"She would be fine. I promise I'd have my men watching her every minute. It's my private hospital. You don't need to worry," Kai said as he and Tiffany watched Victoria get into Kai's jet.
"Thank you. Let me handle her payment. You don't have to do that for me," Tiffany said, and Kai nodded, he looked at Peter beside him.
Peter walked straight to Tiffany handing her a file. Tiffany glanced at Kai, but his gaze was fixed on Victoria getting into the plane. As she opened the file, her eyes lowered towards the amount. Tiffany's eyes popped open almost falling from her sockets, maybe hoping to see the amount written clearly.
"Ten thousand euros a week?" Her jaw almost dropped, seeing the entrance fee, eight hundred thousand euros, the annual fee of one million, nine hundred thousand and twenty euros.
Tiffany looked at the jet and gulped unexpectedly. Her mind wondered how much it was to fly a private jet; business class already cost thousands. Kai had already paid in full for a year.
"You don't have to do this... we can find something cheaper, I‐"
"It's your mother's safety, Tiffany. You don't have to pay me back..."
"No! I have to..." Tiffany's voice rose, cutting him short. Her eyes glanced around, but she never held his. "I don't want to be dependent on my ex-husband or owe you either. I already spent most of my money on boutique, I didn't see this coming," her voice faded as she caught Kai's piercing gaze.
"Dinner then. I'd love dinner."
"You don't have to use dinner to sort it out. I'll see what I can do about the payment," Tiffany said.
"At least let me drive you home, would that be okay too?" Kai asked. Tiffany stared at him.
Kai's dark grin curled his lips causing a flash of heat to go through Tiffany.
"Okay," she replied, a little intimidated by those insanely blue eyes that threatened to sink her.
Kai opened the car door with his smile, "My lady."
Tiffany chuckled and froze at the realisation. Slowly she got into the car, maintaining a straight face.
As he drove through the city streets, Tiffany couldn't help but steal glances at Kai. His hands gripped the steering wheel with a confidence that was hard to ignore. Her heart was racing as memories flashed through her. She swallowed, shaking her head slightly, heat surging through her despite the air conditioner turned on.
She slowly stole another glance at him. His sharp profile. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unsure if the tension she felt was gratitude, irritation, or something far more dangerous she shouldn't be feeling. Kai's rejection was a wake-up call to her life. Their lives weren't the same; Kai could never understand where she came from.
Kai's deep voice broke the silence. "Tiffany."
Her fingers tightened around her bag as she turned quickly in his direction. Kai's eyes held hers.
"Would you give me a chance to make things right? I shouldn't be saying this here. I know I fucked up..."
Tiffany stared out the window. "What is it you want to say? You're sorry for sending me home in the middle of a stormy night?" she muttered. "I'm really grateful for my mother. You don't have to use that to talk to me. I'll make sure I'll pay you... it isn't about you; I just don't like being in debt to anyone, Kai."
He let out a low chuckle that sent shivers down her spine. "I'm not anyone, Tiffany."
His laugh and words hung in the air, her chest heavy. She turned toward him, her eyes narrowing. "Exactly. You're not. That's why this feels... complicated."
Kai glanced at her briefly, his blue eyes softening. "It doesn't have to be."
Tiffany said nothing. Instead, she focused on the familiar streets as they approached her apartment complex. The tension in her chest loosened slightly at the sight of her building, but her relief was short-lived as Kai pulled into the underground parking garage, she frowned. "You should have dropped me off at the entrance, you don't have to drop me here..."
Kai smirked, parking the car in a space marked 5C. Tiffany froze, that was right. The morning she found out her mother was missing. This was the very spot he drove off from. Tiffany looked at him, her eyes searching for answers.
Her heart skipped a beat, confusion and disbelief warring in her mind. "You... live here?" she asked, her voice barely heard.
He turned off the engine and faced her fully, his expression unreadable. "Apartment 5C. It seems we're neighbours..." His eyes danced across her stunned face... "love."
Tiffany's breath caught. Her own apartment, 5D, was right next door. The realization sent her mind reeling. How had she not known this? The morning she stormed out of his apartment. The shock was too much she was unable to process anything that morning. Now, it was coming to her in full force.
Kai's gaze lingered with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Tiffany sized him.
"You? Of all people... this wasn't a coincidence, right? Seattle is your regular... you own Hotels, estates, mansions but you chose this apartment for a reason."
"I bought it. Do you like it?" He asked with a proud smile.
Tiffany gasped in disbelief, shaking her head lightly. "Do you go around throwing money? Don't you have an important investment?"
He leaned back in his seat, his grin softening into something more sincere. "You're my investment, love. But don't worry. I'm a good neighbour. Quiet, respectful. And now, conveniently close if you need anything, love."
Her cheeks burned. "Tiffany! Mr Winson, I'm not your love," she said, throwing him death glares.
"Not yet."
Tiffany blinked. She opened the car door, eager for space to think. This man was insane.
Kai speedily followed, he carried her bag, following behind her quietly as they strode toward the elevator. "Relax, Tiffany. I'm not here to cause trouble."
As the elevator doors closed behind them, Tiffany pressed herself against the wall, far away from him. "That's exactly what someone who causes trouble would say."
Kai laughed softly; the warm sound stung her heart. "Maybe. But I think you'll find I can be... useful to have around, like for dinner!"
The elevator dinged, and Tiffany stepped out quickly. Tiffany gasped, seeing Daniel by her door.
"Tiffany," he called, his voice low yet filled with excitement, but she watched that excitement die as he looked behind her, seeing Kai step out.
She glanced back at Kai, her heart racing. Her gaze lowered to her bag in his hands. Tiffany swallowed and silently snatched it from him. She managed a smile and turned to Daniel.
"Daniel, what are you doing here?" She asked, hoping to change the topic, but Daniel's gaze held Kai's in a silent battle.
Tiffany's pulse thrummed in her ears. What had she just gotten herself into? Why was Daniel even here?
"I missed you," Daniel said, his eyes finally leaving Kai's towards her. "You haven't been picking up my calls. Noami told me what happened to your mother, so I came to see you, are you okay?" Tiffany's gaze trailed his hands, caressing her cheek softly.
She nodded, plastering a smile that didn't seem to reach her ears. "Yeah. Do you want a drink?"
"It's you from the club," Daniel said, finally agreeing to notice Kai's presence.
Kai chuckled with a soft smile. Without another word, he opened his door, entering and shutting it.
Daniel looked at Tiffany. "Isn't that your ex-husband?"
"Yeah... he owns the building, that's why he lives there," she said, fumbling with her passcode. As soon as she put it, she stumbled into her apartment.