CHAPTER 12

April had finished cooking, she didn't have to make anything elaborate for her so-called family this morning and the one thing she had always wanted to taste was her blueberry pancakes and crispy bacon with syrup. She had made way too many but she was excited at the thought of eating whatever she wanted.

April turned at hearing Deans cough. "If you are done, I'll not hold you back. I'm sure you're busy today..."

But she was interrupted. "You're chasing me out?" The man's eyes squinted and stared at her.

She suddenly felt cold. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was contemplating whether to chase him out or not.

"Em…" April looked around, what did he want to stay for? She had a stack of pancakes in her hand and gave a small sigh as she cursed inwardly. She put on a bright smile and answered. " Would you like to stay for some breakfast?"

He held back his smile even though inwardly he was jumping for joy, not only did she ask him to stay but he got to taste her home cooking. "Sure." He fought back the urge to rush to the table and pull out her chair. He sat down as she set the plate of pancakes down on the table.

April sat opposite her neighbour and then realised he needed a plate, she got up and went to the kitchen to grab him a plate and cutlery, missing his adorable smile as he watched her look after him. If he could enjoy this every day he didn't know how he would ever go to work.

She sits on the opposite side of the table. She was very hungry from all those 'heart throbbing' and 'mind blowing' struggles she experienced. She filled his cup with coffee and then hers, she didn't know what to say, the moment was so quiet and seemed so relaxing and intimate. It gave her butterfly's.

The man put some pancakes and then fried bacon on her plate without saying anything. His moves are fluid as if he's been doing this all for her all along, he then filled up his own plate.

April felt slightly awkward. She's not used to being served personally, she looked up at the man that sat opposite her. Apart from Tom she hadn't eaten with anyone in years, she was all of a sudden happy she had company in her new home. Thus, she feels very very awkward when the man effortlessly served her food.

"Ummm... Thanks." She took a bite and started to eat. She looked at him and slowly said, "It's probably a bit late but, hi, I'm your new neighbour April Jones."

"Hi April, I'm Dean Davis." He reached out his hand and so did she, they shook as they greeted each other.

"Nice to meet you, Dean." She smiled at him and then took a bite of her pancake.

However, she missed the look in Deans eyes. He, at this moment, was full of happiness like a teenage boy in love.

Hearing her finally say his name was the most soothing sound to his ears. It sounded so sweet, so soft, he was greedy for more. In a good mood, he continued eating all the food she cooked.

What made his heart softened more was he actually wanted to hold her small hand again and never let go. Thinking of it, he swore inside, he'll never let her go.

He thought of her reaction to telling her his name, she did not treat him differently like other people who only got close to him for status. Women wanted to get close to him for his family name, his power, his money and his status. Men wanted to be his friend for business deals or to take a share in his company. He had few friends he could fully trust and now he had her.

Unknown to Dean, April had no idea who he was and she didn't care, so even if it was the President sitting in front of her eating breakfast she will still shrug her shoulders indifferently.

As he wanted to hear more about her from her own mouth he asked her a few questions.

"These pancakes are awesome, so do you like to cook?"

"Em, when I get to eat the food I cook yes." Seeing his questioning eyes she decided to detour the subject. "What do you do for a living?"

"Business, why do you ask?" Dean forgot to pursue what she meant earlier instead he focused on her question. Was she only after him for money too, that can't be right his angel isn't like that.

"Oh, nothing I just wondered, I myself got my first job yesterday."

Dean stopped eating when he heard this. In her past life she never lived next door to him and didn't have a job, is this all just a coincidence?

"Congratulations, where will you be working?" This he absolutely had to know.

"Walker Interiors, they do everything from architecture, interior design, to landscape. But I will be an interior designer starting Monday."

Deans face lit up it seems another prayer had been answered. But he regained his indifferent composure quickly and responded. "Good luck on Monday."

Little did April know the scheming Dean was doing in his head as they finished up eating.

After their breakfast, Dean offered to help with the dishes, which April found acceptable since she had cooked breakfast.

While he washed the dishes and she dried, she sized up the man. She finally realized how much taller Dean was compared to her.

If she remembers correctly, earlier when they met at the front door, her head only reached his muscular chest.

Unaware of her own actions, her eyes never left the busy man as he then took over-drying the dishes and she had a faint smile curl on her lips. For some unknown reason to her, Dean at this moment gave her home a warm feeling.

Seeing that the dishes were washed and put away, April touched her nose and said awkwardly. "It's getting late, so maybe you should go back to your place."

