The Billionaire and the Assistant (The Billionaires 3)

“Er, Eli, have you forgotten I’m your assistant and I go out to get anything you need?”

“Oh, yeah, you do. Well, this time I need to go out myself. I’ll be going past a McDonald's, fancy a naughty treat?”

Her cheeks flushed, and I berated myself. I’d done it again—made her think something weird was going on. She’d be back to thinking I was about to fire her now I was going out doing my own thing.

“No, I’m fine thank you. I brought in my own lunch.”

“Okay. Well I’ll be back shortly. I’m expecting a call from, er, a Terry Saunders. Could you book him in for a business dinner tomorrow evening if he says he’s free? And you’d be able to come along, right? Take some notes.”

“Yeah, sorry, yes, of course.” Alex said. “Well, enjoy, er, whatever it is you’re doing.”

“I will.” I said far too cheerily and then I left the office where I slapped myself across my own cheeks in the elevator for acting like such a jerk.

Alex

It had to be another woman.

I slumped back in my chair and could feel tears threatening my eyes. He was jumpy, secretive and now had gone out for lunch. Thinking about it, he’d looked extra smart today. He usually had his top button undone and his tie in his briefcase, but he’d come in today completely attired. Oh God, he’d met someone. I was going to die. Why not me? Why did he not want me? I pondered over his strange behavior this morning again. Right. At the meeting tomorrow evening I would wear my best outfit and try to be a little extra chatty. Maybe

I would even be the slightest bit flirty and see if I could engage Eli in seeing me as anything other than his assistant. Although if he’d already met someone I was probably too late. Oh my God as his assistant he’d want me to help book their wedding. I’d have to leave.

I tried taking deep breaths to calm myself down. I hadn’t been fired but I might have to leave, anyway.

The office phone rang.

“Mr. King’s office. Alexandra Cross speaking.”

“Good day.” A very British accent came down the line. “Terry Saunders here. I’m needing to set up a dinner appointment with Eli, the jolly old fellow.”

The man sounded a little eccentric, but I guessed Eli knew him of old or knew he was legit. “Yes, would you be free to dine at Elena’s at seven tomorrow evening?”

“Jolly good, I’ll see him then.” He replied and hung up before I could elicit any further details from him. I’d have to hope Mr. Saunders knew the restaurant as he’d not asked me for the address.

Eli

Surely to God, she’d not fallen for that accent. It was the only thing I could think of, having played a rich British aristocrat in a school play years back. I’d kept the call brief, so that I didn’t accidentally slip into my own voice and have her think I was a complete lunatic. Because of course leaving my office to impersonate a British businessman was entirely normal. Anyway, it was done. I had a date with Alex the following evening even if she didn’t know it yet. If we had a good time, maybe I could properly ask her out on a second date? Maybe…

Chapter 2

Eli

The following day I was out at a site visit all morning meeting my Realtor, Haley Martin. I’d known Haley for three years now since I’d first made my alliance with Arthur Green and his Real Estate agency. It had made no sense for me to build up a separate business when I could work with a man who knew real estate inside out. We’d made Haley my liaison, with her friend Tiffany—who also worked for Green’s—as second in command.

Both women were fabulous at their job. I had a great professional working relationship with both of them, but had to say that Haley was how I’d wished my daughter had turned out in personality. She was fresh and genuine, and since I’d known her and she’d settled into her relationship with Chase and Todd (yes both of them), her confidence had grown. She’d bloomed in front of my eyes.

Today she stood outside a condo in Brooklyn. I walked over to her and shook her hand.

“Whatever,” she said and gave me a hug.

“I can’t help myself, I’m a gentleman.” I told her, receiving a smile in return.

“You most definitely are, and a pleasure to work with, and I, as the best Realtor ever, have found you the most amazing condo that will make you even more billions to go with the ones you already have.”

“Music to my ears, Miss Martin, and of course you’ll also benefit from one extremely high commission.”

“I know.” She replied. “Which will come in very handy in buying lots of things for the baby.”

“The, what?” I immediately looked down at her stomach, which looked the same as usual to me.