Page 4 of The Fake Family Deal

I give my very best professional smile and follow her into the room. It has a huge wall of windows that let you see out onto the Seattle skyline. I have to remember not to catch my breath at the sight of it.

Just think! To these people that’s an everyday sight. For me, it’s breathtaking.

There’s a big table set up in the middle of the room, clearly designed for meetings and conferences or whatever, but sitting there now are four people — five with the woman who just showed me in, who takes a seat at the table after showing me to my seat. I smile at them all in turn and then I do a double take as my eyes glance over at the man reclining in his chair in the central seat, his eyebrows drawn into a steely frown.

Oh, my God.

That’s Ellis Whitlock. The famous billionaire Ellis Whitlock. The famously harsh, cold, and cruel billionaire Ellis Whitlock.

And he’s about to interview me.

CHAPTER 3

ELLIS

Ibarely glance up as Priscilla shows the next candidate into the room. The woman smiles nervously at us, and I give her another look.

She has reddish-brown hair that’s been neatly twisted back into a braid, and soft, pastel-pink lips that are full and pouting and make the most gorgeous smile, one that flashes all the way up to her eyes, making her brown irises sparkle. She has high cheekbones, a sharp nose, and a certain humble air about her that catches my interest.

On top of all that, despite not being tall, her weight is balanced in all the right places, giving her curves and a gentle softness that makes her pleasant to look at. And the heels she’s wearing show off her legs very nicely.

The skirt-and-blazer combo could use work, but I can live with that. At least she looks neat and tidy, and like she washes, which is already doing better than two of the candidates we’ve seen today.

Imagine! Showing up to an interview and not showering! I can’t believe that woman thought she would get anywhere in the process.

So, after a full day of mediocre people, finally it looks like I’m getting someone who might be worth my time.

If her brains are anything like her body, then I really will be winning. She’s easily the most attractive woman I’ve seen all day. The kind of girl I would be proud to have representing my name. The kind of girl who can disarm people with her looks, and then when they underestimate her, take them down with her mind.

I get to my feet and clear my throat. She stands frozen still, staring at me like she’s just realized who I am. It’s not like I’m not well-known. If she’s read a newspaper, or been online at all even once, she’ll at least have heard my name, if not recognize my face.

There’s nothing like being infamous.

“Good morning,” she says tentatively.

“You’re late,” I reply, frowning.

She blushes a little. “I had to drop my daughter off at daycare.”

“How old is she?” asks Priscilla.

I glance at Priscilla, nodding in approval. That’s a good question. This woman might be attractive, but I need someone who’s going to give me everything. I need someone who can devote their time to me.

Of course, I can’t discriminate against women with babies, and I never would — after all, I have a high level of employeesatisfaction to maintain, and even the smallest whispering of discrimination or unhappiness will make scores in that department plummet overnight. And it’s supposed to be good to be nice to people… or something.

But I need to know she’s here for the job. She can do whatever she likes outside the office, but while she’s here, she needs to be a hundred percent dedicated.

“Nine months,” smiles the woman.

“What was your name?” I ask, cutting her off.

She blinks in confusion. Obviously, I could just look down at the piece of paper in front of me, but I never read résumés.

I’m only here because I don’t trust my staff to hire me someone who’s up to my standards. I’m starting to see why the hiring process is so slow and painful, though. We’ve been doing this all morning, and we haven’t even got one single candidate who was remotely good enough.

I have high expectations for this mystery woman, but the way she’s flustering around does not fill me with confidence.

Maybe looks aren’t great to judge people on, after all. Who would have thought it?

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