3. A Plan in Motion

Sebastian

I decide to put the plan in motion immediately. I called a meeting and announced to everyone that I would be out of the country for two months.

I lied and told them it was for a hotel conference. Since I am a hotel tycoon, it is believable. I also make sure that everyone knows I'll be out of touch in case someone tries to contact me while I am undercover.

I needed a fake ID, so I called Lewis. Back when we were in high school, Lewis somehow got in touch with a guy and made a fake ID to get into a club. I assumed Lewis would still remember how to get them.

"You really are doing this, huh?" Lewis sounds amused when I ask him.

"I don't play around. You know that," I said irritably.

"Alright, well, I do know this guy who can help you. His name is Chuck. But be careful going to his house because he lives in a sketchy area. With your expensive attire, you might get robbed," Lewis smirked.

"I'll make sure to dress casually. How do you know this guy again?" I asked.

"It's best not to ask too many questions. He will get the job done, I promise. Oh, he only takes cash," Lewis reminded me.

I look at him suspiciously but don't say anything. I need his help, so I am willing to do anything at this point.

I drive to the address Lewis told me to go to. I make sure to change out of my expensive clothes and put on the cheapest jeans and t-shirt I own, which are still over a hundred dollars.

I make a mental note to go shopping and buy clothes that don't cost over a thousand dollars.

Lewis was telling the truth. The neighborhood Chuck lives in looks painfully shady and dangerous. I look at a group of kids gathered in a parking lot, smoking god knows what. They resemble gang members, so I walk past them quickly. I don't have the time to play with danger today.

I walk toward a rundown house and knock on the door.

"Who is it?" someone answered from the closed door. It sounds like an older woman.

"I am here to see Chuck?" I answered.

"What do you wanna see him for?" she barked behind the door.

"It's for a business. Could I see him, please? We have an appointment. Tell him Sebastian is here," I try to be polite.

The door cracks open.

It is indeed an old woman who answered. She looks at me and furrows her brows. "What kinda business?" she asked.

"GRANDMA! WHO IS AT THE DOOR?" someone yelled from inside.

"SOMEONE NAMED SEBASTIAN!" she yelled back, nearly busting my eardrums.

A lanky guy who looks about 25 to 30 years old strides toward the door and pushes the older woman aside. The woman cursed something under her breath and then walked away.

The guy opens the door wide. "So you are Lewis's friend. I am Chuck," he says and flashes me a toothy grin.

"It's nice to meet you. May I come in?" I asked politely.

"You ain't gotta be so formal with me. I am not a rich folk like you're used to hanging out with. Come right in and follow me. I got my studio set up upstairs," Chuck said.

I nod and follow Chuck to his 'studio.' It is a small room with camera equipment and other things I don't recognize. I am amazed. How can Chuck run an illegal operation like this and never get caught? He must've been doing this for a long time.

"I generally never trust a rich boy like you, but I trust Lewis, so I'll trust you not to snitch on me, eh?" Chuck grinned.

I nod in agreement. I have no reason to snitch on him, nor do I care to. "How do you know Lewis again?" I asked Chuck.

"He works with one of my cousins. We met at a party. It's a long story, and I'm sure you got more important things to do, so let's get to work. You brought my payment in cash, right?" Chuck narrows his eyes.

"Yes. Don't worry about it. I will compensate you well," I promised him.

"Good," Chuck said gruffly, then motioned toward the wall where he set up a neutral backdrop for the picture. I don't waste any more time and stand there while Chuck takes his picture.

After the picture is done, I see Chuck fiddle with his computer and printer. I sit down on a chair and wait patiently.

After about twenty minutes or so, Chuck hands me the ID. I stare at my new identity.

"Jason Thomas?" I smirk.

"Don't like it?" Chuck barks at me.

"No, it's not bad. I can work with it." I look at the ID and nod my head in approval. The ID looks quite authentic.

"I do quality work. That'd be Five hundred dollars in cash," Chuck said.

I hand him the money. "I have one more favor to ask you," I said.

Chuck stares at me and waits for me to go on, so I clear my throat. "I need you to go to the store and get me some clothes. Clothes regular people wear," I said.

"Regular people?" Chuck laughed.

"You know what I mean. Clothes that a maintenance man can afford," I said.

"Why don't you do it yourself?" Chuck inquired.

"I don't want to be seen in public buying clothes in bulk," I said.

"Alright, you gotta pay me extra for that," Chuck said.

"Money is not an object," I replied.

Chuck doesn't argue with me anymore and promises to bring me clothes later on. We exchange contact information. After that, I leave Chuck's house and go on apartment hunting.

To make this work, I will have to temporarily move out of my mansion and rent an apartment well suited for someone who makes minimum wage. I saw an ad for a room earlier this week, so I called the landlord to set up a tour.

Then it was time to report to my new job. Simon kept his word and got me a job at the hotel. I am not worried as I remember how to fix things, so this job should be easy for me.

"So, you are the new guy?" the hotel manager stares at me intently. I am starting to feel nervous. Does he recognize me?

No, it's not possible. This is a new hotel, and I don't show my face in public much.

"Yes. I promise to do a great job here, sir," I said quickly.

"I see. You seem a little too clean-cut for this job, but since the corporate recommended you, I'd have to trust you are qualified. How soon can you start?" the manager asked.

"As soon as I can, Sir," I said.

"Please call me Steve. Come in tomorrow at eight, and I'll have someone show you around," Steve said.

I nodded. I was starting to get excited. Maybe this experiment will help me explore my real personality. I don't have to hide behind my reputation anymore.

~-~

The next day, another staff member showed me around and assigned me tasks.

I looked at the list and smiled. Most of the things on the list were easy to work. I will do just fine working here.

I befriend a few of the other employees. I felt good about it because it is nice to have people who aren't constantly trying to kiss my butt for once.

After my shift ended, I decided to explore the city. I never get to do it since I am always so busy at work.

Now that I have more free time, I can get to know some of these places. This was a whole new world for me, and I was excited.

A small bookstore caught my eye. I love to read, so I decided to check it out. I push through the glass door and walk inside.

"GODDAMMIT!"

I halt as I hear a woman cursing behind the shelves, followed by a loud crash.

Shit, I should help her, I think to myself and walk behind the shelves.

I see a cart lying on the floor. There are books sprawled everywhere! They must've fallen from the cart. A woman is sitting on the ground, trying to gather all the books while murmuring curse words under her breath.

I stand there and stare. It's the same woman from the other night whose beauty stunned me.

"Hi, sorry about all this. I knocked the cart over and made quite a mess," she giggled.

Even her laugh sounds melodious, I marvel. I can't stop gawking at her. Her beauty shone through despite her simple attire. She is nothing like the women I met at galas and lavish parties. She is truly a natural beauty.

"Are you okay?" the woman asked when I didn't say anything.

"S...sorry, I was just passing through and decided to check this place out," I stammer. I have never been tongue-tied, so why now?

I feel frustrated. I snap out of it when I realize she is still struggling to gather all the books and decide to help her.

"I'm Seba...I mean Jason," I correct myself quickly.

"Okay...Jason, I am Delilah Gibson," she smiled.

Delilah...even her name is sexy, I thought. I bend down and help her put the books back in the cart.

"Thank you for your help. I promise to discount your purchase in return," Delilah said.

I wasn't interested in books anymore. I only have one thing in mind. I decide to make Delilah mine no matter what it takes.