The Recipe To A Millionaire's Heart | ✓

24.

C H R I S T I N E  

My right hand held his tightly, my left hand was on his cheek, he rested his head on my hand and sighed. His eyes were red and puffy. We were wrapped in our own bubble of sadness and loss, we stayed completely silent. Our eyes spoke for us. His eyes held so much emotions; helplessness, hopelessness and sadness. So much of it that it physically hurt me seeing him like that. I hope my eyes showed him love and friendliness, because I know he would hate to receive pity looks from me. 

"Would you like to join me for some spaghetti and meatballs?" I smiled softly, food make everything better and I know he can't resist my food.

"I'd like it very much." He chuckled lightly and I smiled. I squeezed his hand one last time before getting up and filling our plates with spaghetti. 

In some way I understand how he feels, I have got no father and my mom is very sick. I haven't lost her - thanks god for that- but I have came to losing her before and it broke me, I felt weak and helpless, it was hard to breath, it felt like I have just lost my heart. I can't imagine what he must of have gone through losing two family members. I placed a plate in front of him then sat across from him with my own plate. 

"I am sure your mom and sister are really proud of you." I held his hand again, I didn't know what to say af first but now I know. 

"They are proud of how strong you are, they proud that you haven't given up on life and that you still support your father." I smiled. 

"You're so strong and kind and I love that about you." He squeezed my hand and smiled lightly at me. My heart flattered.

"I'm here whenever you need me and I'm not just talking about cooking." I said and he nodded. We continued eating in silence. It was comfortable, we sat there eating and chatting about other stuff until he felt better.

It's tough seeing him like that, I care for him and seeing him crying and broken made something in me change, weirdly enough it attracted me to him even more. I felt close to him, I was happy that he opened up to me and choose to tell me all of this. It somehow made feel special but I won't let it get over my head.

"How's your mom doing?" He asked. It warmed my heart that he asked about her.

"She's doing okay." I smiled. She is, she has been more active, more chatty and more happy but I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.

"If you need anything, I am here." He said with a reassuring smile.

"I know." I whispered. I had no doubt in my mind that Mathew would come to my rescue if I needed anything. He has shown me kindness like no body else and I'm forever grateful for him. He offered me a job when I needed it the most and he accepted my inconvenient schedule. He has helped me a lot and understood when I needed a break. He's the greatest boss anyone could ever ask for and the greatest friend anyone could wish for.

After dinner, I washed the dishes while he sat on the stool on his phone, replying to some E-mails. I placed the plates in there place and sat back in front of him. He put his phone down and smiled at me, my heart flipped at his gorgeous smile. It was dazzling. I wanted to trace my finger along the lines of his lips, they looked so smooth and kissable. 

"So..what should I wear on thanksgiving?" I snapped out of my daydream and asked him.

"Anything you like, I don't care and neither do Leia. By the way, I think Jennifer is coming too." He said and I raised my eyebrows in shock.

"She is? She hasn't told me yet." I frowned.

"Max just informed me today, he's an idiot. He probably invited her today." He said and I chuckled lightly. I wanted to ask if his family is attending but I decided against it. After the conversation we just had, it would ruin the mood. He seems much better now and I didn't want to ruin that with a question. It can wait. I looked at the clock in my phone and sighed, it was getting late and I wanted to spend more time with my mom to make up for thanksgiving. 

"I have to go but I'll see you on Saturday." I smiled and he nodded. He walked with me to the front door and waited for me to wear my coat. He opened the door for me and started walking beside me, I turned my gaze at him and smiled.

"You don't have to walk me to the car, It's freezing." I said.

"As a gentleman I have to walk you to the car. Also, it's not so cold because you're standing next to me." He winked. I blushed at his reply and chuckled softly. He smiled again, that amazing smile that took my breath away. It made the butterflies in my stomch resurface and it made my heart flutter. We continued walking silently to the car where Ryan was waiting, he had his arms acrossed over his chest with a small smirk on his face. 

"Hello,Ryan." Mathew greeted Ryan.

"Hello, Mathew." I have learned that Mathew hate being called Mr. McKellen and since he has grown close to Ryan, he let him call him by his first name. I found it humble from Mathew, he acted like Ryan was his bestfriend, he treated him like Max. He didn't treat him like a worker and that is attractive. 

I greeted Ryan as well and smiled at Mathew as he opened the door for me, I hopped inside. He closed the door gently and grinned. And as the car roared back to life, I waved goodbye to him. I looked at Ryan's face through the rear view mirror and frowned. He was smirking.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing." He was still smirking and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"What is it, Ryan?" I asked again.

"It's been awhile since I saw Mathew smiling this widely, this genuinely." He grinned. 

"You make him happy." He added and I smiled lightly. I had hoped so, it felt nice to know that I somehow make him happy. After hearing his story, I felt closer to him. 

"I think you're good for him." He glanced at me through the rear view mirror. 

"There's nothing going on between me and Mathew." I chuckled awkwardly.

"Whatever it is, it's good for him. Just...don't... break his heart. I don't think he can handle losing someone else." He said and I nodded. I understand what he meant, I can't imagine what would happen to him or what would he do if he lost someone else.

Ryan parked in the parking lot of my apartment building, I thanked him and got out. I entered my apartment building, I pressed the elevator bottom and waited for it to come. At the ping sound, I looked up from the floor. I walked inside and pressed number 3. The soft classic music coming through the speakers consumed my senses. I was feeling tired and the elevator couldn't be any slower. I sighed in contentment when I heard the ping again. I dragged myself to my apartment door. I unlocked the door with my keys and walked inside. I took off my coat and boots and headed to my mom's room. She was sound asleep, I shrugged off my scarf and gently slide into the bed next to her. I wrapped my arm around her slim waist. She turned around and looked at me with one eye shut and the other open.

"Hey, Christa." She smiled lazily.

"Hi, Mama." I whispered back. 

She started playing with my hair and I remembered her doing the same when I was younger. I remembered our old apartment that only had one room and we used to sleep together every night. I remembered our small pillow talks where she used to tell me about her work and I used to tell her about my crushes in high school. At this momet when I remembered those beautiful memories we have before she got sick, I cursed the sickness and fate for doing this to my mother. I cursed my father who left her all broken and I cursed myself for being a burden on her.