Chapter 3
It had been a few days since I’d become homeless, and luckily, I’d been able to keep it under wraps.
After spending one night in a hotel, I slept in my car the next two nights.
Sweet, Savory, and Goode had a small workout room as well as men’s and women’s locker rooms, and I was able to handle my hygiene without anyone becoming suspicious.
Friday had come, and the building was closed on the weekends. I hadn’t quite figured out what I would do, but I’d come up with a plan before the end of the day. As hard as I tried not to be discouraged, it was hard not to allow this situation to break my spirit.
I could stay here, I thought.
Although I wasn’t sure how security worked after hours, I didn’t think it was anything more than an alarm for the doors, and maybe cameras in certain areas. If I stayed in this area, I would probably be okay.
The linoleum floor wouldn’t be comfortable, but if I layered the blankets I’d purchased at the thrift store on the floor, it would be better than sleeping in my car. I felt better now that I had a plan.
Once I knew all the kitchen staff were gone for the day, I left the building to get my blankets and moved my car to the street. I entered and exited through a door at the back of the building that led directly to the kitchen, so I wasn’t worried about running into any of the other employees.
When I was safely back in my office, I made a pallet in the corner, turned the lights off, and got comfortable.
I didn’t want to move too much until the building was empty, so I pulled my Kindle from my purse, thankful I had enough money in the bank each month for the monthly payment, and picked up where I’d left off in Rayvin Skye’s book, Shining My Love On You.
Time flew by as I got engrossed in the story, and before I knew it, it was after six o’clock. I needed to relieve my bladder, and I wanted to shower before settling in for the night.
I turned the light on and gathered what I needed for a quick shower. I took the back stairs to the second floor and slipped into the locker room. It was nothing fancy, and neither was the workout room, but the employees appreciated having a place to exercise and shower afterward.
Usually, I took long showers, but the past few days, I didn’t have that kind of time. In fifteen minutes, I’d showered, dressed in black leggings and a fitted long-sleeved T-shirt, and slipped back into the hallway. As I pushed open the door to the stairwell, I heard a deep voice behind me.
“Hey!” he shouted.
I closed my eyes and froze, and although his voice wasn’t angry, I couldn’t bring myself to turn around.
“Hey!” he repeated.
This time, the sound of his voice made my nipples hard and my pussy pulse.
I was confused by my body’s reaction at such a time as this.
I still hadn’t turned around, but I sensed him getting closer.
I pressed my forehead against the door and said a quick prayer, asking God to save me from losing my job.
When I felt his hand on my shoulder, it sent shivers through my body. I prayed he wouldn’t see my hardened nipples through my shirt or sense the pheromones my body released because of his presence. I finally released the doorknob and slowly turned around.
Damn, he’s fine as hell, I thought.
“Who are you? Do you work here?” he questioned.
I’d only seen the youngest Mr. Goode a few times in passing and always thought he was attractive.
I wasn’t surprised he didn’t recognize me because the times I’d seen him, I was wearing what I called my cooking uniform—loose-fitting navy or black pants, and a chef’s jacket.
I wasn’t a chef yet, but I liked to look the part.
I also wore my hair in a bun under a baseball cap most days.
Right now, the bun was gone, my loose curls were out, and my hair fell right above my shoulders. My clothes weren’t nearly as loose as they usually were. I planned to layer up with sweats and a hoodie when I got back to my office before settling in for the night.
“Umm, I’m Malyah. I work in the kitchen.”
“Damn, you’re beautiful.”
That wasn’t the response I was expecting. His brow narrowed, and I assumed he was trying to recall if we’d met. On the day I was hired, I was given a short tour of the building and briefly met his father. Kenzo was out of town, so we never officially met.
“Thank you.”
“The kitchen? I don’t—are you the head cook?”
“I am.”
“The building is closed. Why are you still here?”
I sighed as I held back tears. I already had nowhere to live, and I’d be out of a job shortly.
“I’m sorry. I can’t afford a hotel, and I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I slept in my car the past two nights, but I thought I could stay in my office for the weekend. Please don’t fire me. I needed—”
“Enough!” he said firmly, cutting me off and causing me to jump.
