My Fake Billionaire Boyfriend (on hold)

Chapter 2

BLAKE'S POV

At five thirty the next morning I pulled up outside TJ’S house, pulling out my phone I text her to let her know I was here and dropped my phone into the holder. Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel I started to look around, this was a nice secure neighbourhood she's done well for herself. I was pulled from my thoughts as the door opened and she climbed in. “Morning,” she yawned and placed her bags on the floor. “Good morning,” I chipped, “did you get everything sorted for today?” I asked as I pulled away. 

“After a screaming match with my mom I did, I got three hours sleep, I could kill that woman,” she huffed. “What did she do now?” I asked. I couldn’t judge her mom yet I’d only met her once, but I did know she was the type of woman that liked to have control over everyone and have things her way. Yesterday she had no regard for TJ nor my feelings or opinions on the whole bringing another date thing. She was the type of woman that never thought what she was doing was wrong. 

“She called all my brothers and told them that I was with a guy that was trying to control me and she was worried about me. So of course they all called me wanting to know what was going on, they don’t believe her but I was so angry. I called her and started screaming down the phone then she starting crying asking why I was being so horrible to her! I swear after this wedding I’m moving to a different country, I can’t deal with that woman anymore!” she ranted. 

“And breath,” I chuckled and patted her knee, “look TJ you just need to learn not to let her get to you. If she knows she’s bothering you she'll keep going, if you ignore her she’ll eventually stop.” “How can I ignore her? She interferes with my life every day, my high school boyfriend dumped me because he said he was in a relationship with me and my mom! When I rang to speak to agent advertising my office she took the phone off me and kept saying things like we won’t pay more than this, we want this this and this in the office. I had to cancel the call and call him back from my car, I nearly lost the place before I even got it because of her,” she muttered. 

Pulling up outside her office I turned off the engine and turned to face her, “I may be speaking out of turn here, but I think the woman is controlling toxic and not good for you at all. I’ve seen these types of people before, best thing to do is cut her from your life permanently or until she changes her ways.” “How do you cut your mom out of your life?” she sighed and pulled off her belt, “thanks for the ride Blake and I’m sorry to burn your ears off at this early hour.” 

“It’s no problem, will you be in today? We still need to sort out the weekend.” She nodded and climbed out, “I’ve interviews until eight, I’ll stop in before I hit the road.” “Alright, see you then,” I smiled and watched her go inside. 

... 

Getting to the coffee shop I parked in my spot and made my way inside, since it was now Friday I’d a lot to get through so I could go with TJ tomorrow. Letting myself in I turned on the lights and started up the machines. Walking around the counter I started to take down all the chairs while I waited for the machines to heat up. 

A little while later I made myself a coffee then got an idea, pouring another cup I put the caps on and walked around the counter. Grabbing two pastries I put them into a bag and let myself out the front door. It was only six am, she'd still be by herself. 

The walk to TJ’S office was quick, peeking through the glass I saw her sitting at her desk with her head down. Tapping on the window I waved when she looked up. She smiled and stood up before walking to the door and unlocking it, “hey, what are you doing here?” she asked as she let me in. I walked in and took a look around before turning back to her, “I won’t keep you just thought you could do with these,” I said and held the coffee and pastries. 

“Aww, you’re so sweet, thank you Blake,” she replied and took them from me. “I’ll let you get on, just wanted to drop them off,” I said and started to walk towards the door. “Wait, aren’t you going to have your coffee with me?” she asked nodding to my cup. “Sure, if you’re not too busy,” I replied and walked back to her desk. “My brain is fried already,” she replied and sat back down, “and thanks, to this stupid dinner I’ve to cram in like fifteen viewings before we leave tomorrow. I hope nothing else comes in today.” 

“Couldn’t you shift some of them until Monday?” I asked, “you’re putting a lot on yourself TJ.” “I’ve just started a real estate business, I’ve worked my ass off. How will it look if I start shifting appointments already?” she sighed. “TJ, you’ve been open about six months now, you should have people to help you out,” I replied. “I know,” she muttered, “but I put all my savings into this place and courses and everything else that comes with it. I hadn’t got the money to hire someone else, things are only starting to pick up now which is why I’m only doing interviews today.” 

“How many do you have?” I asked curiously. “Um,” she said and looked down at papers on her desk, “eight, I’m hoping to hire two today. One who can help with viewings and all and one as an assistant to stay here in the office.” I nodded and pushed myself up off her desk, “make sure you pick someone today...I better go before my staff start to arrive. Don’t forget to call into me before you head off!” I called and sent her a wave as I let myself out. 

