CHAPTER 30

Dean was in his office but he was not working, no he had other important matters. He and Casey sat on his sofa both held a cup of coffee while they waited. Dean was wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

Casey was dressed more casually in blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt.

Both men were elites, the two most wanted bachelors in the City. But both were hopelessly in love unbeknownst to the entire City.

Casey sipped the strong coffee and commented to his friend, "You really are going all out." Casey mentioned this only because he had never seen his friend prepare so hard for anything. Wasn't this just a date?

Dean gave off a dry laugh, "When you find the one nothing should stop you." Dean thought his comment was ridiculous, who wouldn't go all out? This had to be perfect.

Casey had no reply to that, he himself tried for six months to get a date with Michael and when he did he too had pulled out all the stops. He knew the feeling of anticipation and hope his friend now had, he looked at his friend and cheerfully smiled. April was an excellent influence on his stoic and usually quiet friend.

Knock Knock

Oliver opened the door and rails of clothing were quickly wheeled in one by one. Designers had gotten the information from Oliver only yesterday and they had all rallied to bring their best bespoke pieces to Dean Davis, they all hoped to be picked.

The designers one by one started to show off their pieces to Dean. Seeing no response if their clothing was to his liking or not they would one by one step back and allow the next designer to show off a few pieces.

This continued for some time and the designers were awaiting the final decision as they would if they stood before King Yama's judgement.

Casey checked the time, they had been there for over three hours and his friend had not uttered one comment. Occasionally he would get up and inspect a piece of clothing but then he would sit back down again. Casey sighed, he had had enough coffee and enough of sitting around waiting on his friend to choose an outfit.

"Seriously it's one outfit, go with the sapphire blue suit or the..." Seeing his friend stand he felt relief that it would be over soon. Who took this long to choose an outfit for a date.

The designers all huddled together now in the corner afraid that their work was lacking and inferior.

Oliver saw this and told the designers to go take a short break while Dean choose. They then all scurried quickly out of the office as if hellhounds chased them to which Oliver and Casey wished that they could join them.

Dean held the sapphire blue suit in his hand and inspected the detail and he wondered why anything wasn't special enough to wear on his first date with April.

Click

The door opened wide and all heads turned in that direction. Micheal walked in, he wore white skinny jeans, a baby blue sweatshirt and converse. He gave all three a friendly smile, "Good afternoon everyone!" He greeted as he then sat beside Casey on the leather sofa.

"Hey honey!" Micheal winked at Casey and then he set a black shopping bag on the table it was from a boutique from the mall. It was of course a limited edition brand and was very expensive. Michael knew he had to pull out all the stops for his April and friend Deans big date.

Casey looked at the bag and asked, "Luv Did you go shopping?"

"Yes I bought one outfit for Dean and one for April, she already has hers." Micheal felt very sure and smug with his choice.

Dean put the suit back and approached the coffee table. He took the items out one by one and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "Em, Are you sure?"

Michael winked at him, "I'm sure and you will be matching."

Deans lips curved up slightly at hearing Micheal's response "Well why didn't you show me this first."

Casey put his head back on the sofa, he felt relief and also regret in his heart. He had wasted three hours when all he had to do would be to text his amazing boyfriend for back up.

_____

Meanwhile, April woke early the next morning, her usual routine was waking early to make breakfast for her father, Lucy and Rachel. But now it was finally the weekend and she was free. She stretched in her comfy bed and bounced up. She decided to start a new routine, she walked to the bathroom and freshened up and tired up her long ebony hair.

Next, she walked to her closet and took out a pair of black leggings, a black sports bra and a top and dressed. She wrapped a hoodie around her waist and put on her red Nike trainers. With her phone and headphones in one in hand, she then took her keys and left her condo.

She pressed for the lift and got inside once it had arrived. She opened up a music app and choose a few songs. She wanted to become stronger and working out would help her, so she wanted to run as often as she could. April walked out of the lift and saw Jace at his station.

"Good morning." April greeted him and saw him smile and blush as he greeted her.

Jace smiled, "Have a lovely day April." What April didn't know was that Jace was blushing as he had remembered Dean's words. He still wondered were they a couple? And did she stay over with Dean? His cheeks burned and he continued his work once seeing April leave the condominium.

April stretched at the benches that were at the entrance of the condominium. Once she stretched she put her earphones in and started her run. There was a park nearby so she ran in that direction. The music helped her to run as it empowered her and gave her good vibes. She ran through the Park and saw many others out exercising and walking their dogs.

