"Would you like to say something to the employees, Mr Black?" Mr Howard asked with a huge smile on his wrinkled face.The old man had been running as CEO of Howard Tech, one of the fast growing smartphones and software developing companies. With no heirs to take over his company and a terrible gambling habit, Mr Howard was in a fix since the previous year and was finding it difficult to continue handling the company.He had approached a number of successful businessmen, but none had been willing to buy it for the right price and maintain the conditions Mr Howard had put in place.Enrique had been approached and at first, he had been hesitant to take on a struggling company, but after consulting renowned analysts, who had solutions to about seventy percent of the issues Howard Tech was facing, he made his proposal to buy the company."I really don't have too much to say, but I know that I would like to change a number of workers here. Many of them are terribly inefficient," Enrique fron
Grace straightened her long black skirt and grey shirt. Her flat grey shoes did nothing to accentuate her height. She inspected her pale face in the mirror and smiled. There was no way Enrique could discover that she was Lila, not when she looked so dull and uninviting."Ms Jones, remember the tips I gave you. You don't have to get nervous, don't stutter for any reason and look straight into Mr Black's eyes. He already seems to have a poor opinion of you, this is your chance to redeem yourself," Mr Bright said to her.Grace smiled at him as he spoke, he was so handsome, almost like an angel. After hearing her name being repeated, she snapped out of her thoughts.Mr Bright had been trying to get her attention while she was busy swooning over him. "Are you alright? You seem a bit out of it today, is anything the matter?""I'm alright, Sir. Thanks for your concern, I'll do my best in the interview," she smiled at him."Okay then, I have some things to attend to, let me know if you got t
"Get dressed in the outfit I placed on your bed, you are on duty," Camila announced without even allowing Grace to take off her shoes as soon as she walked into the flat.Penny was reading a novel and Grace was relieved to know that Camila handled her discharge from the hospital, but at the same time, she was aware that it was only another chain Camila had on she and her sister."Why? Is this how things are going to be henceforth?" Grace frowned."What are you talking about? Go get dressed, we don't want to keep your client waiting.""You should have checked with me first if I'm interested in entertaining anyone. Springing all this on me all of a sudden is making this look like I have no choice at all, but to comply."Penny got up from the couch, abandoning her novel to stand beside her sister, showing her support."Have you lost your mind or perhaps forgotten your place? You have absolutely no choice in all of this. You are under a contract in my agency and I have the right to ask yo
"So what's the occasion today? Forgive me if I sound rude, but I had the feeling that you never wanted to see me again after the last time. You practically threw me out of your car," Grace frowned."I'm sorry about that, I really shouldn't have behaved that way, especially not after you did such a great job at convincing everyone we were dating," Enrique apologized, looking straight into her ice grey orbs.He found himself appreciating her beauty more this night. The other time, her face had been partly covered by a mask. The mask had concealed just how beautiful she was.Her makeup was flawless, her eyes were big and shining bright as she stared at him. Her lips were so full and captivating. He found himself wondering what it would feel like covering those plump lips with his.Shaking his head, he forced himself to stop having such dirty thoughts and said, "it's my cooking show's fifth year anniversary. We are celebrating a hundred episodes of cooking good food and teaching our viewe
"Care to explain how exactly it is that you are dating an employee of mine all of a sudden, Miguel," Enrique queried."It's a long story," Janet replied."Let me summarize it. My parents set us up on a blind date a month ago. We found out that we had common interests and Janet is exactly the kind of woman I need in my life right now. We've been in touch even though I was away for a week. We are taking things slowly for now," Miguel added, kissing Janet's cheek.Grace couldn't believe what was happening in front of her. Of course, Janet had told her about a new boyfriend of hers, but she had never expected to meet Janet and the said boyfriend while she was disguised as someone else. Janet Morgan on the other hand, kept staring at Grace strangely as though she was suspicious of her identity. "Wow, that's impressive. I'm a bit mad at Miguel for not telling me about this, but I'm happy for you both," Enrique said."That was just the shortest summary of how our relationship started. We to
"I don't know what you're talking about," Grace countered."You don't know? I can't believe this, why are you trying to dispute my claim? You are Grace Jones, don't you think I know you well enough to recognize you despite whatever form of disguise you take on?" Janet snapped."I'm sorry Janet, but I have a very valid reason for this, I just can't explain to you yet. Can you just keep this between us?" Grace pleaded."I just don't understand, why do you have to pretend to be someone else. Is your name Grace Jones, after all?""Yes, it is. I'm so sorry, Ms Morgan," Grace said."Ms Morgan? I should have understood that we weren't friends, but I was foolish enough to think we were. You still refer to me so formally, Grace and we are not even at work. Do you know why I didn't expose you to Enrique?"Grace blinked back her tears, she felt like a total fraud. It was obvious that Janet's encounter with her tonight was going to cause a friction between them."It's because I was confident that
