(CHASE)
Miss Le Fay gaped at me, motionless. Slowly, she slid off the stool, facing me, her gaze flitting around the room.
"Do you think this is funny?" she hissed, her voice shaking. "I'm not sure what kind of a prank this is, Mr. Hayes, but I assure you, it's not amusing."
She marched past me, grabbing her coat and purse from the sofa, whirling back around. "Are you taping this so you can watch it later? Laugh over it?" A tear slid down her cheek and she brushed it away, the movement jerky and angry. "Isn't it enough you treat me like shit during the day, now you want to have fun after hours, as well?"
She stormed toward the door, and I recovered from the shock of her angry outburst quick enough to rush forward and prevent her from leaving. I leaned over her, pushing the door shut.
"Miss Le Fay . . . Riley . . . please. I assure you, it's no joke. Hear me out." She was so close I could feel her body trembling. I had thought about her reactions but hadn't considered anger. "Please," I coaxed again. "Listen to what I have to say."
Her shoulders sagged and she nodded, allowing me to draw her away from the door and over to the sofa. I sat down opposite her and indicated she should, as well. She did warily, and it took all I had not to snap at her and tell her not to look like a frightened rabbit. What did she think I was going to do to her?
Her words echoed in my head. "Isn't it enough you treat me like shit during the day, now you want to have fun after hours, as well?"
I shifted a little in my chair—I supposed I deserved her wariness.
I cleared my throat. "As I said, I'm planning on leaving Anderson Inc. The company I'm hoping to move on to is vastly different from the way Ruzek runs his company. They value their employees—to them family and integrity are paramount."
Her brow furrowed, but she didn't say anything.
"In order to even get my foot in the door, I had to convince them I wasn't the person they think I am."
"Which is?"
"Arrogant, selfish." I sucked in a long breath. "A tyrant at work and a playboy after hours."
She tilted her head; her voice was quiet and firm. "Pardon my bluntness, Mr. Hayes—you are exactly that."
"I'm aware." I stood and paced a little. "I'm also good at my job and tired of being shit on by Ruzek." I sat back down. "I felt something talking to Liam—something I haven't felt in a long time: excitement at the thought of a new campaign. Inspired."
She gaped at me. "Liam Astley ? You want to go work for The Astley Group?"
"Yes."
"They rarely hire."
"There is an opening. I want it."
"I still don't understand where I come in."
"Liam Astley will not hire someone unless he feels they fit in with the image he has: family first." I leaned forward.
"I had to convince him I'm not the playboy he heard about. I told him I'm leaving Anderson Inc. because I fell in love and want a different way of life."
"With who?"
I reclined against the cushions. "You."
Her eyes widened to the point of hilarity, her mouth opened and closed, with no sound coming out. Finally she spoke. "Why–why would you do that?"
"It was pointed out to me that you were the exact kind of person to convince Liam Astley I had changed. When I thought about it, I realized that person was right."
She shook her head. "You don't even like me." She swallowed. "I'm not overly fond of you, either."
I had to chuckle at her politeness. "We can work around that issue."
"What are you proposing?"
"Simple. One way or another, I'm out of Anderson Inc. You'll have to leave, too."
Immediately, she began shaking her head furiously. "I can't afford to leave, Mr. Hayes. So my answer is no."
I held up my hand. "Hear me out. I will pay you to do this. You will have to give up your job, as well as your apartment and come live here with me. I'll pay you a salary plus all your expenses for however long this takes."
"Why would I have to live here?"
"I may have indicated to Liam we live together." "You did what?"
"It made sense when he asked. I didn't plan it—it happened. Now back to my offer."
"What would you expect me to do?"
I tapped my fingers on the arm of the sofa, contemplating. I should have thought this through more.
"Live here, appear at any function I go to as my fiancée, present yourself as such at all times." I shrugged. "I haven't thought it all through yet, Miss Le Fay. We'll have to figure it out. Set some ground rules; get to know each other so we can actually pass as a couple." I shifted forward, resting my arms on my thighs. "And this has to happen fast. I'm supposed to take you to a function this weekend."
"This weekend?" she squeaked out.
"Yes. You don't have to be living here by then, but we need to get our stories straight and at least know the basics. We have to seem close—comfortable with each other."
"Maybe you should start by not calling me Miss Le Fay."
I laughed dryly. "I suppose it would seem odd . . . Riley."
She didn't say anything, dropping her gaze to her lap, her fingers playing with a loose thread on her shirt.
"I'll buy you a new wardrobe, and make sure you have spending money. You won't want for anything if you agree to this arrangement."
She lifted her chin. I had never noticed the stubborn little cleft in it until now. "What would you pay me?"
"I'll give you ten thousand dollars a month. If the charade lasts longer than six months, I'll double it." I smirked. "If we do have to get married, I'll pay you a bonus. When we can divorce, I'll make sure you get a good settlement and handle all the details. You'll be set for life."
