Page 72 of Fake for 7 days

If I wanted any chance of being on time, I had to leave immediately. But I didn't want to rush out of the office. Carter shouldn't think I was just... ditching him like that.

"Don't be mad, but I have to get back to work," Carter's words freed me from my dilemma. He looked at me with a regretful look and fished his shirt and pants out of the pile of clothes on the floor. I enjoyed watching as Carter's athletic body disappeared back into the tailored suit.

If he had wanted me again...

...yes, what would I have done then?

That question is not up for debate, Isabella. Carter has to work and you have to take care of your future. As much as you'd like this week to last forever, it won't.Time doesn't stand still and life goes on.

"Isabella?" Carter's question brought me back to my thoughts.

"Sorry," I mumbled, slid off the desk, and started putting my clothes back on.

"How do I look?" I asked a minute later, running both hands through my hair.

"Perfect," Carter grinned and gave me a thumbs up. "But now I really have to get back to work. I'll see you the day after tomorrow. I'll pick you up." He gave me a light slap on the ass and sat down at the desk.

The desk where we had just...

I pushed the thought aside. Along with the slight disappointment that Carter wanted to see me again only the day after tomorrow.

Thirty-five minutes later, I rushed breathlessly into the anonymous-looking reception area of the personnel manager of the hotel chain that had contacted me.

"Hello, my name is Isabella Abbott. I have an appointment with Mr. Baldwin."

"Ms. Abbott." The secretary behind the desk was around fifty and looked at me sternly. "We were expecting you five minutes ago."

"I'm sorry, the traffic..." I helplessly shrugged my shoulders.

"Traffic is bad every day in Manhattan." The secretary sounded accusatory. "You need to plan accordingly."

What was this? Was this some kind of aptitude test? Would I only be shown to her boss if I came up with a suitable excuse?

"I'll do that next time. Then I'll know the quickest way here," I said with my most charming voice and put on my most charming smile. Anyone who knew me, however, would have noticed that it didn't reach my eyes.

Whatever.

This was just about a job, and if I got it, hopefully, I wouldn't have to deal with the personnel manager's secretary too often.

"Go through." With pursed lips, the lady pointed to her boss's office door.

"Thank you." I was still smiling. A little extra charm couldn't hurt. Then I knocked on the office door.

"Come in." Mr. Baldwin's voice in the office sounded stern but not unfriendly. Carefully, I opened the door and slipped inside. Behind a cheap desk made of painted plywood stood a thin man with steel-gray hair and steel-gray eyes. Everything about him seemed cold. I felt like I was meeting a ghost.

"Ah, the tardy Ms. Abbott." Not a promising start.

"Sir, I really am sorry, but today..."

Mr. Baldwin waved it off. "Save your excuses. They're always the same, no matter who delivers them. Traffic, the child, only today, not tomorrow... I can't stand to hear it anymore."

"I understand," I agreed with Mr. Baldwin.

He looked at me sharply. "Oh, you can understand that."

I shrugged. "Why not?"

Another sharp look. "Suitable candidates don't arrive late." A simple statement. I swallowed. Mr. Baldwin clearly wasn't going to make it easy for me. On one hand, I couldn't blame him, because I was late, and that wasn't a good sign. On the other hand... they were generally interested in my cooperation in the company, right? Otherwise, they wouldn't have invited me to the interview?

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