Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 76 [Cordelia]

"Clark," I turn around into his embrace, gaining strength from his arms wrapped around me. "I missed you."

He holds me like this until I stop crying and then helps me back up to my apartment. Tilly is gone for the day. She's been gone a lot lately. She's been promoting a new line in Malibu and it has taken up a lot of her time recently.

"What happened, Cordy?" his newly tanned face is drawn with worry. Wherever he spent the last week must have been sunny. Fall is starting to settle around us here, the hot days finally giving way to chilly afternoons but he looks like he's fresh from the beach. "I failed," I fight to not start crying again. "The fire, my business, I can't even get a loan." I sob.

After I spend the next 15 minutes explaining my situation, he wipes my face, puts a hand on each shoulder, and says, "Let's go. I'll drive."

"Where?" I ask as he pulls me up by the hand.

"The bank of course," he tucks my hand into his arm, pulling me towards the door, giving me no chance to escape. "I told you I'd help if you needed it. It sounds like you need it."

So he drives me down to the bank. The owner is surprised to see the younger Steele brother, but when he says he is more than happy to sign the loan on his brother's behalf, the loan officer has no problem handing over the paperwork. He does, however, adjust the loan amount explaining that Clark's assets, while substantial, are not at the same level as Steele Industries.

I ended up leaving the bank with a third of what had been agreed upon.

Resigned, I accept the loan agreement and pray that I can pay it back. Even this substantially lower amount is going to be a struggle, especially considering I won't have enough money to rent a large facility for production orders. "Don't worry," Clark smiles. "It's going to be okay."

"No, it's not," I finally break down over a bowl of noodles at my favorite ramen restaurant, Clark's treat after a long day. "I can pay the fabric vendors off, I can even get more fabric now, but I can't afford to have any of the clothing made."

I can't rent a facility big enough to complete all of the purchase order agreements for my first set of deliverables at the end of the month. When I tell him how much it will cost me in fees to extend the deadline, he shakes his head at the expense.

Clark takes a moment to think about my options while I take a moment to finish off both bowls of ramen. I have no shame as I steal his food. The baby is too hungry for me to care. As the warm broth fills me, I feel renewed energy and a sense of home. Clark is clever. Maybe he'll see a solution that I missed.

"You're not going to want to hear this, but I think you should talk to Atlas," he smiles gently, sympathetic to my situation. "But not at home, at the office," he suggests. "Angelica won't be there and you'll have an opportunity to see what Steele Industries can offer you." "But..." Chapter 76

"I know you don't want to do this, Cordy," he interrupts, but I think you should consider it. They have one of the biggest manufacturing plants in the nation. They have a full team of professional sewists. I bet he'd let you rent the use of his facilities for a fraction of the cost." As he lists the benefits one by one, I feel silly for not considering this sooner. When Tilly had suggested it days ago, I brushed it off, determined to do this on my own. It took falling on my face for me to realize sometimes a problem is bigger than what you can solve alone. "I'll even come with you for moral support if you need me to," he reaches across the table to take my hand and squeeze it. "I haven't been a good friend to you lately, but I'm here now in any way that you need me to be. If you need someone to provide backup, I can be that person."

Squeezing his hand in response, I feel my woes growing a little bit lighter.

As he drives me home, we make a plan for tomorrow. He isn't going to stay with me all day, but he will give me a ride there and pick me up around lunchtime so that I can rest.

"I'll even give Atlas a call," he gives me a final hug as he drops me off. "I don't want you thing."

00

"Thank you, Clark," hugging him I add, "I don't deserve you."

to worry about a

As we say goodbye, Tilly comes out from a shower, her body covered in a towel and her hair wrapped up. Noticing us at the door she blushes. "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize." Clark stands transfixed. I follow his gaze and see that one of Tilly's legs is exposed to the thigh.

"Um, hi Clark," her voice is high as she rushes to cover herself. "I see you are back from your trip. Ah...ah... we should get together sometime and discuss Godparent duties and..." "Um, sure," he stutters. Blinking, he makes an effort to look away. "How does this Saturday."This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.

"Perfect," she calls as she walks down the hall. "It's a date."

Clark chokes. "Um, so, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," he gives me a quick kiss on the head.

What just happened here? Are Tilly and Clark...? I have a feeling I'm missing something really important.