"Married?"
"I have no idea how much time it will take to convince Liam so my cover isn't blown. It could be two months or three. I can't see it being more than six. If I think it's needed, I'll marry you at city hall and we'll end it when we can."
She clasped her hands, her pale face now a ghostly white. Indecision and shock etched all over her expression.
"Chances are," I spoke in a quiet voice, "even if I don't go to The Astley Group, when I leave Anderson Inc., Ruzek will fire you anyway. If I do get the job there, he will for sure. He'll be convinced you knew of my plans somehow. I know how his mind works."
"Why can't you get someone else?"
"I don't know anyone else. The kind of women I usually date won't . . . They aren't the right fit."
"And I am? Why?"
"You want me to be honest?"
"Yes."
"You're practical, sensible . . . plain. I have to admit there's a warmth about you people seem drawn to. I don't see it myself, but it's obviously there. The fact you're my assistant is the perfect cover for me leaving. I could never date you and stay at Anderson Inc. Not that I ever would under normal circumstances."
Hurt flashed across her face, and I shrugged. "You said to be honest."
She didn't respond to my statement, except to say, "I'm not sure how you expect to pull this off when you dislike me so much."
"Riley, do you think I like most of the people I work with—or the clients I deal with? I don't. Most of them I can't stand. I smile and joke, shake hands and act as though I'm interested. I'll treat our relationship the same way. It's business. I can do that." I paused and lifted my chin. "Can you?"
She didn't speak, and I kept going.
"All of this rides on you. I've placed a great deal of trust in you right now. You could run to Ruzek tomorrow, or even Liam, and blow this entire idea for me—but I hope you won't. Think about the money and what it could do for you. A few months of your time, for what I'll pay you, is more than you'll make all year. In fact, I'll guarantee you sixty grand. Six months. Even if we part ways after three. It has to be twice what you make in a year."
"And all I have to do is . . ."
". . . is act as though you love me."
She fixed me with a look, which said everything she didn't want to express. "Do I get this in writing?"
"Yes. We'll both sign a confidentiality agreement. I'll pay you twenty grand up front. You'll get the rest at the end of each month. In addition, I'll open an account for you to use for expenses. Clothes, any incidentals; that sort of thing. I expect you to dress the part, as well as act it."
She studied me for a moment. "I need to think about this."
"You can't think long. If you agree, you need clothes for Saturday, and we need to spend some time together getting to know each other." "If I don't agree?"
"I'll tell Liam you're ill and can't make it. Then hope he gives me a chance to prove myself and hires me regardless."
"And if not?"
"I'll leave Victoria, but I don't want to. I want to stay here, and I'm asking you to help me."
She stood up. "I have to go."
I rose to my feet, looking down—she barely reached my chest. "I need your answer soon."
"I know."
"Where are you parked?"
She blinked at me. "I don't have a car, Mr. Hayes. I walked here."
"It's too late for you to be out on your own. I'll get Henry to call you a cab."
"I can't afford a cab."
"I'll pay for it," I huffed. "I don't want you walking. Can you drive? Do you know how?"
"Yes, I just can't afford to own a car."
"I'll get you one. If you agree to do this arrangement, I'll buy you a car. You can keep it. Think of it as a signing bonus."
She bit her lip, shaking her head. "I don't know what to think about any of this."
"Think of it as an opportunity. A lucrative one." I flashed a grin. "A deal with the devil, if you want."
She only arched her eyebrow. "Good night, Mr. Hayes."
"Chase."
"What?"
"If I can't call you Miss Le Fay, you can't call me Mr. Hayes, either. My name is Chase. You'll have to get used to saying it."
"Maybe I'll call you something else entirely."
I could imagine what she called me to herself. I could think of several names that would be appropriate.
"We'll speak in the morning."
With a nod, she left. I called down to Henry, telling him to get her a cab and put it on my account. I got myself a scotch and sat down on the sofa, frustrated. Earlier, when I spoke, I made the snap decision to make Miss Le Fay my fiancée rather than merely my girlfriend. It made my decision to leave Anderson Inc. all that more solid. It showed I was serious and ready for real commitment— something I felt Liam would value. It didn't matter to me one way or another—girlfriend or fiancée—but to someone like Liam, it would. Girlfriend said temporary, replaceable. Fiancée implied permanency and trust. I was certain he would react favorably to that title.
I yanked on my cowlick in apprehension, and downed the scotch in one swallow. I had hoped to get an answer from her right away; however, it became apparent I wasn't going to get it. So now, Miss Le Fay, the woman I disliked, and from all accounts, felt the same way about me, held my future in her hands. It was an odd feeling.
I didn't like it.
I sank into the cushion of the sofa as my head fell back, my mind drifting. My phone beeping startled me, and I realized I'd nodded off. I picked up the phone, glancing at the two words on the screen.
I accept.
With a smirk, I tossed my phone on the table. My plan was full steam ahead.