Pretending To Be His

Keep Your Money!

“Wha-wait!” Nicole shook her head. “Are you sure you know who you are talking about? Because the guy who came in here last night-I mean early this morning was not a billionaire.”

“Multi-billionaire,” Jake supplied as he opened a Google search and typed the name.

“Semantics,” Nicole reverted back. “Sure he had a crazy amount in his wallet and some fancy bank cards, but he had no bodyguard and no car. I had to drive him in my car, to my apartment!”

“Is this him?” Jake turned his laptop towards her, a picture on the screen.

Nicole stared at the picture for a few seconds. “Oh heck no! That’s him! He was here!”

Jake smiled back, “you are lucky. Not every day do we ordinary people get to see the likes of him. And to think you had him at your apartment!”

Nicole shrugged, “yeah hey. So where does he work?”

Jake raised an eyebrow, “You turning into one of those stalker women now?”

Nicole made a face and stood up. “Never mind. Let me get back to work before Rookie trashes the whole place. Thanks, bossman.”

“His name is Jason!” Jake called out to her, a small smile played on his lips as Nicole just waved him away. He went back to watching the CCTV footage before reaching for his phone. With a quick dial, he was connected to the person he wanted.

“Brutus, it’s me.” 

Nicole got to work but the conversation with Jake played on her mind. Not only that but also the money she had left at her house. By finding out who he really was, really ticked her off. Who did he think he was, leaving that amount of money like that? Just because her apartment was small does not mean she needed any help! She was fuming and everyone in the bar could tell that she was not in a good mood.

“What’s gotten you so worked up today, Nic?” Jason asked after witnessing her mood for a good three hours.

Nicole glared at him, before turning away and listening to an order, “not tonight, rookie!” she warned him when he was about to open his mouth.

Jason shrugged and walked away from her. Nicole might just barely reach his shoulders but she packed a mean punch, he should know.

Jake has been sitting on the sideline, watching as Nicole worked. It was not every day that she was in a bad mood, but once she was it affected everyone around her. She still smiled and cracked jokes with the customers, but her face was very expressional and they could see through the fake smiles and laughs. 

Sighing, he walked to where Nicole was filling in a jar of beer. “Kiddo, why don’t you call it a night?”

Nicole looked up at him, “why?” She frowned. “You know I need every single dime, Jake.”

“I know,” Jake replied. “I am sending you home, your cut will be exactly where it should be so you don’t have to worry about that.” He held up his hand when Nicole made a move to argue, “And no arguing. Get out of here! You need to sleep off whatever dark mood you got going on.”

Nicole ran her fingers through her hair and took in a deep breath. “Fine!” she muttered as she undid her apron and handed it over to Jake.  “I might come in a bit late tomorrow anyways. There is some jackass that I will need to deal with before the day ends tomorrow.”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “Don’t do something crazy, Nic.”

“Me? Crazy?” Nicole faked being shocked, “Never! See you tomorrow, Jake. And thank you!” She said as she collected her tote bag and started for the door.

“Don’t mention it!” Jake called before turning to the customer in front of him “Why look so sad? Am I not pretty enough?” He asked the guy in front of him who kept looking between him and the retrieving back of Nicole. “I am all you got tonight, so you better start making that order now.”

The man finally registered what Jake was saying before placing his drink order. “Where is she going?” the man sounded so heartbroken.

Jake rolled his eyes, “Not gonna happen, dude!” he told him as he moved to the next customer.

Nicole sipped on her coffee, all the while glaring at the money in front of her. She has been up since six o’clock that morning trying to figure out what she wanted to do with the money. She had gone from being awed from having been in the same room with one of the most influential people in the business world to being downright pissed for being paid like a common w***e. And it was that last thought that propelled her to take a quick shower and get out of the house.

Getting to her destination was not hard, who could miss the tallest building in that part of town. Parking her trusted car, Nicole rested her arms on the steering wheel before she leaned forward and stared outside. Taking a deep breath, she collected her purse and made her way to the reception. Nicole gave the guard a small smile as he opened the door for her, earning a small tap of his hat.

She stopped just inside the doors. The black, silver and grey décor screamed expensively. In front of her was a huge marbled backdrop that had the words ‘Sauntino Inc’ in silver. She took in the rest of the foyer, the huge screens that were displaying some of the work that Sauntino Inc has done. On the far end, she could see a rest area and a restaurant. On the left were four elevators and another rest area. 

