(CHASE)
I have an idea. What I'm not sure of however is how I'm going to execute it. Liam Astley values family, and if a family man is what he wants, I am going to give him exactly that. I only had to figure out who it was going to be. I'm good at finding women, after all, it's my expertise.
But now the problem is the sort of women I attract. Female versions of me. They are cold, and calculating and aren't interested in anything except what I have to offer. Fancy gifts, expensive dinners, you name it. And if any of them were lucky to stick around long enough, they'd earn themselves a fancy trip somewhere, after which I mostly ended up ditching them.
I always did.
I too was only interested in what they had to offer. Something pretty to look at during the day and a warm body to bury myself at night. All I wanted was a few hours of pleasure before I finally came back to my reality.
They look anything except the women Liam Astley can actually believe I would want to spend the rest of my life with. In truth, I could even barely spend an entire night with them.
A timid knock at the door startles me. I know who it is and I don't bother to respond. She is probably waiting for me to shout at her so she can make her way in, which is exactly what I do. Timidly, she walks in holding a cup of coffee, and sets it on my desk. "Mr. Ruzek has called for a staff meeting. In the boardroom in fifteen minutes."
"And where's my bagel?"
"I didn't bring it because I know you don't like eating too fast. I thought you'd get a heartburn if you ate in a rush." Her round doe eyes settle on me, which I find annoying for reasons I don't understand. I glower at her, hating that she is right.
"How many times do I have to tell you your thought process is wrong, Miss Le Fay? Stop thinking. You get it wrong more times than you get it right."
She glances up at her basic black watch, one which I have no doubt she got from some common store. "Ten minutes to go. Do you want me to go get it for you? You'll have like two minutes to eat it up by the time I'm back."
"No," I say as I stand up to grab my coffee mug. "Thanks to you I'm going to the meeting hungry. If I give dumb ideas in there, it'll be on you."
I storm out of my office and slam the door behind me.
Minutes later in the boardroom, Ruzek taps on the table to get everyone's attention and when he finally does, he begins to speak. "I have news. Both good and bad. So, I'll go ahead and start with the good news. I'm thrilled to announce that Devlin Pratt is appointed for the role of partner."
The mention of that pisses me off. However, I school my face, making it look as calm as possible because I refuse to let anyone know how annoyed I am. To keep up the act, I rap at the glass in front of me with my knuckles. "Congratulations, Devlin. Good luck."
The room falls silent and I smirk inwardly. I know I could put up a façade and try to show them how okay I am with the decision, knowing too well that I hate Ruzek for doing me dirty and that deceitful slob Devlin.
"And to the bad news, Davis West is no longer with us."
Everyone in the boardroom exchange glances. Davis is one of the elite employees of this company and it baffles me why he left. I can't keep calm. "Why?" I blurt out.
"What?" Ruzek raises a brow at me. Like he didn't hear me the first time. "I beg your pardon?"
"Why did he leave?" This time I made sure to include the details to ensure he understood me. "Did he resign or what?"
"No. He…uhm" he hesitates for a bit. "It came to my attention that he was seeing one of the assistants. You all know the rules of the company and know such acquaintances are not allowed here. Let that be a lesson to all of you."
Fay Inc. is strict with its rules. You follow them to the latter or you are gone. They'd practically make your life a living hell until you couldn't take anymore. Office dating wasn't allowed.
Ruzek doesn't believe in that. He assumes such relationships cloud your mind and take your focus off work. For that, I think he refuses to let his employees have a life outside the company. I take a glance around the table and notice that every one of those executives is either single or divorced. Not that I've ever cared to know about their personal lives.
"Michaela too has left us."
It didn't take rocket science to figure out who Davis was seeing. Michaela was his assistant. He must've been really dumb to think he'd work out a relationship at Fay Inc. Especially with a personal assistant. Typical amateur. Lucky for me, I've never been even remotely tempted.
Ruzek keeps talking for a stretch, and I zone out until the meeting comes to an end. When the employees stand to take their leave, I make sure to reach the door first. I don't want to have to see all the pats that slob Devlin will get after fucking me over and taking my hard worked for position.
I head back to my office but stop midway when I notice Nicholas perched by Miss Le Fay's desk. They are all caught up, Nicholas's wide shoulder spanning out in laughter. Same with Riley.
I don't get what's so amusing. Their laughter dies out when they see me, and I take keen looks at their faces. Nicholas looks genuinely amused, while Riley looks guilty.
"What are you doing here? I ask as I walk towards them and turn my attention to her. "And you, why didn't you tell me someone was waiting for me?"
