Chapter 3. Fake Date

Chloe POV

''Don't worry, Miss Bell, it's a fake date…'' Mr. Gonzalez told me, and I felt like cold water had been splashed in my face.

Crap! I was overthinking things. I wasn't like that, ever. I was calm, composed, and a woman with a mind of her own, not thinking something like my boss would like me as a woman.

''Oh...'' was all I could say as I breathed a sigh of relief and eventually pulled the folder from his grasp. How could I have been so naive as to believe that he would actually invite me on a real date, duh? He's still head over heels in love with his wife. ''But why? I mean, why me?''

As he spun his swivel chair, he looked out at the skyscrapers visible through the window glass. ''I want you to help me. Rosie would be there, and I want to show her what she has been missing out on.''

As I looked in the direction he was gazing, I bit my lower lip. So, it's all about his wife. ''But Sir---''

''Please…?'' He turned to face me once more, his chocolatey eyes imploring in my direction. ''I know you're the only one who's ever seen what I've been through, and you're the only person who can help me, Chloe…''

It was the way my name rolled off his tongue that sent goosebumps down my spine. It was the first time he truly addressed me by my given name.

How could I even say no to his pleading eyes that have always been dark? And he's absolutely correct. I had seen him cry over his wife, and because I always had a soft heart for everyone, I thought it would be appropriate to help my boss with his problem.

''Okay…'' I nodded, but it was a reluctant one.

Mr. Gonzalez froze and locked his gaze on me. ''What do you mean, okay?''

''Okay, Sir…I'm going to accompany you to the party on Saturday.''

I noticed that his face had brightened for the first time since his wife had cheated on him. ''Really?'' he exclaimed, a smile on his face. ''Thank you very much, Miss Bell...'' Oh my... he's back to using last names once again. ''And as a result of that, I'm treating out for a dinner tonight.''

''Oh, no…Sir, there's no need for that. I—''

''I insist, Miss Bell. It's been a long time since we had dinner together.'' He smiled excitedly, and I had no choice but to agree.

The following hour passed slowly until the clock struck five, signaling that it was time for me to go home. Mr. Gonzalez stepped out of his office just as I was about to finish cleaning off my desk and shut down my computer. ''I'll be picking you up at seven o'clock, Miss Bell…so, please be prepared.''

And with that said, he finally stepped out of the room. I sighed as I continued to clean my desk before I took my shoulder bag and left.

As I ran to the employees' elevator, I noticed the VIP elevator was about to close, and my eyes widened when I caught a glimpse of a fake blonde wig that belonged to my boss's wife, Rosie. What was she doing here?

In addition, I noticed Mr. Gonzalez's frown as he stared down at his ex-wife before the door finally closed. I shrugged my shoulders as I walked into the lift and pressed the basement button, which took me to the parking lot, where my car was parked. I wondered how my boss was dealing with his ex-wife right now. Maybe they're quarreling, or perhaps they're making out and having sex in the elevator.

Oh God, what was I thinking? I slid my shoulder bag into the passenger seat and sat down in the driver's seat to begin driving. I cranked up the engine and soon roared off.

As soon as I walked into my apartment, I threw my keys on the coffee table and sat down on the couch, leaning my back against it to rest for a while before getting ready for my dinner with Easton. But I doubted whether we'd be able to continue with his arranged plan.

After half an hour of resting, I was still debating whether to get ready when I got a text from my boss reminding me he'd pick me up at seven sharp.

I looked at my phone's clock and saw that it was already 6:15 p.m. Shit!

I hurriedly went upstairs to my room and peeled off my clothes before I stepped inside the bathroom. I took a quick shower, blow-dried my hair, kept my long brown locks falling in soft waves down my back, and applied some make-up to get ready.

But wait! This wasn't a dinner date, so there was no reason for me to spend time making myself beautiful. I put my make-up down on the vanity and stared at my bare face in front of the mirror. Well, I needed to seem presentable in front of Easton. I picked up my makeup kit again and started painting my face with the lightest colors possible.

