Page 4 of Billionaire's Baby Mistake

I follow her down the hallway, my heart racing. I can hear Nina telling me a lot about the business; it’s probably a load of rubbish that I don’t need to know, so I don’t really listen. Instead, I try to figure out what I can say to sound like I know what I’m doing. Whatever I say, I must sound confident and get people to believe me. I need to focus on that.

At least I’m educated in this area. In fact, I’ve already done it. I should be able to make things work. And Alex too… I need to figure out a way to get closer to him if I’m ever going to get into his office. I think about Dad’s words and the fact that I might have to act like I’m going to sleep with the guy to get to where I need to be. If he thinks he’s going to get laid, he may leave me in his office if only for a few moments. Then I can work out how to get into the safe. I just need that in.

But how can I make him assume I want to have sex? I’ve never been in a position where I using my body to get what I want, so it’s a little intimidating to go into that territory; but I’m sure I can figure it out.This is only a tiny part of my life,I remind myself.I won’t be here forever doing this crazy stuff. Once it’s done, and International Pharma Co. has been brought to its knees, I can focus on the rest of my life…

The only problem is that this has been my life for so long now that I don’t have anything to fall back on. My sole concentration for so many years has been revenge such that I haven’t allowed myself to come up with other dreams or ideas for the rest of my existence. I can have this done within the next few weeks, and then I’ll have to come up with another direction - another way forward.

Maybe Dad will start his own company, using the formula Peter has hidden in his safe. I can work there, using the skills and knowledge I’ve developed for good, but can I rely on that? Dad might never want anything to do with the industry again, and maybe he’s happier being a teacher than I think. If that’s the case… then what? I don’t have any idea, and that’s terrifying…

Anyway, stop worrying about the future,I scold myself.Just focus on the here and now. There isn’t any point in worrying about what to do next when you aren’t even through this yet – one step at a time.

“Right,” Nina announces, shaking me from my thoughts. “This is it, and the boardroom is in there. Mr. Bryson will be waiting for you… so, good luck.” I nod and wait for her to leave, but she stares expectantly, waiting for me to go in, which leaves me no choice. I suck in a few deep breaths and push the door open with aggression, ready to face the unexpected…

Alex

“…sothat’sthereportfor this quarter,” the head of accountancy, Ryan, drones on, almost sending me to sleep. He has to go about things in the most roundabout way possible, which drives me insane. I wish he would state the facts on a need-to-know basis and deal with the rest, but nothing ever changes, no matter how many times I suggest it.

Just as I fear that I am about to drift off for real, the door swings open and the woman who has been filling my mind ever since I first saw her is staring right back at me, making my heart skip a beat. Damn, I like her a lot, a whole lot, which makes it extremely difficult even to consider concentrating.

Everyone turns to face me, taking me aback for a moment as I fear my feelings might be written across my face. Then someone coughs awkwardly, and I realize they’re all waiting for me to introduce her.

“Oh right,” I jump up and extend my arm to Zaya, looking around at everyone. “As you all know, I have been looking for a new head of PR, and today I hired Zaya Webber.”

“Hi, everyone,” she says, taking over confidently and waving to the assembled group. “I hope to fit in with you all while taking this company to the next level.” I watch her smile at the other heads of department, most of whom are older guys instantly intrigued by this smart, fiery beauty.

“I don’t know who was the head of PR before, but I feel that their ideas were a little too… traditional, so I hope what I can bring to the role is something quite different.”

I know I should focus on everyone else, allowing them all to have their say in turn, the way we usually do, but this statement intrigues me. I find myself wanting to know more.

“So… what are you thinking?” I ask as Zaya slides into a seat. “What did you have in mind?”

“Well, I think the person before me went down the typical route for announcing a launch: press releases, radio interviews, paid advertising… that sort of thing. What I would like to do will be more daring - events, stunts, and anything to get the public’s and doctor’s attention. You need to do something to stand out in such a competitive market. Plus, I really don’t think any of you have utilized the online worldnearlyenough.”

Oh no… am I about to regret hiring Zaya? Is she going to turn everything I’ve worked for on its head in the worst way possible? I don’t believe the online world is suitable for what we do, and I’m sure everyone else agrees.

“Look,” I tell her regretfully. “We do things traditionally because we sell lifesaving pills, not fizzy drinks or chocolate bars. We need to get attention in the correct manner and not because we’re doing something crazy.”

She rolls her eyes at this statement, making me balk at her blatant rudeness. I’ve become so used to people kissing my ass that having someone not care about keeping me happy seems strange. “I don’t think that going down the same route will help you progress. You will remain in the same position - not going anywhere. Don’t you want to move forward? Don’t you want to grow? Don’t you want better results?”

I think of Dad and his dream to turn this business into a worldwide, international innovation hub. He would have taken a bold step, however crazy it felt at the time, which might be what I should do too. It might make my heart beat faster and my palms perspire a bit, but maybe I need to open my mind to other suggestions. Public relations aren’t my area of expertise, so maybe it’s time to think outside the box.

“Okay, well, we’ll get back to this later.” I shuffle the papers before me, not wanting anyone else to know how ruffled I am. “So, for now, let’s hear from everyone else.”

As the meeting continues and everyone shares what’s going on in their respective department, I can’t stop my eyes from glancing over to where Zaya is sitting. The more I look at her, the more intrigued I become. I want to get to know her better, and I don’t think I’ll be able to do that in a working environment. I need to get her out of the office and spend more casual time…and I want to start that today. Usually, when I see a woman I want, I go for it right away without holding back, which is what I want to do now. I know that the situation is slightly different and I don’t intend to pin her against the first wall we come across – however much I ache to – but I feel impatient about getting to know more about her…

I head out to find Nina as soon as the meeting finishes, knowing she will have my entire schedule. “What are my lunch plans?” I snap at her, an idea forming in my mind.

“You have a date with… Erica.”

Erica?It takes me a few moments to place her, but I recall meeting her in a bar a few nights ago. She’s a red-haired babe with massive boobs that initially drew me in, but now I have no interest in hanging out with her. It’ll just be another meaningless experience I don’t need. Not when I could be spending time with someone I have in depth feelings about.

“Can you cancel it, please?” I ask her distractedly. “I’m going to take the new PR girl out for lunch. She has some wacky ideas, and I want to find out what she has planned.”

Nina looks at me, knowing she can see through the façade, but I stay strong. Nina can think whatever she wants; she had her shot with me and blew it. So I send her one quick smile before stomping down the hallway in search of Zaya. She’s the only one from this office that I’m interested at the moment, and that’s probably how it will stay for a very long time.

Knock, knock…I tentatively tap on the door, my heart pounding with excitement. She quickly calls me to come inside. As soon as I see her again, my stomach flip flops with emotion, making it difficult to remember what I’m doing.

“Is… everything alright?” she asks, curiously. “Do you want anything from me?”

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