Rhea and Lola are now closer than ever. They talk mostly about Leon, who Rhea is now dying to meet. Lola had told her all about her new boyfriend Leon, how caring he was, the delicious dinner he cooked, and how good he was with Mira. Rhea had asked Lola for at least a picture of her boyfriend, but Lola had said, "he doesn't like pictures, and I don't want to take his picture without him knowing." Rhea was really unhappy about that, and she showed it. "You know I'm one of the reasons you guys are dating now right? So I want to see who is behind your smile," Rhea had insisted, and she agreed.
Lola had invited Rhea for lunch one day when she was given a day off from work, it was her first day off since she started working in the Gardon's Steel Company. She deserved it after working a two-person job for months, and Jimi applauded her for that. She doesn't understand how the CEO of the company will be away for so long it seems strange to her, even Rhea said he had never been gone for this long before.
Lola had told Leon who is now both her daughter's nanny and her boyfriend about her friend visiting, she didn't mention her friend's name so Leon assumed he didn't know her, and was sure whoever her friend wouldn't recognize him as Gad Gadon since he never shows on social media, so he had no objection to Lola friend visiting, and has Lola had to Rhea he had offered to cook lunch.
Lola's apartment was warm and fragrant when Rhea arrived just after noon. The scent of food drifted in from the kitchen; Mira, Lola's daughter, wrapped herself around Rhea's legs to welcome her. Rhea had been here a few times but never was able to see Leon.
"Hi Rhee-Rhee!"
"Hey, munchkin," Rhea grinned, scooping her up for a quick spin. Then her eyes rose to the man in the kitchen.
He turned. Smiled.
And Rhea's breath caught.
She knew that face.
The CEO of Gadon Steel Company, Gad Gadon, is standing in Lola's kitchen, wearing an apron and holding a wooden spoon. Then the rumors must be true.
Lola walked in just then, barefoot and relaxed, with a glass of iced tea in her hand. "Leon's amazing, isn't he? He made roasted lamb with mint sauce and these little lemon potatoes Mira can't stop stealing."
Rhea was frozen. "Lo... can we talk?"
"Sure," Lola said brightly, oblivious. "Let's sit down."
"That's Gad Gadon, our CEO" Rhea whispered to her. Lola couldn't believe it, she stood up and walked to Gad, he was expecting it he knew Rhea, and when he saw her, he knew it would go down tonight.
When he didn't deny it but instead tried to explain, Lola's face crumbled "You... lied to me? All this time?"
"It wasn't about lying," Gad said, trying hard to explain. "It was about being seen — really seen — as something other than a name on a building."
"You cooked in my kitchen. You held my daughter," she said, voice shaking. "I trusted you."
Gad looked at her, pained. "And I never wanted to hurt you. I just want you to see me for me not as your boss or the mighty CEO."
"Lo—"
"Get out."
Mira whimpered. "Mommy?"
Lola bent down and pulled Mira into her arms, shielding her. "You don't come back here. You don't come near her. You don't call me."
Gad hesitated for a second — the great CEO, now just a man with empty hands — and then walked slowly toward the door.
He paused once at the doorway. "I'm sorry."
And then he was gone.
Rhea sat frozen, her plate untouched.
Lola sank into her chair, holding Mira tight against her chest, her fingers trembling against her daughter's back.
"I didn't know," she whispered. "I thought I knew him."