The Deal

Chapter 24

"It must be hard- you know, doing your job." I murmur to Christian as I walked alongside him. We were on our way to a soup and sandwich shop down the street from the office.

"Hard is an understatement." He points out, giving me a warm smile afterward. "I can imagine. How did you even get to where you are?" I mean he owns such a huge company! Not to mention that he's so young! There had to be some sort of shortcut, something!

"Well, a lot of hard work, little to no sleep and much more." I nod slowly, looking down at my feet as we walked.

I wondered if it was stressful being him. Did he even have a personal life outside his business life? I seriously doubted it. "But in the end- it's like gambling, you take a shot and if you're lucky, you win big." He points out. "And you were lucky," I said it as a fact.

He's a billionaire, he has everything anyone can possibly want, right?

"Fortunately." He nods as we arrive at the shop. He opens the door for me, motioning me in. I give him a quick thanks and walk in the warm shop. It was dimly lit with two huge windows on the entrance walls that brought in most of the lighting.

It seemed like no one was there besides the employees.

"Just two?" a middle-aged woman asks, grabbing two menus from behind the counter. Christian nods in response.

"Follow me." She says walking away towards the corner of the restaurant where she sat us on a booth.

"And what can I get you two to drink?" She asks as we sat down. "I'll take a coffee," Christian says. "I'll do one as well." She nods before walking off.

I adjusted myself in the seat, sitting my bag next to my right side. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel suddenly awkward in the moment.

At this point I'm pretty sure I spend more time with Christian then my own mother does, and she's marrying him!

I searched my brain, attempting to think of any topic to talk about. Though the situation was awkward, the atmosphere wasn't. I felt comfortable around him even after everything.

"So how is the wedding planning going?" I ask, though I instantly regretted it.

He gave me a knowing look, one that read that he didn't want to answer anything about his marriage with my mother.

"Not quite sure, your mother seems to be doing all the work." I nod. "You guys haven't even had the engagement party yet." I had no idea why they needed an engagement party, but my mother did mention something about wanting it to be a day where they'd invite a lot of press, make the whole marriage and engagement thing seem 'real' as she puts it.

"The very dreaded one, yeah. I'm sure it's coming along." He mutters, sounding uncomfortable.

"How's school?" He was quick to change the subject after I didn't answer right away. I didn't blame him, I myself didn't even want to talk about it.

"Uh- it's alright." He nods. "Do you have any idea what school you're going to transfer in after your done with your public university?" He asks.

"No idea. I've been looking up a few options my counselor suggested. Some in state- though I've been debating out of state." His eyebrows arch in a way as if he was suddenly very interested and intrigued with what I just said. "Out of state? Is there a reason why? A certain college you find better then the ones in state?" I shrug.

"Not really. I just think it's best I get away from this place for once. I've lived here my whole life and relied on my mother my whole life. Out of state college sounds more ideal then not."