Chapter Four
Alana
I will not embarrass myself today.
I figure if I say it enough, I’ll actually start to believe it.
I march through the revolving doors that lead into the office complex, a good ten minutes early. It’s something I don’t think I’ve done in my entire life because getting in on time is usually a struggle in itself. I’m feeling pretty good about myself because today is a new day. And then I remember that this is Chase, and I’m me. No doubt I’ll give him plenty of other reasons to fire me before five o’clock hits. At least he can’t be on my back for being late. Then again, I haven’t made it up to the office yet. I still had time to ruin this.
I impatiently press the button for the elevator, as if hitting it fifteen times is going to hurry the damn thing up. The doors eventually open and I step into the empty car and wait for the doors to close again. They’re just starting to creak shut when a hand appears out of nowhere, forcing them back open. I sigh because I was hoping to avoid small talk with someone I wasn’t really interested in chatting with. I keep my eyes on my phone, hoping I look too busy to interrupt.
“I’m going to assume you haven’t realized that it’s me, because ignoring your boss like this could be considered very rude.”
I freeze. That voice. Chase.
For a second, I contemplate fleeing, but it’s four stupid levels. If I can’t handle being in his presence for that short a time, I have no business being here at all.
“Sorry, I was busy with…”
My voice trails off, because admitting I’m trawling Facebook just feels wrong. He smirks at me, obviously enjoying my discomfort. This guy thrives on seeing me squirm and not in a good way. I hunch down and study my phone, so he can’t see the color rise up to my cheeks.
“Facebook?” he questions. I look up to find him peering over my shoulder. “If you’re finding yourself with too much spare time, I’d be happy to provide you with something to fill that space,” he murmurs.
I cringe and shove my phone back in my bag—the thought of him filling any space of mine is way too much.
“Thanks for the offer, but I think I’m okay,” I manage to reply.
My heart pounds in my chest as I stare straight ahead at the door. I’m trying to not focus on the sound of his breathing, but it’s hard when he insists on standing so close to me. Then, out of nowhere, his fingers are touching my waist. I jump and turn around to glare at him.
“Sorry, I lost my footing and stumbled right into you there for a second,” he says innocently. I frown because I can’t tell if he’s serious or not. “Don’t worry, Alana, I'm not going to bite,” he promises. His eyes shine as he adds, “That is, unless you want me to.”
My knees shake. I’m frozen on the spot and unable to move as my heart pounds out of control. The worst part is, the idea of him biting me or doing anything at all is turning me on to no end. My heart is beating so loud that I’m sure he can hear it. I step to the side, so I’m standing against the wall, not comfortable with being in front of him. Not because I don’t trust him, but because the idea of him looking at me is making me anxious.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes sparkling. “You’re looking a bit pale.”
“I’m fine,” I say, forcing a smile.
I watch the levels as they slowly go up, one by one. It pauses on level three for what feels like forever, before we finally reach our floor. I shift impatiently, waiting for the doors to open, but they don’t. After a while, I start to panic, resisting the urge to step forward and start banging the shit out of the buttons to get this thing moving again.
“For some reason, this particular elevator always seems to pause on level four for ages before the doors open,” Chase muses. “Have you noticed that?”
“I'm certainly noticing it now,” I mutter, my heart skipping a beat. “You’d think management might look into something like that if they were aware of it,” I snap.
God, I’m beginning to sweat. I swallow, trying to loosen my collar.
He chuckles, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You’re right. Management here really sucks, huh? You’re quite high strung when you’re stressed, Alana. Have you have ever thought of doing something to help you relax?”
My head jerks around, and I flush, wondering what that’s supposed to mean.
“What exactly are you suggesting?” I growl.
He shrugs, that sexy smirk never leaving his lips. “I don’t know. Like meditation…or something,” he says.
I scoff. The look in his eyes tells me he means anything but meditation.
“Thanks, but I’m not really into that new age crap,” I retort, glancing at the door.
“Then what are you into, Alana?” he asks. “Do you prefer to employ more proven strategies for relaxation?”
I’m starting to feel sick, but I manage to glare at him as I try and think of a witty response. I panic when one doesn’t come, but I'm saved by the doors finally deciding to open. With a great big sigh of relief, I practically fall out of the elevator and onto my knees. He walks around me slowly, so he’s standing in front of me. I get to my feet, not daring to look him in the eye.
“I'm late for work,” I mumble, before making my escape.
“You do realize that I'm your boss?” he calls out to me as I bolt down the hallway. “I don't think it counts as being late for work when you’re late because you're talking to me.”
I ignore him, even though he makes an excellent point and stumble into my office. I slam the door shut behind me, my heart racing. Peyton looks up from her computer with a frown.
“Are you okay?” she asks. I glance over to where Jade sits at her desk and nod.
“Fine,” I mumble.
