Cheating The Billionaire

Chapter 2

"I believe you do know how things work around here, don't you?  The assistant store manager gave Taylor a sarcastic look as they took a tour of the store.

"Yes, ma'am! I guess so..." she replied nervously since it was her first day.

"Don't call me ma'am, you're my boss but it's good you know your standard....I don't take orders from a janitor," Her assistant remarked and wrinkled her nose. "Wonder what drove Camilla to hire a lower middle class girl for the job," she added and gave a quick glance at Taylor's clothes.

Taylor felt conscious and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Erm, I know...I wasn't expecting this either, but I wouldn't mind if someone trains me," she felt awkward and spoke her heart.

"Nobody has time to spoon feed others, if you don't know the job, then learn it on your own," she rolled her eyes and strutted away in her high heels. Taylor glanced at the assistance's feet and wondered why a tall woman like her needed high heels to begin with.

Aware that the staff hated her, she made up her mind that if she had to survive, she would have to work harder than before. Camilla Cresto was known to have a bad temper, emotions had no place in her dictionary. For her all that mattered was profits, and profits was what Taylor gave her as she learnt the ropes and began excelling as a store manager at Camilla Cresto's  boutique.

Camilla was impressed by her dedication and hard work, but never really appreciated it on her face.  "Try investing in some make-up and a pair of high heels, I don't want my customers feeling they are entering a departmental store," she often said and emphasized on staying well groomed, but Taylor felt being plastic was not her cup of tea.

Being beautiful from within was what she believed was relevant to the world, though she was a pretty looking girl herself. Her lustrous blonde hair always cascaded from her high ponytail. Her skin was smooth and shiny as marble and her grey eyes had a glint of childlike mischief in them that customers often found attractive.

One day Taylor overheard Camilla stating that the customer was the King only till duty hours, once the store was closed for business, it was closed for everyone. Little did Camilla know that Taylor would take her words so seriously and end up chasing a billionaire away.

It was the moth end, a very hectic day at the boutique. While Taylor stayed back to manage the accounts at night, Chase Franshaw, the only heir to one of the biggest diamond company in the country, zipped  around in his swanky car. Driving down the streets of Florida, he was reminded of his cousins birthday present that he had forgotten to take. Aware that she would break all hell lose if he were to show up at her party empty handed, he thought of picking up something random on his way.

He happened to pass by Camilla Cresto's boutique before realizing that it was the only luxury store open at that hour. Unfortunately for him, Taylor was closing it just as he walked in.

"Quick! Get me the best piece in the house, I need it to gift a cousin of mine," Chase's crisp voice boomed across the store and startled her.

"Excuse me, sir! But I'm afraid we're closed for the night," Taylor turned around and sighed looking at him. Dressed in his smart casuals, he appeared like any other customer who couldn't take no for an answer.

"Oh really? Good thing I'm inside already, now hurry up and get me something really expensive. I don't have much time," He sounded unaffected by her statement and brushed past her.

"Look sir, I know you've walked in, but you've walked in at the wrong time. The boutique is closed for business, you can come here next morning when we open it," she explained politely and tried showing him the exit.

Making a face he pulled out his cheque book and signed it without specifying the amount. "Look, just give me that necklace over there and take whatever amount you want," he reached for her hand and shoved it in her palm.

Taylor frowned and lost her cool. She spread it out and ripped it apart, right before his eyes. "Flaunt your money elsewhere, this boutique is closed," she threw the paper bits across the floor and crossed her arms.

"I guess you don't know who you're arguing with, I'm Chase Franshaw...," He gave her a sarcastic look and checked her out.

"No, I wasn't until you informed me. By the way that's a fancy name you've got, I'm Taylor Meyer and as store manager, I suggest you leave," she smiled and dared to push him out when he refused to budge. Chase felt the touch of her nimble hands over his chest as she pushed him out of the store without hesitation.

Amused that somebody had dared to push him, he merely watched Taylor while she turned off the lights and closed the boutique.  "You're still here?" she sighed in irritation when she found him still standing outside.

"Mind if I drop you home?" he offered and caught her off guard.

"How about you get a life, first," she held her handbag  close to her side and walked away while Chase let out a soft laugh and unwillingly got back into his car.

Not far away Zac was gearing up for his third race that night. The bets were triple the sum this time, and so were the crowd's enthusiasm. Pressing the accelerator when the flags went down, he zipped along the isolated street with other street racers. Using his tricks and experience, it wasn't long before he created a hattrick and appeared  a clear cut winner.

"That was awesome! You nailed it yet again," his friend congratulated him and handed over the  prize money he had bagged. "By the way there are few white collar chaps who would like to have a word with you," he said and amused him.

"Is this another drug mafia or something?" Zac got excited and enquired.

"Nope, I guess it's something more than that," his friend sniggered and took him to the spot where four gentlemen in black suits were waiting for them.

"Hi, I'm Zac! I heard you wanted to talk to me?"he  approached one of them with a smile and tried to get friendly, but in vain. Snubbing him, one of them broke their silence and got down to business.

"We've been watching you for quite some time and feel you're the best one so far. Our boss sent us to fish out the best racer and offer him a sponsorship to participate in the upcoming Auto Racing National Championship event," he said and surprised him

"You mean you want me to participate in the ARNC event? I can't believe this, you heard that, Ben!" Zac exclaimed in disbelief and glanced at his friend.

"Hold your horses! Before you shift gears from a street racer to an ARNC racer, there are some clauses that you must agree to," he said and grabbed their attention.

