(CHASE)
The treadmill makes a steady humming noise below my feet as I pound away. My mood was so dark last night that I barely had any sleep. Sweat breaks down my face and back. I pick a towel, wipe it away and toss the towel to my side roughly. My iPod blares with loud music, which still isn't loud enough for me. I turn up the highest volume, glad that the condo is soundproof.
I keep going at an almost frantic pace. I had gone over all my options and plans in the wee of the night, and I came up with two ideas.
My first thought was if Nick, and Blaze (Liam's son) got me in, I could try and bluff my way through the interview and tell Liam just the vague details of the woman whip supposedly changed my outlook and me in general. If I approach it the right way, I can manage to keep up the façade just until I have proven myself to him, then have the unimaginable happen. The perfect woman would dump me, then I'd be heartbroken and throw myself into work.
Except from what Nick had told me earlier, the idea would probably flop.
That leaves me with one option, that I have to produce a physical woman. One that would convince Liam that I am indeed a better man than he believes me to be. Someone as Nick described. Real, warm and down to earth.
I don't know of many women who fall under that description, unless of course they are sixty and above. I don't think Liam can buy the idea that I fell in love with someone twice my age. None of those women that I hang around would pass his inspection. Then I think of the idea of hiring somebody, an actress maybe. But again, that seems too risky.
Nick's words keep echoing in my head. "You're blind, Chase. You have the solution right in front of you."
Miss Le Fay.
He thought I could use her as my girlfriend.
I take a step back and try to be objective. In truth, he has a point. It is the perfect cover. If Liam thought that I was leaving Fay. Inc because I'm madly in love with my assistant, and that I chose her and our relationship over the job, there, that would score me some brownie points. She is nothing like any of the women I have been with. But Nick finds her warm, bright and charming. Besides, everyone seems to like her. All pluses.
Except, it is Riley Le Fay.
I groan and shut the machine then grab the towel that I had discarded earlier. I head to the kitchen then grab a bottle of water and chug it down then turn on my laptop. I sign into the company site then scroll through the employee files then stop at Miss Le Fay's page. I study her photograph closely, trying to remain unbiased.
I see nothing remarkable. Just her bright blue eyes and long lashes. I imagine that her jet-black hair is long since I have never seen her with any other hairstyle apart from a tight bun. She has pale skin. I wonder what she would look like in the hands of a skilled makeup artist, when she is dressed in some decent clothing.
I squint at the screen and stare at her. Some sleep would help get rid of the gaunt circles beneath her eyes. And maybe eating something besides those ridiculous peanut butter and jam sandwiches would help. She is rail slim. I like my women thicker and curvier.
I rub the back of my neck and let out a frustrated groan.
I suppose that in this case, it doesn't matter what my preferences are. What I need is what matters, and I need. And in this case, I need her.
Goddamnit!
The phone rings and I take a quick glance at the screen, surprised to see that it is Nick calling.
"Hey,"
"Sorry if I woke you up."
I glance at the clock, seeing that it is only 6:30. I'm surprised that he is awake at this hour. I know that he is a late riser.
"I've been up for a while. What's up?"
"Liam will see you today, at eleven."
I jerk up, feeling a flow of nerves ripple down my spine. "Are you serious? Why that fast?"
"He is away for the rest of the week. I told Blaze that you were considering accepting the job offer at their company."
I chuckle. "I owe you."
"Big time. So big that you'll never be able to repay me." He teases. "You know there's a good chance the interview will go nowhere unless you convince him that you are a family man. That things are different for you. Right? I told Blaze everything that he needed to know, but my word will only take you so far."
"I know."
"Alright then. Good luck. Let me know what happens."
"Sure."
I hang up quickly then check my schedule. I smirk when I realize that Miss Le Fay updated it last night. I have a breakfast meeting at eight, that means I'll be back at the office by ten. I decide to not go to the office. I have no idea how to introduce my so-called girlfriend into my scheduled interview.
I quickly dial Miss Le Fay's number. After a few rings, she answers, mumbling a sleepy greeting.
"Hello…"
"Miss Le Fay."
"What?"
I suck in a deep breath, summoning all my will to be patient with her. It is obvious that I have woken her up. So, I try again.
"Miss Le Fay, It's Mr. Hayes."
"Mr Hayes?" She sounds raspy and confused.
I sigh. "Yes."
I hear a lot of movement in the background.mo have a mental image of her scrambling to sit up, looking rumpled.
She clears her throat. "Uhm…ah, is there a problem? Mr Hayes?"
"I won't be in the office until after lunch."
There is silence.
"I have a personal matter to handle."
"You… you could have texted me, sir." She says with a very dry voice.
"I want you to do two things for me." I keep going, ignoring the sarcastic edge to her voice. "If Ruzek comes asking where I am, tell him I'm on a personal matter, and you don't know where. Okay? Am I clear?"
"Crystal."
"And I need you to call me at eleven fifteen. Exactly."
"Do you want me to say anything then or just breathe heavily?"
I pull the phone away from my ear, surprised at her tone. It seems like my assistant wasn't pleased at being woken up early. She is being mouthier than usual. And I'm not sure what to make of it.
"I need you to tell me that my four o'clock appointment has been switched to three."
"That's it?"
"Repeat what I just told you."
She makes a strange sound that sounds more like a grumble, which makes me smirk. She appears to have a bit of backbone if the circumstances are right. However, I want to make sure that she is awake enough to remember the instructions that I just gave her.
"I'm to tell Mr Ruzek that you're on a personal errand. I don't know where. And I will call you at eleven fifteen and let you know that your four o'clock meeting has been switched to three."
"Great. Don't screw it up."
"But Mr. Hayes …it makes no sense. Why would I―"
I don't bother to listen anymore. So, I hang up.