"What new job?" Grace frowned at Enrique, wondering what exactly was going through his mind.No matter how tempting whatever job he had for her was, she had to refuse. She couldn't keep being around him while acting as Lila, he could easily figure out who she was just like Janet did.As long as she had already taken the job as his PA at work, it would mean Enrique would have more time to observe her and probably figure out the similarities between she and Lila."I want you to be my girlfriend," Enrique said."What?" Grace gasped.What was happening, she had no intention of dating someone as rude and annoying as Enrique Black, why the hell was he asking to date her?"I don't want to be your girlfriend," she replied."Do not flatter yourself, I have no interest in someone who works as an escort. It will be a contracted relationship. You will only do the things required for a girlfriend to do when we are in public. I kissed you because I wanted to know if you could do a good job at convi
"Ms— I mean Janet, please could you come to the entrance for a moment?" Grace pleaded as soon as Janet answered the phone."What is it, Lila or is it Grace?" Janet snapped.Grace knew that Janet had every right to be mad at her, but she was the only one who could help her get access into the building. "I'm really sorry about everything, Janet, but I'm in a fix right now, please I need your job or Mr Black will have me fired," Grace pleaded."I'm on my way," Janet said before hanging up.A few minutes later, Grace saw Janet walking up to her. She was dressed smartly in a pink business suit that enhanced he slim, feminine figure.Her long blonde hair was pack in a tight bun and her face was set in a frown when she came to stand in front of Grace."What are you doing, standing here like this?" She queried."I left my ID at home, so I can't get into the company.""Really? How could you forget it? Today is your first day as Mr Black's assistant and you are going to be late. It's already f
"Mr Black?""Yes, Dr Fernandez. What is the situation now? How is she? How is Grace? Can I see her?"Enrique had been waiting the entire night with Penny and Sophia. The rest of their family had gone back home to return the following morning.It was about 2am when Dr Fernandez came out of the operating room. "I am truly sorry to be the one to tell you this," Dr Fernandez began with sad eyes."What is it, doctor? Please, talk to me," Enrique pleaded, dreading a bad news."What is wrong with my sister, can we see her now?""She is out of danger right now. She suffered a serious head injury, but we have operated and stitched her up. She is unconscious fir now due to a concussion. She would probably regain consciousness later today or tomorrow perhaps. There was no brain damage. She suffered several fractures and there are some cuts and injuries which we have treated. It is unfortunate, though that we couldn't save the baby. With the bruise on her belly, we suspect that she hit her belly
"My question for you is why a used condom is in our trashcan? Don't even try to lie your way out of it. This is concrete evidence of the fact that you brought in a man while I was away. Tell me how many times was it?" Enrique roared in anger."Why are you raising your voice at me? How is it my concern if you forgot to trash the condom?" Grace frowned."Of course I will raise my voice! You have no idea how disgusted I feel. Someone else has had you in our matrimonial home, how do you expect me to react to that?""Wait a minute, let me get you. You are accusing me of having sex with someone else? I haven't even been around for a while," Grace frowned."It's an old one, which shows that you and your partner made use of it while I was away at the office! We didn't use any protection the last time we had sex here, so it obviously isn't mine.""I don't have any partner, what nonsense are you accusing me of? Is this how lowly you think of me. That I would let someone else asides you to touch
Grace had to interrupt Enrique's advances as soon as they entered the hotel room for her best friend's wedding party. She questioned, "Enrique, what exactly are we doing here?" as her eyes surveyed the venue.Enrique pulled her closer and replied with an air of mystery, "We're here to fulfill a need, can't you tell?" before planting a kiss on her neck.Grace pushed him away and asked, perplexed, "What did you just say? This is my best friend's wedding party. I can't believe you would suggest we have sex during the reception. Plus, we're supposed to be the maid of honor and best man for the wedding!"Despite looking dapper in a white tuxedo, Enrique's behavior sent chills down Grace's spine. His eyes bore an unfamiliar look, and she couldn't help but feel like something was off.He persisted, "I don't see why we can't have some fun when we're both feeling it. Don't you feel the same way? It's frustrating."Enrique compelled Grace to touch his erect member, but she recoiled and questione
