won’t be staying with us anymore due to my arrival back in town. So, I want you to follow her and report back to me on her daily routine and activities.”
“And what if she does revisit her old ways?” I don’t reveal to him that I already have been following her for my own selfish reasons. I want to know exactly what his plans are if she does relapse.
“Jenna and I will cross that bridge if it comes to it. I’m hoping it doesn’t, as that will upset Jenna greatly.”
I ponder what he has just asked of me, delaying telling him that I have to depart Chicago in two weeks. This would be a perfect opportunity to get closer to both Layla and Jenna, with the possibility of persuading Jenna to help me win Layla’s heart.
“How much?” I demand, referring to the price he’s going to pay me for my services. Everything comes with a price and I’m not going to work for free for Cal Harrington when I should be spending all of my time trying to help save my family’s company.
“I will pay you $75,000 for the next two weeks and will consider becoming a private investor in your company. I expect a tour of your offices and vineyard before I leave to go back to Thailand.”
“How the fuck do you know we’re looking for private investors?” I ask in disgust, wishing he didn’t know such personal information about me.
“You of all people know that money can buy you any kind of information, Chase.” He looks at me with a knowing smile and stands up, signaling that this conversation has come to an end.
Karma, you’re a fucking bitch!
I stand up and follow him to the front door. He opens the door and like a dog obeying their master, I walk out and turn to look at him from the threshold.
“I expect your acceptance when I return on Sunday. Have a great weekend.” And with that, he slams the door in my face.
I stare dumbfounded at the door, not quite understanding how I should feel about what just transpired. I’m upset over the fact that he knows about the trouble Wilson Enterprises is in, but intrigued about what his motives are for possibly even considering being an investor. As I move swiftly toward the elevator, I realize that this might buy me more time in Chicago with Layla.
And the possibility of saving my family’s company.
As soon as I get back outside, I call my brother, who picks up after only one ring.
“Get things ready, Rhys. I just secured our first meeting with a potential investor.”
11
Layla
How dare Robert give Chase my phone number without my permission! I’ve blown up his phone with obscenities, but haven’t heard back from him since he’s getting treated to a morning at the spa with Jenna, courtesy of Cal. He’s so lucky that Cal asked me to meet with him this morning, otherwise I would silently barge into his spa session and make sure the hot stones they are using on him burn the devil out of his skin. He needs to stop meddling into people’s lives as I don’t want Chase Wilson in mine. I forgave Chase and I want to move on.
I cross the street to Jenna’s apartment and do a double take as I get closer and recognize the handsome figure of Chase outside of her building. He is talking on his phone and his body language is screaming that it isn’t a good conversation. Even with his animated features, the man is ridiculously hot. Today he’s dressed up more than what I’ve normally seen him in. He’s wearing a white button down shirt, navy chino pants with a tan belt and tan shoes. Aviator sunglasses shielding his eyes and his stylish leather camera bag crossing over his body. He rakes his free hand through his hair and I find myself trying to remember if his hair feels as silky as it looks. There are girls who would kill to have his type of hair.
I shake my head at how he looks like he can be a model in a Hugo Boss ad and I can’t help but wonder what in the hell his true intentions are with me. By no means do I think I’m ugly, but I have curves in places he has probably never handled on his previous conquests. It makes me even more suspicious as to what his motives are since his looks are in the same caliber