Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Damien
It was ten o’clock before I finally left the office and headed home.
I stepped into my penthouse, turned on the lights, and went to my room to change into something more comfortable.
Walking to the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator, pulled out a carton of leftover chicken teriyaki, scooped it on a plate, and threw it in the microwave.
Once it was done reheating, I took it over to the table where I set down my laptop and began working while I ate.
The thing was, I couldn’t focus. The only things that kept running around in my head were the events of today and that girl—the one who let me cut in front of her in line.
The one who offered me to sit with her for breakfast. The one with the big smile, and no matter what I said to her, that smile never left her face.
The same girl who went out of her way to bring me my wallet.
My phone dinged, and when I looked at it, there was a text message from Katherine.
“Just in case you were wondering, I made it to Italy, asshole.”
I rolled my eyes and didn’t respond. There was no need to. I didn’t care. The only things I cared about were my business, money, and how to make more. I was already at the top at the age of thirty, but I wanted to be higher. I wanted more.
The next morning, I was sitting at my desk when Landon from the graphics department walked in.
“Morning, Damien. I need your approval on these.”
“What is it?”
“The mock-ups for the Stafford account.”
“Leave them on my desk. I’ll look at them later. I’m busy right now.”
“But—”
“What part did you not understand?” I snapped at him. “I said I’ll look at them later!”
“Yeah. Sure. Sorry.” He walked out of my office.
“Hey. Landon just said you’re in a mood.” Scott smiled as he stepped into my office. “I asked him what else was new.”
“Very funny. Don’t forget we have that dinner meeting tonight with Bradbury.”
“How could I forget? You are bringing Katherine, right?”
“Katherine is in Italy, and I’m not seeing her anymore.”
“Then you better get that little black book of yours out and find someone. You know Bradbury is a family man, and he wants a company that’s family oriented.
He specifically said he hates these big shots that only care about business.
Which, my friend, is you. You need to show up with a hot chick on your arm, or else we’ll lose this deal.
I don’t know about you, but securing a multi-million-dollar account is worth faking for one night. ”
“Shit.” I leaned back in my chair. “Don’t worry. I’ll make a couple of calls. With everything going on, I forgot. I’m going to grab a cup of coffee,” I said as I got up from my chair.
“Why? You always have Joslyn get it for you.”
“I need the walk. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
He looked at his watch. “I have to go. I’m meeting Madison for a quick breakfast.” We walked out of my office together.
He went right, and I went left and headed to the break room for a cup of coffee. On my way back, I heard the elevator ding, and when I happened to look up, I saw that girl from the plane step off.
What the fuck?
“Considering I didn’t leave anything else behind, I’m going to say you’re stalking me now,” I spoke as I walked up to her.
“Good morning.” She brightly smiled. “You can stop flattering yourself. I’m just here to drop something off. Have a good day, Mr. Prescott.” She turned and pressed the button to the elevator.
“Excuse me? What the hell would you have to drop off here? At my company?”
The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside.
“The artwork for one of your accounts.” The doors closed, and I stood there in confusion for a moment before I went over to the elevator and pressed the button.
“Damn it,” I spoke, as it was taking too long.
I took the stairs down to the lobby and rushed out the door, looking to see which way she went. She wasn’t too far down, so I ran to catch up with her.
“Hold on a second. You need to explain to me what the hell just happened back there.”
“What’s to explain? Your company hired me to do some freelance work, and I was dropping it off. I finished it last night,” she said as she kept walking.
“For fuck’s sake. Will you stop for a minute?”
She stopped and turned to me. “What?”
“None of this is making any sense to me at all. First, we meet at the airport, and now you’re doing freelance work for my company?”
“Yeah. Weird. Right?” She smiled.
I took in a deep breath to try and calm myself. “Come back to my office with me. I want to know exactly who you are,” I spoke sternly.
“Say please.’”
“Excuse me?”
“Say please and I’ll go back with you. There’s a right way and a wrong way to ask.”
I was two seconds away from losing my shit.
“Will you please come back to my office with me?”
