Lianne laughed a bit at seeing that. At least he texted and not called to ask that. She didn't answer at first and waited to see what would be his response.
Back home, Kai smiled at that. So his Angel wasn't an early riser, huh? He was going to type another response when he hit himself on the head. Why was he texting when he could just call her?!
He texted earlier because he was worried she might be asleep, even though it wasn't that late yet. But since she isn't asleep, what's stopping him from calling her?
With that thought, he immediately dialed her number.
Lianne nearly dropped the phone when it started ringing.
She had been so focused on looking at it, waiting for his reply when it rang. Unable to stop the grin on her face, she answered it.
"If you don't do early, then how about lunch instead?" Kai asked.
Lianne shivered a bit despite herself, hearing that sexy voice right in her ear. Putting the phone down, she put it on speaker for the sake of her heart.
"Lunch? Okay, lunch is good," Lianne replied, "Where? Is there a good restaurant near your office?"
Lunchtime would be short and in Lianne's estimation, Kai would normally have his lunch in the office. If they were going to have lunch together, it must mean a place nearby. From what she remembered, there were a few places but it was more of the small cafe type.
Would he be okay in such a public place? Considering who he was, that is.
Even when she went out for her monthly meals with Kyle, they'd go to really private places so that they wouldn't be disturbed. Sometimes, he would do the outrageous and book the entire place.
It must be the same for Kai, though on a smaller scale.
As if confirming her thoughts, Kai said with a sigh, "No, not really."
He certainly did not want to have a repeat of today, with people coming up to him for a 'chat'. Or women, wanting to see who he was having a meal with.
"The best place would be my office," Kai said with a smile, "I'll have things delivered and we not only will have our privacy but also good food."
Lianne laughed softly, shaking her head, "Oh? And I'm supposed to suddenly just turn up at your office, is it? Like countless women before me?"
"There's never been any women in my office, other than my subordinates," Kai said gently with a smile. Was she jealous? It was just a few hours ago that they were confirmed in a relationship and she was already showing signs?
He was insanely happy about it for some reason.
"Oh, really now?" Lianne said, hugging Leo harder as she grinned stupidly to herself, "All the more I���m going to be like a glaring beacon when I show up, asking to go to your office, huh? No thanks."
Kai frowned, "What's wrong with that? Unless you want to keep our relationship a secret?"
"No," Lianne replied with a slight sigh, "That's not it, Kai. No one yet knows about us. If I am to suddenly show up at your office and go there, it's going to create rumours. Like how I chased after you, or is this shameless woman daring to covet their boss etc etc."
Not to mention, most likely being held at the reception desk by some ignorant person deeming her unsuitable and unlikely to be with their beloved CEO.
You know, the typical cliche moments.
"You think I'd care about the rumours? Do you?" Kai asked gently.
Lianne was quiet for a minute then pointed out, "The rumours wouldn't be about you now, would it? I'll come out as the shameless hussy or vixen while you, the typical man, would be squeaky clean."
In truth, it wouldn't really bother her if they had been in the relationship for some time but they had just started. He was the one chasing so why should she be labeled the vixen?
Kai sighed, "I wouldn't allow such things to happen."
Lianne snorted, "You can't stop tongues from wagging or people to stop thinking what they want to think."
"True," Kai admitted, "But I can sway their thoughts and punish those who are blatant enough to try smearing dirt on you."
"Talk is cheap," Lianne mumbled. Kyle does the same thing and she had been protected quite well under his care. Could Kai do the same?
Granted, Kyle was much more powerful and he was happily married - so the situation was different. Kai had a much harder battle to face.
Lianne was well aware that she was being rather wilful but she couldn't help it.
She entered into this relationship with her eyes wide open, and thus, she wasn't completely taken away with all the sweet-talk and happy feelings. She was grounded in reality and preferred to nip everything in the bud.
Even if they were in the starting phase and it was supposed to be the 'honeymoon' phase, Lianne would always see all angles and her head tended to rule her heart more.
She wasn't even reigning in her thoughts for she didn't believe in putting her best foot forward first. He had to see her for everything that she was, from the start.
If he couldn't handle her now, what would it be like in the future?
After all, he was the one that was so serious about her.
And this was just a small matter. What about when things got even rougher in the future?
Did he seriously think of all the repercussions or was he so taken in by his feelings that he was blind to all of that?
Lianne knew Kai was capable but that was in business.
Personal life and feelings were two totally different things to business.
"I'll prove it to you," Kai said gently, "But the important question is, do you want to have lunch with me?"
Lianne couldn't help but smile to herself as she answered, "Yes."
"Okay, then that's settled," Kai said, "I'll take a long lunch break …"
"No," Lianne cut him off, "You don't normally take long lunch breaks, right?"
"Yeah, but that's because I never had a reason to," Kai replied.
"You have things on in the afternoon, right? I mean after lunch break," Lianne pressed on.
"Nothing that can't be rescheduled," Kai replied nonchalantly.
"No," Lianne repeated firmly, "Look, Kai, I appreciate it that you're showing you put me first but let's face it. It's just lunch. We can meet often anytime. Rescheduling just for that is a bit much."
Kai was in a state of shock. And surprise.
What?
Didn't all women like being pampered and being placed as a priority? Or she didn't want to meet him? At least, not as much as he wanted to meet her?
"As long as I know you would when I need you, that's enough," Lianne told him, as if knowing what he was thinking, "Do you understand?"
"But I miss you," Kai said softly, slightly whining.
Lianne screamed internally upon hearing that and buried her face in Leo.
Gah. Why does he have to be so cute?!