Let It Be Me (Let It Be Me #1) (4 page)

“You must think I’m an idiot for not even finding out who was behind the foundation,” Kayla started, holding on to her pride.

“Of course not,” he said emphatically. “It was my request and Bobby just kept it a secret for me. It was best that you had no biases when you came up with the design.”

After what happened in the party, Kayla saw his point and admired that he could see it from a professional point of view. She knew right then she had to say something.

“About that night, I think both of us crossed lines we shouldn’t have,” Kayla said, softly enough not to be heard by the others. “You acted like a prick, but I may also have misjudged you.” She did assume he was just a typical movie star who wanted to build a lavish residence. She started with the prejudice. He may have just played out what she believed he was.

Alex looked surprised, but quickly smiled. “Don’t put me on the pedestal just because of this project. I’m no angel. I’m not so far away from what you thought of me Saturday night.”

Kayla felt herself redden. “I still don’t have enough bases to have any thoughts about you.” 

“Well we’re going to work together,” Alex said. “Shall we start with a clean slate?” 

Kayla looked up at him and saw a hint of sincerity. She was still slightly skeptical, but she offered him a smile. 

“We could try.”

* * *

From: Henry Chapell

Date: Wed Apr 10 14:20:42 2013

To: Kayla Richardson

Cc: Alexander Stone, Benjamin Wright, Robert Flanders, Jennifer Martin, Brandon Costa 

Subject: Revision

Hi Kayla,

As per our discussion, here are our requests for the revisions:

1. Soup kitchen dining area to seat 50 people at a time

2. Park to include bicycle and jogging path around

3. Tree house to be incorporated into playground/ jungle gym

We look forward to the detailed plans.

Thanks,

Henry

From: Kayla Richardson 

Date: Wed Apr 10 15:27:21 2013

To: Henry Chapell

Cc: Alexander Stone, Benjamin Wright, Robert Flanders, Jennifer Martin, Brandon Costa

Subject: re: Revision

Hi Henry,

Noted on all these. We will incorporate all of them into the plans. Will issue the updated drawings soon.

Regards,

Kayla

From: Alexander Stone

Date: Wed Apr 10 16:12:53 2013

To: Kayla Richardson 

Cc: Henry Chapell, Benjamin Wright, Robert Flanders, Jennifer Martin, Brandon Costa

Subject: re: re: Revision

Kayla,

Is it possible to have a little library? It shouldn’t be a problem for the foundation to collect some book donations and get volunteers to run it.

Alex

Kayla recognized his idea as a really good one. Having the library would have the children living there have access to reference and literary books. It could also help steer them away from vices. 

Kayla would also be lying if she said she wasn’t slightly thrilled to get an email from Alex Stone. Obviously Jenny thought so too since Kayla heard a soft squeal from Jenny’s direction about the same time she received the email. At least it served as a bit of entertainment for their work day. 

After their meeting with RHS, Bobby had the team sign non-disclosure agreements. This wasn’t new to Kayla signed they’ve worked with several public figures in the past.

Kayla quickly studied the plans then fired back an email.

From: Kayla Richardson 

Date: Wed Apr 10 16:37:07 2013

To: Alexander Stone 

Cc: Henry Chapell, Benjamin Wright, Robert Flanders, Jennifer Martin, Brandon Costa

Subject: re: re: re: Revision

Alex,

Yes we can have that. We can just decrease the size of the multi-purpose room to give way for that. The multi-purpose room would still be pretty sizable. 

Kayla

From: Alexander Stone 

Date: Wed Apr 10 20:14:42 2013

To: Kayla Richardson 

Subject: re: re: re: re: Revision

Can I also have a candy store? Can I? Can I?

Kayla had to double take when she saw this email. She realized the email was only directed to her. Kayla had to laugh at this. Alex was being a tease. Maybe he was trying to set a friendly tone between them despite the start they had. Kayla couldn’t help but bite.  

From: Kayla Richardson 

Date: Wed Apr 10 20:18:17 2013

To: Alexander Stone

Subject: re: re: re: re: Revision

Are you sure this is a housing complex you’re having built and not your own residence?

