That was the end of it. My best friend and the only one I knew in the city was unreachable. I had just one choice left.
Meet Mr Jayden. I pulled out the little piece of paper in my pocket, reciting it shakily as I tried to comfort myself.
I could not go into his office like this.
When I walked into the building, the same place that I was supposed to present my paintings, my fresh start away from him.
I had managed to wipe away the tears that stung my eyes, my tattered bag was the only thing I had left, my paintings torn to shreds.
" I want to see Mr Jayden please" I said.
The receptionist took one look at me, the disgust clear in her eyes as she eyed me down.
" And what kind of appointment do you have with him?" She asked, the irritation clear in her voice.
I did not know what to say now. He was supposed to meet with nightshade the artist, but now, I had no paintings to prove my identity.
" I...he was going to..." I was beginning to say, picking at my words trying to find the perfect excuse to meet him.
" I'm sorry miss but I can't let you in. Please leave now as this is a business area" she said, her voice sounding like a recorded email.
Just then, two women stepped out of the elevator, muttering excitedly about an interview.
And that was when it hit me. A way to meet him.
I turned back to the woman with renewed hope.
" I'm here for the interview" I said to her.
The receptionist cocked an eyebrow, a question hung in the air.
"Now you're here for an interview when your name isn't even on the list?" she asked. Her eyes were downgrading and held a menacing stare, the kind that could send shivers down the spine of any ambitious worker.
I felt a surge of frustration washing in, but I refused to back down "Yes," I said firmly, meeting her gaze.
She opened her mouth to talk, perhaps to tell me off but I quickly added.
" And I won't leave until I have met with him" I said.
"Ohh really?" the receptionist asked in amusement. "Then you're having your interview outside this building bitch!"Just as it seemed like she was about to call the security, a deep, commanding voice cut through the air.
"Let her through, Rachel."I turned to see Jayden Lawson, the CEO of Lawson Industries, standing in the hallway.
His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Rachel the receptionist, was taken aback, and looked clearly disgusted, but quickly composed herself. "Yes sir," she said, nodding.
He did not say a single word again, turning around to leave and letting my instincts guide me, I rushed forward, following him.
The office in itself looked like it had stepped right out of a magazine for the rich and influential.
From the high mahogany shelves filled with rows and rows of files, to the all dark theme and floor to ceiling window.
As he approached me, his eyes seemed cold and precise, but for just one unbroken moment, our gazes locked, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"You're here for the interview?" He asked, his tone clipped.
For a moment, I hesitated, not sure of what to say.
"Yes," I finally replied, my voice shaking.
He gestured for me to sit.
"Name?" he asked. He has his head buried under a bunch of files, not lifting his head up to talk to me.
"Audrey," I said.He leaned back in his chair and fixed an intense gaze on me that prickled the back of my neck.
"You don't look like someone who belongs here, Audrey." he said, this time, his eyes settling on me.
My mind drifted from my white washed shirt to my haggard outlook and I felt shame wash through me.
I swallowed hard. "I can prove myself."
Jayden smirked, the corner of his mouth curving upward in a way that wasn't entirely kind.
"Interesting. Most people come here with a polished resume and tailored suits. But on the other hand…His gaze swung to me. "Well, let's just say you're an anomaly."
"I'm more than what I seem," I said, making contact with his eyes.
He tilted his head, intrigued. "We'll see about that."
Suddenly, his gaze went to a table set aside, with stylishly polished tea sets on it, and casually pointed at it. "Pour me a cup of tea."
My eyes flickered, caught off guard.
"Excuse me?" I asked in surprise.
"You heard me," he said, his tone impatient. "If you can't take that, you are not in the right place, and don't waste my precious time."
But heat spread in my cheeks, yet I did not give way to anger. This was not how I pictured it to be, but if this was his test, I was not going to fail.
I walked up to the tea set, my hands shaking despite the inner storm of nerves. Years of wearing host to family reunions with my mother's china came flooding back to my mind accompanied by a smile as I carefully poured the tea into a cup, just where it seemed in the saucer.
When I placed the cup in front of him, he cocked an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on my face as if he was trying to catch my fears, and his lips twitching as if suppressing a smile. He took a sip, his expression unreadable.
"Not bad," he said, setting the cup down. "You've got composure. It's quite a bit more than the norm."
I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.
He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto mine. "Audrey, tell me, how deep of a cut are you willing to make for this work?"
"Whatever it takes," I replied without hesitation.
A slow smile bloomed on his face, but his gaze remained unmoved. "Good. Because this isn't just a job. I need more than an assistant." he said. The seriousness in his face affected my own reasoning, filling me with low dread.
My heart pounded. "What do you mean?" "I need someone to play a role professionally," he said, his tone casual.
"You'll be my assistant and you'll also need to pretend to be my fiancée." he said, eyes lingering on my face.
My jaw dropped. "What!?"
"You heard me," he said, his gaze never wavering. "It's a simple arrangement. You act, and in return, you get the position and the salary that goes with it."
I stared at him, my mind racing. This was insane. However, when I pondered the fact of an emptied purse, the irretrievable items, and the desperation that had brought me to this level, I felt that I had few alternatives.
"I'll do it," I said finally, my voice trembling. His smile widened but a dark gleam lit up in his eyes. "Good. Because you start immediately. I have a conference in fifteen minutes and you will be going in with me." He said.
It was overwhelming.