12 Business Purposes Only

Rose danced into the flower shop with a fancy bag in her hand.

"Delivery," she said as she presented Lyra lunch. "From a Mr. Wellington."

Lyra looked up at the bag and recognized the name.

"This place is only open at night, how'd you get lunch from there?"

Her roomie winked. "Eat while it's still hot," she urged before throwing on a apron and taking over the flower snipping.

The hungry girl glanced at her watch and saw it was already half past one. Once again indebted to Mr. Billionaire, Lyra reached for the bag, taking out a fancy black handkerchief and a set of metal utensils, totally unique to any of the previous takeout she had.

She then reached in for the box that looked more like a present than a container for food. And on top of it, a fancy notecard read:

{Unless you prefer a salad?}

Lyra let out a laugh before opening her lunch and digging in to the still steaming pasta.

Rose's lips curved an angle upward before moving into the empty seat across and snatching the card that easily brought the smile back into Lyra's eyes.

"What's so funny 'bout this?" She gave a strange look to her boss lady who simply laughed it off.

If Lyra recalled properly, when she first arrived as Angela on the island, Kurtis had the staff prepare special meals for the both of them. He knew Angela well, specifically ordering the staff to serve all vegan dishes to her while he ate as he pleased.

So for three days, Lyra had to starve to play the role correctly, suffering the torture of watching Kurtis feast like a king while she ate the same humble bowl of greens, just presented in different manners and colors. But finally on the third night, he caught on with her slight disinterest in dining and offered some of his protein and carb packed dishes to her.

That night was the first night she actually slept well. Seeing how content she was eating the same stuff, Kurtis instructed the staff to cancel the "Angela" menu and simply follow his.

[So he remembers…]

Rose found Lyra smiling to herself again.

"You know, not many girls can turn down Kurt for a lunch date."

"I can understand why," the girl across from her answered candidly.

"Then why did ya?" the Aussie leaned in and lifted her eyebrows in expectancy. "Scared you'll fall for him?"

Lyra's eyes immediately shot up at Rose who was only playing around.

"What are you talking about?" she asked before trying her best to cover up the big reaction she just had.

"Oh…oh..wait…something happened on the island and you're avoiding him!"

Lyra nearly spit out the pasta she was eating before swallowing it all in one gulp.

"I'm not avoiding him," Lyra tried to convince the other party. "I just don't think it's right for me to get too close to him."

Rose squinted her eyes, obviously not comprehending. Of all the previous girls she saw Kurtis with, not one didn't try to get close to him for something. Of course many were in it for his money and status, but some others genuinely liked his natural charm.

"Why?"

Lyra wouldn't have replied anyone asking that question other than Rose. Something about her genuine curiosity just seemed so harmless and deserving of an answer.

"Cuz there's no reason for me to. He is Angela's fiancé—my future brother-in-law. There's absolutely no reason to engage in activities that may harvest any other feelings than that of family bond."

"Eating lunch can lead to something?"

"Yes. Eating lunch together alone can definitely lead to something," Lyra affirmed. "Besides, what other objective is there for us to meet up?"

Seeing her become so serious, Rose's lips began to crack into a smile before she couldn't contain her laughter. "Sorry Lyra, you look so serious that it's cute. I couldn't help it."

Lyra was befuddled.

[What?]

"Actually, Kurt only wanted to meet you for lunch because he wanted to discuss the plans he thought would help with the business. I was just teasing," Rose revealed only to have the shop keeper ignore her for an entire hour.

Of course she knew Rose didn't harbor any bad intentions, but it was herself Lyra was upset with. Had she not felt something more for Kurtis, she wouldn't have overthought it in her own mind in the first place.

[Maybe I'm being too sensitive?]

Just then, she received a text from the very person she was thinking of.

{Kurtis : free to meet up tmrw night?}

{Kurtis : that way Rose can come along too.}

{Kurtis : for business purposes}

{Kurtis : no other hidden objective}

"Rose!" Lyra called from her room before finding a smug grin on her roommate's gorgeous face. "You told Kurtis what we talked about?"

The roomie shrugged. "He asked."

Lyra sighed. There goes her dignity.

{Little Cades : yea}

{Kurtis : great! 7 ok?}

{Little Cades : ok}

{Kurtis : pick you 2 up at 6:30}

{Little Cades : k}

{Kurtis: btw, ms. cades, if you don't wanna go, you can just say so}

{Little Cades : i wanna go mr. wellington}

{Kurtis : good. i wanted you to come :) }

'If it's only for business, then it should be safe to see him,' she justified before turning down the lights.

And though there was really no grounds for it, Lyra found herself hoping tomorrow comes quickly.