Page 8 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

“Well, I’m here, aren’t I?” Chuckling, he doesn’t look bothered in the slightest. “I want to hear your side of things. That video didn’t give me much to go off besides discovering how good your aim is. You’ve got a killer throw.”

I shouldn’t laugh, but I do. “He was a problem customer and a terrible person who was stalking my employee to the point where I got tired of him bringing issues to the bakery. The cops weren’t doing much about him and the anger started building from there. I made it clear that he was no longer welcome.” A sigh leaves my lips. “I may have gotten angrier than I should, and now everyone thinks I beat my customers with pastries.”

Jake snorts and I do the same. After all this time, I’ve moved on from it. Charity might try to apologize whenever she thinks I regret my decisions, but I always tell her not to.

“That’s all?”

I nod. “That’s all. Hard to defend myself when that video paints a picture. Once word went out, my name was dragged through the mud. I’m assuming you know that if you’re bringing up the video.”

He doesn’t deny or confirm, but he looks satisfied. He doesn’t ask more questions about the past, thank goodness.

Soaring across the sky, we reach our destination in what feels like half an hour. I know the city enough to know we’ve reached Seattle.

The fantasy of my situation doesn’t grow any more realistic even after we get in the car waiting for us.

Everything is happening in a blur. I’m struggling to keep up at this point.

“Just a short drive now, and we’ll be there in no time.” Without even knowing him, there’s something about this man that makes me want to trust him. The way he is always smiling, always speaking in an alluring tone, it’s a dangerous combo.

Seattle’s traffic is terrible, and while I take in the long lines of cars, I feel his stare against the back of my neck.

I’m not sure why he is so fascinated with me, but he’s not trying to hide his interest in the slightest. Not to say I’m appealing or not, but I’m starting to question if his intentions are completely business-related. My hands curl against my lap and I feel my phone vibrating against my fingers.

Charity has replied to my message about the helicopter. Vibrating more than once, I’m sure she’s sending more than one question in reply.

“The city might seem rough, but I can assure you, I am pretty determined to win you over. If you were to consider completely moving your business, I wouldn’t mind offering housing to ensure a short commute.”

Before I get the chance to look at her replies, his words catch me off guard.

Even he must be able to see how insane this is, right? Rather than determination, it feels more like desperation.

I might feel pretty confident when it comes to my skills, but I am notthatgood. If I started paying attention to my surroundings, I am sure I could easily pick out a bakery or two on the way to our destination.

“Sounds a bit too good to be true.” Shifting against the seat, I finally look his way. “Why me?”

Jake purses his lips, taking his sweet time to give me the answer I desperately need.

“I want you,” his smile grows, “simple as that.”

None of this feels simple. Before I can start poking for a deeper answer, the car comes to a stop and the driver glances behind in our direction.

“We have arrived, sir.”

“Wonderful.” Jake opens his door and beckons me to follow him. “Stay close, I would hate for you to get lost.”

Once I’m out of the car, I’m too distracted by the large skyscraper to even nod to his words.

Turns out, this place is not only real, but it is huge. Forgetting to breathe, my head feels like it’s swimming. Inhaling sharply, I try not to linger behind.

As I follow beside him, I see men in suits and women in pencil skirts moving in and out of the building. Compared to my uniform, I am feeling extremely underdressed. Thankfully, no one bats an eye in my direction. Rather, everyone gives their attention to Jake.

While I did not doubt that he was an important figure earlier, I am caught off guard by how many people stop to take in his presence.

He seems like he is a social creature, having no issue returning greetings and shaking hands whenever they come his way.

I grow more and more interested in this man as every second passes. Now that I know he’s truly authentic, I’m going to go home and do some research on him. That way, the next time he decides to make an appearance, I am a little more prepared.

Once we make it inside the building, I’m hit with cool air-conditioned air. Entering a lobby, I am amazed to see how many bodies are moving about.

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