From: Alexander Stone 

Date: Wed Apr 10 20:32:02 2013

To: Kayla Richardson 

Subject: re: re: re: re: re: Revision

Who says I won’t live there too?

From: Kayla Richardson 

Date: Wed Apr 10 20:37:51 2013

To: Alexander Stone

Subject: re: re: re: re: re: re: Revision

Would rather not comment as I would just end up making judgments.

What Kayla actually thought was that she couldn’t imagine Alex the movie star living in such a development. He couldn’t expect to bring home his lady dates to a building with a soup kitchen at the ground floor. So yes, maybe she’s passing judgments. She can’t help but remember the photos she saw on the tabloid cover. She remembered Jenny has also updated her about his escapades during the height of his superhero movie blockbuster. He was attending different events with a different arm candy each time -- even coming with two fashion models as dates one time.

Kayla mentally shook herself. She should be going over the initial batch of plans their draftsmen have come up with, and not exchanging emails with her client. 

A client who just happened to be gorgeous and kind of funny.

And a great kisser. 

She couldn’t remember a kiss that hot even with her past boyfriends. But Kayla doubted her exes had as much practice as Alex.

She must just be really exhausted to have such thoughts. It was nine in the evening and she was still in the office. She had a long day coordinating with everyone. And this project with RHS Foundation wasn’t the only project she was working on. She was running another office building project that was at the finishing stage, a large house in the Hamptons, and a modern-day museum that was being built in the city.

Kayla closed her eyes for a minute and leaned back into her chair. If only she wasn’t so fulfilled with her work she would have quit long ago. But just to be part of other people’s lives and the city’s landscape was just very inspiring for her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her mobile phone. The number was unknown.

“Hello?”

“What were you really thinking?” the familiar deep voice asked.

Kayla stilled.

“Alex?” How did he get her mobile number? Her email signature showed her office direct line but not her mobile. “How--?”

“Oh, I asked Bobby for everyone’s mobile numbers. I like reaching people wherever they are.” He said it like it was a normal thing to do, like everyone was at his beck and call. The arrogance she sensed when they met in the part was being apparent again.

“And you still ask me what I was thinking when you act that way?” Kayla asked cheekily. “Maybe you’re right then. Maybe my initial impression of you was spot on.”

“Ouch?” Alex said, teasingly. He laughed. “So can I guess what you were thinking?”

“I don’t think anyone could stop you,” she muttered, half-jokingly.

He laughed again. “You were thinking I couldn’t live simply. That I wouldn’t be able to stand living there.”

“Hey, that wasn’t exactly what I was thinking,” Kayla argued. “I’m not doubting that you could live simply. I’m sure if someone actually challenges you, you’d do it. But for it to be your own home? Right now? Definitely not. You have a choice. You have the capacity to live much more comfortably.”

Kayla took a deep breath. She may have been a bit too zealous in her short speech, but she tended to be a bit wordy when she had a strong opinion about something. She decided she didn’t mind having him know what she thought.

“Fine I see your point,” he conceded good-naturedly. “But I just sense you’re still passing judgment somewhere there.”

“Give me a break,” Kayla scoffed. “I would be a saint to not have any opinions.” Kayla had to admit she was enjoying this banter. She wondered though if he just wanted to get a rise out of her.

“True,” Alex agreed. “So since we have established that we’re both not saints, allow me to voice out what my impression is of you.”

“I’m afraid to hear this,” Kayla joked, but she suddenly got nervous about what he was going to say. Somehow she knew what was coming. She wondered if she should have said she didn’t want to hear it.

“You’re still in the office right?” Alex guessed.

“Uh, yeah?”

“Oh Kayla, It’s almost nine o’ clock in the evening yet you’re slaving away in the office,” he scolded kindly.

“As my client, aren’t you glad that I’m hardworking?” she reasoned.

“I’m the wrong person to ask,” he said. “You know I would want you to party a bit. And before you say anything, I meant that figuratively.”

