I woke up this morning happier than I’ve been in a long time. Vivid dreams of Layla filled my sleep and left me waking up with a painful hard-on. Fortunately, a cold shower and my hand provided instant temporary relief. I still can’t help but chuckle at the look on her face last night when I told her she was going to fall in love with me. She stared at me as if I had grown two heads and then proceeded to laugh hysterically at me, telling me I’m a cocky bastard who is batshit crazy to ever think she would fall in love with anyone within a two week timeframe. She’s right in the fact that I’m a cocky bastard, but when I want something, I will stop at nothing to get what I want.
And I want Layla Sands.
I’ve been dreaming about her since the moment I met her and, at first, I thought her constant presence in my dreams was due to the guilt of my actions. But what I felt last night when she forgave me is something deeper, more meaningful. Something I’ve never felt for any other woman. I know it isn’t going to be easy to win her. Her walls are thick and her hurt is deep. This will be a tough fight, but the end game is the ultimate prize.
As I leave for my morning meeting with Cal at his apartment, I decide I need to see Layla as soon as possible. I take my phone out of my pocket and send her a text.
Me: Good morning, Angel! I hope you have a great day. Meet me for dinner tonight?
I place my phone back in my pocket, trying to act calm, cool and collected when really I want to watch the screen in anticipation of her response. Five minutes later, as I’m almost at Cal and Jenna’s apartment, she responds back to me.
Layla: Who is this?
Me: The man of your dreams.
Layla: Seriously, who is this? If this is one of my business clients, this is highly inappropriate and I will report you for sexual harassment.
Me: This is your new best friend and you would thoroughly enjoy and want more of my kind of sexual harassment.
Layla: How in the hell did you get my number, Chase? I’m going to kill Robert.
Me: Robert is a smart man and sees we are made for each other, Angel.
Layla: Please don’t call me, Angel. No, we aren’t made for each other and no, I can’t meet you for dinner tonight.
Me: Why not?
Layla: I have plans.
Me: Cancel them.
Layla: No!
Me: Fine, I will just follow you to wherever you are going and wait for you.
Layla: Friends do not stalk friends! Besides, I have to work tonight.
Me: You shouldn’t be working late at night. I’ll accompany you.
Layla: NO!
Me: This isn’t a negotiation, Layla. I want to see you. I WILL see you tonight.
Layla: You’re creepy.
Me: And you like creepy. So have a great day and I’ll see you later… Angel!
I can’t stop smiling, despite the challenge that lays ahead of me with her. I don’t know if I’m going to succeed in making her develop feelings for me, let alone love. I‘ve only had one serious relationship in my life, in college, which felt more arranged since our families were friends. All I can do is be me and show her that I’m serious, but I might need reinforcements in the name of Jenna and Robert. I just hope they think I’m worthy of her and will help.
When Cal texted me last night asking for me to come over this morning, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to give him my two weeks notice. The timing of this meeting couldn’t be better as I can talk to Jenna and Robert as well while I’m here. I put my game face on because this meeting just got more serious than initially intended.
I arrive at their apartment, the doorman waving me in since I’m now on the approved list of visitors. I take the elevator up and knock once I reach the door. A casually dressed Cal opens the door and motions for me to come inside. I walk in and see no signs of Jenna or Avery, only three suitcases lined up near the kitchen.
“Going somewhere?” I ask, motioning my head towards my new findings.
“Taking my girls for a quick getaway to a remote location on Lake Michigan. We will be back in a couple of days.”
“Where are Jenna and Avery?”
“I sent Jenna to the spa this morning and took Avery to child care. I will pick her and Avery up by lunch time and then we will head straight there.”
“Is Robert at the office?”
Cal raises a questioning eyebrow at me. “Robert is with Jenna, also receiving spa treatments this morning. Why?”
“No reason. Just need to talk to him about something.” Cal doesn’t need to know about my intentions with Layla just yet. He isn’t my friend, but a client, despite his proximity to Layla because of Jenna.
“I appreciate your willingness to meet with me on such short notice. Have a seat so we can begin since I’m on a tight schedule this morning.” He waves his hand toward the couch for me to sit. I put my camera bag down and sit on the edge of my seat, my curiosity peaked at what he wants to say to me.
“As of today, Mason will no longer be with us.”
“Why? What happened?” I ask, concern filling my voice at this news. Jenna can’t go again without a bodyguard, despite the decrease in the number of paparazzi compared to last year when she was a fresh face and a new story.
“I always knew that being the bodyguard to the partner of a celebrity wasn’t what he was interested in, but I was hoping he would stay a bit longer. Nevertheless, one of his former Navy SEAL mates called him with a new opportunity that was more exciting than his current job assignment.” He leans forward and looks me squarely in the eye. “When we get back from our trip, I’ll interview new candidates. In the meantime, I would like to hire you to watch over Jenna.”
I conceal my shock at his request, since I’m the last person that should be considered for the position. “I’m not trained to be a bodyguard.”
“You already scan social media posts for information on where to find the next celebrity gossip and the whereabouts of those celebrities. This time you will be looking for specific threats against Jenna, Avery and myself. You also have extensive training in Krav Maga. I think you would do just fine if your talents were called upon. Besides, this would only be until a new bodyguard has been hired, which I’m hoping will be in place by the time I leave.”
“How do you know about that?” I narrow my eyes at him, starting to feel my blood pressure rise at the knowledge that he has had me investigated. Only my family and close friends know about my Krav Maga training.
“I’ve brought you into my life and that of my family’s. Every person is thoroughly investigated before I make that decision. So yes, Chase, I know all about you. From the elementary school you attended, to the millions of dollars your father embezzled from the family company that is almost in ruins.” He gives me his signature cocky smirk, leans back, and places one arm against the back of the sofa and crosses his legs.
I want to punch that fucking smirk right off his face.
“What do you want from me, Cal?” I growl, wanting him to cut the bullshit and get to the point.
“I want you to be with Jenna whenever she’s not in my presence until a new bodyguard is hired. If I ever feel that I need you when Jenna and I go out together, you will be accessible. When Jenna and I don’t need you, I want you to follow Layla. I would like for that to start today since we are leaving for the weekend and will not need you to accompany us.”
This time, I can’t contain the shock that registers on my face, as I wasn’t expecting Layla’s name to even be brought up in this conversation. “Why do you want me following Layla?”
“Jenna’s concerned about Layla and since she considers Layla a sister, then that makes Layla part of my family. Jenna’s worried that Layla might slip into her old habits, since she 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.”