Dean glanced at the wall clock and frowned.

It was already 8.40 AM. He knew it was getting late and he had to go to work, but he also wanted to stay and spend more time with her.

This was the first time in his life that he had not wanted to go to work. He hadn't spent this much time in her company ever and he wanted to enjoy it further.

Dean could see her face reflected from the glass window in the kitchen, the sun was shining through the kitchen window, seeing her made his heart fill with care and warmth. Just how nice would it be to always see her like this every day?

He continued to gaze at her like a high school boy admiring his first love from afar. Full of love and devotion.

"Em."

Remembering that April had asked him to leave he nodded in agreement. He wanted to be invited in next time so if he stayed he knew she would be reluctant to do so.

He scratched his nose and replied. "You're right, I have work so I better go, thanks for letting me shower and eat breakfast."

April walked Dean to her door. "Have a good day then and take care." She looked like an adorable wife seeing her husband off to work, such thoughts ran through Deans mind and he smiled.

"April... take care okay and if you need anything I am right next door, also if you want someone to share your cooking I'm available." April smiled and waved as she shut the door.

Dean stood motionless for a while staring at her closed door before he went into his own apartment and grabbed his keys and then put on his shoes and suit jacket. He walked to the lift and as he passed by April's door he smiled.

'Could she greet him when he got home too?' he thought.

He left the condo and got into his car with a spring in his step and hope in his heart. He had renewed energy for his work today, he was ready to take on the world. As he thought of his uncle and the other rats in his company his smile disappeared and his indifferent, cold nature returned.

Once Dean had left April he let out a sigh and then turned away from her door, she enjoyed his company and looking around her condo she now had memories inside it which filled her with tenderness and a smile filled her face.

Remembering her painting she went to her painting room, she saw the now not so mysterious mystery man. Now she's not only knew his name but she had let him into her home to eat breakfast and shower.

The painting was a replica of his handsome face, she reached out to touch the painting. She stopped herself just before her fingers touched the canvas. She then shook her head, she didn't want to think of the attractive man next door any more. She picked up the canvas painting and put it behind some blank canvases that rested on the floor against the wall. Happy after she had hidden the painting she turned around and left the room quickly.

She then went to her mother's room and got washed and changed for the day. She needed some essentials so she had to shop. She got changed into a Giorgio Armani lavender jumper and accompanied it with a pair of black skinny jeans and a Hermès black leather bag. She put her phone inside and grabbed her keys as she put on her Jimmy Choo little black heels.

Leaving her condo she went down in the lift and passed by Jace at the security desk she smiled and waved. "Morning Jace."

"Morning miss." Jace watched as the cute new neighbour walked out of the Condominium.

April walked out of the Condominium and realised it would take her twenty minutes before she could even get a taxi into the City centre, she walked with her head high as she thought about where she needed to go. She quickly got to the main road and got a taxi straight to the City centre.

In the City, people crowded the sidewalks and cars drove in the streets. She took a step forward. The first thing on her list was to buy a laptop for work, she needed a car but she was hesitant about spending her mother's money. Deciding she would buy a simple car, she chose to go to a dealership after she got her laptop.

She happily smiled at the thought of everything she had yet to achieve and do her best to accomplish.

She walked into Peach Inc which sold many different types of high-end computers, laptops and TVs. She was browsing the isles trying to make sense of the specs of each laptop when she spotted one that was expensive but she knew how to use it from her past life when she would use Rachels computer to design dresses for her couture brand, Liberty Diamond.

She chose that laptop and qued up to pay, in line suddenly she heard a familiar voice behind her, she sneaked a look and it was indeed it was Michael Palmer her new boss. Micheal was stylish and handsome, he wore a burgundy fitted t-shirt and black jeans. She looked away quickly but it was too late.

"April is that you? You're out shopping too, what did you get? Oh nice, I needed new headphones." Michael was just as friendly as he talked and showed her his new headphones.

"Hi, Mr Palmer." April smiled and showed off her laptop.

"It's Michael please call me that, oh you're next." Micheal waved for her to go to the checkout.

April walked to the checkout and paid for the laptop, she then turned to Michael and waved goodbye.

"Oh hold up." Knowing Micheal was her boss she couldn't very well disobey him, so she waited at the door for him.

He quickly paid and rushed out to stand beside her. "So where too?"

"Huh." April was completely confused.

"I need company, my boyfriend is busy and I am bored." Michael looked at her expectantly. "So where are we going."

