Chapter 23 She's Here for a Free Lunch

Luke chuckled, recalling his first business deal with Sofia. She had shown up casually dressed, without a hint of makeup, clearly having just rolled out of bed. Initially, Luke had his doubts about her trustworthiness, but as they worked together more, he was pleasantly surprised by her qualities. Sofia was refreshingly honest, always saying exactly what was on her mind, without any hidden motives. Luke found working with her easy and straightforward, appreciating the simplicity and clarity in their interactions. Their professional relationship blossomed into a solid friendship. They were quite alike in their approach to life, especially in matters of the heart. Neither of them was the type to rush into a relationship or marriage without being truly in love. That was why the idea of them as a couple never really came up; they were both too stubborn and independent. They both knew that if they ever tried dating, it wouldn't last long. At the restaurant, Sofia nonchalantly picked the most intricate and expensive item on the menu. "I was planning on having a free lunch today anyway. I was thinking about ways to save Charlotte some money on the way here, but now that you're here, I'm not worried." Luke ordered some desserts and drinks for them to enjoy after the meal. "Don't worry about saving money for me." "Great, then I won't hold back." Their conversation was lively and enjoyable, but it was interrupted when Luke's phone rang. It was Lawson on the line, sounding quite frustrated. "Since I turned him down, four more buyers have shown up, all sent by Frank. What should we do now?" Luke responded with a decision to lower the bar. "Just ignore him. Sell to anyone but him." Charlotte asked, "Is it tough to sell that villa?" Luke shook his head. "No, it's quite the opposite. The villa is so appealing that many people are interested in buying it. I've told Lawson to wait for my return to deal with it." Charlotte nodded, trusting Luke's judgment. She was ready to accept whatever decision he made. Sofia, on the other hand, felt relieved seeing her best friend in good company. 'Charlotte deserves someone who truly cares for her,' she thought. Unlike Charlotte, Sofia was used to being on her own. She didn't have much interest in dating, focusing instead on her career. After finishing their meal, Luke and Charlotte went to meet a potential client, and they managed to secure a long-term deal. The client, Daniel Sarandon, owned three diamond mines. Daniel, a visionary young businessman, didn't want to just mine and sell diamonds like his family. He had the raw materials and wanted to collaborate with designers to create unique diamond pieces, aiming for higher profits. Finding a skilled designer wasn't easy, but eventually, he contacted Luke for a partnership. Charlotte had never been part of such a significant deal in her career. The excitement was palpable as they finalized the contract. After securing their respective copies, they relaxed into a casual conversation. Daniel looked at them. "You two seem like a perfect match." Luke, beaming with pride, wrapped an arm around Charlotte. "Thanks, we do complement each other well." Charlotte blushed. She had thought their relationship was more discreet, but Daniel had easily picked up on it. Daniel said sincerely, "From now on, we're friends. Just remember to invite me to your wedding." "We definitely won't forget." Luke was older than Daniel, his energy and demeanor as dynamic as anyone younger. Luke's rich experiences and natural charm made him stand out, yet he was known for being very approachable by those who worked with him. Charlotte, typically more reserved, spoke sparingly. Having been out of work for over three years, she was cautious about her words. However, watching Luke and Daniel converse with such ease gave her a sense of comfort. Daniel checked the time. "It's getting late. How about I treat you both to dinner?" Luke glanced at Charlotte before declining. "Sorry, we've got important plans tonight, but let's plan something soon." Daniel nodded in understanding. "Sure, I won't hold you up then." Luke held Charlotte's hand, saying goodbye to Daniel before they went to see her children. Beforehand, Luke had asked about the hobbies and interests of Andy and Lilya, and he stopped at the mall to buy gifts for them. He was hoping that these thoughtful presents might ease the way for them to accept him as their long-absent father. As the door opened, Lilya, ever enthusiastic, dashed to greet Charlotte. She leaped into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Mom, you're back early today. Did you miss me?" Andy, meanwhile, looked at Luke with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. He had heard the day before that Luke was their father, but he remained skeptical and stayed back. Noticing Andy's hesitation, Luke put down the gifts and approached him gently. "Hey, Andy." Andy glanced up at him, not yet ready to call him "Daddy". "Hi," Andy greeted back. Charlotte, still holding Lilya, stepped closer to bridge the gap. "Kids, this is Luke, your daddy. I understand this is a lot to take in, but I didn't want to hide this from you any longer." Andy's initial reluctance toward Luke was evident; he and Lilya had grown up without a father figure, solely with their mother. Despite his skepticism, there was a trace of happiness in Andy's heart. At three years old, he couldn't grasp the whole situation, but he still reached out for a hug. Luke, who had been anxious about how the children would receive him, embraced Andy with a sense of relief. He knew their youth might make them more open and trusting. Andy was showing wisdom beyond his years. "I don't get why you weren't here before, but I see Mommy likes you. I'll try to be okay with you too." Luke held him gently. "That's okay. It's complicated, and I'll explain everything when you're older." Lilya, driven by curiosity, gently poked Luke's face. "Mommy, is he really our daddy?" "Yes, he is. Do you want a hug from him too?" Lilya, her eyes bright, nodded eagerly. "Yes!"