“Morning.”
I frowned, turning to see Claire entering the kitchen.
She smiled. “So you’re not ignoring my texts. You’re not even seeing them, huh?”
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and winced. “Oh.”
She chuckled lightly and helped herself to some coffee. “Didn’t sleep well?” she asked, glancing at me and no doubt noticing how exhausted and unrested I looked.
I slept fine once I jerked off to Sofia. Twice.
I shrugged.
“You don’t mind if I talk with Sofia, do you?” she asked, referencing the missed texts she’d sent me. She was here to talk about a couple of facilities for Sofia’s cousin.
“No. No. Go ahead.” I did mind. I wanted Sofia all to myself. But if this was something important to her, then I wouldn’t be an asshole and stand in her way.
“She didn’t speak up much, but I could tell how concerned she was about her cousin.” A long, sad exhale left her lips as she doctored up her coffee. “Leukemia. Chronic infections. Recurring immune issues from having sepsis. That poor woman…”
Damn. That didn’t sound good. Sofia told me some, but not the medical details.
“It sounds expensive,” I muttered.
She nodded and eyed me over the coffee. “That’s why I came a little early. To talk toyou.”
I met her gaze expectantly.
“You’re paying her well, aren’t you? I know a maid’s wage isn’t great, but she seemed so worried about the financial part of it. Going to school to get a better job is admirable. And even though she didn’t seem ready to commit, I’d offer her a spot at the clinic so she doesn’t have to compete for a decent job after she’s through her courses.”
I huffed. “I offered to send her back to school already. I asked her if she’d quit being my maid and just be here with me so she could be stress-free and study. To do what she wanted.”
She rolled her eyes.
“What?” I furrowed my brow. “Not good enough?”
“You and your father. All this money you can dole out.” She sighed. “No one wants to accept charity.”
“It wasn’t an offer of charity.”
“Oh?” She arched a brow. “Then how would sheearnthat free ticket?”
I looked aside and smirked. “She’d earn it, all right.”
“I see. Perhaps it’s my job to remind you that while no one wants to be pitied and accept charity, no self-respecting woman will want to be offered money for her body.”
I scowled at her.
“Woo her. Impress her. Treat her with affection, Andre. That’s how you’ll win her.”
I snorted. “I’m not a charming ass wipe like Roman.”
“Don’t be. There’s plenty of men like him out there already.” She held up her hands in a truce-like manner. “I’ll stop here. God forbid I actually start sounding like a stepmother and giving you advice.”
I smiled wryly. My stepmother,youngerthan me.
“And I won’t make the mistake of assuming you welcome my tips about woman troubles.”
I shrugged. “There’s no trouble. She’s my assistant now, not my maid. And that came with a hefty promotional pay. I’ll tease in some bonuses and do what I can without pissing off Miss Independent.”
