Crash (Billionaire New Adult Romance)(9)

"I could see things getting really ugly between all of them when Uncle  Dominic resigns. Did you know that he tried to sell my share of the  company without my knowledge?"

"What?" I hissed as I looked at Jessica's grim face. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. He controls all the trusts and he wanted to sell all of the  shares. I'm in the middle of a lawsuit with him, actually," his voice  trembled.

What a horrible family.

"I'm really sorry."

"Ah, don't be. Once this is over, I'm cutting off ties with all of them."

I spent the rest of the evening boiling over everything Luke said-or  hadn't said. The unread email burned in my mind and I knew that I  wouldn't be able to stop myself from reading it when I went to bed. My  mind burned all night. What was the horrible thing William had done? I  wished Luke hadn't mentioned it.

Kicking the chair back from my desk, I sank down and reopened the laptop.



-We broke up. Can we please talk? I really need to get some things off  my chest. Maybe we could for lunch? I could meet you at Embarcadero.  Please, Natalie. Call me.



-Ben



A flurry of emotions whirled inside me like a snowstorm. All of a  sudden, I remembered with aching clarity how much I loved Ben. My finger  tapped on the reply button and hovered hesitantly over the keys. I  needed to see him one more time to find out if I was okay with moving  on.



Early Wednesday, my agency called to tell me that I had a job offer  already and that I needed to meet the client in the city. Today.

"Who is it?"

"The client has requested anonymity for now, but it's important that you make it today."

I was also meeting Ben in the city-I finally caved and sent him an  email. I didn't tell Jessica about it yet. I had the feeling that she  would disapprove, even if she forgave him.

"Believe me, you want to go to this interview. This is a very competitive salary for a client who is-well, just get here."

Intrigued, I agreed to meet whomever it was at eleven at my agency.  Mentally, I patted myself on the back for finding a job so quickly. I  was meeting Ben later at one, so this might work out perfectly.

Though the agency always made sure to have copies of my portfolio on  hand, I brought one with me anyways. My heels stumbled over the cracks  in the pavement near the BART station and I almost twisted my ankle.

Fuck. I really need to move from this place.

I only tolerated living here because of Jessica. She was my best friend  and she was broke, so I helped her out by moving to a Section 8 complex.  There were a lot of months that I paid for her rent. Those days were  over, though. Jessica had a good salary and she paid me back every cent  she ever owed me-plus interest. The lease was coming up in a couple  months and I had no idea what would happen. Would she move in with Luke?         

     



 

It struck like a gong inside me. I wanted to cling onto my best friend,  but at the same time we were both growing up. Growing up or growing  apart?

The metro screamed towards me, the cacophony of screeching metal making  my teeth grind. I moved gratefully into the warm car and took a seat in  the back.

My nerves were on high alert the whole way into the city. It's been so  long since I had an interview. I was heartily glad that I was meeting  Ben afterwards. If it went badly, at least I was already done with the  interview.

It had been ages since I stepped foot in my graphic design firm. I  walked with some difficulty toward union     Square after leaving the  BART, surrounded by hordes of tourists shopping at all the clothing  stores. I opened the white doors to Cliff Graphic Design and approached  the desk, my already tired legs shaking.

"Good morning."

The receptionist gave me a friendly smile, which I returned feebly.

"I have a meeting at eleven."

"Ah, yes. Natalie Porter? Right, go up stairs and it's the second room on the left. He requested a conference room."

I swallowed and nodded, thanking the receptionist before heading towards  the elevator. I didn't think I could handle a flight of stairs right  now. What's the problem? Don't be so nervous.

The reflection in the shiny, metallic walls looked slightly ill. I stood  straighter and wiped my hands over my slacks. Get it together. Whoever  the client was, my agency seemed excited about them. I couldn't wait to  find out who they were.