But Kayla wasn’t ready to concede yet. “You never went overtime filming movies?” Kayla replied defensively. She didn’t know what she felt being schooled by this movie star who happened to be her client. 

“Do you have a director commanding you to stay?” Alex replied. “I don’t think Bobby would do that. I doubt he’s still in the office now, am I right?”

She looked out the glass partition and saw that indeed there were only a couple people left in the office aside from her.

“Using your same words, you have a choice, Kayla,” he continued. “You don’t have to do the same thing day in, day out. Live life a little.”

“And you must be the expert in living life?” Kayla said patronizingly. But of course she knew what he meant. She has a boring life, she got it. 

“Hmm, maybe not.” 

“You’re a hoot, Alex,” Kayla replied. “Now if you stop pestering me with your emails and phone calls, maybe I can finally leave the office.”

He laughed. “That’s good to hear. Turn off your computer now. Rush home like the first time I saw you.”

Kayla couldn’t help but smile that he still remembered that night, even if it was quite embarrassing for her. 

“Fine, I will. Good night, Alex.”

“Good night, Kayla,” she heard, before she ended the call.

Holy crap. She was getting quite friendly with Alex Stone.

Chapter 5

“What’s the hurry, girls?” Dave asked, as he found Kayla and Jenny gathering some drawings and documents from Jenny’s desk. It was Wednesday morning, and they were scheduled to meet with RHS to discuss the progress of the drawings.

Kayla was the one to answer. “We’re heading to RHS.” Both she and Jenny didn’t bother to look up. 

“Ah, excited to see Mr. Hollywood?” Dave asked. He must have gathered since the company party that it was Alex Stone behind the “charity” project.

Kayla quickly let his comment pass but she noticed that Jenny tensed up – most probably out of irritation.

“Jenny, don’t –“ Kayla started.

“Dave, if you don’t see the importance of this project, you might as well mind your own business,” Jenny retorted. 

Kayla finally looked up and gave Dave a stern look.

“Chill,” Dave said, raising his arms. “I was just teasing.” He walked away to pester another one of the female architects. Jenny and Kayla looked at each other to shake their heads. Dave really was quite a character. 

Brandon approached them with his own set of drawings. “Kayla, Jenny, let’s go?”

They then headed down to the lobby and out to hail a cab. “Both Ryan and Trey are kind of jealous we get to meet Alexander Stone,” Jenny confided, as they got in the cab. 

Kayla and Jenny were at the backseat while the driver made its way through the city traffic. Brandon was at the front seat, carrying the rolls of drawings.

Kayla laughed. “Trey must be imagining us meeting some superhero.”

“Yeah,” Jenny giggled. “This morning he said, ‘Mama, ask Hawkman if Thanagar will conquer Earth.’ I had no idea what he was talking about.”

They laughed.

“Are you excited to meet Alex again, Brandon?” Kayla asked.

“Hell yeah,” Brandon didn’t deny. 

They laughed at that. The funny thing was Brandon was a huge burly man who made time to go to the gym several times a week. And to hear him say he was excited to see Alex Stone was hilarious. 

The receptionist had them go directly to the conference room as soon as they arrived. Alex, Henry and Ben entered the conference before long. They all greeted them warmly, shaking hands with each of them. Kayla felt the difference between working for a non-profit organization and other corporate clients. 

Kayla wondered if Alex has been friends with Ben and Henry for a long time already, or if Alex just met them for this foundation.

“How’s
life
, Kayla?” Alex asked, grinning as he approached her. He rested his hand on the back of her shoulder for a few seconds in greeting. Kayla understood what he was implying. He was referring to their conversation about her not having a life.

“Just peachy,” she replied, with a smirk, though she felt a bit of a buzz during the few seconds his hand was in contact with her back.

“You’ve still got a lot to learn,” he teased, and Kayla noticed a wrinkle at the side of his eye. 

“Maybe,” she replied noncommittally, smiling. 

She noticed Jenny watching them curiously, and for a second Kayla worried what it seemed like. Did it seem like she and Alex were flirting with each other? She then turned serious, clearing her throat.