Page 32 of Dr. Damaged Protector

"Should I ask Lucas?" I sighed. "Maybe a payment advance?"

Won't he assume that the reason I'm asking is because we had sex recently?

I didn't want it to seem like I was using my body to make him grant me favors.

I couldn't ask my aunt for any amount of money as she wasn't doing so well, medically speaking, when I left. Luckily, it wasn't anything serious, but at the same time, it didn't make it okay to bother her about things like housing problems.

My phone started to ring, and it was Kate calling. Perfect timing. "Hello?" I answered.

"Hey baby," she cooed. "How are you doing?"

"Dealing with the fact that you've abandoned me," I responded.

She chuckled heartily. "You don't have to feel that way. James wanted me next to him. Besides, staying with him is much cheaper than paying for a hotel's daily expenses."

You're not wrong.

"That reminds me, are you doing okay?" she asked. "Were you able to find a house?"

I have no choice.

"No, I haven't, and I'm running out of money," I admitted. "I assumed getting a place to stay would be easy. But the agents haven't been able to tell me any good news."

"I understand," she said.

There was a pause as we both brainstormed on what we could do for my case.

"Oh…" she said, breaking the silence. "Why don't you come to the Hills manor?"

"And mess up your love nest? No, thank you," I replied.

"It'll be fine," she assured me. "Give me a few minutes.. I'll talk to James and see if there's anything he can do."

I didn't like the idea that James would do me another favor. He had yet to demand thanks or anything from me getting the job.

I had no other choice, "Alright, thank you."

"Just give me a few minutes," she said before hanging up. Knowing James, he was going to agree. It was a hunch that I was willing to bet my life on.

"I should get packing," I said, getting out of bed and sorting my clothes into my suitcase.

Not less than five minutes after she had hung up, Kate called back.

"What did he say?" I asked.

"It's a yes," she replied. "Sebastian will be there to pick you up."

"I'll be waiting, thank you," I thanked her. "Also, extend my thanks to James."

"I will," she assured me. "You didn't go to the hospital today?"

"I will leave; I just need to be there in the afternoon," I replied.

"How's everything between you and Lucas?" she asked.

I recalled what we did the other day, and I blushed. After all that talk of wanting to keep things professional between us, I went ahead and did all that…pathetic of me.

"We're doing okay," I replied. "The work dynamic has him praising me often, so that's good."

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