..... 

At about eight thirty the morning rush had slowed down and I had a few minutes to myself. Grabbing a coffee and paperwork for one of the hotels I walked to the table at the back that TJ always took and dropped into a chair. She hadn’t dropped in so I assumed she was too busy, or got held up with her interviews. Pulling a folder to me I opened it an began to scan the pages, our newest hotel that I owned with my brother was hosting three weddings this weekend and he wanted me to go through everything to make sure everything was on track and nothing had been messed up. 

“Hey,” her chirpy voice came as she dropped into a seat across from me. “Hey, how were the interviews?” “Painful,” she groaned, “three of them had no experience at all, which I advertised was needed. One of them was a fifty year old woman that just wanted to get out of the house for a few hours. One girl thought I wanted to go into business with her and stormed off when I explained I didn’t.” 

“TJ,” I sighed. “Let me finish,” she cut in, “two were okay but their resumes weren’t great for what I wanted. The last two were brilliant, one is a guy, if hired he'll be an agent and doing viewings, he’s nice and seems real down to earth. The other one is a young girl that had lots of experience as an assistant, she’s quite bubbly, I like her.” 

“Why does she have so much experience if she’s only a young girl? Did she jump from job to job a lot? That could be a bad sign. Did you look at her references?” I asked. She nodded and pulled out papers, “her dad owns a few office buildings and runs some company. She said she stood in a lot if they needed an assistant, she covered a few maternity leaves and sick leaves or just until someone could be replaced, here,” she said slid me the papers. “You have a look and tell me what you think, I’ll get them off you later, I told them I’d let them know by the end of the weekend,” she said and stood up. “I have to head now, I’ll hopefully be back by six, we can grab dinner and sort out the weekend if you want,” she suggested. 

“Actually, I’ve to go to one of the hotels for the day, how about you come to mine and I’ll make us dinner?” I asked, "to come back here I’d have to drive by my house anyway." She nodded and leaned over the table, “okay, but is this your real house or the apartment for all your girls?” she teased. “My real house,” I chuckled, “I’ll call you when I’m on the way back and see where you are.” “Oh wow, I get to see Blake Cassidy's real house, I feel so special,” she teased with a giggle. I couldn’t help but smile, she can be such a dorky i***t sometimes, “go, before it is the apartment.” “I’m going.....have a great day!” she called as she hurried towards the door. 

..... 

Later that morning I walked into the hotel with my head down and walked towards my office, I knew my brother would be waiting for me, he's always a nervous wreck before functions. I don’t know why though, we had event planners for this type of stuff so he really didn’t have to do much. Pushing the door in I looked towards the window and sure enough, there he was pacing back and forth, “sit down Lee, you’ll give yourself a headache,” I chuckled and walked to my desk. 

“Sorry,” he sighed and walked to a chair before dropping into it, “my nerves are at me.” I watched him in amusement as his knee bobbed up and down, “you’d swear you were the one getting married.” He scoffed and rolled his eyes, “don’t have me thinking about that, Naomi wants a Christmas wedding now....did you look over the files?” “Yeah, it’s all fine, we’re good to go. I linked in with Imelda on the way over, she’s already had two of the rooms decorated. Everything will be ready early in the morning for all three weddings,” I replied and slid the file back to him. 

“Thanks man,” he said and picked it up, “I don’t know why I still get so nervous, we’ve done thousands of events.” I shook my head and sat back in my seat, “so a Christmas wedding? Has she become bridezilla yet?” “Not yet but she’s not far off it, she cried for twenty minutes yesterday because a girl she went to school with is getting married in the same place as us before us,” he replied. I laughed and patted my pocket as my phone rang, reaching into my pocket I pulled it out. Seeing TJ's name I frowned, I hope she wasn’t calling to cancel. 

“Sorry, one sec......TJ?” I greeted. “Hey babe, I know you’re busy so just a quick one for you, I might not make it back until about seven is that okay?” “Babe?” I chuckled and glanced at my brother who was now smirking at me with raised eyebrows. “Just trying it out for the weekend,” she giggled, “so is seven okay?” “Yeah seven is fine, just call me when you’re back, I’ve no other plans,” I replied. “Okay, I’m just pulling up to my next appointment so I’ll call you later.....bye.” “okay, I’ll talk to you then, bye,” I replied and hung up. 

