Chapter 143 A Chance
Noah's P.O.V.
"I like you, Noah. Do you think we could have lunch or something one day?" I'm sure when she says she likes me, she means as a friend and nothing more. I can't let it go to my head.
"Dakota wants me to show you the work we do, so I'm sure we'll eat lunch together a lot," I reply as we pull up to the compound's gates.
"That's not what I mean. I want to go on a date with you. I want to get to know you as a man, not a co-worker." I shift in my seat. I'm glad it's dark out, so she can't see how red my face is.
"Okay." The car stops, and I open the door to get out. Kylie climbs out behind me.
"Wow, this place is huge. Dakota said her last name is Kondrati. Why does that sound familiar?" She takes my hand as we walk up the steps, and it makes me feel funny inside. I guess if she's going to work here, she needs to know the truth.
"Dakota is the head of the Kondrati Mafia family." Kylie stops before we go inside.
"She's a mob boss?" I nod. "Why does she want someone like me to work here? I thought that they usually only trusted those in their own family."
"The man who kidnapped you is her uncle. Right now, Dakota doesn't trust many people. She has a keen sense when it comes to people. After one minute, she usually knows more about a person than others know after years. That's why she trusts you. She looked into your eyes, talked to you for a few minutes, and already believed you wouldn't betray her. Being loyal is important to Dakota. She doesn't tolerate betrayal." I take Kylie inside the house when I see the light on in the negotiation room. Yegor and the other man deserve everything they get, but I won't be a part of it.
"I will prove to her she can trust me. I feel like I don't belong here." Kylie whispers, looking down at her clothes. I look up and see Sarah walking toward us. She hugs me and kisses my cheek.
"I'm glad you're okay. I'm Sarah; you must be Kylie. Dakota had me get your room ready for you. I'll let Noah show you the way. I have something to do outside. That bastard is going to pay for being a cockblocker. She's in the room next to yours, Romeo." Sarah winks at me as she walks outside. Why do people keep winking at me, and why did she call me Romeo?
"Who is she?" Kylie asks as I lead her upstairs. Out of all the rooms, they put her next to me. Why?
"Sarah. She and her brother Tyler, grew up with Dakota and me. We're more like siblings than friends. When you said you don't feel like you belong here, why is that?" I walk past my room and open the door to hers.
"My clothes are wrong, and I'm not used to being around rich people," Kylie says, leaning against the doorframe.
"We don't judge people. No one here is perfect." I feel uneasy standing this close to her.
"Do I make you nervous?" she asks.
"I'm not good at small talk. I never know what to say." Kylie smiles and steps closer to me.
"You seem like you're doing okay to me. Sarah said your room is next to mine. Which one is it?" I point to the room we passed on our way up.
"It's right here." She glances at it and smiles.
"So if I get scared, can I knock on your door?" I look down at my hands.
"Sure. There shouldn't be anything here to scare you." I look into her blue eyes as she shrugs.
"You never know. I may see a spider. I'm scared to death of spiders." I don't like them either, but I can't tell her that.
"Then knock on my door. You have your own bathroom. If there's anything you need, let one of us know." I need to get away before I say something weird.
"Noah." Kylie takes my hand again.
"Yeah?" Her hands are so soft.
"Don't be nervous around me. Just be yourself. Can I hug you?" No one hugs me except my parents, Dakota, and Sarah. I don't want to say no to her.
"Okay." Kylie wraps her arms around me. I hesitated and then lightly put my arms around her. It feels funny hugging a woman I just met, but it also feels nice. She's so warm and soft. I don't want to let her go when she steps away.
"Thank you. I haven't been hugged in a long time. I forgot how nice it feels. I'm going to take a shower and go to bed. When we get up, will you show me around?" I try not to think of Kylie in the shower. I never let my thoughts go there. Women have not been a priority for me because I never thought a woman would be interested in me.
"Yes. Goodnight," I say as I walk to my room.
"Goodnight." I glance back at her as I open my bedroom door. She smiles and disappears into her room. Kylie has made me almost forget about being kidnapped and everything that happened. When I open my bedroom door, I see the mess and my broken laptop. Usually, something like this would upset me, but not today. I have other laptops. As I clean up, my mind is on Kylie. Does a man like me have a chance with someone like her? I hope so.