5. JOB Offer

CHAPTER FIVE

I stared at him trying to gauge whether he was attempting to make a poor joke. His plain but meaningful expression told me he was serious. What the hell?

"Thanks but I already have one," I turned his offer down gently.

"Was it a question? I'm sorry. I should probably rephrase it to avoid misunderstanding. I'm taking you to the dinner with your family and in exchange you'll be my date to my family ball on Wednesday. Its a win-win situation," he stated casually as though it was the easiest thing someone could ever say.

"I'm honored but I can't-"he was making me more anxious with his whole calm demeanor.

"Don't try to come up with any more excuses because you have got none. By the way you are meeting my parents tonight, "he deadpanned.

"What?" I asserted feeling like my head was spinning.

"Yeah, I figured if you meet them tonight then they will be off my back about getting married," he shrugged.

"Oh, so you are kidnapping me to get your parents off your back," I stated in realization.

His gaze darkened as he leaned in closer to stare into my eyes. I could feel every pore of my body alert as goose bumps rent my entire system. This day had officially gone from worse to a whole batshit crazy of worst.

"Miss Wilde I don't know what you have heard about me but let me make this clear to you, I can never kidnapped you and second I'm not using you to get my parents off my back. I'm much more than that," he leaned back on his seat, massaging his chin with his thumb and index finger.

"Then why am I here?" I questioned confused.

"Because I fancy you," he replied.

It took a few seconds for what he had just said to sink into my brain. He fancied me? That was highly unlikely considering he was one of the most feared men in New York City. He was rarely seen in the company of a woman and him claiming to fancy me sounded just as ridiculous. I was tempted to laugh but his eyes boring down on me put me off.

"You might not believe me but I plan to make you do so. So we will start with the basics. You are hired as my PA," I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact he said he fancied me and now this?

"You are free to turn down my offer but I know you need money now that you are fired and you've been on a writer's bloke for so long now,"

"I'm sorry sir but are you stalking me? Or how else do you seem to know everything about me? First my name, my parents visit, my work place and now about my unemployment status? "I wondered out aloud.

"Well...I wouldn't exactly call it stalking ... More like getting to know you better," he pointed out leaning back on his seat. Getting to know me better? That was literally stalking in capital letters.

"This is insane," I whispered under my breath.

"So about you being my PA...You are free to go over the decision but I need the answer in...exactly two minutes," He glanced at his watch.

What the fuck is going on? Was I in some kind of bad dream? Was Dominic Valiente offering me a job and blackmailing me at the same time? My mind was reeling with so many unanswered questions. I had just been fired and out of the blues the cold, ruthless business Icon Dominic Valiente was offering me a job. Was I supposed to take it? I mean writing has been my forte since I was a teenager but right now, I had no job and in two months, I would be damn broke if I didn't get a job soon enough.

"Time out. What is your decision?" He questioned as the limo halted to a stop.

"I can't take it," I replied firmly.

A crestfallen but angry look hovered over his eyes but it was soon replaced by a blank, unreadable expression.

"In case you change your mind, here is my card," He handed me a business card as the door slid open.

It had stopped right outside my brother's workplace. What the hell?

"How did you-" I didn't even bother to finish up the question.

"Have a great day Miss Wilde and do pass my greetings to Julian," I slid out and rushed inside directly to where Julian was chatting off with a co- worker. The only thought that wrung in my head was Julian. How the hell did he know Julian?

Sliding into the seat I watched him walk over to me.

"I need a drink and a really strong one at that," I ordered.

"What are we drinking for? Celebration or devastation?"" He inquired pouring shots for both of us. Though it was against rules to drink during work, Julian was always breaking the rules.

"I'm not sure anymore to be honest," I admitted sighing.

"Wait, so did you get fired or not? "He was just as confused as I was.

"Well I did get fired then I was offered a job as a PA to guess who?"

"Come on, you know I failed all my guess quizzes, "Well that was without a doubt true.

"Let me give you some clues then. He is tall, rarely smiles, definitely not a womanizer, a multi billionaire and rumored to be in the Mafia. He is also Italian and dominates the hotel industry,"

"You are not talking about Dominic, are you? "His face was contorted in a both a surprised and confused frown.

"Yep. Do you think it's weird I'm actually considering his offer? I mean I literally have nothing else to do. I could probably work there for a few months while trying to get over my writer's block and then look for another publishing deal while I get my shit together, "I shrugged chugging down the shot.

I felt the burning sensation churning its way down my intestines. Well, that was strong.

"I was going to tell you to slow down on that, "He pointed out but it was too late because I was feeling like my insides were on fire, "I'm not the gossipy type but how exactly did he end up offering you are job?"

A couple of shots later I was feeling so drunk, barely making out anyone's face but I already spilled out everything to Julian.

"God! You are fucking drunk. I'll call a cab for you,"

"Don't bother yourself. I got it," I barely recognized the voice before I sagged forward, my head hitting the counter with a slight bang before I passed out.