Taking a deep breath, Nicole walked to the reception area, becoming self-conscience of what she was wearing as the elegantly dressed individuals walked past her.

“Hello,” Nicole greeted one of the receptionists who seemed to not be busy.

The blonde woman whose face looked as if it was under a foot of makeup looked at her for a second before going back to what she was doing.

Nicole raised an eyebrow and looked around to see if there was any other way to get to where she wanted to go. Seeing no way, she turned back to the blonde woman.

“Excuse me. Hello?” Nicole waved her hand n front of her. “May I get assistance, please?” She looked at the nametag, “Maria.”

Maria rolled her eyes at her. “What can I do for you?”

“I would like to meet with your boss, Marko Sauntino.”

Maria raised an eyebrow at her. Pursing her lips, she gave Nicole a once over before shaking her head, “do you have an appointment?”

Nicole shook her head, “no, but if you could call him up and let me talk to him, I am sure he would want to meet with me.”

Maria laughed, “don’t kid yourself, honey! Now, I suggest you do not waste my time or yours into thinking that you can just come in here and demand to see Marko. It will never happen. Now I suggest you move and let those better than you pass.”

Nicole narrowed her eyes. Who the heck did this woman think she was? Yes, she did not have an appointment but that was no way to treat a customer. Calling to all the training on etiquette that Lisa has ever taught her, she gave Maria a tight smile. “Ok, I will go, but can I set a meeting appointment at least?”

Maria smirked, “As I had already told you, it’s never going to happen. You had better leave before I call security.”

Nicole closed her eyes for two seconds before opening them. Turning away she started to walk away, humiliation washing over her as she felt the looks from those who had heard how Maria spoke to her. Nicole stopped just before she reached the front door. She was not leaving without meeting Marko. Turning to the left, she walked towards the guard stationed at the elevators.

“Hello,” she greeted him with a smile. “Which one of these cameras is directly linked to Marko’s office?”

When the guard frowned and reached for his gun. “Let me see your hands, lady!”

Nicole smiled a bit, “whoa there, cowboy. I don’t want any trouble-well, not that kind anyway. You see, I need to meet with your big boss and the baked Barbie doll over there won’t let me even make an appointment.” She explained as she raised her hands, showing that she had nothing dangerous with her. “It’s not like it will be the first time that I am meeting with him,” Nicole shrugged. “It’s just that I want to return something that he left at my apartment.” She made sure that she was speaking a bit loud so that the people around could hear.

The guard widened his eyes after hearing this and reached for his walkie-talkie. There was a bit of low volume conversation between the guard and probably his superior.

“Do you want me to show you what he left?” Nicole asked as she reached for her purse.

“No, ma’am! That will not be necessary.” The guard moved forward and stopped her from reaching for her bag. “Jackson!” he turned to another guard. “Please escort her to the top floor. Use the private elevator!”

Nicole smiled at him sweetly. “Oh, you are such a darling!” she turned to Jackson, “Lead the way, handsome,” she said, causing the middle-aged man to blush furiously. Before she moved to follow Jackson, she turned to Maria and gave her a small wave. She smiled a little when she saw the other woman was red with anger.

The ride up the private elevator was very quiet. And it was this time that nerves started to set in. Yes, sure she knew that she wanted to give Marko his money back, but the way she had gone through it was a bit unconventional. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself, just in time as the elevator doors swung open.

The décor here was similar to the one downstairs. They were greeted by a man in a dark suit who gave Jackson a curt nod before turning to Nicole.

“Please step out of the elevator, miss, and follow me,” he said, his voice void of any emotion.

Nicole turned to Jackson and smiled, “thank you, handsome for the escort.” She stepped out of the elevator with an air of bravery, even though now she was beating herself inside. What was she thinking?!

The man walked briskly to the reception desk. “Please wait here.  Mr. Sauntino will be with you shortly. Bianca will show you the office to go to.”

Nicole glanced at Bianca and gave her a small smile before taking a seat and reaching for the closest magazine to her. She read the magazine Financial Times from front to the back and still, she waited. Glancing at her watch, she frowned. She had been sitting there for more than forty-five minutes. All the time that she was there, there had been no calls or anyone going into or out of any of the offices.

Standing up, she approached the reception area. “Bianca, is it? May you please tell your boss that he is wasting my time?”

Bianca widened her eyes at her. “Wh-what?”

