CHAPTER TWO

JESSIE'S POV

"I still don't know how I feel about this whole seducing and deceiving thing. I don't even like dresses, can't I wear my regular slacks and chiffon shirt? I'd feel more comfortable in those, this is just too revealing, Lee," I complained to Chanel over the phone while eyeing the outfit that Lenore sent to me this morning for her wedding.

"I also don't think it's a good idea. A friend of my elder sister's was fortunate to win a date with Chase when he was still a musician. She said he was so easy-going and lovable. He's a total gentleman, what if you fall in love with him, just like it happens in the movies?"

"Oh come on Chanel, you're watching too many romantic movies. No such thing would happen, my relationship with Jacques was enough to put me off romance."

"What about Chase's feelings, he's innocent, you know? You'll be deceiving him, that's not good."

"But this promotion means a lot to me, Chanel. I've already told Lenore I'd do it," I said.

"Here's what you'd do, just go with the flow. You don't have to get into a relationship with Chase. Just get as close as a friend with him . Friends tell each other secrets, don't they? Sorry I have to go now, there's a lot of work with Lenore away in Paris," Chanel said.

"Okay, dear."

"Make sure you catch the flower, who knows you might just find love soon. I'll hang up before you reply sarcastically. Bye darling enjoy Paris, just don't meet your parents," Chanel hung up, laughing.

I laughed and thought of how Lenore was getting ready for her perfect wedding ceremony with the famous fashion designer, Cesare Cavelli. 

Lenore who swore never to fall in love with anyone was now head over heels for Cesare Cavelli.

I dialled Lenore's number and she answered after three rings, "Relax darling, I should be the one nervous here. I'm getting married to the love of my life, I can't afford any mistakes in the order of ceremony. Now if you won't dress up and go out there to seduce that handsome Chase, you can as well say goodbye to your promotion as well as the one million dollars," Lenore said before terminating the call.

Typical Lenore, she ends the call, despite the fact that she wasn't the one who called.

Clicking my tongue, I opened the G****e App and browsed for some recent photos of Chase Reed, who was once a famous musician known for his numerous love songs with an equal number of love interests.

Though he wasn't all that famous here in Paris, where I resided five years earlier, I had seen a couple of photos of him, but I figured he must have gone through a lot to change his look in order to avoid the public eye.

His recent photos came up and though they were captured at far distances, I could see that he hadn't changed so much after disappearing from the world of music for about seven and a half years now.

He had opted his long hair for a shorter one and he looked more muscular than before. Overall, he was dashingly handsome. Looking at the picture, I felt kind of bad for what I was going to do to him.

Driving away all those thoughts I picked the velvet-red dress, while taking a glance at the clock in my hotel room. Lenore had insisted on me staying at the Cavelli Hotel, which Cesare owned and where Chase Reed was lodged, it was also where her wedding was taking place.

The time for the ceremony was 9:00am, which meant that I had roughly an hour to get ready for the wedding ceremony which was to hold at the top floor of the hotel.

I had already showered, so I quickly applied some make-up, slipped the dress on and paired it with matching 4-inches high stilettos. I gave my raven-black hair which was the only thing I got from my mother, a wavy look and sprayed on a strawberry-scented fragrance, known for its lingering smell.

Under about 40mins, I was ready to go. Somewhere at the back of my mind, I wanted my mother to know how hardworking and successful I've become. 'If she saw me now, would she finally acknowledge me as her daughter?' I wondered before pushing those thoughts away.

Placing my phone and wallet in my silver clutch, I made my way out of the room. 

It didn't take long for me to reach the hotel lobby before I spotted Chase Reed and a blonde lady walking into the hotel lobby.

'Could that be his girlfriend? If she is then how do I succeed in my plan?" I wondered.

They stopped abruptly and seemed be discussing something. The woman looked tensed and quickly ran towards the entrance after their discussion ended. Chase continued standing there before bringing out his phone and calling someone.

I kept watching him from across the room and after some time, he seemed to have noticed my stare on him. He then ended his call and started making his way towards me.

I finally came to terms with the fact that, Chase Reed the handsome former musician, turned business tycoon was coming towards me and that my plan to seduce him had just begun. 

How was I supposed to seduce a handsome and experienced man in the field of relationships like him. He'll probably see through my acting. 

Getting nervous, I placed my phone close to my ear as though I was on a call to prevent him from talking to me.

"Hello Miss. Do you need any help?" Came his baritone voice.

I looked up at him, but decided to ignore him by walking away. If he was still attracted to the female species like he used to be, then he'd follow after me. 

I caught him checking me out earlier, so I was pretty confident that he'd follow me. When he didn't for a few seconds, I almost felt disappointed until he finally did.

Getting into the elevator before him, I hoped that he'd be able to get in before the doors closed, which he eventually did.

I pressed the button for the top floor, which he noticed before asking, "It seems you are also here for Cesare and Lenore's wedding, aren't you?"

I turned to look at him and the motion caused my long, wavy, black hair to whip his face before asking in French, "I'm sorry what did you say?"

"Don't you speak English, Miss?" He asked before all of a sudden the elevator stopped moving with a loud sound, just as Lenore planned.

'It's time to get into character,' I said in my mind.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"I think something's wrong with the elevator," I gasped, holding my hand to my chest as though I was about to have a panic attack.

I've experienced an elevator crisis before and it has never frightened me, but according to Lenore, a distressed woman wouldn't be ignored by Chase Reed. He was surely going to try to comfort me and we'll use that to our advantage.

"Just relax, everything will be fine. Take a deep breath, try to think of something else while I contact the technicians," he whispered.

Just as he was about to click the button for help, I interrupted with, "No, we're going to die. I've seen this in the movies, this elevator box is going to crash!" 

My naturally husky voice rose a pitch higher than I thought possible.

"No, we're not. You...," He was saying before the elevator made another sound with a jerk.

I used the opportunity to fall into his arms and held on tightly, before mumbling, "We're going to die. Oh my God, I haven't even got married yet. I haven't bought a house yet. I can't die now, I haven't even had kids yet."

Chase seemed a bit shocked at my move and started patting my bare back which was on display due to the style of my dress.

He said, "It will all be fine, you have my word."

'No, it wouldn't. This is just the beginning,' I thought to myself and immediately the elevator doors opened to reveal the top floor of the hotel filled with the wedding guests and paparazzi taking photos of us locked in an embrace.

'Task one has been completed,' I thought to myself with a smile and held on to Chase tightly as though I hadn't seen the paparazzi yet.