I wore a blush-pink spaghetti-strap mini dress I'd recently bought and paired it with a pair of black stilettos, the only decent shoes I had.

The doorbell rang at exactly seven o'clock. I looked in the mirror one final time before sprinting down the stairs to open the door, and I gasped when I saw my boss standing there. I found him attractive every time I saw him in the office, even when he was dressed formally, but when he was dressed casually, he looked even more gorgeous. The way he was dressed, with a brown leather jacket over his white shirt and dark jeans, was just stunning.

The moment he saw me, his chocolatey brown eyes glowed with delight. ''Are you ready, Chloe?''

I nodded with a smile, appreciating his effort to pick me up here at my house. He could have just texted me and met me at the restaurant he had reserved for us.

Later, as we were inside his Lamborghini, I decided to inquire about Rosie. ''I-I saw your wife at the elevator earlier…'' I said softly, biting my lip. I watched his reaction; he was expressionless. Wasn't he affected at all? ''And I thought the dinner was canceled, so when you texted me, I rushed to get ready.''

''I'm glad I did text you, or I'm still waiting for you to get prepared. Women…'' he chuckled deeply and started the car. I felt my cheeks blush at his statement.

''Can you tell me where we're going to have dinner?'' I asked because I was always the one who made the reservation for his dinner dates, but I had no idea where he planned to take me this time.

''At the Serendipity Palace Restaurant at the Gonzalez Hotel…'' he replied, occasionally casting a glimpse my way, but his attention was firmly fixed on the road ahead.

''But you're taking some of your dates there, so why are you bringing me there as well?'' I asked, and when he didn't respond, I gave him a perplexed look.

''I've invited you to be my date on Saturday, so why don't we start to pretend right away?''

''What? But—-'' I wasn't prepared at all.

''It appears like this is a rehearsal for what will take place on Saturday. We have to act naturally.'' I kept my mouth shut as I considered what he had said, and I didn't notice that he had already pulled up his car in front of the Gonzalez Hotel.

Before we entered the restaurant, he tossed his keys to the valet who was standing at the entrance, his arm instantly wrapped around my waist. This act of faking that we are dating would be the death of me.

Easton led me inside, where he didn't have to make reservations, and we were escorted to a large corner booth, even though it was just the two of us. He sat across from me after pulling the chair for me to sit.

After we finished ordering, a man in a black suit entered the booth with white paper bags and handed them to Easton. Before walking out of the room, he bowed respectfully to my boss.

''This is for you, Miss Bell...'' I was caught aback by what Easton said as he placed the paper bags on the vacant chair beside him; he had me completely by surprise. ''I instructed someone to procure the most recent design.''

''For me…?'' My eyes widened as I leaned in to peek inside the paper bag and realized it was a dress. ''Oh, no…I can't accept it. I don't want to---''

''Please…?'' Here he goes again. ''I want you to be absolutely stunning during the party.'' I couldn't say anything. Am I not stunning in his eyes right now?

I had convinced myself that there's only one woman who's lovely in his eyes, and that woman was Rosie. His lovely wife. And for that, I secretly scoffed.

''If you don't like the color or the design, I'll have the store deliver all the designs to your apartment tomorrow, and you're free to choose which one suits your taste.''

''Oh no…this is okay.'' I shook my head and waved my hand in front of me, indicating that I would ignore his offer.

''So… you're accepting the dress and the shoes?'' he asked. Oh…there's also a pair of shoes? When I nodded, he sighed in relief and gave me a thank-you smile.

I secretly rolled my eyes, feeling defeated. As if I have a choice?

Our food arrived, and we dug in. I had beef lasagne while he had lobster pasta. I had no idea what was going through my boss's head. What exactly was his strategy? If he still had feelings for Rosie, he could have simply contacted her and told her to come back. Was it his ego that was getting in the way? Maybe he couldn't accept the fact that a perfect guy like him had almost everything: money, fame, power, and face. But still, his wife cheated on him with another man, and worse, with his own best friend.

Or was it possible that he wasn't all good in bed? Hmm…