Blake noticed that Caroline seemed lost in thought, so he continued, “I have a friend whose department is looking for someone to deliver meals to them daily. If you take the job, you could make more than working as a private chef, and it’s a lot safer.”
For a moment, Caroline’s eyes brightened, but quickly dimmed again as she processed the idea. “It sounds like a good opportunity, but I don’t have the money to open a restaurant.”
If she had enough money, she would have opened a place already. She wouldn’t be running from house to house, cooking for others.
gave a small smile. “You don’t need a full restaurant. You just need a larger kitchen. My colleague’s department has over a hundred people. Cooking for them every day would bring in more than running your own restaurant.”
What he meant was that she could rent a space with a large enough kitchen to prepare meals for a hundred people.
Caroline mulled it over before asking, “Is this for real? Shouldn’t you confirm it with your friend first?”
It was a huge opportunity, and if it worked out, she’d earn much more than with private chef work, not just a little extra.
But what if it didn’t work out? Renting a place and then having no customers would leave her stuck.
Blake’s voice was steady. “Don’t worry about it. He told me just yesterday that his colleagues are unhappy with the food at the places they’ve been using. They’re looking to switch, and he asked me if I knew anyone who could help. That’s why I thought of you.”
Seeing her hesitation, Blake softened his expression with concern. “Here’s what I’ll do. The apartment I was going to cancel still has two months left on the lease. Why don’t you start cooking there? If things work out, you can look for something else once the lease ends.”
The Somertons aren’t extremely rich, but they aren’t struggling either.
Caroline, coming from that family, should have been able to open a restaurant without trouble.
But here she is, hesitant about renting a place. Just how tight is her financial situation?
If it weren’t for the mess her brothers had caused, Blake believed she wouldn’t be in this position at all.
Caroline paused, then said, “Alright, I’ll pay rent monthly.”
This is the best plan.
I can pay Blake directly, avoiding the hassle of a deposit.
Two months will be enough time. If the venture succeeds, I can continue renting. If it doesn’t, Blake can easily cancel the lease.
No deposit tying up my money for a year, and this gives me time to figure things out.
Blake, knowing she wasn’t comfortable owing people, agreed without hesitation.
1/2
06.45 301, may o
Chapter 56 Don’t Worry About It
After lunch, Caroline got into Blake’s car, and they headed toward the apartment.
Finished
When they arrived in the Galaxy Bay Residences, Caroline was taken aback. “Dr. Sherwood, why are you bringing me to your neighborhood?”
Before she could ask more questions, Blake answered, The apartment is in this neighborhood, right across from mine.”
“Wait, what?” Caroline looked even more puzzled, her brows furrowing. “If you’re cancelling that apartment, why are you renting another one right across from it?”
It didn’t make any sense to her.
Normally, after canceling a place, people would want a change of scenery. Why rent in the same neighborhood, especially across from the old place?
Blake parked slowly and explained, “The lighting in the study room wasn’t good enough in that apartment, so I decided to switch.”
That made sense. Good lighting was important when reading. Caroline stopped questioning it,
They took the elevator up together.
When the doors opened, Caroline stepped inside and looked around in surprise.
The apartment was immaculate, almost as if no one had ever lived there.
How does Blake keep it so well–maintained?
She couldn’t help but glance at him, her mind full of questions.
Blake noticed her confusion and met her gaze. “I had a cleaning lady com you like it?”
after I moved out. How do
“It’s great,” Caroline replied, but her expression shifted slightly, like there was something on her mind. “It’s just…”
She hesitated, unsure how to continue. A place like this must cost a lot in rent.
She didn’t have that kind of money right now, and she had already asked so much of Blake. She couldn’t ask him to waive the rent too.
Blake sudied her for a moment, then smiled, as if he understood.
He didn’t push for an answer. Instead, he handed her the keys. “I’m leaving this place in your hands. You’ve got a couple of days to prepare. You can start cooking next Monday.”
Caroline looked at the keys, then met his gaze. “About the rent-”
Before she could finish, Blake interrupted her, “It’s just sitting empty anyway. Don’t worry about it.”
I
