Only With Me

Chapter 4

Kimora's POV

He wants something unique?

"Uhm.. I don't know. Is it okay if i take a look around the spring designs for inspiration?"

"I'm afraid, you cannot." He said in a stern manner.

"Oh!" I replied gloomily.

I was actually wondering if i could take a look around the new designs they were launching for inspiration but i guess it was not possible and i had to come up with my own imagination and uniqueness. Since it's spring, maybe a bold flower with little petals hidden in them. I have to ask Charlotte fiancé, Daniel for help since he's an artist.

"You know, what? Give me your phone number." He stretched out his arm.

I pulled out my phone from my bag and gave it to him.

"What is that?" He asked pointing at my phone.

"My phone."

He looked at it with disbelief. "You use a disposable phone? How do you handle your social media?"

"I'm not on social media."

"Wow! Such an interesting young lady." He muttered. "You're definitely something. I'd never imagine a girl your age using this type of phone." He proceeded to the file cabinet behind his black office chair and grabbed a file. He flipped through it and finally picked out a single paper and gave it to me.

"The moment you sign this document, you would be under our care. So read it carefully."

I nodded and went through it.

It required that i distance myself from people until the project was done. It also said, I should  never tell anyone that i'm working with Venus until the project was over. And then, the final one.

I would stay in the Company's Hotel until the project was over.

"I-i.. i can't sign this."

His direction from his phone shifted to me. "That's sad then. I better tell Anita to start looking for a professional baker."

I bit my lips. "No-No. It's not that. It's just... I have a bakery to run. We're going to loose customers if i stay at your hotel till whenever your project finishes."

"Of course you'll have to ask your older sister for permission but these are the terms and conditions. Not just for you but for everybody involved in this project. If you can't accept it, then i'm sorry we have to let you go." He said in a manly voice and i could see he was already tired of the discussion.

I didn't want to miss my chance. I was guessing If i just did everything he asked me too then maybe he would look at me someday and we could have our big and happy family.

I signed it immediately.

"Good. You have a day to pack what you need. You don't need to bring flour or those cooking things. They'll be provided at the hotel. Every single thing accompanied with a kitchen."

"Okay."

That evening, i went back to the store and told Charlotte everything that happened besides the contract. I told her he wanted a cake for his mother's birthday and she didn't seem to suspect anything. I also told her i would be leaving for a few days to go and visit mom. So that evening, i spent the night in the kitchen making dough and everything she needed to serve customers before i left.

Our normal evening customers who loved reading novels had come to have a late snack and most especially the weird man who always came with a camera and took pictures of the cafe.

He was sitting at his usual window chair by the corner and i went up to him. "Good evening sir, would you like anything or you want the usual?"

"The usual, please." He smiled politely.

I went in and came back with a slice of apple pie.

"You must think i'm weird coming in here every evening and taking pictures."

"Oh! No-No. We are all weird in our own ways." I said trying to be polite.

"Hey, Kim! Table eight." Charlotte called.

After serving table eight, Charlotte pulled me to a corner. "What was that creepy man saying?"

"He didn't say anything."

"I don't want you anywhere near him."

"Why?"

"Just stay away from him. Can you do that?"

"Whatever."

The next morning after showering and dressing up, i carried my duffel bag to the store and I was surprised Charlotte was there very early in the morning making a cup of coffee for her and Daniel.

"Hy!" I said to them as i walked into the store. As Charlotte saw me approaching, she quickly hid a paper under her notebook.

"Hey!" Daniel waved with a smile.

"Uhm...Where are you going?" Charlotte asked with a perfectly arched brow and her eyes scanned my bag.

"I told you. I'm going to see mom." I said as i dropped my bag on the counter and moved to the kitchen to collect some cookies. "And why do keep hiding things? You think I don't see you?"

"What about Alejandro and his mom's birthday?" She ignored my question as i grabbed a seat beside Daniel.

"Oh yeah! Uhm-yeah. It's a very simple cake that would be done in an hour and they wanted me to do it at their home. It's a small family celebration and as soon as i'm done, i'm going to see mom."

"Ok, I'm going to call her and tell her you're coming."

"No, no, no. I already told her i was coming and it's early. She may still be sleeping." I tried to defend my lie.

"Your right." 

"Yeah-yeah! Uhm, Daniel i need your help."

"Wow! You need my help? Do you need me to draw you? Cause i feel like it's the only conversation we ever have."

I smiled. "Not this time but i need you to help me create a painting of spring. It can be anything but it has to emphasize on spring. Can you help me? I can even pay you."

He laughed his cheerful laughter. "Relax, i'll help you but on one condition...You have to bake me a pie."

"Sure. When i get back."

"Then, we have a deal...One more thing, when do you need it and how do you get it."

"I need it ASAP please and you can send it to my email. You can get it from Charlotte."

"What do you need a Spring painting for?" Charlotte asked again.

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you interrogating me?"

"Because you are tensed."

"No, i'm not."

Suddenly, an SUV pulled up and as soon as i saw the driver in a suit trying to get down, I hurriedly rushed to the door with my bag.

"My Uber is here. Bye guys! Oh and Lola please keep the shop safe and spend wisely. Please. Bye!"

"Miss Kimora?" The driver asked to confirm as he saw me coming out of the shop.

"Yes!"

He tried to open the car door for me but i beat him to it because I didn't want Charlotte suspecting anymore. She was already peeping through the window and i prayed silently that the car should quickly leave the premises or she would follow me.