"Like what?" Zac arched his brows and seemed intrigued.

"You know..the usual stuff that you street racers are used to..." he kept a poker face and hinted at the illegal activities that every street racer was accustomed to.

"I get you mate, but just so your boss know, I don't kill people. I'm not an assassin," Zac chuckled.

"Don't worry, you'll learn the ropes once you join our organization. So then, shall I take this as a yes?" he asked Zac and smirked.

"Hell yea! But I need an advance payment to gear up for the event, I can't go taking that s**t on the race track," Zac announced and asked for money.

"You need not worry, everything will be taken care by us. You just sign the contract papers," he said and made Zac sign it. "Amethyst Inc....wait is this the one owned by Chase Franshaw...The billionaire?" Zac dropped his jaw after realizing whom he was going to work for. The man said nothing and just gave him a sly smile before leaving with the rest in their black cars.

That night Zac felt on top of the world, unlike Taylor who returned home feeling exhausted after the tiresome train journey. He shared his happiness with her and as usual didn't bother to enquire why she was sounding low. "Let's go out to our favorite restaurant and celebrate!" he exclaimed while she checked the refrigerator for some leftovers.

"Uhh...not tonight, Zac. I had a busy day at the boutique, why don't you take your mates instead," she sighed and glanced at him.

"Great! We'll hit the bar instead. If you change your mind, then you know where to find us, right?" he winked and got ready to leave.

"Yup, I do. But I won't join you all. Today was a mad - mad day. It was the month end and then I was playing with numbers and then this guy..." she paused when she realized that he had already left without caring to hear the whole story. It wasn't something new though, Zac was too self centered from the start, if he was happy it meant the whole world was happy.

The next day Camilla made a sudden visit to the boutique and surprised Taylor out of the blues. "I want you to accompany me to the Miami Fashion Week today," she announced and startled her.

"Me? Like seriously?" Taylor gasped in bewilderment and got excited.  She had often seen models walking on the runway through her television, this was going to be her first live visit on the field.

"Yes, I'm talking about you. I'm very impressed by your work so far though you still need a lot of guidance, but nevertheless I though you may like to see how our signature collections are presented on the runway," Camilla ran her fingers through her hair and gave a sly smile.

"I would love to see that, when is the event?" Taylor asked in excitement.

"It's today and will start in 2 hrs from now," Camilla said. "Oh and do remember, the place will be brimming with people from the upper crust society, so please dress decently," she added and gave a quick glance at Taylor dress.

 Thrilled, she tried to look her best and before long, found herself standing amidst a dazzling and glamorous crowd. "How does it feel?" Camilla enquired after noticing how awe struck Taylor was.

"Amazing, Miss Camilla..." Taylor expressed her delight as she ran her gaze over gorgeous models and celebrities who had come to witness the fashion event.

"Keeping working harder, you will reach places," Camilla smiled and was distracted by the presence of her nephew.

"Oh, there he is," she said and spotted him among the other guests.  "Come with me Taylor, you should know who is who of the industry," she said and gestured her to follow her as she approached him.

"What a pleasant surprise Chase, I was beginning to believe that you wouldn't turn up," she exclaimed and embraced him while Taylor wondered why he looked familiar to her.

"How could I miss my dear aunt's most awaited collection of the season," Chase smiled lovingly at his aunt and suddenly paused his gaze at Taylor. It didn't take him even a second to recognize the store manager who had pushed him out the other night.

Camilla noticed him staring at Taylor and decided to introduce him to her. "This young man here is Chase Franshaw, the owner of the largest diamond mines...oh and also the sponsor of this fashion event," Camilla announced and startled Taylor

"I think she already knows who I am..." He said with his gaze fixed over her. It was then that Taylor realized who he was. Chase noticed the change in her expression and smirked. "What she may not know is that I'm your nephew," he added and paused to see how she would react.

"Have you both met before?" Camilla tilted her head and enquired while Taylor froze with fright. She couldn't believe whom she had messed with the other night. Not only was Chase a billionaire, but was also Camilla Cresto's kin. Accompanying her boss to the fashion event was not such a good idea after all, but she was there and Chase was standing right before her.

"Have you?" Camilla shifted her gaze to Taylor and snapped her out of her daze.

Taylor  however was too tongue tied to speak, she inclined her head and hesitated to answer. "Yes we have, she is your new store manager, isn't she?" he said and grabbed their attention.

"Oh you mean you visited my store? But when...?" Camilla felt amused while Taylor broke into a sweat as she recalled last night's incident.

"Last night..." he paused and noticed Taylor quivering in nervousness.

"Oh, you should have called me then!" Camila made a face.  

"It's alright! Your manager gave me a pleasant experience at your store," He said as Taylor's heart raced.

"Is it? Well, Taylor is no doubt the best manager I have had so far," Camilla smiled and glanced at her. She found her behavior odd and nudged her with her elbow.

"What happened, Taylor? You look like you've seen a ghost," she commented while Taylor hesitated to look up and meet his eyes.

"It's nothing Miss Camilla, I just...I just... excuse me," she fumbled and excused herself.

Chase watched her leave in haste and let out a soft laugh. "I'm sorry about that. These girls I tell you! They need someone to brief them about manners," Camilla felt embarrassed and apologized on Taylor's behalf.

"I don't think she's all that bad. I found her very interesting, especially the way she manages your boutique. Your choices have always been the best in the industry," He smiled as his gaze searched for her midst the crowd.