

It is four in the afternoon, I had a get-together planned with Nadia. It took a lot of apologies to get her to forgive me, though I just think she was enjoying torturing me. I bought him a new handbag and a set of earrings, I even tried getting Mrs. Johnson to help me apologize and she forgave me when I wrote her a poem. Granted she laughed at the poorly written poem and invited me over to her place where we had fun like when we were back in college, only the cheap beers were replaced with expensive champagne. It was awesome having my friend back. I told her about the café and of course Lorenzo, it was like I was back in college talking about our crushes and hot guys on campus.

I closed the café and decided to walk home. The house these days isn't that messy. Olivia had started picking up after herself, the apartment didn't look as messy, there was still room for improvement but I appreciated the effort. I was sweaty and dirty so I took a shower and threw on a pair of jeans, a blue tank top, and a pair of blue rubber shoes. I decided to carry a jacket and also took my purse and phone and off I went.

The place Nadia had chosen was classy as usual, I wouldn't blame her. She's the head of Human Resource at a Fortune five-hundred company, she is going to live the high life. I was happy for her and hopefully, when the café takes off I'll also get to enjoy the perks of life now and then.

"Kathleen you're late," Nadia complained when I sat in front of her.

"Sorry. Lorenzo and I just started renovating the café. It's exhausting honestly." I tried to explain myself.

"Ooooh, Lorenzo huh?" said Nadia wiggling her eyebrows. I just looked at her in disapproval.

"So, when am I meeting the mystery guy?" she asked.

"Probably never. Knowing you, you'll probably scare him off," I answered coming off the defensive.

"Kathleen!" she said loudly making everyone look at us, "What? Why are you shouting?" I asked in a whisper.

"You're in love with him." She stated.

"What?" I tried to seem shocked but it came out as more of a squeak. "You sound crazy. Can you hear yourself?" I defended myself.

She chuckled, "That wasn't a no."

"Okay, that's enough about me. Tell me how you've been. Who is your latest crush?" I said changing the topic.

She smirked and just dropped the subject. She started telling me about herself, her job, her coworkers, and the office romances, I loved that about her she was talkative and funny. We spent hours and hours talking and laughing. Time flew by without us noticing till I got a text from Lorenzo asking about the address.

"Is that Lorenzo?" Nadia teased. "No." I blurted out.

"Mm-hmm." Came to her response.

"I have to go anyway I have a very busy day tomorrow," I said to her ignoring her remark.

"I should go too. I'd hate to be late. My boss hates tardiness." She said and we stood to leave. We hugged and bid each other goodbye. I texted Lorenzo the address and time we were to meet once I got home, I went to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be an extremely busy day.

I woke up early, I had to get the café open and start painting the walls. I got ready and packed an overall for the mess painting would cause. I reached the café just in time to meet the delivery guy with the paint. I thanked him, opened the door, and brought the paint in, thankfully yesterday we put all the tables in the middle of the room and left enough space for painting the walls. I decided to start with painting the walls. I decided to go with sky blue and white for the paint. Sky blue gives a cool and calming effect, it's also a warm color. I put on my overalls and decided to put on my headphones, I work better with music and took a stool so I can be able to start painting from top to bottom.

I don't know how long I was working unfortunately, I was dancing too, but I had just finished painting the first wall when I turned and screamed making paint fly everywhere. Lorenzo was just seated on one of the stools looking at me, "What the hell? I almost had a heart attack!" I shouted at him. He just chuckled, "You seemed happy and enjoying yourself I didn't want to disturb you." He said.

"So, you decided to just stand there and watch me like a creep?" I asked, while my heart was still racing, "How long have you been standing there anyway?" I asked remembering how silly I was acting.

"Just about ten minutes. In my defense, I did call your name a couple of times." He responded to both of my questions.

"I love the color, it's cool," he commented. "Thank you," I answered. "I know I'm here early so how can I help?" he asked, I looked around, "Uhm, do you know how to paint?" I asked unsure of what else he could do. He chuckled, "Yes, I do," he answered as if I asked the silliest question. "Then you could help me paint, the faster we finish the more time we have to go antiquing," I said. I gave him directions on what to do and we got back to work it did go faster, we were done in two hours and we went to the antique shop.

We found three tables with three chairs that accompanied each table, I was in love when I saw them. I talked to the cashier and he agreed to have them delivered to the address I gave him. I went back to find Lorenzo and found him admiring a guitar, "You like it?" I asked catching him by surprise.

"Um, what are you talking about?" he asked putting back the guitar.

"The guitar? You like it?" I asked again. He just shrugged in response and asked, "Are you ready to leave?". I looked at him as he passed me to the door, I just followed after confirming with the cashier about the delivery. We went back to the café to build the shade up front.

Lorenzo was really handy I'd say that about him, after gathering the required materials to build the shade he went straight to building it. I just stood there offering a helping hand when he needed it. And looking up at him on the ladder all I could do was take him in. How his hair was messy, the sweat dripping from his forehead onto his shirt, the way his shirt was clinging to his jacked-up body, highlighting his abs and biceps, he was perfect in my eyes.

"Kathleen!" Lorenzo shouted my name bringing me out of my daze, looking up I saw him smirking, "you do want this done by the end of the day, right?" he asked, I nodded in response, "then focus more on the job at hand than me, okay?" he said cockily, "Excuse me, you wished I was looking at you," I countered, "Then why are your cheeks so pink?" he mocked me. I rolled my eyes and just walked away.

By the end of the day we had done most of the work, I asked Nadia to help by printing flyers and sending them to my roommate, Olivia, who offered to help. She dropped a few at the café and we distributed them and by the end of the day, we had done everything important. Lorenzo and I went by the park to relax, and appreciate our hard work and the beautiful dark sky. As I lay on his chest looking up at the sky I couldn't help but just relax and ease the tension off my body. I felt safe at that moment. And then it hit me, what am I doing with a guy I barely know in a park at this time of night? "I'm sorry Lorenzo I have to leave," I said standing up.

"Let me walk you home," he said, a bit confused about my sudden change of mind.

"No. I'll be fine. See you at the opening. Good night." I said awkwardly and ran off.

Why did I do that? Why did I behave so weirdly?