20

Justin let Kaden's words jump around in his mind before it all dawned on him. With fear in his eyes, he asked, "What is this about sir?"

"Why, I'm helping you find a new job of course," Kaden smiled brightly. "I have a strong policy against people who don't deliver," he said calmly. He saw Justin's hands trembling and decided to at least be kind.

"Just hit me up and I'll hook you up with that offer, yeah?" He didn't wait for him to reply before calling for his secretary.

"Vicky, escort him out and make sure to return his partnership contract to me null and void of any conditions."

Justin was walking out with Vicky when Kaden felt the need to add something. "Justin," he called out and Justin turned with hope in his eyes. Kaden almost felt pity for him but pushed the feeling aside as he continued to speak. "I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours. Don't hesitate coming to me when you need a recommendation," he finished off, giving the man a thumbs up before Vicky closed his office door.

---

"Hello sweetheart," James spoke in the phone as he glanced in Nate's direction and sending him a dirty look.

"James, why do you call?" Kanti spoke, curiosity in her voice.

"Nothing special. Just wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner tonight at the usual spot?"

"Why?"

"Don't worry about that. So what do you say?"

"I don't kn-"

"Cool, so seven it is. Goodbye," he ended the call and sighed out loud. "That was difficult," he spoke as Nate smiled mischievously.

"It's just dinner. It's not like I'll sleep with her or something," he said, although the thought was alluring. Nate stood up and left his dad's office with a sly smile on his face.

"Just don't get yourself killed," he warned. "That girl can be a devil when she wants to."

"I know my way around women," was the last thing Nate said, the smile never leaving his face, before he left.

---

Ari woke up and felt a little disheartened when she realised Kaden had left in her sleep. That was until she saw his note and her mood changed for the better.

She spent her morning packing a small bag and trying to find the perfect gift, until she settled upon buying Claudia a basket full of treats such as chocolates, dried meat, sweets and all sugary delights.

She stopped by the jewellery shop when she thought of Kaden and remembered that she'd like to get his mom a present as well. Walking in, she nodded to acknowledge the employee by the door and told her exactly what she wanted. The employee listened attentively and asked Ari to sit because it might take a while.

Ten minutes later the young lass came holding a cushioned gift box with what she asked for inside. Ari smiled at what she saw and tipped the employee before going to the front and paying for it.

Then she drove to Kaden's house and knocked on his door, but an older looking lady opened. "Hello," Ari waved.

"Hi. How may I help you?" she asked politely.

"I'm looking for Kaden. Is he around?" she asked, cringing at the sound of her voice. The old lady just smiled warmly at her and didn't take her eyes off of her.

"Who's asking?"

"Ari. Ari Mahi," she said, and watched the lady's face. She thought Kaden had mentioned her to his house assistants.

"That name sounds familiar. Could you please excuse me for a sec?" The older lady asked and Ari nodded her head. She's probably going to confirm if I'm not a risk, she thought to herself. It wasn't long before the door opened again and this time the old woman stepped aside.

"He says you can come-" she was cut short by the ringing of Ari's phone. Ari pressed her lips together as she swiped her thumb across the screen.

"I hear you're at my house," Kaden said through the phone and Ari bit her lip. She didn't want to appear excited in front of the older lady.

"I just came to drop something. I'll leave it with her, yeah?" She asked him, hinting silently that she's asking if she can trust her. Kaden may trust her with his house but that doesn't mean she can trust a stranger with an expensive gift.

"Yeah, go ahead. Is it something I left at your place?"

She covered her face when she saw the old lady's face become one of amusement. What must she think of me now, she asked herself before shaking her head and speaking, "No, but don't open it either." She shyly added, "It's for your mom."

Kaden on the other side just smiled down at his phone as a million responses ran through his mind. "Alright. I'll give it to her. Thank you, Ari."

"It's no problem at all," she said before putting her phone in her purse, forgetting to lock and handing the gift box to the old lady.

Kaden also didn't hang up but left his phone on his desk and looked through some property papers when he heard voices coming from his phone.

"Are you his girlfriend?" He recognised that voice being Ramona's, the older lady he hired to come once a week and clean his place, like she's done for the last five years.

"No," a lower voice said before chuckling. "We're business associates." He instantly knew that was still Ari speaking.

"If you aren't in a rush, do you mind telling me where you're from? Your last name feels nostalgic, " Ramona explained.

"I still got some time. Let's see, I was born in the Philippines, grew up in Pakistan before moving here a few years ago. My mom is a Pakistani and my dad's European."

He sat back and listened to their conversation. He knew it was wrong, but couldn't bring himself to cut the call.

Ari on the other hand was becoming curious at the way the old lady was standing, as if she's guarding something.

"Sorry to ask, Ms Mahi. Was your dad a Soviet Soldier?"

Ari's eyebrows furrowed when she realised this woman knew more about her than she'd initially thought. "If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?"