"Em." April didn't know what to say, he was technically her boss but right now he acted like a friendly puppy whose owner just returned and he expected to go for a walk. She sighed and gave in. "Okay you can come with me, I'm going to buy a car from Imperial Motors. Do you know anything about cars?"

And like a puppy he jumped in excitement and held her arm, showing her the way to his car. As though to demonstrate his knowledge he pointed to his car parked in front of her. All she saw though was a nice white sporty car.

She looked at his smiling face awaiting her compliment. "Nice... colour?"

Micheal laughed. "Aren't you lucky you bumped into me, get in and I will take us there."

She got inside his car and she had to admit it was comfortable and eye-catching.

She had a rough idea of the location but didn't really know the details.

She was about to take out her phone to check the address…

"There's no need to check. I know Imperial Motors, I can take you there no problem. "

"Okay. " She felt sort of awkward, he was her boss after all.

Seeing her slight discomfort Micheal wanted to ease her worries " Imperial Motors is nearby. When I'm busy, I usually go there with my boyfriend as his best friend owns the place. So are you planning to buy a car? "

April nodded her head. "Yes, it will be easier to commute to work in a car. "

When it came to cars, men all over the world were interested, and Michael was no different.

"What kind of car do you plan to buy? "

April thought for a while and then frowned. "I'm not… I don't know either. I don't know much about cars. Let's take a look first. "

Michael laughed at how adorable she was being.

She smiled in response to his laughter. " Well, I can drive a car I just never bought one myself."

"Alright then if you don't know what make of car you want then let's talk about your budget first. A car with a lower price point wouldn't be very comfortable. A more expensive car will be more reliable and last you longer."

She thought about it and it makes sense, you get what you pay for. The more you pay for it, the more reliable it is.

"It's just a means of transportation. There's no need to buy a very expensive one, right? "

If she really needed something expensive, there were plenty of luxury cars in her father's garage. The entire garage was filled to the brim with cars. Lucy and Rachel borrowed them all the time and took them for a spin. Thinking about it she didn't want to ask her father for anything while Rachel was still pulling his strings so she decided to give up on that thought.

April nodded in agreement. "Around 50,000. " April expressed the amount that she had in mind.

Michael pursed his lips and thought for a while 50,000 wasn't that much. His last suit cost him that much. But he looked at the young girl sitting beside him and realised she was just starting out and got her first job, so earning money may be tough for her. He pulled up outside Imperial Motors and lifted his phone to text his boyfriend.

(Hey hot stuff, Any chance you can get my friend a deal at Imperial Motors?)

Micheal soon got a reply.

(What's in it for me?)

Michael smiled at his boyfriend's pettiness and replied.

(One hour massage?)

Buzz

(Okay I'll ask, no promises)

He got another quick reply and smiled as he answered the text.

(Thanks xx)

Michael smiled at the reply and got out of the car, April had already got out and was waiting for him.

"Alright let's look around and which car you like in your budget. I happen to know the manager of the shop so he can help us when the time comes."

"Thank you, are you sure I am not troubling you today?"

"No trouble at all." Micheal smiled cheerfully.

April couldn't help but respond with a smile. "Then thank you for your guidance."

"Stop thanking me, you are keeping my company today. Let's take a look around.

They walked around the car lot and Micheal read out so many car names that her head started to spin. Why do they have such crazy names?

She stopped when she saw a car she liked. She approached the car and took a look inside. Just then she heard a voice behind them.

"Micheal you are here again, can I show you our newest Bugatti." A stout older man came running towards them beaming.

"Ahh no, not today." Micheal greeted the older man. "This is my friend April, she needs a car and I think she likes this one."

The older man nodded in acknowledgement. "Hello, I am Vernon Wells the manager here of Imperial Motors. This car is great for a young girl like yourself." He knew the girl must not have much of a budget but he still treated her respectfully. "Why don't you get inside and see what the interior is like?"

"Okay thank you." April got inside.

The manager started to tell her about the car's specs. "This is the Audi A7 five-door Sportback. It has a diesel engine and goes 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds. It has MMI Navigation, parking System, cruise control, climate control zones, heated Seats and a spacious interior."

Not knowing what half of what he said next she smiled and looked to Micheal for assistance.

"It's perfect for you." He checked his phone and saw the reply.

(35% discount... 2-hour massage. He had conditions, speak later)

Micheal smiled as he looked at the price tag, she could afford it with his discount, he nodded to encourage her.