Page 2 of Faking It with the Ice Queen

“The one I asked you to book yesterday. Which you obviously didn’t do.” Elara clenched her teeth in frustration. “Did you at least confirm with Patrick that the contracts were ready to sign?”

When Grace visibly started shaking, Elara stopped her before she could make excuses.

“I’ll take that as a no. Grace, for the love of god, please call Patrick and reschedule for when I get back from Lake Tahoe.”

“Yes, Ms. Silver. Right on it. I’m so sorry?—”

Before she could hear any more groveling, Elara walked into her office and slammed the door behind her. She stood still just behind the door, counting to ten as she took a few deep breaths to regain her composure.

Grace had only been here for a month, and already the woman had made Elara’s life a nightmare. That was the third meeting in two weeks she had failed to schedule. While she usually gave every employee the full ninety days to attempt to adjust to her high standards before she let anyone go, Elara began to think she could not hold out that long with Grace.

The phone in her pocket buzzed softly. She quickly fished out her phone, hoping for at least some good news today. But fate had other plans. Or at least Chelsea, the escort, did.

Sorry, hun. Plans changed. I won’t be back in town in time.

For a brief moment, Elara stared at her phone, blinking rapidly, jaw slack. Then her world started to spin. She was breathing way too fast, and she knew it.

“No, no, no, no, no, no.”

Panicked, Elara slumped down into her chair, attempting to become small enough to disappear. All Elara could think waswhy. Her fingers and toes began to tingle, the numbness of despair taking over. Elara flexed her fingers and realized that if she did not get her panic attack in check, she would pass out soon. As she began to slow her breathing down, Elara started running through all the ways she could fix this and came up short. As her world stopped spinning and feeling returned to her fingers, Elara sat up straighter. She looked up and only had one thought.Grace.

Grace. Maybe Grace could come. This could be fixed. Ithadto be fixed. There was no way she would admit to her family that she had lied about bringing someone. There was one thing her father valued above all else: the truth. His famous words echoed in Elara’s head:

“Give it to me hard. Give it to me fast. Give it to me dirty. But at least have the balls to give it to me straight.”

Victor Silver was known for never giving second chances when it came to lying. Her father could forgive a mistake, though you would never hear the end of it. But a lie? Victor wouldn’t just be disappointed; he’d be furious.

Oh god, her mother. Of course Father told her. Victor and Margaret never kept secrets, especially when it involved their children.

How would she break it to her mother? How could she possibly explain that she would rather lie than hear another lecture about how a woman as successful as Elara should have no trouble finding a partner? How successful families don’t just have marriages; they have arrangements? The thought of hearing about another mogul’s daughter made Elara cringe. No. She would just have to ask Grace.

Elara pushed the intercom and did her best to use her calmest voice.“Grace, please come into my office.”

Through the glass wall, Elara could see Grace slowly stand up and turn toward her. Grace smoothed her hands over her pants as she walked to the door. As she entered the office, she audibly gulped.

“Please put the screen down. I want this to be a private meeting.”

At Elara’s request, Grace walked over to the side of the room and pressed the small button on the wall. As the room slowly darkened, Grace’s hands shook before she clasped them behind her back.

Motioning to the chair in front of her, Elara commanded, “Please sit, Grace.”

The poor woman was on the verge of tears. She probably thought Elara was going to fire her, and it was probably what she should do. She should tell Grace how bad she was at her job and dismiss her. Instead, she was about to ask for an impossible favor.

Elara cleared her throat. “Grace, as you know, we have been planning my parents’ anniversary celebration event for this upcoming week at our Lake Tahoe location.”

Before she could continue, Grace interjected, “Yes! Of course I do. In fact, I just confirmed with the transportation company that they have the flight itineraries for everyone, and?—”

“Grace, stop. That's not why I called you in here.”

Grace’s mouth formed ano, confusion clearly written across her face. Elara briefly closed her eyes and took a deep breath to continue, but as she looked up at Grace, her confidence wavered. Grace was young, artsy, and entirely too innocent. Would she even understand such a request? Elara did her best to say something, but words failed her once more.

Smiling shyly, Grace inquired, “Well, what did you call me in here for? Am I in trouble? I know I forgot to confirm the meeting this morning. I swear it won’t happen again.”

Not wanting Grace or herself to suffer anymore, Elara finally blurted out, “I have a proposition for you. Well, not a proposition. That’s not the right word. An opportunity. A…request.”

At that, Grace sat up a little straighter, clearly relieved to not be in trouble. She smiled once more and chirped, “Sure, Ms. Silver. Anything at all. I’m happy to help you. What do you want me to do?”

Before she could completely lose her nerve, Elara continued, “I would like for you to attend the week-long event with me.”

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