The tears I held at bay trickled down my cheek, and to my surprise, he cupped my face in his hands and used his thumbs to wipe them away.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’ll go get my things and leave, but please don’t fire me. I really need this job.”
“Why are you homeless? Are we not paying you enough?”
“My salary is fine, and I’m very responsible with my money. I haven’t always been, and I’m paying for it now. I have a lot going on, but I’m trying. If you could please give me—”
“You can’t sleep here. I’ll give you money for a hotel—”
I shook my head. “No, please. I can’t have you do that. I won’t be able to pay you back.”
“You don’t have to pay me back, but I can’t have you sleeping on the floor in your office.”
“I—”
“Let’s go.”
“Go where?” I asked, confused.
“Your office. We need to get your things.”
He pushed past me, entering the stairwell, and I caught the door before it closed in my face. When I made it to the first floor, he was waiting for me with the door open. I was too embarrassed to look at him, so I kept my eyes on the floor.
Once inside my office, I quickly gathered my things while he leaned against the doorframe, watching. After putting on my shoes, I put my purse, then my duffel bag on my shoulder, and grabbed the handle of my suitcase.
“Let me take your things,” he said.
“It’s fine. I can handle it.”
“I didn’t ask what you can handle. Give me your things.”
The tone of his voice caused me to give him my eyes, and I surprised myself by staring into his for a moment. When I didn’t make a move, he reached for the handle of my suitcase, then removed the strap of my bag from my shoulder.
“Thank you,” I said to his back because he was already headed out.
After locking up my office, I rushed to catch up with him. He held the door open for me again, letting it close behind him when I was a few steps away.
“Where is your car?” he asked.
“I moved it to the street. It’s right around the corner.”
“Why didn’t you say that?”
“You didn’t ask,” I responded with a shrug.
He released a deep breath, and I could tell he was annoyed.
“Is there anything you need in your car?” I shook my head. “Stay here.”
He released the handle of my suitcase and secured my duffel bag around it before reentering the building.
About ten minutes later, a luxury vehicle turned into the parking lot, headed in my direction, then stopped in front of me.
Kenzo stepped out, grabbed my luggage, and went to his trunk.
Once my things were inside, he went to the passenger side door and opened it.
“Get in.”
I frowned because his tone was a bit abrasive. He must have read my body language because he followed that up with, “My bad. Can you get in, please?”
I did as he asked, and he closed the door while I secured my seat belt. He slid behind the wheel seconds later, and we drove away from the building.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked.
“You hungry?”
“I ate breakfast and lunch at work, and I have enough money and snacks to get me by until Monday.”
“That’s not what I asked you.”
“I could eat.”
“Is there anything in particular that you have a taste for?”
“No.”
We rode in silence, and I focused my attention on the window. I noticed we were leaving the city, and I should’ve been concerned, but I wasn’t. The Goode family had a great reputation, so I wasn’t concerned for my safety, although I did wonder where we were headed.
“Are you going to fire me?” I asked without looking in his direction.
“No, but I do want to know how you found yourself in this situation.”
“I told you.”
“Nah. You didn’t. I want details.”
I finally looked in his direction, and he kept his gaze on the road, not even glancing my way for a second.
“Why do you need details?”
“Because I’m about to help you, so I think I’m entitled to them.”
For the second time tonight, I frowned at this gorgeous man.
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
I folded my arms across my chest while mean-mugging him.
“I don’t care about your attitude. You were about to spend the weekend sleeping on the floor in your office in my building.
It can be a fireable offense if that was the route I wanted to go.
I want to help you, but not only for tonight.
If you don’t tell me how you got to this point, I don’t know how I can help. ”
My frown disappeared. I had no reason to have an attitude with this man. He was helping me and didn’t have to do that.
“I’m sorry. This situation is embarrassing enough without you knowing all the details, but if that’s what you want, I can share.”
“I promise not to judge you. We’ll be at the restaurant soon and can talk more while we eat.”
I nodded and turned back to the window. About twenty minutes later, I noticed we were in Orland Park. He turned into the parking lot of a small plaza where a few businesses were located. He parked and turned the car off, so I reached for the handle to get out.
“I got it,” he said before I could open the door.