Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 10

"How far is your place from here?"

"About 500 meters away."

"To the left or the right?"

"Just go straight ahead, I'll let you know when we're there."

With that, Stefan hopped onto his bike, carrying Lucinda as they went.

Upon reaching Lucinda's apartment building, she instructed Stefan, "Just stop here, Stefan. You can leave your bike downstairs. Do you have a lock? Make sure to lock it up so it doesn't get nicked."

Stefan obediently locked his bike at the entrance of the building, taking in the sight of the apartment complex as he followed Lucinda.

It was a nine-story building built in the 90s, without an elevator.

Lucinda's place was on the sixth floor.

They chatted and climbed the stairs, surprisingly not feeling tired.

Once they reached the sixth floor, Lucinda led Stefan to the smallest apartment at the end of the corridor. "This is the place I rent, at the very end. After dinner, I'll get a copy of the key made for you."

"Okay."

Apartment 608 was Lucinda's small apartment.

After unlocking the door, Lucinda stepped aside to let Stefan in before closing the door.

It was a one-bedroom apartment and to Stefan's eyes, it was even smaller than his study.

The living room had a small table and a few stools, with several boxes in the corner. It was a bit messy.

Lucinda's place was really simplistic!

At least the floor was spotless.

"Stefan, you can sleep in the living room for a few days. Once the money come, I'll get a bed for you."

She would receive her payment on the tenth, while she needed to pay the shop rent on the fifteenth of every month.

The money she earned from her writing would only stay in her bank account for a few days before being transferred to the landlord.

It felt like she was slaving away at her writing just to pay her landlord.

Fortunately, her business was getting better.

Once she paid off her debts, things would be a lot easier.

Stefan's eyes twinkled as he nodded in response.

Lucinda said somewhat awkwardly, "Stefan, my café isn't profitable yet, and I'm in debt by tens of thousands. After subtracting the costs and paying my employees, there's nothing left. My living conditions aren't great right now, but don't worry, I won't owe you any money."

She decided that starting tomorrow, she would update her novel by 20,000 words every day.

Her editor said the data from her works' trials were good, the more she updated, the better it sold.

She could also check her daily earnings in the back-end.

Once her royalties surpassed the minimum guaranteed payment, she wouldn't need to update so many chapters every day, and her earnings would increase significantly, and her financial difficulties will be alleviated.

"It's okay, if you're really strapped for cash, you can owe me for a while. I have a job and my salary isn't low, I'm not in a hurry for money."

Stefan didn't care about the $500 rent at all.

He was loaded.

In fact, he could buy the bed himself.

But he’d rather sleeping on the same bed with Lucinda…

Stefan placed his bag on one of the stools and said to Lucinda, "Let's go grab a bite first."

He added, "I’ll pay for dinner this time ."

Lucinda laughed and agreed, "Alright then, I'll thank you in advance."

They left the apartment together.

"Lucinda, I'm going to meet your parents with you tomorrow, so you'll have to be more affectionate with me."

Stefan said this calmly, as if he was really fulfilling his 'husbandly' duties.