The CEO's Romantic Wager

Chapter Eight: Special Delivery

As evening drew nearer, Jayla Beckett’s already frayed nerves began to grow even more taut.

Despite her best efforts to act indifferent in front of Gimorrah, her anxiety was getting the better of her. She had poured her heart out to her best friend earlier, recounting the bizarre deal she’d struck with her boss, Ajax Creed, and the details of their earlier conversation, even though she knew she wasn’t supposed to… but Gimorrah was no blabbermouth, so her secret was safe.

Now, as she lounged in her room on the vanity chair with her legs tucked under her, trying to appear nonchalant, her friend seemed to be the one who was sucked in all the excitement.

In a whirlwind of eagerness and activity, Gimorrah had practically bullied Jayla into getting her hair done, and then she had resorted to blackmailing to get her to make up her face, and despite her many protests, Jayla found herself seated at the vanity while Gimorrah curled her hair into soft, loose waves that cascaded over her shoulders. Her makeup was minimal but stunning, with a touch of gold shimmer on her eyelids and a bold red lip that made her complexion glow.

Yes, it was not her usual look.

The beautiful black woman had also picked up some simple yet sexy lingerie for her friend, and she had gone into her room for a brief moment only to return to find Jayla clad in an oversized sweatshirt and yoga pants.

“Oh, honey, you are not wearing that,” Gimorrah declared, gesturing at the frumpy outfit.

Jayla rolled her eyes. “Relax, Gim. Just look at the time, it’s almost six, and the dress Mr. Creed promised isn’t even here yet. Honestly, I’m starting to think he wasn’t serious in the first place.” She admitted the one thing that had been lingering on her mind since she got home.

“I mean, who sends someone a dress without knowing their address, Gimorrah?” She asked, “And on the off chance that he actually does know where I live, what kind of lunatic keeps tabs on his assistant's house?”

The slender, dark-skinned artist arched a perfect eyebrow, her hand pausing midair as she reached for another outfit, a sultry chuckle slipping past her lips at the many questions from her friend, “Oh Jayla, dearest, you clearly don’t know men like Ajax Creed,” She replied with a wink as she resumed rifling through Jayla’s closet and tossing items onto the bed. “The man is a billionaire CEO, Jayla, and guys like him… they don’t joke about things like this. He really strikes me as the kind of man who doesn’t say or do anything he doesn’t mean.”

It wasn’t technically a lie.

But Jayla groaned anyway. “You’re putting too much faith in this guy, Gimorrah. For all I know, this was just some weird power move, and I’m sitting here like an i***t, waiting for a dress that’ll never show up.”

Gimorrah turned, hands on her hips, a very curious glint in her hazel eyes. “And what if it does show up? What then?”

What then?

“Then I’ll... I don’t know, I’ll put it on and wait to be ghosted?” Jayla retorted impatiently, crossing her arms.

Wait, why was she getting mad at her friend when the girl had done nothing wrong?

Jayla took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

“It’s just, I think it’s crazy to trust a man based on his word alone. Men say all kinds of things they don’t mean, you know?” But then she shot her friend a teasing grin, “Wait, you don’t know… you chase women after all,” She retorted with a chuckle.

Gimorrah joined in the laughter. “Ouch, I guess I deserved that.”

But Jayla soon turned serious. “You know, knowing him, he’s probably sitting in his penthouse right now, sipping expensive whiskey and laughing about how gullible I am to have believed a word he said.”

Gimorrah smirked, holding up a simple peach satin dress, “Someone’s thinking about her boss an awful lot,” She teased.

Jayla swatted at her friend, her face flushing. “Come on Gim, I’m serious! Besides, even if he does show up, I’m not so sure how I feel about all of this. The whole thing feels... weird. I mean, I’m pretending to be his girlfriend for money, for crying out loud. What will people think when they see us together? That I’m sleeping my way to the top? That I seduced him?”

Gimorrah shrugged, unfazed. “Who cares what the f**k anyone thinks? Let them think what they want, Jay. You know the truth and that is all that matters. And if it means a paycheck and some holiday fun in the process, who cares?” She stared at her friend with her hard, piercing eyes. “Anyway, let’s pick something cute, just in case the dress doesn’t show, but he does.”

Jayla groaned, sinking back into the couch cushions tiredly. “Come on, Gimorrah, this is ridiculous.”

“No, you come on, Jay… stop being impossible. Look, even if he’s a no-show, you’re going to look phenomenal. And if he flakes, guess what? We’ll hit the town, have some drinks, and turn heads. No harm, no foul.”

But before Jayla could respond, there was a knock at the door.

Both women froze, staring at each other like deer caught in headlights. Slowly, Gimorrah’s lips twitched into an excited grin. “You were saying?”

Jayla’s eyes widened as Gimorrah squealed excitedly, and lucky for her, she managed to grab hold of her excited friend before she could dash over to the door.