I’m feeling anything but fine, but I don’t want to air my problems in front of Jade. I drag my chair forward and focus on the stack of files that Jade has generously dumped on my desk.
I struggle to focus at first, but it isn’t long before I’m distracted away from my issues by mergers and reports that need updating in the system. I’m so lost in my own little world that I don’t even notice when Chase walks in, until he’s standing in front of my desk, staring down at me.
“I need to borrow Alana for the day,” he announces to Jade, his eyes on me.
“What?” I squeak. My eyes widen almost as far as Jade’s.
He nods briskly. “I have to go and iron out some issues with the Phillip Trung merger, and I need someone there to take notes for me.”
Probably because he never got his pen license. I stifle a laugh.
“Peyton is faster at writing shorthand than her.” Jade frowns.
“That’s wonderful, but I’ve requested Alana.” Chase frowns at Jade. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” she replies, her voice soft.
I sit there, expecting him to say something else, when it becomes obvious he’s waiting for me. I jump up, gather my things together and toss them in my bag. My heart pounds as I follow him out the door. I don’t even trust myself to look at Peyton, who I can feel staring at me. Mainly because I don’t trust her not to give me a high five or something equally as obvious.
The ride down in the elevator to the basement is quiet. He's busy reading something on his phone, and I'm doing my best to pretend I’m immersed in something myself. In reality, all I'm doing is staring at the blank screen on my phone, praying that A, I don’t make an idiot of myself, and B, the elevator doesn’t stop randomly again. I breathe out when the doors slide open and reveal the basement.
I follow him over to his car. It looks expensive, but it's not as flashy as I was expecting. He clicks a button on his keys and unlocks the door, starting the ignition before we’re even in it. Mildly impressed, I open the passenger side and slide inside, clicking my seat belt into place. I clasp my hands in my lap, my nerves kicking up a gear at the idea of being in the same car as him. I have no idea what to say, so I stare out the window, my body tensing as he slides in beside me.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
He flashes me a smile that makes my knees tremble. Thank god I’m sitting down.
I nod. I'm still not exactly sure why he needs me to go with him, but I know better than to air my confusion in front of him. He fumbles on the back seat and retrieves a thick folder, tossing it on my lap. I glance down at what I’m holding, a shiver of excitement racing through me. Not many people would get excited about statistics and numbers, but I’m definitely one of them. Forget flowers and chocolates; hand me a folder full of statistics, and I’m all yours.
I don't know much about the merger between Trung and Einswing because as a junior assistant, the closest I've come to seeing the file is when I'm entering information into my computer. I’d been following it in the media, so I knew enough to know that the amount of money this merger was going to bring to the company would come close to matching every other client combined.
This merger was huge, and I’m excited to be sitting in on any part of it. At this point, I don’t care what his motivations are.
“Have a read-through and tell me what you think,” he says.
You don’t need to tell me twice. I dive in, aware that he’s watching me.
“You actually find this stuff interesting, don’t you?” he remarks, his lips twitching.
“Don’t you?” I reply, glancing back down at the folder on my lap. “A lot of this just comes down to numbers and how far is Einswing willing to compromise to stay afloat. All you needed to do was find something they have to offer to use as bait to get the attention of a competitor. Like Trung,” I conclude.
Chase smiles at me, and I swear I see a flash of admiration in his eyes.
“You know your shit,” he acknowledges.
I flush. “This kind of thing fascinates me,” I say with an embarrassed shrug. “Math and statistics have always been my kind of thing because everything always comes down to numbers.”
“Well, maybe not everything,” he teases. I blush furiously, which makes him chuckle even more. “What did you study in college?”
“I majored in statistics and minored in business,” I say proudly.
“And you’re my junior assistant?” he says with a low whistle. “A little over qualified, wouldn’t you say?”
I shrug. Finally, he’s noticing me.
“My degree is definitely something I hope to have to use one day. I’d really love to challenge myself.”
I still remember as a little kid going over complex math problems with my dad. I was always a few years ahead of the other kids in class, which meant I was quickly bored with the syllabus. School just didn't motivate me enough, so Dad did his best to help out. In my junior year, I was passing exams meant for sophomore college students.
“What did you say this meeting was for?” I ask with a frown, forcing myself to focus back on the notes in front of me.
Admittedly, I’m no expert, but it looks like this merger is all but complete. I certainly can’t see anything that would require bringing me along to take notes. In fact, I can’t even see a reason as to why Chase would need to be here. I struggle to believe that he attended all the closures for his mergers. Maybe just the ones he wants to impress me with.
“I didn’t,” he grins. “I just like to keep my hands in things. I like making sure I’m aware of everything that’s happening around me.”
