Page 28 of Baby for My Enemy Billionaire

“You got me. I do intend to get the truth out of you. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“We are.” I put my glass down and rub at my temples. My headache for most of the day hasn’t gone away. “I got a letter this morning. From my landlord.”

“I thought your landlord had passed away.”

“It’s still with the same company. I think a relative took over the company after his death. A son, I believe?”

“How do you not know that about your landlord?” Maddison frowns. “Shouldn’t you be aware of this?”

“I knew he had died, but not who would be taking over. It wasn’t discussed with me.” I sit back, looking at my food with sadness. It looks so good. “And the letter simply said ‘the new landlord,’ so I have no idea who is in charge of his company. No name, nothing. It was all formal.”

Maddison pops a piece of sweet potato into her mouth and sits forward.

“Okay, then. Talk. What’s going on? What did they say?”

“That they’re raising the rent.”

“What? But you’ve had it at that amount for years. Why is it changing now?”

“Apparently, that was an agreement between the old landlord and myself, but that is not happening now. It’s going up to the market price.” I swallow. The lump in my throat hasn’t gone anywhere. “And if I can’t get the rent, I’m going to be evicted.”

Maddison’s eyes widen.

“They’re going to just kick you out? But you’ve paid the rent for years and never caused them problems.”

“I know.”

“Does this mean you’ll lose your apartment as well?”

I feel a knot start in my stomach. God, why did I allow Maddison to take me out? The clarity of the situation is finally sinking in.

“It’s attached to the shop. I’ve tried to call the agency to ask if there is anything we can do to negotiate or if I can separate the shop and apartment. But his receptionist says that he’s not taking any calls and to send anything I have in writing.”

“But by the time anyone sees the letter, you would have been evicted.”

“I would not be surprised.” I sigh heavily. “I’m really stuck. I don’t know what to do, Maddison. I’ve paid my rent on time for a long time and kept things clean and tidy. I have never caused anyone any problems, either.”

“You could just go to their offices and demand to see the boss. And you won’t go anywhere until the big man sees you.”

“You might be able to do that, but I don’t think I can.” I pick up my fork again, only to put it down. I just can’t stomach food anymore right now. “I do have an appointment to see him after calling for the fifth time. It’s quite a way off right now, so knowing my luck, I won’t be able to see them until the day of my eviction. This means I will have to work hard to find whatever money I can for breathing room.”

“Oh, hon.” Maddison reaches over and takes my hand. “If you need any help, you know you can call on me. And should you need a place to live, come and live with me.”

I stare at her.

“You would do that?”

“I’ve been looking to move into a new apartment recently, and if you and I share, we can get a bigger place. We’re best friends, and I know we’ll be able to live together.”

I am not so sure about that. I’ve heard about friendships being broken after living together. But Maddison looks so earnest about it. Maybe living with her won’t be as bad as I think. I manage a smile.

“Thanks, Maddison. I appreciate it. I’ll think about it.”

“Well, let me know what’s going on with you, and I’ll be able to find an apartment for both of us. I don’t want to leave it until the last minute.”

“Will do. I’ll probably forget until the last minute, though, given what’s going on with my rent.” I close my eyes. “This is feeling like a nightmare. First Nate, and now this. Can this get any worse?”

As if on cue, my phone buzzes on the table. Opening my eyes, I turn it over and see a message from Carmen. I swipe the notification away and turn my phone over again. I don’t want to see what she has to say to me.

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