“You’ve met my mom.Normal was my only option.”
He kissed the side of my neck in a way that had me questioning the soundproofing.
“You’rea saint for putting up with everything,” Kaya said.
I smiled and shook my head.“It’s not a big deal.When I accepted the position in Mr.Steele’s secretariat, I knew it would be high profile.Mr.Steele knows it, too.That’s why he pays all of his immediate staff well.”
While we spoke, the photographer clicked away, moving a little each way to capture our expressions.
“Does this mean you didn’t attempt to pay her off for pursuing your son?”the reporter asked.
“It’s utterly ridiculous that I would harbor ill will toward anyone for loving my son.He’s a wonderful man.Who wouldn’t love him?If Ms.Elmantas were ever to develop feelings for him, I would be delighted.She’s a very sweet person.”
“You’re saying that you’d welcome a secretary into the Steele family?”
“I'm saying that I’d welcome whoever my son loves.Secretary, debutante, short order cook at an Italian restaurant…it doesn’t matter to me as long as they love each other.”
The reporter turned to me.
“What are your thoughts about Mr.Steele?”
“In the short time I’ve worked with him, he’s earned my respect.He’s a driven and dedicated leader who holds himself to the same standard of excellence he expects from his employees.He probably could ease up on the amount of coffee he drinks every day, though.”
The reporter chuckled, as did his mom.
“I think that should be enough,” he said, looking at Kaya.“Thanks for agreeing to the interview.”
“Thanks for promising to report it unbiasedly.I’d hate to have to file another defamation suit.Honestly, I’ve never been so insulted in my life.I’m not that kind of person.”
I reached across the table and patted her hand.I heard a shutter click as her hand covered mine.
After they packed up, she and I went shopping downtown, something she’d told the reporter that she’d insisted we do to make up for the slander and the house fire that people were treating so callously.
By the afternoon, I had all the replacement clothes I could want, some pretty new earrings she insisted I buy, and some heels that might be on my pillow next to me tonight when I went to bed.
Konni, who had texted me throughout the day, was waiting in the entry when we returned home.He pulled me in for a hug and buried his face in my neck.His deep inhale and groan made his mom laugh.
“They get needy like that in the beginning.If it gets to be too much, cry.Tears turn them inside out.”
He lifted his head to scowl at her.
She grinned and walked away with the bags.“I’ll take these to show your mother.Dinner is at six.”
Konni picked me up and took the stairs, two at a time.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
“Are you sure it’s safe?”Mom asked as we walked toward Konni’s car.
“Yesterday’s article is gaining traction,” Kaya said.“A lot of positive comments and support for both of you.And the article claiming our rocky relationship has been taken down.”
We knew that wasn’t enough, though.The pot had been stirred, and the public was still enraged.Kaya’s comment about welcoming me had been taken as confirmation by at least half the readers that I was only at Steele Corp to sleep with the CEO.While everyone applauded her open-mindedness, I was still getting criticized.
“I promise I won’t let her out of my sight,” Konni said.“Not even in the office.”
“Wait.I changed my mind.I’d rather stay here than be smothered at work,” I said.
He caught my wrist and tugged me to his side.