Janet and Miguel's wedding ceremony finally took place after two days of meticulous planning. Miguel's best man was Enrique and Grace was honored to have been chosen as the chief bridesmaid. She had been residing in a sumptuous suite with Penny and Sophia since the night of Janet's bachelorette party.Grace had been perplexed to learn that not only had Enrique been acting strange on the phone whenever she rang him, but he had also been avoiding her entirely by not taking her calls or visiting her at all, making excuses about work whenever she questioned him. The previous day she had driven from the hotel where she was staying all the way to their mansion, only to be informed by the housekeeper that Enrique had been sleeping outside since the night she left for the bachelorette party. She had attempted to contact him numerous times to ascertain his reasons for staying away, but her calls remained unanswered.Enrique's family was also present for the wedding, but at the reception party
Grace inquired, "Where are we headed?"After a morning without feeling any morning sickness, Grace woke up with an unusual sense of happiness. She even prepared breakfast, without any feelings of nausea.Enrique couldn't help but gaze at the sight of Grace's gorgeous face. She ate her breakfast with a sense of ease, feeling relaxed and content.Not wanting to be intrusive, Enrique refrained from checking Grace's phone for any traces of past messages from the unknown sender. Could it be that she was unaware or had not received any messages from them before?"Ricky, you seem to be lost in thought. What are you thinking about?" Grace asked."Nothing, my love. First, we plan on catching a movie, followed by a picnic, and then I'll take you somewhere nice," Enrique answered."Where?" Grace asked eagerly."You'll find out soon enough. Go get dressed, so we're not late for the movie. Sophia and Janet will come in the evening to snatch you away from me," Enrique joked."Alright, honey. I'll s
"So tell me, what is it between you and Margot Prescott? Don't even tell me that it's nothing, because I know what I've been seeing on the internet. I might be dyslexic, which prevents me from reading properly, but that doesn't mean that I can't see the photos of you two," Grace said."So you do care?" Enrique smiled."What do you mean by that? Of course I care and that's why I'm asking. Are you trying to avoid the question or what?""Margot is doing business with me," Enrique replied vaguely."Business? What kind of business could she possibly be doing with you, Enrique? Last I checked, Margot was still very much a supermodel. So tell me what a supermodel has to do with a famous restauranteur and businessman like you, my dear?" Grace asked with her hands akimbo."I find this amazing, Grace. You didn't even ask me this question on my return. Why now all of a sudden when the answer doesn't even matter?""Of course it matters. I want to know why my own husband was traveling all around E
"So what is it? Why won't you tell our close friends about our good news?" Enrique replied when they were seated on a couch in their house. Enrique had decided to stay at home with Grace for the entire day and hence delegated his duties to his executive assistant."I just don't want the news to be out there yet. Camila wouldn't be happy to hear that I'm pregnant, neither will your aunts. I just can't help, but feel reluctant to share such news with them," Grace replied."I never said we would tell them about it. Surely, you will tell Penny and Sophia about the baby at least?""No, not even them. I just want to take it all in first. I'm not even sure I want all of this right now. I don't want to tell anyone until I'm sure," Grace said, honestly. "What do you mean by that? Are you considering a termination of the pregnancy? Why? I don't have a problem with us getting so lucky at once," Enrique said."Enrique, please understand me. I have never been pregnant before, not even while slee
"I don't know why I'm feeling so nervous all of a sudden," Grace sighed. She was dressed in a purple business suit with her ginger red hair let down in waves across her shoulders.Her makeup was flawless, making her look regal and untouchable. Enrique had helped with her makeup and dressing because he had been afraid to let her be alone for a second."You have no idea how nervous I am too, but then we have to get you treated. You can't keep feeling this way. I don't like it," Enrique said, arranging her hair to cover the red patch on her neck.Grace suddenly remembered what happened earlier that morning between them and she blushed when she realized that Enrique was also thinking of it."I'm sorry that I got so wild with you like that, you weren't even feeling too good and I did that," Enrique said."Why are you sorry? I wanted every bit of it too."Grace hugged him and then Enrique kissed her forehead before leaving the car.He opened the door for Grace, holding her by the waist. The
Grace rushed out of the bed, bolting straight to the bathroom. She bent over the wash basin and spilled out the contents in her stomach.She felt so sick to her stomach and the gagging continued until she curled up like a ball on the white tiles."Baby, what is wrong with you?"Grace was about to reply, but instead felt another bout of nausea hit her as she threw up once again. Enrique held back her hair the whole time and Grace felt terrible that he was seeing her in such a state."Take it easy, I'm here. You will be fine," Enrique said, patting her back, softly.Grace attempted to get up, but her legs felt so heavy and weak, she only squatted once again.Enrique washed her face with warm water Enrique lifted her up in his arms and placed her on the bed."How long has this been going on?""I don't know, about two or three weeks back," Grace replied weakly. Her head felt like it was spinning around and she just wanted to feel fine.The constant nausea was something she couldn't underst