"Relax," Nicholas says, holding his hand up to stop me. "I got here just a few minutes ago, and Ry here offered me coffee, and to tell you that I was here. But I stopped her because I enjoy her company far more than I do yours, grumpy. Also, she's gorgeous and pretty."
My brow raises distinctively. Gorgeous? Pretty? Miss Le Fay? Those words don't go together in a sentence. And what's with that Ry bullshit?
Unable to hold myself back, I bark out a condescending laughter.
"Come with me," I say, and Nicholas follows me into my office.
"What are you doing here sitting at the reception with Riley? If Ruzek sees you—"
"Breathe," Nicholas says as he gives me light taps on my shoulder. "It's not like it will be the first time he sees me here. After all, don't you think he deserves a little tension? Make him sweat."
To some extent, he was right. Ruzek knew that Nicholas was the biggest head hunter in the city. Seeing him roam around Fay Inc. would definitely make him break a sweat. And I wanted that more than anything else.
"Lay off charming my PA," I say with disgust, not hiding it quite well. "I thought you had a girlfriend, what's your deal with Riley?"
"Ry? She's charming. I really do enjoy talking to her. And yes, I have a girlfriend."
"Right, Nick. She is. If your taste is doormats. Which I would understand." My tone is full of sarcasm. I shrug.
"Why do you hate her so much, she's a sweetheart, really. What don't you like that much about her?"
"She is perfect. And I hate that. Why does she always do everything I tell her to do?" I hesitate. "Drop that Riley talk and tell me what you're doing here."
"Well, I had a meeting with Liam's son this morning. And he agreed he's going to get his father to interview you."
"Awesome." I thump on top of my desk. "How did you convince him?"
"I told him you had your reasons for leaving, and you weren't satisfied with the conduct of Fay Inc., And also that your situation has changed"
"My situation?"
"Yes, I told him your playboy days are over and you changed for the better."
"And he believed you?"
"Yes," Nicholas says as he crosses his arms over his chest and gazes at me.
"And did you tell him the reason for the sudden turnabout?"
Nicholas regards me closely then says, " You kind of suggested it yourself last night. I told him you fell in love."
"Chase, you have to find a woman who'll be very different from the kind of women you hang around. Especially considering your recent history. She'll have to be simple, more laid back, someone real, caring. A warm person at least."
"I know."
"You do?"
"Yes, Nick. I do."
"And you're willing to go to those lengths because of a job?"
"It's more than that. Both Ruzek and Devlin screwed me over. And I'm not taking this anymore. It doesn't matter that I get the job under false intentions. After all, I'll work my ass off for him, and he will appreciate it."
"Any ideas who the woman is going to be?
"I don't know. I'll figure it out."
There's a knock at the door, and seconds later, Riley lets herself in. "More coffee, Mr. Santiago?" She asks Nicholas.
Nicholas looks back and forth between me and her, and I can already tell what's in his mind.
"Don't even think about it, Nick."
Miss Le Fay enters and places the bagel and fresh coffee on my table then turns to Nicholas. "Can I get you another cup of coffee?" she asks.
He shakes his head and the way he smiles at her doesn't escape me. "I told you, it's Nicholas. No thanks, Ry. I have to get going, and your bias here has a huge task to do."
She turns to me, eyes wide. "Is there anything that you need me to do, Mr Hayes? Can I help you in any way?"
"Absolutely not. I don't need anything from you."
Her cheeks flush and her head drops. She nods and exits the office, closing the door behind her.
'God, you're an ass." Nicholas exclaims. "You're so rude to her."
I shrug nonchalantly.
He rises up and buttons his jacket. "You really have to watch that attitude of your plan on working for Liam Astley. He motions towards the direction of the door. "That pretty girl is the sort of person that you need to interact with Liam.
I ignore that 'pretty' remarking gape at him. "Interact?"
He smirks. "Do you think that he is going to accept your name and a brief introduction? I told you that he is a family man who is involved with his staff. If he decides to hire you, he is going to want to meet your lady more than once."
I hadn't thought that far ahead. I thought that all I had to do was get someone I know to pose for an evening. Turns out I need to keep the façade for a while, until at least I'm able to prove my worth to Liam.
He hesitates at the door for a beat. "I assume your personal assistant isn't married yet."
"That should be obvious."
He shakes his head in what seems like pity. "Don't be blind, Chase, your solution is right in front of you."
"What do you mean?"
"You're a smart man. Figure it out."
He walks off, leaving the door open behind him. I hear him crack a joke that makes her laugh. The sound is unusual coming from her area. I grab the bagel and tear off a bite with more force than necessary.
What the hell is he thinking? What is he suggesting? He can't be serious.
I groan and drop the bagel on my plate, my appetite gone.
He looked totally serious. Fuck my life.