The Contract

Chapter 18 - The Break-in

He noticed, and we locked eyes for a moment before I glanced down. "I’m sure you don’t cook." He mentioned

"What gave it away?" I asked.

"Expired groceries and way too many apple drinks," he replied, and I couldn’t help but let out a small smile as I grabbed my mug and moved to the dining table.

I took a sip of coffee, eyeing the plates he’d set in front of me. He took the seat across from me, a proud grin on his face. "You’re welcome."

"Oh, I know I am," I replied. "You’re the one trying to make it up to me, remember?" I picked up a waffle and started eating. "This is a lot. When did you get here?"

"When you were still asleep in bed."

I rolled my eyes. "So not only did you break into my house, but you also went into my room. Stalker."

He chuckled. "If I’d called, you wouldn’t have answered."

"As I should," I replied.

"Not because you don’t want to talk to me but because you hate waking up early," he teased, and I hummed in agreement.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "So, what’s your decision about Italy?"

"I thought I didn’t have a say?" I shot back.

"Sometimes you do," he replied and I gave him a knowing look. "You know what I mean, you're stubborn" he justified his statement.

I sighed. "Fine. I’ll meet your family, but a week is the max."

"I’ll keep that in mind. The flight will be comfortable, we’ll take the jet."

"Oh, how very convenient. My fiancé has a jet," I replied, dripping with sarcasm before going back to my meal.

We ate in relative silence until he suddenly asked, "Do you like it?"

"Like what?" I asked, looking up.

"The ring."

I glanced down at it, then back up at him. "I’m just wondering why you’d spend so much on it."

"I’d obviously get you the best," he replied simply, meeting my gaze. "No matter what it means."

"And I’m supposed to be flattered by that?"

"I did make you breakfast," he pointed out with a smirk, so I tossed a piece of bacon at him. Half of the food was still untouched by the time I was shoving leftovers into the fridge.

"Are you really packing that away?" he asked as I took the last piece of cornbread from him and put it in the fridge.

I closed the door, turning around—only to bump straight into his chest.

"Mind stepping back a little?" I said, shoving him slightly, though he didn’t move an inch.

"Not my fault you’re clumsy," he replied, and I rolled my eyes.

"Don’t you have work?"

"I cleared my schedule this morning for you," he said, but right then his phone started ringing. I gave him a deadpan look as he sighed and answered.

While he talked, my eyes went to that tattoo again. When he finished the call, I nodded toward it. "You still have that?"

"It’s permanent," he replied, glancing down.

"Bet if it weren’t, you’d have erased it by now, just like you replaced me."

He gave me a sharp look. "Oh? With who, exactly?"

"Adrian, your best friend," I said, rolling my eyes, and laughed as I headed to the living room. "Alright, breakfast is over, Ferrari. Time to go home."

Just then, the door swung open, and Kourtney stumbled in. "What the hell?" I exclaimed.

"I thought you were being robbed!" she said, dropping her bag. Her gaze shifted, and when she spotted him, her expression softened, a smile spreading across her face.

I felt his hand lightly rest on my shoulder. Seriously? This jackass.

"Am I interrupting something?" she asked, smirking.

"Not at all," I said, shrugging him off. "He was just leaving. Right, Trav?"

He glanced at me, nodding slowly. "Yeah."

"I hope it’s not because of me," Kourtney added.

"Of course not," he said, feigning a polite smile. "Something came up at the office."

"Right. Guess I’ll see you around," I said, playfully cupping his face.

"Yeah," he murmured, a hint of a smirk on his lips. But then he leaned in, surprising me by pulling me closer, his hands slipping around my waist.

The kiss deepened, leaving me breathless, my mind reeling, but then Kourtney cleared her throat, snapping me back to reality. He pulled away, biting my lip lightly before stepping back.

I tried to catch my breath as I stared into those intense eyes. What was that?

With a smirk, he grabbed his keys and headed for the door. "Bye, Kourtney," he said as he walked out, and I refused to look back.

Kourtney squealed, grabbing my arm. "Oh my god," she said, practically jumping with excitement. I sighed, knowing I’d never hear the end of this.

________________________________________

I scrolled down in my laptop but then my phone began ringing from beside me, just as I was about getting into work. I sighed and picked it up, it was Bella calling.

I answered. "Hey sissy!" She called out chirpy. "What's up?" I asked, typing away on my laptop with the phone on my lap.

"How's Travis?"

I rolled my eyes. "He's fine, he sends his regards" I lied as usual. "I still can't believe you both are... engaged!" She shrieked and I paused and glanced down at the ring, I still can't believe too.

Getting rubbing the diamond, I replied "Yeah"

"So, I and Derrick were actually thinking of hitting your city, so we were wondering if you both will be down for a double date" she requested and I paused. "A double date?"

"Yeah, so I could get to know my sister's fiance more, I could also give you marriage tips" she teased and I laughed uneasily. "How's Mom?" I changed the topic.

"She's been pretty excited, although she complains that it's hard to get through to you"

"Since when does she want to get through to me?" I muttered. "Oh come on, Pearl. Your engagement is big news, she wouldn't quit spreading the word. She's happy for you, Pearl"

I rolled my eyes.

"The wedding is gonna be huge, have you guys set a date?" She asked. "It's gonna be this month definitely, no need to wait so long"

"Oh my gosh! I can't wait. I hope I'm one of your bridesmaid"

I chuckled. "Of course, I don't got much choice" I replied and she chuckled. "I'm so happy for you, Pearl. I saw the Fortune's anniversary you planned. That was beautiful"

"Thank you, we've been working on it for a week"

"I'm so proud of you, so what do you say about the double date?" She asked. "Sounds good but...I have got a lot going on, how about we reschedule...after the wedding?"

"Okay lil sis, I gotta go though "

"How's Derrick?"

"He's fine, he isn't back from work though" she said. "Okay then, tell him I said hi"

"Of course "

"Okay, goodnight"

"Goodnight sis"