The idea of his hands anywhere near me makes me shiver. Why bring me along, then? Is this all just his way of messing with me? I flush. Could he be any more self-centered? Like he would waste an entire day of his busy schedule just to mess with me. Stop being so ridiculous and just use this as a chance to learn. And with any luck, I’ll be able to show Chase Winston what I’m capable of.
Twenty minutes later, we park in front of Trung Enterprises. I climb out, smoothing out my skirt whilst juggling my bag and the thick folder of notes. I follow Chase inside, watching with interest how everyone we pass acknowledges him. It’s like being out with a celebrity. I’m not used to seeing people act like this around him. At work, people are scared of him. He has a reputation for being hard and fearless, but all I see here is admiration and appreciation.
My extensive late-night googling on Chase had informed me that he lost both parents when he was very young, leaving him and his brother in the care of an aunt. The day he turned twenty-one, he invested nearly his entire, modest inheritance into his business, and then he slowly built it from the ground up. If that didn’t spell guts, I don’t know what did.
Chase was no trust fund baby. He learned everything he could about business and making money so he could secure a future for himself. How can you feel anything other than admiration for someone with that kind of dedication?
We walk into the conference room, and I stand back so I can observe Chase as he works the room. He shakes hand after hand, as people acknowledge him with warmth. An attractive blonde woman looks up, her face lighting up when she realizes who it is. My stomach clenches as I pretend not to listen to their conversation.
“You were supposed to call me,” she murmurs, a playful frown on her face.
“No, you suggested I call you. I never said I would,” he replies, his lips twitching into a grin. “On the other hand, I never said I wouldn’t…”
“You still have my number,” she says lightly. “And I still have those handcuffs if you’re interested.”
Chase looks up, his eyes meeting mine. I gasp when I realize that I was staring at them. He raises his eyebrows slightly, making me blush furiously. I drop my gaze, my heart racing.
“Are you going to stand over there the whole meeting or sit down?” he asks, patting the seat next to him.
I nod and walk over to the table, smiling at his friend as I slide onto my seat. She nods back, but it’s cold and forced. Before she can say anything, the door opens, and a man walks in wearing an expensive, yet very flamboyant, suit. I immediately recognize him as Phillip Trung from the numerous television interviews he’d done over the last few weeks.
“Mr. Winston,” he says, sounding shocked to see Chase. “This is a nice surprise. Unless you’re here with a problem? In which case, I’d wish you death.”
Chase chuckles. “Wonderful to see you, too, Phillip. Everything is going according to plan. I’m just here to ensure things stay that way,” Chase assures him. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. You’re acquiring a strong company with a solid work ethic.”
“Lovely.” Phillip nods. He glances at me, intrigued. “Though you know I only care about the numbers. And I see you brought company.”
“My assistant, Alana Morrison. Alana, this is one of the most powerful men you’ll ever meet, Phillip Trung,” Chase says.
“Oh, stop schmoozing me, Mr. Winston,” Phillip chuckles. “And if you want to kiss my ass, get in line behind all of these lovely people.”
He sits down so the meeting can begin. I watch with interest, a flutter of excitement racing through me as the contracts are exchanged and signed. It’s all over in a matter of minutes, leaving me wondering once again why he brought me all the way over here. I get to my feet, along with Chase and everyone else.
Phillip walks over to Chases and enthusiastically lifts him into a hug. I cover my mouth to hide my amusement because poor Chase looks lost in Phillip’s overzealous embrace.
“Thanks again for coming out, even though it clearly wasn’t necessary,” Phillip says.
“A true businessman stays ahead of the problem; he doesn’t chase it,” Chase replies, a twinkle in his eye. “I’d much rather waste my day and know that my biggest client is happy than to sit back and wait for something to go wrong.” He puts out his hand, which Phillip takes in a firm handshake. “I’ll be in touch.”
I follow Chase out the door, listening to him whistle as he saunters down the hallway. As we walk outside and into the bright sunshine, I ponder over his words, half believing what he said in there.
Maybe this wasn’t about me at all, and he really does just care about his clients.
“You really do go above and beyond for your clients, don’t you?” I say, eyeing him thoughtfully.
“You mean what I said in there?” Chase laughs as he glances back at me. “I told him what he wanted to hear. I had that merger sewn so tight that there was no way anything was going to go wrong.”
“Then why are we here?” I ask, confused.
Nearly the whole day is gone and I’m struggling to comprehend what the point was, if not to keep Phillip happy.
“I just wanted to prove that I'm in control,” he says simply. “And that if I want something, I get it.” He glances at his phone and curses. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Alana, but I didn’t realize it was so late. I have a meeting to get to. Would you mind catching a cab back to the office?” He reaches into his pocket for his wallet and retrieves a credit card. “I’ll pay, of course.”
“Sure,” I say, shocked and slightly relieved that I don’t have to travel back with him.
“Thanks,” he mutters. “I owe you one.”