“That is both irrelevant to my job performance and an absurd consideration in the professional realm.”
“While your opinion is noted, the public image of this company is critical at a time when we’re seeking to expand overseas. Public and director confidence in our leader must be at an all-time high, not tainted by sleazy tabloid antics. Rehab your image. You have two months to do so.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s, shall we say, a business plan with a definite deadline in place,” Bellows said. “You need to fix your tarnished image. Get a wholesome girl. Show her off to the world. Let the world fall in love with her. Get photographs of her smiling and gazing into your eyes like she’s never been happier. Then romance the hell out of her, and show everyone what a wonderful guy you truly are. That’s how you get back into grace with the public. And they’re very forgiving. You just tell them you realized the error of your ways, and that this woman has changed you for the better, and that you’re smitten. And the old playboy has retired. That because of fate, you’re now a one woman man, that this woman has literally brought you down to your knees. Show the world you’ve found the love of your life. You can do this, Harvey. I know you can.”
Reeling, Harvey nodded to them and stalked out without another word. He had no choice. His career, his reputation as a rising star in the world of finance whose bold business decisions were virtually untouchable, was under siege from hyper-conservative directors. He’d spent more than a decade building his career and had achieved phenomenal success already. Being terminated from an executive position for ‘personal problems’ would be a blight on his record, would crash the demand for his rehabbing services. That was what he liked—flitting from company to company every two or three years, fixing one up and moving on to the next, rather like those people on television who ‘flipped’ old houses only on a much larger scale.
He had wealth and success, but he didn’t fancy the idea of an acrimonious resignation or firing, didn’t relish the threat of recrimination. This could hurt his personal brand, his brilliant track record. Every company he’d ever helmed had begged him to stay on, had offered him outrageous sums of money and incentives to remain. Until now. They were challenging his character and ability and he didn’t take kindly to the question.
Geraldine was a friend whom he shared one kiss with. If she wanted to be with her cheating husband over him, then so be it. Harvey was also dating a beautiful heiress. He wasn’t so attached to her that he wouldn’t cut her l
oose in an instant. It was the principle of the matter, of being forced into breaking it off with an attractive and amusing woman before he was done with her. Still, she had to go. She was hardly worth his career. Now, for a suitable candidate for his new love, his ‘fiancée’ that the board insisted upon. He couldn’t imagine pretending to dote on any of his recent lovers, not to mention he usually had to dump them for being clingy, so crawling back asking for a favor didn’t appeal to him much. It needed to be someone new, someone fresh the press hadn’t scented yet.
They wanted a Cinderella angle for good publicity. He considered his employees. It might as well be someone on his payroll who was loyal and trustworthy, who might do the favor for extra cash. Greta was engaged, so she was out, despite his admiration for her practical nature—she would have agreed to a fake engagement and never given him any nonsense about feelings. Mrs. Marks was too old. Mariel was too…scary. Two of the maids didn’t speak English which would make giving them instructions as to how to behave at formal events a challenge. His secretary wouldn’t give him the time of day no matter how much money he flaunted. His personal assistant was married. That left the intriguing little morsel, Bella. She’d certainly be attractive enough that the media and stockholders would see her appeal for him. She had that rural innocence that would play well in the press as well. Young and guileless and a pretty blonde. Yes, she’d do.
He went back home for the express purpose of making her a proposition. He found her snacking on an apple in the kitchen and chatting to Fabrice. Harvey gave the chef a pointed look and the man excused himself immediately, leaving half-chopped vegetables on the counter and vacating just as he should at a nod from his employer. Bella looked up and smiled at him, “It’s not as good as lemon cake, but it’s still delicious. Want one?” He shook his head.
“I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“What? Because I don’t do cat suits.”
“I beg your pardon for the bluntness, but I find myself in a situation that requires me to reassign you from housekeeping to another division in my household.”
“Really? Have I made a mistake?” she asked, and he could see her get nervous.
“Not at all. You’re just imminently suitable demographically for a short-term project I need to get underway.”
“Demographically?”
“Yes. You’re the right age and the right physical type. You’ll appeal to my target audience quite well.”
“Audience? I’m not into adult films.”
She laughed as he smiled.
“So who is this audience?” she asked.
“The board of directors and stockholders of Bellingford Finance. They don’t like my recent social activities, and it would be to my benefit to settle down with one woman. In theory, that is, if not in practice, for the period of two to three months pending my employment appraisal. I need a fiancée for hire, and you’re the woman I’ve chosen.”
“I—I—I’m flattered, I guess. I mean, I saw Pretty Woman and thought being hired by a handsome, wealthy man would be a sweet deal, but I’m not that kind of girl, and I don’t sell that sort of thing.”
“I don’t intend to take advantage of you, either physically or emotionally, nor would I expect you to sell your body. This would be a business arrangement in which I compensate you financially for making certain public appearances in which you pose as my fiancée. You would continue to live here, and we would publically state that we were romantically involved and looked forward to a future together. It would be an acting job, basically.”
“Platonic?”
“Strictly. Displays of affection would be necessary in a staged setting for photo opportunities only.”
“So we’d kiss?” she asked.
“Yes. You would be able to keep any wardrobe and gifts you acquired as well as the financial package.”
“I don’t want to be paid to kiss someone. That sounds really—clinical and cold. Anyway, I don’t think that’s a good idea for me. It’s a very practical offer, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline. I hope you find somebody who fits what you need, Harvey. Thanks for asking me,” she said, clearly ready to run out of the kitchen from awkwardness.
“I apologize for making you uncomfortable. It was never my intention. I hope you’ll reconsider.”
“I won’t, but thanks. I’ve got to get ready. I’m meeting some friends in Phoenix in a couple of hours.”