Let's play pretend: CEO's "escort" girl

Chapter 05 A Bold Move

Raven

Days passed, and there was no word from Richard. I got a bit nervous, unable to swallow my pride and reach out to him. As time passed, my pride became insignificant, and I began to wonder whether or not I should call Richard for the cheque he offered. When I decided I would. I realised I didn't have his number, and neither did he have mine. So how was he going to contact me? I began to dread the fact that I had lost the opportunity. Besides, the job seemed like a spur-of-the-moment thing. What if he had changed his mind? What if he had found someone better for the role? It was pretty presumptuous of me to think he would chase after me for this. I had only one way to find out. I could either win or lose badly, but either way, I would have to make an effort.

Jane had left early to wherever she was going, leaving me alone in the house. It would have been easier for me to ask her to get Richard's number from Thomas, but I did not know if Thomas would give her Richard's contact or what it might cost her. Knowing the nature of her relationship with Thomas to be professional, I didn't want to put her in an uncomfortable situation. Besides, I doubt Thomas would give Jane Richards's number. The valid argument would be that Richard would have given me his number if he wanted me to have it or asked for mine if he wanted to stay in touch. I had only one option: to head To Bradford Corporation and ask to see Richard in person.

It was crazy. After all, he was the CEO, and there was no guarantee that the guy would be in the office, but desperate situations call for desperate measures.

Knowing my cheap clothes wouldn't do for the stunt I was about to pull, I decided to borrow Jane's clothes. I left her a note apologising and promised to have it drycleaned and returned.

Searching all my purses, I was able to come up with fifty dollars, and I figured that was good enough for a cab to the commercial side of the city. I knew what I was doing was crazy, but I had already set everything in motion. The worst outcome would not break me, and that was good enough for me.

Hailing a cab, I sat tight as the driver drove me to my destination.

Arriving at the towering skyscraper, I couldn't help but feel a wave of intimidation wash over me as I gazed up at its imposing height. Uncertainty gnawed at me, threatening to erode my resolve, but I pushed myself forward, determined to see this through.

Making my way to the ground floor, I spotted an information desk that also served as a reception area, and I approached it with hesitant steps.

The man behind the desk appeared engrossed in a phone conversation, so I patiently waited for him to finish, avoiding the urge to let my nerves show. Instead, I maintained a facade of confidence, keeping my gaze fixed on him as I silently urged him to conclude his call. Finally, he hung up, and I took note of his name tag, which identified him as David.

"Hello, David," I greeted, attempting to project an air of calm despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. His response was devoid of a smile, though he seemed attentive to my presence.

"How may I help you, Madam?" he inquired, his tone professional but devoid of warmth. In an effort to break the ice, I offered a small smile.

"It's Miss Livingstone. But you can call me Raven," I replied, hoping to ease the tension that seemed to linger between us. His lips curved into a slight smile, though his demeanour remained guarded.

"How may I help you, Raven?" David asked, his expression still tinged with scepticism.

"I'm here to see Richard," I replied, deliberately omitting his surname to maintain an air of informality between us. David's frown deepened, indicating his confusion.

"Richard Bradford?" I clarified, hoping to jog his memory. His eyes widened in recognition.

"Do you have an appointment?" he inquired, a hint of concern evident in his tone. I shook my head in response.

"No, but he's expecting me," I asserted confidently, though David's response dampened my optimism.

"I'm afraid I can't allow you to see him without an appointment, Raven," he stated firmly. I persisted, urging him to make an exception.

"Just call and inform him that Raven is here to finalise our discussion," I suggested, but David remained resolute.

"Why didn't you call him beforehand?" he questioned, assessing me with a sceptical gaze.

"I left my phone at home. I realised I didn't have it when I arrived here. Please, just let him know I'm here. I'm sure he won't be upset," I implored, hoping to sway him. Just then, a stern-looking young woman emerged from the elevator, heading in our direction.

The woman exuded an air of arrogance, sparing me not even a glance as she approached. With her nose held high, she carried herself with an unmistakable aura of authority as if she were the master of the entire building. Turning to David with a dismissive demeanour, she addressed him in a tone dripping with condescension.

"David, the boss, has made it clear that he does not want any disruptions. Inform any new visitors to either wait until evening or reschedule their appointments. No one is to be sent up," she commanded, her gaze fixating on the telephone receiver on David's desk. A flicker of anger flashed across her features, causing David to visibly shrink in apprehension.

"I had to come down here to inform you because you've been tying up the line," she continued, her voice laced with irritation. David glanced at the phone, realising that, indeed, the receiver had not been properly placed, indicating that the line had been engaged.

"Miss Raven Livingstone is here to see Mr. Bradford," David interjected, coming to my aid as the woman turned her attention towards me. I could sense her trying to place me, and I silently thanked my decision to borrow Jane's attire, knowing that this woman appeared to be the judgmental and arrogant type.

"I'm afraid Mr Bradford won't be available to see anyone without an appointment. You should schedule a meeting or return in the evening," she asserted firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. Unfazed, I maintained a polite demeanour and addressed her directly.

"Hello. I'm certain he wouldn't mind. We're friends, after all. I'm sure he'd be glad to see me. I would have called him, but I left my phone at home on my way here. Just please inform him I'm here to meet with him. I'm confident he'll see me," I explained calmly, hoping to appeal to her sense of reason. However, her response was far from accommodating.

She chuckled dismissively, her laughter laced with an intent to humiliate. I could feel the eyes of others around us, drawn by her actions, and it only served to heighten my discomfort.

"Mr. Bradford does not make friends with people like you. I am his only female friend and personal assistant. He doesn't have time for this nonsense. We can't let every desperate woman walk in here and see the boss. What do you take this place for, Raven Livingstone, if that indeed is your real name? If you were close, I would know you because I am always with him. Other than Miss Mascott, I am the closest to him. Now, please stop your social climbing or spying moves and leave this place before I call security to escort you out," she declared, her voice rising with each accusation. Laughter echoed from some while others remained silent, their gazes fixed on the unfolding scene.

Her words struck me like a barrage of blows, each one carrying a sharp sting of humiliation. The assertion that Mr. Bradford didn't associate with someone like me, paired with her claim of exclusivity as his confidante, left me feeling belittled and insignificant. Her insinuation of desperation and social climbing only served to deepen my discomfort, and I could sense the scrutiny of those around us, some observing with curiosity, others with thinly veiled amusement.

"At least tell him my name. If he refuses to see me, I will leave," I managed to utter, my voice betraying the faltering of my resolve. I realised now the folly of assuming it would be simple to gain an audience with a man as influential as Richard. I had indeed overestimated my standing and found myself in waters far deeper than I had anticipated.

"I will do no such thing. My judgment and efficiency are why I have retained this position for as long as I have. If I don't know you, then Richard doesn't know you," she retorted, suggesting a closeness in her relationship with Richard that surpassed mere professional boundaries.