She stopped when she saw a small coffee kiosk with tables and chairs around it, she had forgotten her water so she slowed and walked towards it. As she approached she saw the man behind the kiosk arguing with a well dressed older man.

The older man wore a dark blue suit and used a hawthorn stick cane. He looked slightly familiar and also refined. Why are they arguing? April walked closer, she didn't want to listen in but she wanted to help ease the situation if she could.

"I'm telling you I am good for it, my butler or grandson can come to bring you money. Do I seem dishonest to you?" The older man argued.

The man behind the kiosk sighed and responded, "If I allowed everyone to pay me later, I wouldnt have a business now, would I? I am not saying you are dishonest, I just prefer you pay for your goods upfront."

"You think I'll cheat you, I just forgot my wallet. Don't I come here often enough." The older man replied.

"I..." The man behind the kiosk that turned out to be the owner sighed again.

April decided to help out, "I will take a bottle of water and whatever this gentleman wants." April took out her phone to pay for the items. The old man had two large coffee sitting in front of him and some breakfast muffins.

The kiosk owner smiled, he was thankful that he didn't have to argue with this gentleman anymore. He gave April the bottle of water and put the items through to the man "That comes to twelve dollars and fifty cents please." He smiled at April.

April used her phone and paid through her contactless app. She then gave the older man a genuine smile, he looked baffled by her kindness.

April was about to leave when the older gentleman smiled and called out to her, "Young lady please stop, what's your name?"

April wanted to finish her run but seeing the older gentleman try and catch up to her she gave up. He was struggling with the coffee's, "Morning sir, my name is April. Do you need some help carrying these coffees?"

The older gentleman saw his butler appear out of the corner of his eye and he quickly and shrewdly shooed him away, "Thank you, my dear, just call me grandpa."

He handed April his coffees as he carried the muffins, he studied her out of the corner of his eye. He was an excellent judge of character and believed her to be pure, sweet and caring. She would be too good for his idiotic grandson.

But if she was his official granddaughter, couldn't he pamper her and in return, he would get her wonderful company. She smiled and chatted to him and he started to imagine little granddaughters running about his mansion. He would spoil them all. He had to set up this beautiful soul with his foolish grandson.

Unbeknownst to April while she made small talk with the sweet grandpa he had her whole life planned out ahead of her, "So where are we headed too?" April asked as they left the park.

"It's just a short distance to my grandson's place Cerulean Condominium, can you accompany me for the journey?" He asked, he hoped for his grandson to meet this young girl as soon as possible before she would be stolen away and he would miss out on such an adorable granddaughter.

"Sure no problem. I live there too so we are going the same way." April smiled and walked along the short distance with the grandpa. She thought he was kind and she noticed he smiled often. She didn't remember her grandparents but thought his grandson was lucky to have him.

The grandpa continued to ask her questions and although they were personal she either answered or gave him a vague response. She was sure she would never meet him again, the thought made her slightly sad.

They both walked into the condominium and April showed the grandpa to Jace's security desk. "This is where I will leave you. It was lovely to meet you." April said goodbye and smiled before handing him his coffees and walking to the lift.

"Wait grand... April come meet my grandson." The grandpa answered and walked after her.

Jace looked at the two slightly confused, April knew his grandson very well already he thought.

The older gentleman looked at the young and naive man behind the desk, "What's your name son?"

Jace glanced at the older gentleman who he knew to be Mr Joseph Davis, Dean Davis's grandfather. He had the same aura and authority. Jace gulped and replied, "Jace sir." He was intimated by this man.

Joseph Davis smiled, "Tell me everything about that young lady."

This information was classified. Cerulean Condominium had strict rules and procedures and giving out any information on residents would result in his dismissal.

Joseph Davis sighed and waved his hand at Jace, he saw the young man's inner struggle. "Never mind, just let my grandson know that I am here."

Jace felt instant relief and then scratched his nose, "Unfortunately I cannot, Mr Davis left early this morning and I am unsure how to reach him for you."

Of course, as his grandfather he knew where his grandson would be, at work on a beautiful Saturday morning. He sighed he should be winning that young girls heart not working. If he wanted to make him proud he should bring him a granddaughter home to him not a multi billion company.

Seeing his butler waiting for him, Joseph Davis left the coffees and muffins with Jace and strode out of the condominium to his awaiting car.

Jace breathed a sigh of relief, these people didn't know how much energy he had to use just to keep standing in their presence. He felt his knees wobble and he sat down behind his desk. He watched as Joseph Davis car left and wiped his brow. Maybe he should get a new job he thought.