The Billionaire and the Cleaner (13 page)

The way he described Christmases made Lana envious. When she
lived in the trailer with her own mother, Lana spent most of the holidays
catching up on homework or avoiding the men who stopped by.

She shivered recalling that time of year. There were never
any presents left by Santa for her or any decorations. The trailer looked a
mess year in and year out. Her mother never changed no matter what their
circumstances.

The drive was slow, and the snow thickened on the ground.
Lana put the radio on for a distraction from her morbid thoughts. Red lights
were in front of them from braking cars. She relaxed her head into her hand
waiting for the roads to clear. Christmas Eve was always busy. Last minute
shoppers were running to the shops to get the final gift that would make
Christmas. If it wasn’t for Kent she’d be at home or the diner working through
Christmas like she’d done every year.

“You’re very quiet,” he said.

“I’m anxious.” She didn’t feel like she belonged with the
Andersons
. Their family
were so large and giving. Lana felt like a fraud when she was around them.

“You’ll do great.” He squeezed her leg offering her support.
Lana took the support and hoped she could survive through this time of year
without having an emotional breakdown.

She’d not spoke to her mother since she left the trailer
after graduation. Shaking her head, she let her thought wander through her
memories.

Kent
finally got
them both to his parents’ house. It was past seven, and everyone was in a state
of merriment. His brothers helped with the cases and gifts. Penny embraced her,
as did his father.

The kids watched with wide eyes as they put the presents
under the tree.

“There will be more tomorrow. Presents under the tree are
for everyone,”
Kent
said, explaining the process.

“Come on, dear, we’ve got to get some drink inside you.”
Penny took her hand and escorted her through to the kitchen where a glorious
spread of food was on display. The turkeys were cooking in the oven, and the
scents made her stomach growl. Penny handed her a drink and a plate filled with
food. “I heard that growl, honey. You’re getting food inside you. I won’t take
no for an answer.”

Lana laughed and took the drink along with the food.
Kent
made his
way into the kitchen as she was eating. His mother kept talking about plans.
She watched as his mother prepared vegetables for the following day.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

“This is awesome.” The drink had loosened her up.

“I bet.” He took the drink and had a generous sip.

They stood talking with Penny until it was time to sing
carols in the sitting room. She listened as Sophie played the piano and the
children sang the tunes. Closing her eyes, she rested her head against
Kent
’s
shoulder. This was the kind of Christmas she always dreamed about, the loving,
welcoming warmth displayed by everyone.

The children were put to bed, and
Kent
escorted her toward the spare
bedroom. She was on the floor below him.

Her suitcases were on the bed. “My family adore you, Lana.
You’re an
Anderson
now.”

“I’m not.”

He cupped her cheek and forced her to look at him. “You
are.”
Kent
dropped down and kissed her lips. “I’ll see you when you’re done. It’s not bed
time. There is still time for a late night drink.” He stroked her lip and then
closed her door behind him.

She stared at the space he’d vacated. Her lips tingled from
the small touch.

What was going on?
Kent
kept confusing her. She knew
he’d stopped sleeping around and that he spent more time with her than he did
with any other woman.

Stop thinking
about it and enjoy Christmas.

****

Kent
moved to his
room, but Tonya was standing in front of his door. Her arms were folded across
her chest as she waited for him.

“You took long enough,” she said.

“What do you want?” he asked, moving around her. Tonya
followed him into his room without an invitation. “I asked what you wanted. I
didn’t give you permission to come into my room.”

She shrugged. “This place hasn’t changed a bit.” Tonya
picked up one of his old teddies and cradled it against her chest. He
remembered many times when she came to visit him. Not once in all of those
years did he think she was in love with Seth.

“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” Tonya asked.

“That’s not your place any more.” He warned her without
looking at her.

“Whose place is it,
Kent
? Are you going to spend the
rest of your life judging me because I loved your brother more?”

They never spoke about the past. Tonya was married to his
brother, and they were happy.
Kent
never came into it.

“I don’t care about it, Tonya. I moved on.”

“Bullshit. You never moved on. I know you, and you’ve always
been a resentful little prick. We were friends, and because I didn’t return
your feelings, you blamed me. Fine, it’s
all my
fault.
I loved Seth, and I never should have dated you. I made the mistake of thinking
I could make myself love you the way you wanted to be. I loved you as a friend.
I still love you as a friend,” Tonya said.

“I’m not in the mood for this.” He threw his jacket on the
bed and walked into the bathroom.

You’re in
love with Lana.

Kent
stopped and
turned to Tonya. It was time to get it out. “Yeah, I had an issue with you. I
thought you were my friend, and then I felt you were nothing more than a
gold-digging whore.” He watched as she flinched.
Kent
didn’t get anything from the
distraught look in her eyes. At his revelation, she looked broken. “I hated you
and Seth. When you went with him I lost my girl and my friend. I loved you, but
I’ve come to see I didn’t love you like I thought I did. You were my friend,
and I wanted more.” He stopped as the revelation of his words woke him up. “I love
Lana, and I’m happy for you. We’ll never be back to how we used to be, but
we’ll be civil. At this time that’s all I can offer you,” he said.