“Sure. Now, didn’t that feel better asking politely?”
We walked back to the building and took the elevator up to the fifth floor. As we stepped out, I grabbed the envelope she left at the front desk, and we headed to my office.
“Joslyn, hold all my calls.”
“Yes, Mr. Prescott.”
“Hi, Joslyn.” She smiled and gave a small wave.
“Good morning. It’s nice to see you again.”
Shutting the door, I told her to take a seat as I sat down behind my desk.
“First of all, what is your name?” I asked.
“London Everly.”
“London?” I arched my brow.
“I was conceived in London. My mom thought it was cute.”
“Oh. How did you end up doing work for us?”
“I was contacted by Jeff, one of your employees, who saw my work on a website.”
“So why the hell didn’t you say anything yesterday when you brought me my wallet?”
“To be honest, Mr. Prescott. You really didn’t want to hear anything I had to say.”
I sighed, leaned back in my chair, and stared at her.
“Is something wrong?” she asked. “I’m not sure I like the way you’re staring at me.”
“No. I’m just trying to figure you out. Have you lived in New York your whole life?”
“I don’t live here. Actually, this is my first time in New York. I’m staying for about a month and then I’m leaving.”
“Where are you from?”
“Minnesota.”
“And why are you here and only for a month?” I asked out of curiosity.
“I have things I want to see and experience, and a month is all I’ll need.”
“Like what?” I narrowed my eye at her.
“Just the sights New York has to offer,” she replied.
I needed to know more about her because she was the most bizarre, annoying beautiful girl I’d ever met. I ran my hand through my hair as I couldn’t believe what I was about to do.
“You know. I’m actually glad I ran into you. Do you know anyone in New York?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Now that’s not true, London. You know me. Since I’m the only person you know here, I’m asking you for a favor.”
“A favor?” She cocked her head. “What could I possibly do for you?”
“Attend a business dinner with me tonight.”
She let out a light laugh. “You,” she pointed at me, “want me,” she pointed to herself, “to go to a business dinner with you?”
“Yes.”
“First of all, Mr. Prescott, I don’t know you. We exchanged some words, and not too pleasant ones on your end, in an airport in Nashville and then again on the plane where you told me to stop talking. Second of all, what are you after?”
“I’m not after anything. Listen.” I sighed.
“I have a very important meeting with a potential client, and he’s all about family and shit.
He only deals with firms that are basically the same.
So, I need to bring someone to make it look like I believe in the same shit he does.
I can’t show up alone, or I’ll lose the deal. ”
“But why me? I’m sure you have a harem, a tribe of women at your beck and call.”
“I do.” I grinned. “But it’s short notice, and you’re here, so I’m asking you. It saves me the trouble of having to find someone, which to be honest, I don’t have time for. Do me this favor, and you will be well compensated.”
“I don’t want your money, Mr. Prescott. Not everything or everyone can be bought.” She got up from her seat. “Thank you for the invite, but I’m going to have to decline.” She began to walk towards the door, and I stood up from my seat.
“London, please. Please come with me tonight.”
She stopped, turned around, and stared at me for a moment.
“This is really important to you, isn’t it?”
“It is. It’s a huge deal and one I’m not willing to lose over something as stupid as family and values.”
“Fine. I’ll go with you on one condition,” she spoke.
“What’s your condition?” I narrowed my eye at her.
“You take me to the Empire State Building tomorrow.”
“Seriously? You want to go there? Why?” I frowned.
“Why not?” She smiled.
“Sure. Okay. I’ll take you to the Empire State Building.”
“Thank you, and I’ll go with you tonight. What time?”
“Dinner is at seven thirty, so I’ll pick you up at six forty-five. Which hotel are you staying at?”
“I’m not. I’m staying at an Airbnb on West 28th Street.”
“Text me the address,” I spoke.
“Are you sure you want to give me your phone number?” she asked.
“Do I have a choice?” I arched my brow at her.
She pulled her phone from her bag, and I rattled off my number.
“Sent. I’ll see you tonight, Mr. Prescott.” She opened the door and walked out of my office.