Page 5 of Faking it with My Boss' Son

‘‘I wish we could have a reunion and meet with all our old friends.’’ I sighed as we got up from the table. Most of my friends from high school stayed around Davenport, so it was hard to keep up with each other, especially with each passing year.

‘‘Life has become as dry as dust.’’ Michelle snorted as we stepped outside the restaurant.

I had initially planned just to take Michelle out for lunch, but I was so excited to show her Los Angeles that I took her on a tour of the city, which lasted for the next five hours. I brought her to all the touristy places but also showed her a bunch of my favorite places in the city. By the time we were done, we were hungry again, and my stomach was growling. So, we went out to dinner at a diner downtown. I was getting tired, so I could only imagine how tired Michelle was feeling. When we left the restaurant, it was already dark out. The full moon lingered on in the sky, and the hues of green and red caused a mesmerizing airglow as I drove Michelle back to the apartment.

‘‘Thank you, Ryan, for making my first day in this new city so amazing.’’ Michelle gushed as we entered the apartment.

We exchanged a lingering look before I said, ‘‘You should hit the hay; you had a long day.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired, truthfully. Thanks for the tour today; it was super fun.”

“Anytime, Michelle, break a leg tomorrow!” I crossed my fingers as I said goodbye, calling it a day and heading to my dad's house.

Chapter two

Michelle

I was in seventh heaven as I lay on my bed thinking of the amazing day I had with Ryan. After we had left high school, I made a few friends in college beyond Maya and Lucas. My friend Leah had moved to LA two years ago, so at least I had another friend here apart from Ryan. Leah was Lucas’s cousin. We would hang out in college and became pretty close, so I am excited to hang out with her. Being here with Ryan was kind of therapeutic. I was able to be myself when he was around. I was doubtful that he'd be the same Ryan who left Davenport when we were only kids, so it was a pleasant surprise. We did talk over the phone and even video-called each other once in a while. However, I was not so sure if he’d be the same in person as he appeared in the virtual world. But it was as clear as day that he hadn't changed, and I felt thrilled. Only one day in LA, and I already felt at home.

I woke up at 6 a.m. to be sure that I got to the interview on time. I took a shower and headed to the kitchen to prepare some breakfast. The refrigerator was a mini grocery store that had everything from breakfast to dinner. I didn’t need to visit the grocery store for the next ten days at least. I prepared some scrambled eggs, buttered toast with avocado, and a coffee. I had not even taken one bite when someone knocked on the door.

Who could be here at this hour? I was caught off-guard as I went in the direction of the door, and Ryan stepped inside. “I still have a key; I hope you don't mind,” Ryan said as he walked past me into the kitchen. ‘‘The familiar aroma of scrambled eggs and avocado toast, am I right?’’ Ryan inhaled the aroma of breakfast, rubbed his hands together, and sat next to me at the table.

‘‘What a pleasant surprise! I didn’t expect to see you this early.’’ I passed him a cup of coffee.

‘‘I had to… after all, it's your interview day.’’ He sipped his coffee.

‘‘Yes, but I would have hired an Uber. Why did you bother yourself?’’

‘‘I know I’m being a bit clingy. But, once you settle down and get used to the surroundings, I promise no more special treatment for you.’’ Ryan smirked, then took a drink of his coffee slowly as he scrolled through his phone.

‘‘Come on, Ryan. You know I don’t think you are being clingy. What you call clingy, I call being attentive, and you know I just adore that about you. It makes me feel special.’’ I said, smiling. It was true; having him stop by made my interview nerves subside just enough.

Ryan didn’t reply; he probably wasn’t even listening to me; he was too focused on his phone. “Come on, I’ll drop you at Dad’s office.” He said, standing up from the table and walking toward the door. “I need to go buy some flowers for Alison. I have a date tonight.’’ Ryan was full of excitement as he turned and looked at me.

‘‘You have a date?’’ I didn’t have the hots for him, but I felt a little awkward when he told me that. “You have a girlfriend?’’ I asked him softly as I grabbed my purse from the counter.

‘‘No… not yet. I’ve been dating a few girls over the past few months. But I haven’t yet found the right one. But maybe things will be different with Alison.’’

‘‘Alison?’’

‘‘The one I’m going on a date with, silly! Keep up.’’ Ryan lightly pulled my cheeks, making my heart thud.

I shrugged as we walked to the car. I didn’t need to nag him about his date; I needed to stay focused on my interview. I was quiet on the drive downtown, but I doubt Ryan noticed; he was busy on his phone most of the drive. He called out a “Good luck” as I stepped out of the car.

I approached the building, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through me. Ryan drove away to fetch flowers for his date, and I found myself genuinely hoping that everything would go smoothly for him.

***

‘‘So, I see Ms. Harvey. Your resume is impressive. Brilliant academic record,’’ said Mr. Pearson, Ryan’s dad, in his demanding voice. It made me jittery despite the fact he was full of praise for me. Mr. Pearson was almost 60 years old but looked much younger than his age. Dressed impeccably in a black tuxedo suit and jet-black brogue Oxford shoes, he had little hair on his head and a grey, French-looking beard. He had the same eyes and smile as Ryan. It was almost like looking at an older version of what Ryan would become in the next thirty years. I could tell he wasn’t completely healed from the Pneumonia yet because he looked a little weak and would give out the occasional cough.

For the next twenty minutes, I was grilled with several questions, not only from Mr. Pearson himself but from other members of the board.

I was as nervous as a cat to speak in front of the CEO and his team, but I kept my head high and answered all the questions they asked diligently and with utmost confidence.

‘‘It was great meeting you, Ms. Harvey. We are amazed by your resume and your skills.’’ Mr. Pearson gulped down two sips of water from his glass, pressed his lips together, and then widened his eyes, adjusting his glasses.

It made me wonder if he had recognized me. I was sure that he wouldn’t because he hadn’t seen me more than a handful of times in Davenport. He knew me by name, but I was under the impression that it had been long enough since then, and he must have forgotten about me. I trusted that Ryan hadn't told Mr. Pearson anything when I had asked him not to. I was in two minds whether he had recognized me or not.

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