“You heard me,” Nicole reverted, getting a little annoyed. “I have been sitting there for the past forty-five minutes. I have read a very boring magazine, twice. I have not been offered any refreshments and I am slowly getting annoyed.”

“Mr. Sauntino is a little busy this morning,” Bianca replied as she clicked on a few buttons on the computer before her.

Nicole raised an eyebrow, “Really?” Before Bianca could reply to her, Nicole turned and walked towards the first door that she could find. Pushing it open, she found it empty.

“Miss!” Bianca called in a panic. “You can’t do that!”

“Oh yes, I can!” Nicole pushed another door, only to find a meeting in progress. After scanning the faces, she closed the door and continued down the hall. She was glad that she was wearing flats because Bianca was not able to keep up with her pace on the high heels that she had on. “Does he think that I have the whole day to wait for his ass?” Nicole said as she noticed a door right at the end of the hallway. “Just because we are not making millions by the minute, does not mean that we are less busy. Actually, my time is more valuable than his, to come and think about it!” She threw over her shoulder to Bianca. 

“You can’t go in there!” Bianca screamed as she reached for Nicole’s arm, but she was too late.

Nicole pushed the door open and walked in. Sitting there in front of his huge dark desk was the same man who spent the early hours of the morning at her apartment. “So you are too busy to see me for two seconds, are you, Marko?” she asked him, anger building.

Bianca stumbled in after her. Taking a hold of her arm, she tried to pull Nicole out. “I-I am so sorry, sir. Sh-she pushed her way in.”

Marko gave her a curt nod, “let her go and go back to your desk.” He waited until the door was closed before turning his piercing eyes to Nicole. “You have some nerve!” He said as he stood and walked around his desk. Leaning on it, he folded his arms in front of him. “What is this about, Miss..?” He raised an eyebrow in question.

“My name is not important,” Nicole said as she reached for her bag and took out the stack of cash that he had left on her side table in her room. “I think you had forgotten this in my house the last time you were there.” She walked towards him and extended the cash to him.

Marko frowned, “I don’t understand.”

“Really?” Nicole placed the cash on the desk. “Let me explain this to you. You had offered me a certain amount of money while we were still at the bar, I refused it. You were being your arrogant self to leave this at my apartment the morning you sneaked out. Here is the thing, Marko. I didn’t want your money at the bar, and I definitely did not expect nor want it at my apartment. So, keep your money, I don’t need it.” Nicole turned and started to walk away.

“Is that all that you came here to do?” Marko sounded amused. “To insult me by returning money I had given you for the service you did for me?

“Service?” She turned to him. “I am not sure you understand how insulting that just sounded. So let me break it down for you. I am not sure how much you pay for your call-girls and whores, I am not one of them and I will never be one of them. You can take that money and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine for all I care. I never asked for it, I never wanted it and once again I don’t need it. Try not to be more of an ass than you already are.” Nicole turned around and started to walk towards the door. She paused for a few seconds, “By the way, your magazine collection at the reception sucks!”

She walked out of the office, passed Bianca who eyed her with disdain, got into the elevator, and pressed the ground button. Getting to the ground floor, she blew a kiss to Jackson before winking at Maria walking out of the building.

Back in his office, Marko stared at the money on his desk as if it was something foreign. He had counted it more than once, just to make sure that everything was there. One thousand dollars? Who gives back one thousand dollars? He sat back on his chair and rolled it to face his huge window. This was a first for him. No woman had ever refused a gift from him. Who was she? He knew she worked at the bar that he found himself in that previous night, but what else? He came blank. He does not even remember if she had given him her name back then. Curiosity turned to anger. How dare she come into his workplace and demand to see him without an appointment? How many powerful men have had to wait to meet with him and he had turned them down and they still waited? She just barged in and disrupted his whole working mood.

Sighing, Marko turned back and pushed one button. “Alex, may you come into my office, please?”

In a few minutes a bulky, tall man walked in. “What is it?”

“The woman who came in a few minutes back. I want everything on her. Her birthday, names, where she has been, everything.”

Alex nodded, “I will have a report for you by end of the week.”

Marko shook his head, “That will not do. I want it by end of today or latest tomorrow.”

Alex shook his head, “it will only be a skeletal report if it’s today. Very basic things, nothing extensive.”

“I just need somewhere to start,” Marko leaned back and pinned Alex with a dark look. “Get it done.”

“Yes, sir,” Alex turned and walked out.

Marko pushed his chair back and stood up. Until he found out more about the girl, he still had a company to run and he was running late for a meeting.