The elevator doors opened and a massive seizure gripped my heart. I  stepped out and walked down the hall, shoving open the door boldly. I  forgot to knock-

A man with black, styled hair and hollow cheeks dressed in a smart,  coal-grey suit looked up at me from the table and grinned. It took a  moment for me to recognize him as William. He was so stunning that he  looked like one of those unapproachable men I sometimes saw walking down  the street in the city; the men who managed to make every female head  they passed turn their way.

A lightning bolt shot up my arm. All the feelings I'd buried from the  other night returned in full force. "Will! Ah-I have a meeting with a  client."

"I know. I'm the client," he said baldly.

I looked down at his calm, satisfied face and had no idea what he wanted  from me. When he left that night, he said, "Take care of yourself," and  I took that to mean that I'd never see him again. "Is this a game to  you?"

"No," he said in a grim voice. "Please, sit down."

My whole body was shaking so badly that I could barely stand. I couldn't  believe the nerve of this guy that he would actually screw around with  my schedule like this just to-what? What the hell did he want, now?  Didn't I fail his ridiculous interview?

His face was shrewd as he looked at me. I glanced at the desk, saw my portfolio spread in front of him, and my stomach clenched.

"I wanted to offer you a position as a contractor. It's a temporary  position that we need to fill for Luke's Bed and Breakfast campaign.  We're going to review the sites in person, and if they qualify they'll  join the Pardini hotel chain."

My ears were ringing. "You want me to work for you? Why?"

A flicker of surprise crossed his face. "Because you're a talented  artist. I got in touch with your agency and went through your designs.  You're perfect for this job."

Perfect. That was not a word people used to describe me. It was so confusing. "But I thought that you decided not to hire me."

"You're the only one I can see myself getting along with." He scanned me, his eyes darting back and forth.

He's joking, right? I couldn't help but laugh. "At dinner the other night, that was ‘getting along' to you?"

"Compared to the others I interviewed, yeah." He leaned across the  table, his black tie dragging over it. "It's a real job, Natalie. I  looked at your portfolio and I was impressed. The job consists of you  visiting these inns in the UK, France, and Italy. We need a graphic  designer for the pamphlets and mailing lists. As the VP, I need to  oversee the campaign and make sure it's running smoothly."

I burned all over. Was he suggesting what I thought he was? So, we'd travel together? "How much?"

He leaned back and cocked his head, giving me a smile that made my whole  body hum with excitement. "Ten thousand dollars for a few weeks seems  more than fair. All of your travel arrangements and meals will be taken  care of. The contract is short, but if the executives love your work,"  he shrugged, "you may be offered a full-time position."         

     



 

The executives? You mean, yourself?

Nevertheless, my mouth watered. I always wanted to go to Italy. He  smirked at me, knowing full well that he was dangling a fat, juicy  carrot in front of my face. I snapped back to myself. "Why me?  Seriously. I really doubt that you need employees you get along with."

He suddenly reached over and grasped my wrist. His thumb ran up and down, tracing my veins. "No, but I'd rather go with you."

I snatched it away, the huskiness in his voice making my face hot. "Don't lie to me."

"Do you really think it's that far-fetched that I might be attracted to you?"

Yes, I thought to myself, but admitting that would be a bit pathetic.  "I'm getting very mixed signals from you. You said you weren't  interested in me, now all of a sudden you want to go on a three week  trip with me?"

He looked at me, his eyes blazing. "You're not my usual type, but I like  the fact that you're so open. You were so sad at the party. You didn't  even try to hide it. Everyone could see how miserable you were, but you  didn't care."

That was news to me. My whole body felt unpleasantly hot. It was  incredibly embarrassing, but it was true. He was saying things that no  polite person would ever say out loud, but he said them with respect in  his voice.

"At the restaurant, too. You sort of lost it."

I had a flash of anger for the well-dressed, rich man sitting across the  table, dishing out judgment towards me. I didn't want to hear this  shit. "I know that I'm a fucking mess and I don't need to be reminded of  it." He leaned across the table suddenly and grabbed both my arms.  "What're you-"