“I see.”

“Could you leave? I want to get ready.”

Tonya looked like she wanted to say something more. When he
didn’t give her chance to respond, she turned away and left.

Letting out a breath, he made his way into the bathroom. He
took a quick shower and tried to process her words. For the longest time he’d
blamed her because he’d thought he was in love with her. The way he felt for
Lana was completely different. He loved her for the woman she was. Lana was
strong, kind, and confusing.
Kent
smiled as he thought about how confused he got when he was around her.

Once his shower was finished, he moved into his bedroom. He
dressed quickly and made his way downstairs. Lana wasn’t downstairs when he
made it into the sitting room. The commotion calmed down the moment the
children were in bed. He found his mother in the kitchen stirring hot
chocolates.

“Have you seen Lana?” he asked.

“She’ll be down in a moment. She forgot her toothbrush and
came to ask for one. Don’t worry, son. I know you’re worried about her,” Penny
said.

He let out a sigh and sat down. “She’s never had a Christmas
like this. A part of her is broken. I see it in the way she watches us.
Sometimes there are tears in her eyes, and I hate seeing it. I figured all
families were like ours.”

The only person he could confide in was his mother. His dad
would go and talk to Lana and probably scare her.

“Has she spoken about any of her family?” Penny asked.

“She’s spoken about her mother, but I don’t have a name or
anything. Her past is a mystery. She works two jobs to make ends meet, and she
hates mess. Her apartment is always pristine. When we were wrapping the gifts,
she was throwing all the little bits away straight after.”

“Some women don’t like mess.”

“With Lana I think it has to do with her past. I watched her
freak out by a red stain on her shoe, Mom. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Penny moved away from the stove to stand behind him. She put
a supporting hand on his shoulder. “We spoilt you kids when you were growing
up. Your father and I had the support of our parents when I came home pregnant
at such a young age. Having children isn’t easy. There are families who are far
worse off. All you can do is
give
Lana the love and
support she needs. You love her,
Kent
. I’ve seen it.”

He placed a hand on top of hers. “I love you, Mom.”

“Of course you do. I’m full of wisdom. Lana’s a nice girl.
She’d make a fine wife and an even better mother. You’re not getting any
younger. I want to enjoy my grandbabies from you.”

“Mom, I’m forty-five.”

“And the receding hairline will come, along with the pot
belly.” She tapped his shoulder.

“Dad doesn’t have any of that.”

“I know he’s got a good woman to keep him in shape. It takes
two people to make a marriage work,
Kent
. Lana will be good for you and
your health.”

Kent
chuckled and
paused when he saw Lana stood in the entrance of the kitchen. “I didn’t know
where everyone was.”

His mother winked at him before returning to the stove.
Penny knew everything about him even though he tried to hide his feelings from
the woman. There was no hiding his love for Lana from his mother.

Chapter
Fourteen

Lana woke up to the screams of children. It was Christmas
morning, and she rolled over to see it was still dark outside. The clock on her
bedside table read after five in the morning.

“Lana, is there any chance you’re still asleep?”
Kent
asked.

She chuckled, climbed out of bed and went to the door. He
stood in a robe and slippers. His blond hair was mussed. This was the first
time she’d seen him just rolled out of bed. He looked more handsome like this
than in a business suit.

“Morning,” she said.

“This is ridiculous, but the kids are ready to open presents.
Come on down.” He stood outside her door waiting for her. She grabbed a robe
and headed out.

Everyone was in the living room camped out on the sofa.
Derek was sitting by the tree. The older man rubbed his hands together as he
started dishing presents out to the kids. Once they were finished and left to
unwrap more presents, Derek started handing out gifts to the adults.

Lana found herself growing more excited as the event went
on. When Derek handed her several packets she was speechless.

“Happy Christmas, dear,” Penny said.

She slowly
unwrapped
each gift
marvelling at what lay before her. Penny had bought her a dress along with a
new handbag and shoes. Sophie had bought her a collection of cookbooks, and
others gifts ranged from clothes to books to equipment for her apartment. She
smiled when she saw a gift voucher for a huge television. Lana turned to
Kent
.

“Nothing to do with me.
My family
buy whatever the hell they like.”

When a small box was handed to her, Lana’s heart jumped
inside her chest. She opened the box, and there lay the ruby entwined with a
serpent. The same necklace she’d admired in the jewellers.

“I saw how much you wanted it. You deserve it.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she said. The others faded into
the background as she looked at him.

“No words are necessary. Put it on.”

He helped her place the necklace on. She stared down at the
ruby. “This is perfect. Thank you so much.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. The sound of Derek
clearing his throat interrupted them. Her gifts to
Kent
consisted of a pen she’d had
embossed with his name, a briefcase, and a picture of his whole family in a
picture frame for his desk at work.

“This is amazing, Lana,” he said, staring down at his
family.

“I noticed you didn’t have many family photos. I thought
this would be nice on your hard days. You’ll see them and know what you’re
working toward.”

Tears were in his eyes as he gathered her up in his arms.

She gasped at the strength inside him. “You’ve got to let me
go. I can’t breathe.”

Kent
released
her. “You’re such a special person.”

“Thank you.”