“Wellllll,” Lee drawled, “you’ve got some explaining to do,” he said with a wide grin.....damn! 

..... 

“So she wants you to be her fake boyfriend to keep her mom off her back?” Lee asked a while later as we sat in the bar. I’d explained everything about her mom and how they had turned up at the coffee shop putting us on the spot. “Basically,” I shrugged, “I don’t mind though, I like TJ, she’s a nice girl and a good friend. Her mom is crazy, she even suggested that she still bring the date she’d originally set up for her when I said I couldn’t come, while I was sitting there. You should see her Lee, the woman is worse than dad, she’s constantly on TJ's back.” 

He grimaced and downed his drink, “no one is worse than dad Blake, thank god he likes Naomi.” “She’s way worse than dad, she didn’t like the fact that I’d spoken up for TJ and text her after they left saying she didn’t like me. She said I was jealous and possessive, that it wouldn’t be long before I stopped her from speaking to her family...she’s nuts,” I chuckled. He shook his head and pushed his glass away from him, “is this gonna be a friends with benefits thing?” 

“What? No, she’s my friend, and a good one at that, there’ll be none of that stuff,” I replied. He nodded slowly for a few seconds, “just be careful Blake, I know she’s your friend and you’re helping her out. Things can change, what if you really like her and fall for her, or her you? This could be messy, you need to be careful you don’t get too attached or send out the wrong signals.....I’d hate to see you get hurt.” 

“I won’t, I’m not attracted to her at all, and neither is she. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a gorgeous looking girl and she's nice and fun to be around, she’s just not my type. We’re just friends Lee, it’ll only be this dinner tomorrow and the sister’s wedding. Hopefully after that I’ll never see her mom again.” “Why don’t you bring her to my wedding? It’ll keep dad off your back too. You’re doing her a favour, she can do you one,” he suggested. 

“That’s an idea,” I nodded, “it would be nice not to worry about him throwing a girl at me.....I’ll think about it, I’d have to speak to TJ about it as well, she might not be up for it.” “Well you’ve four months to sort it out,” he chuckled and stood up, “I gotta go meet Naomi now, as always it’s great to see you Blake. Call me when you get back and let me know how the dinner went,” he replied and slapped my back. 

“You too little brother, tell Naomi I said hi, and if you’re talking to dad do not mention TJ to him or I swear to god Lee, I will kill you,” I replied seriously. “Wouldn’t dream of it...later bro!” he called as he walked away from the bar. 

.... 

Later that evening I turned from the stove as my phone rang on the counter, seeing TJ's name I picked it up and went back to the food. “Hey, are you nearly here?” “Yep, I’m at your gates, do you wanna let me in?” she chuckled. “The code is Four nine six four, the front door will be open when you get here,” I replied as I walked along the hall towards the front door. 

“Who needs codes for their gates? This is some James Bond s**t,” she giggled as she punched the code in. “Okay, I’m in, I’ll be there in a minute.” “Alright, I’ll be in the kitchen,” I replied and hung up, opening the front door I walked back down the hall and into the kitchen. Grabbing two plates I started to dish the food out. 

“A few minutes later I heard the front door close and the click of heels. “Blake?” she called. “In here!” I called back. A few seconds later she appeared in the doorway, “hey, wow, this kitchen is huge, I love the navy and white it’s real homey,” she said as she looked around the kitchen. “Oh, I love this counter top it’s so beautiful,” she added and ran her hands over the white marble. 

“Hey babe, how was your day?” I chuckled and held out a glass of wine for her. She giggled and took it from me, “thank you and my day was just great I closed a deal on three of them, how was yours?” I shrugged and sat at the island gesturing for her to join me, “busy enough, we’ve three weddings in the hotel tomorrow so I went by to make sure everything was in order, and that’s great news about your deals.” 

She sat beside me and pulled her plate closer, "this looks and smells amazing Blake thank you, I can’t remember the last time someone cooked for me.” “You’re welcome, I like to cook, my mom taught me,” I replied. She nodded and bit into her food, “she raised you right, I like a guy that can cook.....do you get many wedding in your hotels?” 

“Yeah, we can host up to eight in one day but I think that’s a little unfair to the staff so we try not to advertise it and only take in four or five bookings. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a full house a few times and the staff were all amazing and they are quite capable. They all did exceptional work and never complained, but we could see how stressed and drained some of them were zooming about trying to keep on top of things. We decided to cut back and 3ase the pressure a bit.” 

