RILEY'S REQUEST

GIANA'S POV

I laughed at Trisha as Alvin pinched her nose playfully, the two looked so good together and i still don't know why they refused to admit the obvious attraction. I mean, just look at them.

"Stop it, you jerk. That hurts, you know?" Trisha said as she pushed Alvin away. We were all having lunch at our favorite restaurant.

Alvin chuckled and ruffled her nappy hair, earning a mean glare from her. "Sorry Trish, its so hard not to annoy you, you look so cute when you're mad."

"That's true, Trish. Its always fun to see your angry face." I said and got a high-five from Alvin.

Trisha and I grew up together and have been the best of friends since five. I met Alvin at the hospital when my younger sister had an accident. Alvin was her orthopedic surgeon and we bonded easily. The moment I introduced him to Trisha, they connected on the spot. Since then, we always hung out whenever we were free. Today is Alvin and Trisha's free day, but since I still had work, they both invited me for lunch during my lunch break. Thankfully, my annoying boss had an emergency so I was able to sneak away from the agency before my break even started.

"I'm gonna get you for that, Gigi. You always side with Alvin and its unfair." She said with a cute pout. "By the way, how's Theo?"

That made me smile. "Ohh, he's all good. I'm meeting up with him tonight." I told her, wiggling my eyebrows playfully.

Both Trisha and Alvin smirked. "Looks like you'll be getting some tonight." Trisha said and Alvin agreed with her.

"Of course, guys. I need it. My boss has been on my neck lately, plus mama and Tanya have been giving me headaches. I need the stress reliever, bitch."

They chuckled and I joined them. Its so easy to be honest with these two cause they do not judge me.

"Yeah, that reminds me Gigi, remember when I told you Armani will be moving back here?" Alvin asked.

I furrow my eyebrows. "I'm sorry, who's Armani?"

"Armani, my brother. I told you he'll be coming back from London, right?"

Ohh, now I remember. "Sorry, i forgot. So what about his return?"

Trisha turned to look at him as she sipped her orange juice, also wondering why he's bringing up the topic of his brother.

"Well, he's coming in two weeks so I got him an apartment at Brentwood and i want you to be the interior designer. Can't give the job to someone else when i got you, right?"

I thought i was the only one who was speechless until i saw Trisha's facial expression. She was obviously shocked like me. "Brentwood?" We both asked in unison.

Alvin raised his brows suspiciously. "Yeah, any problem with that? Don't you want the job?"

Trisha beat me to answer. "Boy, ma girl here is taking the job. Damn, I bet your brother is loaded and will pay her well."

Alvin turned back to me. "So is that a yes?"

I looked him in the eye and raised my eyebrows. "Boy, you must be mad to think i'll say no to the job. Heck yeah. When do i start?"

My question made us all burst into a fit of laughter. The good news made my Caesar salad taste even better. I was in such high spirits. "Thanks Al."

****

Later that night, while I made dinner for Theo and I, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I was so happy and super excited to decorate a house at Brentwood. Alvin said my pay at the end would surprise me even more. Alvin is manna from heaven.

"So what's got my girl smiling like this?" Theo asked as he wrapped his hands around my waist from behind while nuzzling his nose at the crook of my neck. The action alone was making me wet. I moaned sensually. "Moan again, I missed you so much, babe."

I turned around and wrapped my hands around his neck, kissing him passionately. "And i missed you even more. Gosh, I've been waiting for this all day. But first, you got to wait so i finish making dinner, okay?"

He nodded like a little boy, kissed me one more time and left to carry on with his football match. One thing about Theo is his love for football. I even wonder why he became an architect instead of a footballer. Theo and I make the perfect couple. He's an architect while i'm an interior designer. Cool, right? I met Theo during my first year in college and since then, we started dating. Mama thinks we're going to get married and i totally agree with her. I love that man a lot. I hurried up with my cooking and served it for my man and I. I smiled as i watch him take in big bites of his macaroni.

He chuckled. "What? Don't look at me like that. It's not my fault you're such a good cook. I love your 'food'."

If i was white, I'll have been so red because Theo wasn't only referring to the actual food, but to my body. "Perv."

He laughed out loud this time. "That i am. So tell me, how was work today?"

See what i mean when i tell you i love this man? He's so caring and lovable. "Guess what?"

He raised his brows suspiciously with a smile on his lips. "Your mean boss died?"

I burst out laughing and playfully hit his arms. "No babe. I mean, not yet. True, i hate the guy, but i can't wish death for him. Now guess again."

"You got promoted?"

I scoffed. "Like Carter would ever promote me. That guy hates me just as much as i hate him. Okay, so Alvin gave me a job..."

His eyes widened. "You're quitting your job?"

"NO! Alvin gave me a contract earlier today. I'll be decorating his brother's house in Brentwood and I'll be starting tomorrow. And before your jealous self starts doing the math, his brother is still in London. So I'll be working in an empty house. Plus the pay is really good and I can use it for Tanya's tuition." I said and he chuckled. Theo always gets jealous when he sees me with other guys but i find it cute. It's not the psycho kind of jealousy so i can deal with that.

"You know me so well, I was about asking after the guy. But since you're happy about this job, then i'm happy for you. Come here babe, I've been craving for you all day."

And that's my cue for a good stress reliever.

*****

Just as planned, Alvin dropped by my work place and drove me to Brentwood. Goodness, its such a beautiful area.

"So, what does your brother do for a living? Does he have a family? What's his personality like? And before you think the questions are too personal, its for work. I need the information so I'll know how to design his house." I said to Alvin as he drove.

He chuckled. "Chill Gigi, I know its work related. I mean I've heard you ask similar questions to your employers. Okay, Armani is a business tycoon. He owns a technology company in the computer technology industry and believe it or not, he partners with Steve Paul Jobs."

I choked on my own saliva. Okay, I already pictured him as a rich guy, but him being partners with the famous Steve JOBS? Boy, I'm outta here. "Is it like hereditary? All you Vanderbilts are so successful. Marry me already Al, so I can become Giana Vanderbilt."

Alvin burst out laughing. "I'm so done with you, Gigi. Anyway, as I was saying, Armani is a business tycoon. He's a widower and will be moving here with Riley, his daughter. But i must warn you, Riley is a difficult kid, so do well while designing her room. And Armani is hard to impress. but if you do a great job, at the end of your two weeks, you get your cash and you're out."

I nodded, processing the information. "Sounds like a plan to me."

A few minutes later, we arrived at the property. My mouth hung low. This isn't the regular fine house i was expecting, its a freaking mansion! "If i remember correctly, you said he'll be living with his daughter, right"

Alvin nodded.

"Then why did you get a mansion? Or your family plans on moving in with him? Cause i don't understand."

Alvin laughed at the silly look on my face. "You crazy girl. He'll be living here with Riley only. And maybe a nanny. Still got to look for one though. And as for understanding, don't try to understand Armani, he's a tough shell to break. He personally requested for a mansion, the old guy likes his space. Come on in, lets get some work started."

Ohh, so the Armani guy is old. Probably why he wants a large space. Plus he's a widower and partners with Mr. Jobs. So apparently, he's above 40. I can handle that.