“Come on Jay, what if it’s him? You had been waiting for a sign, and now, it is finally here.”

But Jayla shook her head, “It’s not him,” She insisted, but her voice betrayed her nerves.

“Well, only one way to find out.”

Gimorrah tore her arm from her friend’s grasp and headed for the door.

She returned moments later with a huge box, her face glowing with excitement. “Delivery for Ms. Beckett,” she announced theatrically, holding the package like it was some gift prize to be presented. “Looks like Mr. Creed does know where you live after all.”

Jayla blinked, completely dumbfounded. “No way.”

All this while, she had concluded in her head that their agreed-upon dinner was not happening, but against all odds, he had managed to find her house and have the dress he had promised her delivered on time.

The blonde assistant snatched the box from her friend, and she eagerly unzipped it to reveal a stunning, floor-length emerald green gown. It was strapless, with a sweetheart neckline, a cinched waist, and a thigh-high slit that was both elegant and daring. The fabric shimmered softly under the light, catching hints of gold in its folds.

It had been paired with golden six-inch open-toe heels.

“Oh, my God,” Gimorrah breathed, her eyes wide in love. “Jayla, this dress... it’s everything.”

Jayla herself was speechless at the grand gesture, and for a moment, all her fears, all her doubts and reservations… they all melted away only to be replaced by a strange mix of awe and anticipation.

Gimorrah clapped her hands together gleefully, snapping her back to the present. “Come on Jayla, it’s already six forty-five, let’s get you into your lovely dress before Mr. Creed gets here.”

When she finally slipped into the dress, Jayla couldn’t help but stare at her reflection. The gown fit her like a glove, accentuating every curve without being too revealing.

“Oh, my word, you look like a goddess,” Gimorrah said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “If only you’d allow me to dress you up every day instead of styling yourself in those frumpy outfits,”

Jayla turned, letting out a small, nervous laugh. “Hey, there is nothing wrong with the clothes I wear, you’re just hating.”

Another knock sounded at the door before Gimorrah could retort, and despite her efforts to look calm and collected, Jayla actually felt her heart leap into her throat as Gimorrah practically skipped over to answer it.

The artist threw the door open to reveal Ajax Creed, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored charcoal suit, his tie a deep emerald that matched her dress perfectly.

God, the man really was sinfully gorgeous.

His eyes brushed past the woman who had opened the door for him, instantly finding his assistant, and for a moment, neither of them spoke as they held each other’s gazes.

Jayla felt her breath hitch as his gaze swept over her, his expression unreadable but intense.

She knew she looked good in the dress, but something about his reaction made the feeling a million times better, and she actually wanted nothing more than to compliment him on how lovely he looked himself in that suit, but she couldn’t bring herself to form the words.

“Well, don’t just stand there, guys,” Gimorrah cut through the tension impatiently, breaking the silence with her signature teasing tone. “Invite him in or something, Jayla. Or should I give you two a moment?”

“Apologies, do come in, Mr. Creed,” Jayla murmured shamefully, stepping back to let him in.

Ajax's lips stretched out in an acknowledging smirk as he entered their apartment, and then he painfully tore his gaze away from his assistant to meet her friend.

“Gimorrah, it really is nice to see you again. I must say, your friend does clean up nice.” His gaze moved over to Jayla again, scanning her slowly, purposefully from head to toe. “You… you really look... stunning, Ms. Beckett,” he said, his voice low and smooth as he showered her with compliments.

Jayla swallowed hard, her cheeks heating. “Thanks, Mr. Creed. You’re... early.”

“Punctual,” he corrected with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“You two should be on your way since I’m practically being ignored and I’m not used to not being the center of attention,” Gimorrah grumbled playfully, leaning against the doorframe. “Jayla, text me every hour, okay? If I need to track you two down and handle him if he’s bothering you, you know I won’t hesitate for a second.”

Jayla didn’t doubt that.

The executive assistant grabbed her clutch, shooting her boss a look, “Shall we?”

The tension in the air was palpable as Ajax extended an arm toward his assistant. His gaze lingered on her, a mixture of admiration and satisfaction flickering in his sharp, grey eyes. The dress on her was everything, and for a second, Ajax thought that perhaps he might have made a mistake in choosing it for her, because the last thing he needed was any growing affection for the woman, when this was supposed to be nothing more than a fake arrangement.

But Ajax forced all the thoughts away, clearing his throat slightly as his arm found hers, the action taking Jayla a bit by surprise. “We shall,” He replied smoothly, his deep voice sending an unexpected shiver down her spine.

As the duo bid her goodbye and stepped out, Gimorrah watched them leave, her playful expression slipping into something more thoughtful, almost unreadable.

She closed the door softly, her mind racing with curiosity about the man who’d just walked out with her best friend.

Those two were already in too deep, that much was clear as day.

She only wondered how long it would take them to notice it.