Chapter 244   - Helping Matters

Angelina was pacing across the apartment for god knows how long. Katherine bustled around, seeing if everything was neat and tidy before Laurence and his friend came over.

"The two of you!" Lily called from the couch. "Can you sit down?" she squeaked. She had been puzzled and rather irritated by how her roommates were behaving. "You're making me dizzy."

"I have a ton of things to do and I don't know where to start," Katherine groaned. She was yet to set up the television so that they could play on the consoles. In reality, she was trying to work off all her nervous energy before LazerBoi came over.

"You've already done everything!" Lily commented, throwing her hands up in surrender. "The whole apartment is clean, the kitchen has been scrubbed so well that I can see my face on the floor and counters, and you have checked the refrigerator too many times to see if all the ingredients are there are not. If you don't hold off, you're going to die of a panic attack." Katherine was amazed that Lily didn't roll her eyes to the heavens or hit her over the help. "Just ask Angelina for help with whatever is left. She isn't helping matters, either," Lily groaned.

"I'm just worried she is not trying harder to look presentable." Angelina scrunched her brows together and waited for Katherine's response.

"I know you are concerned but that is just not my vibe. We will be eating some pretty messy dishes and I don't want it to stain me or my clothes. These clothes are nice enough for a video. I even contacted Cage to ask him what he thought." She pouted. Whatever had the seal of approval from Cage was bound to be good.

"Well, fine." She rolled her eyes. "Wear whatever you want. I will be watching you from the sidelines because that's what Stephen asked me to do." Angelina gave them a sweet, angelic smile that Katherine wanted to swipe off her face.

"Are you sure he doesn't want you to look after me and not stare at some handsome guy you crush on? I'm sure he won't be glad if he finds out what you were actually doing." Finally, she pulled out the consoles and attached everything. Finally, she wiped her hand on her jeans. Laurence would be over within half an hour and she was standing in the middle of the living room, wondering if she had missed anything else.

She remembered what Angelina had said over in her head and turned to Lily. "Do you think I should change, as well?" she asked. Lily was more practical about those things.

"I think you should do that. Keep the jeans but wear something a little better..." She looked him up and down and then nodded sagely. "Remember the blue top I bought you for your birthday last year? That would be perfect?" Katherine thought for a moment. It had a conservative neckline but was beautifully crafted. She nodded and hurried to her bedroom to change. With combed her hair for a final touch and then went back to the living room.

The first thing Angelina did when she came out was to give a nod of approval. "I wouldn't have chosen that personally, but it looks great on you." She tilted her head to a side and asked her to spin. "Your back looks amazing, too," she commented before turning to Lily. "Make sure to get a shot of her cooking from the back."

Lily nodded, understanding.

"What is going on?" Katherine asked bluntly.

"We are making you look amazing for the videos so that more than ten percent of his viewers can't help but come to your challenge," Lily informed her.

"It sounds more like a trap for all the people who are attracted to me," she retorted with a hint of accusation.

"Don't worry, Cage won't mind." Angelina raised her phone towards Katherine's profile and asked her to twirl as she made a video. "Sent," she said finally with a wicked grin on her face.

"Who did you send it to?" Katherine asked suspiciously.

"Stephen," Angelina said offhandedly before going away.

"Just call her when the others come out. She is our supervisor for the day," Lily snickered. She was plastered to her phone, grinning at something she was seeing.

"He should be here any minute now," Katherine announced, looking at the wall clock.

A few more minutes and there was a knock on the door followed by an awkward silent. Then the doorbell rang. Katherine flew forward and went to the door. With a deep breath, she opened the door to see two men on her doorstep. Lily had followed behind and was ready to greet them, as well.

"Hi, Katherine," Laurence greeted while Katherine silently stood, not knowing what to do. It was weird meeting an 'online friend.' He had a nice voice and he definitely looked attractive, so Angelina would be all over this man if she wasn't in a committed relationship with Stephen. "You look amazing!" he said as he reached forward to hug her.

She was taken by surprise but it wasn't unpleasant so she patted his back a bit awkwardly. He gave her a toothy grin.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she replied with a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt in her voice.

His friend, whose name was still unknown made his presence known. Katherine saw the bouquet he was carrying in his hand and moved forward to take it from him. "Thank you so much. You didn't have to do that," she said. She moved to the side and ushered them inside. Lily was following their every move like a hawk.

Angelina, having heard the doorbell must have scrambled out and taken a place in the living room. She eagerly waited for Laurence.

"Nice to meet you," she chirped as she extended a hand towards him.

"Hello," he replied with a bright smile. "Lovely meeting you. I'm sorry I didn't catch your name, though." Angelina's cheeks pinked as she replied.