Chapter 6

***Levi***.

I watched her coolly, before I replied, "Since a day after that night I spoke to you." Kenya stared at me, stunned.

"You had my address since then and you never pressed after I refused dinner?"

"I even had your phone number. Both your cell and home number." I nodded. She seemed to wonder at my words, from her expression.

"Why hadn't you...?" She paused. I studied her. My gaze lazy.

"Pursued you further?" I finished for her, my brow raised in amusement. Kenya nodded.

"Honestly, I don't know..." I trailed off, shaking my head. Lost in my thoughts.

A comfortable silence, ensued between us, as our gazes remained on each other. I found this weird- the stream of unidentifiable feelings flowing through me. I couldn't help it.

Taking a cue from her, I cleared my throat to speak. "I should let you finish your dinner." I flicked a gaze to her unfinished dinner.

Shifting, I made way to the door, when Kenya's voice stalled me.

"I am sorry that I refused that dinner in May."

I turned slowly to face her, in that instant, as she continued. Closing the distance between us. "I was healing from a horrible breakup with my ex-boyfriend at the time."

"Was that the reason you had tears in your eyes when you opened the door, earlier?" I asked, bluntly. A frown climbing my face.

We were a step away from each other. Kenya held her breath, perhaps surprised I guessed her situation and had been silent.

"You can trust me, Kenya. Is he troubling you?" I asked, suddenly growing concerned.

"I hope I was much of a distraction to you, Mr Ruthford, especially considering how tumultuous things currently are with your electoral campaign." She diverted the conversation.

I smiled at her subject change and decided she wasn't ready to talk yet. I would know eventually.

"You have been a great distraction, Miss Anderson." I smiled. "Considering all that has happened."

"You are a true politician, Mr Ruthford." She smiled wryly, shaking her head.

"How so?" I asked, puzzled, a smile tugging my lips.

"First you said I was beautiful, the other night. Now you claim I have been a great distraction. No wonder the entire City...the women. Everyone is abuzz with news of you. You wield your words perfectly, like a knife. Spinning a web of lies around your prey." She smiled genuinely. I was astonished at her words and broke into a chuckle.

Finally catching my breath, I responded, "I wish that were the case, Kenya. But sadly, it isn't. If it were to be, the women of New York wouldn't have raised those concerns about me tonight, during the exclusive." A chuckle escaped me. One which tethered more on amusement than bitterness at my situation.

A few hours ago, when I had heard the statement on the Television, I had been furious. Wondering when the criteria for being a senator had included having 'a functioning family,' as the women's representatives had declared during the exclusive. But now, discussing with this woman, I didn't feel as embittered as I had before. My heart felt, relieved.

"You do not need to fill the people's heads with a web of lies, Mr Ruthford. All they need from you is your truth. Just be you with them," she said, quietly, her eyes watching me, intensely. I stared at her keenly. "Let them know the real Levi Ruthford and not the one that is presented on the media." She added.

"Transparency," I echoed.

"Yes. Transparency." She nodded her head. I smiled at her, thoughtfully. She wasn't just a beauty. She was intelligent. A strategist. She was right. I needed to be transparent with the people. I needed them to know the real Levi Ruthford.

Shaking myself, I nodded in acquiescence. "Alright. I'd consider your words."

Then regretfully, I added. "I'd take my leave now." I smiled and inclined my head as I turned to leave.

She edged towards the door, as I opened it. Didn't she want this moment to end, like I didn't want it to? Clutching tightly to the door, she watched me. I turned around to face her again.

"You alluded to me spinning a web of lies around my prey. Pray tell, Kenya, have you become a prey that has fallen into my web?" I asked, curious. Drawing closer to her, so close that I could feel her heart. So much so that her breath fanned me. She was inches shorter than I was. Petit and delectable.

Kenya gazed up at me and I saw something inside her eyes, which both frightened and intrigued me, all at once.

"Good night, Miss Anderson." I managed to whisper. Then in a flash, I was out of her sight, walking down the corridor of her apartment building.

Not wanting to look back, because I was afraid of the raw need I felt, being in her presence. I hadn't felt like this in a long time. I don't think I had ever felt this way. Even with Belle. This was raw. Primal. A need that bordered within deep walls. And I was terrified of exploring it.

***A Week Later.***

I gazed at the stack of different designs of campaign posters on my office desk, awaiting my approval. I felt completely overwhelmed. This entire campaign was eating into me and my business. And I never toyed with my business.

For almost three years, since I showed interest in running for New York Senatorial elections, my life had become less private. The outfits I put on, foods I ate and the places I ate them. God forbid even the way I wiped my arse. My life had become so invaded that sometimes I wished to drop the whole thing. Let Harley Crompton take it. But I was never one to back down from a competition. The reason for my success after dad wrecked us, years ago.

That memory brought an acrid taste to my mouth. Anger flaring.