“Wow, you’re an amazing boss, you really take care of your staff,” she replied. I smiled and looked back to my food, “I like to think we’re caring and understanding.” 

...... 

We made small talk for the rest of dinner and I was really surprised at how much interest she had in my businesses. She had questions after question and didn’t once seem bored, It was like she was genuinely interested in what I had to say. “Do you want another glass of wine and we can move to the sofa?” I asked as I turned the dishwasher on. She had insisted on helping me clean up and would not take no for an answer. 

“I better not, I’ve to drive home tonight and I’ve back to back viewings from eight tomorrow....I’ll take coffee though if you’re offering.” I chuckled and walked to the coffee pot, “coming right up, go through those doors and sit down,” I said nodding to the double doors that led to the living room. 

A few minutes later I joined her and set a cup in front of her, “alright this weekend?” She cringed and turned her body to face me, “are you really, really sure you wanna do this? My mom can be a right pain in the ass. The woman has no filter or any regard for anyone’s feelings, she’s ten times worse if she doesn’t like you.” “I’ll be fine TJ, I can handle your mom,” I replied. 

“Right,” she nodded slowly, “we need to seem real loved up and comfortable with one another, so you can wrap your arm around me and all that whenever you want. Pecks on the lips are fine with me if it’s fine with you, we will be sharing a room but I’ll take the floor since I’m putting you in this position,” she rambled and blew out a deep breath. 

“Alright,” I nodded, “what else?” “My mom will ask a million and one questions about us, like do you know what my favourite things are, what schools I went to and all of that. I’ve written down as much about myself as I could,” she said and reached into her bag. “You can look at it later or on the way down, whatever you want,” she babbled and handed it to me. 

“You just need to tell me enough about you and we need to sort out how we met, who asked who out first, how long we’re together, how our first date went. Did you walk me home, did you kiss me goodnight.....trust me, my mom will ask this and more. You don’t need to worry though, I promise I won’t leave your side,” she rambled quickly. 

I shook my head and put the page down, “you really need to relax TJ, it’ll be fine. We met in the coffee shop seven months ago, I asked you out first. Our first date was amazing, it was in that little Italian restaurant around the block from your office, we hit it off straight away and have a lot in common. I drove you home but I did walk you up to your door, and yes I did kiss you goodnight.....we went out again two days later and now the rest is history and we’re all loved up and happy together,” I replied. 

“Wow, just wow Blake,” she chuckled, “you know just what to say, I think we may just pull this off.” 

.... 

The next afternoon at four thirty I pulled into TJ's drive and beeped. I’d spoken a lot to her today and she was so worried and nervous, I looked towards the door as it opened and she hurried out with two bags. Climbing out I opened the boot and walked to meet her, “are we a little calmer?” I asked once I got to her. 

“Yes,” she groaned and held her bags out to me, “I’m sorry for the million phone calls today, I’m just thinking about everything that can go wrong.” “I told you to stop worrying, I can handle your mom TJ, you need to stop working yourself up, it’s not good for you,” I replied as I put her bags in the boot. “I know, I just hate these family gatherings....I’ll be two seconds, I left my laptop on the hall table,” she replied and hurried back into the house. 

Another five minutes later and we were on the road, I glanced over at her to see her lost in thought....about her mom no doubt. “Have you decided who you’re going with for the jobs?” I asked pulling her from her daze. 

“Yeah, I’m gonna go with Nathan and Davina, I was thinking about hiring that woman Helen as a cleaner, maybe two days a week....what do you think?” “Is Helen the woman that just wanted to get out of house for a few hours?” I asked. “Yeah, I was thinking about her last night and couldn’t help but feel bad that I’d nothing for her.” 

“I think it’s a great idea, I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. When are you gonna call them and let them know?” I asked curiously. She had worked herself to the bone, the sooner the better she got more help in. "I was gonna ring Helen as soon as we get here to see if she’d even be interested, I just wanted to see what you thought first.” “Call her, I’m sure she'll jump at the chance, you should call the other two and have them start Monday too of they can,” I suggested. 

“Really?” She frowned, “do you not think that’s a bit too quick? I was thinking of calling them tomorrow and say the following Monday to give them time.” “No TJ, the sooner the better you get them in, neither of them are working they’ll jump at the chance,” I replied. 

"Okay,” she nodded and sunk into her seat, “I’ll call the three of them when we get there.” Falling into silence I started to think about her mom and what she had told me she had done to her brother’s wife. I would really love for her to try that s**t with me, I’d soon put her in her place.