Chapter Six

Cheryl’s POV

Our ride came to a halt and Kathleen and I stepped out of the yellow and checker taxi. I glanced up at the white tall skyscraper before me with an inscription- "Tyler and Walker Corporation" and a huff escaped from my lips. Kathleen's hand clasped mine and our fingers intertwined.

"You can do this, Cheryl. I believe in you." As pleasing as those nine words were, they did almost nothing to placate the sudden tightness in my chest.

Gulping saliva down my parched throat, I looked over at Kathleen. "Do you think this is going to work? I'm no match for someone like Russell Walker. What if he doesn't even spare me a glance?"

"Look at me." Kathleen held me by the arms, turning my body to face her. "You're overthinking this, Cheryl. From the looks of it, he needs a wife, and you passed the qualifications for an interview, well..." She rolled her eyes. -"Even though you didn't apply. If this goes as planned, you'll be doing Russell Walker a huge favor just as much as he'll be doing you."

Blowing air out of my mouth, I nodded and we headed straight to the double glass door that led to the receptionist's office.

"Good day, ma'am. Welcome to Tyler and Walker Corporation. How may I help you?" The young pretty angular-slender-eyed receptionist looked from Kathleen to me, a wide smile on her lips which showed off her dimples.

"Cheryl Moore." I glanced at Kathleen. "My assistant, Kathleen Martin. I have a business meeting with Mr. Walker." Tipping my head forward, I looked directly into her eyes.

Her gaze narrowed at me and she cocked her head. "I'm...guessing that you're here on an appointment?"

"I just informed you that we scheduled a business meeting," I said, half-shrugging and I leaned in almost immediately. "Isn't the appointment implied?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Moore, but this is our modus operandi. One moment, please." She eyed Kathleen who had been unusually silent all through and speed dialed a number. The receptionist spoke to the receiver for a few seconds before averting her gaze back to us.

"I'm sorry, but you can't meet the boss. His assistant just confirmed that he has no meeting scheduled at this time today."

"Are you implying that I'm lying?" Frowning, I drew back a little.

"Miss, I'd advise that you fix another appointment with him when he's around."

Narrowing my gaze, my brows quirked. "Mr. Walker isn't around?"

"Are you certain you had an appointment fixed with him, ma'am? I think you would have known that he isn't available if that was the case." The receptionist's eyes probed mine and her lips pressed in a firm line.

"Where can I find him? Surely, his assistant or whoever you called right now would know."

"I beg your pardon?"

Kathleen's fingers tug my arm, pulling me closer to her. "I think we should go," she whispered.

"Look, I must see Russell Walker today. My life is dependent on it, and I know you can help. All it's gonna take is one call and-"

"I think you've overstayed here, ma'am. You need to leave now before I call security on you."

"Dammit. Are you even listening to me, ma'am?" I banged my fists on the receptionist's desk, startling her and she flinched, her shoulders going tight.

"Shit, this is not good, Cheryl," Kathleen mumbled.

The receptionist speed dialed another number which I guessed must be the security's and uniformed men appeared the next minute.

"P-Please, take them away," she said, her face ashen.

"You're gonna regret this-" I glanced at her chest to catch her name. -"Isla Kendrick!" I said with clenched teeth, gripping her desk hard. Before any of the men could touch me, I took quick strides out of the company and Kathleen trailed behind.

"You just screwed up, Cheryl. You shouldn't have done that."

"What the hell should I have done? Gone on my knees and cried? Don't even start Kath, because you were as good as a statue back there."

"I was supposed to be your assistant, remember? There's only a little an assistant can do when the boss is talking."

I spotted a coffee shop right ahead and walked straight there, ignoring Kathleen's words and she followed behind.

"What about we give the Tom Sullivan guy a call? Perhaps, he can do something."

"One caffe latte with a nutty chocolate cookie," I said as I approached the barista in my front.

"None for me?" Kathleen purred.

"No. You don't deserve one, not after the stunt you pulled back there, but maybe I can reconsider if you give Tom Sullivan a call."

"W-What? Why should I be the one to call him? You're the one he knows."

"To remedy your mistake? Besides, this whole idea was yours, I could use your help. Also, he doesn't have to know that it isn't me. Just impersonate me," I whispered.

"Would that be all?" The barista leaned forward a little and stared at me.

I shot Kathleen a questioning gaze and she shrugged in defeat.

"Alright, you win. Hand me his number."

"Another cup of coffee. Acrid. Burned Coffee," I enunciated. "I'll never understand why she likes them bitter- Er...with muffins too," I said to the barista before turning to Kathleen, handing Tom Sullivan's number to her.

Ring...ring...ring...

I hung my head and sighed as she called the third time.

Not to be a pessimist, but is this Tom guy really who he says he is? I was about to tell Kathleen to abort the call when her eyes suddenly widened. She covered the phone's speaker to clear her throat before speaking. "Er...Tom Sullivan?"

Shit! I don't talk like that. "Talk confidently," I mouthed. What the hell happened to her self-confidence?

"It's the woman you helped at Converse. Cheryl Moore." Kathleen glanced at me hoping to get my approval perhaps, and I gave her a go-ahead. "The note says that I could call you if I needed anything."

There was silence in the air. I'd have preferred it if Kathleen switched to her phone's speaker but, we're in a goddamned coffeehouse.

"Thank you so much for your help. Really. I'd like to thank you personally to show my gratitude, but before then, I need your help. The thing is...I'll like to see your boss, Mr. Walker for something very urgent. News has it that he's out of the city. Could you help? Please, don't say no. You're my last hope."

Again, I wouldn't have said it that way.

"The problem is...I can't wait for an appointment. This is more urgent than that, and I absolutely can't wait for two days. Surely, there's something you can do. Please, Mr. Sullivan."

Kathleen covered the phone's speaker again and turned to me. "Shit! I just heard Russell Walker's voice! Oh my God!" She rested her hand on her chest and almost went limp.

Oh no! Not now, Kathleen.

Skittering toward her, I grabbed the phone from her and demanded to speak to Russell Walker over the phone.

"Tell him that I have an answer to his problem."

Tom returned with Russell's exact words which I made out faintly through the phone. "I doubt you have a chance, miss. He said you should find your way down here if it's that important. Knowing my boss, that's sarcastic-"

"Text me the address now!"

"Your orders are ready, ma'am." The barista slid a tray across the table.

A notification dropped on my phone. Tom had sent Russell's location to me. Fumbling for cash in my pocket, I shoved out a few bills and slid them across the counter, mumbling "thank you" before heading out with Kathleen.

"Your order, ma'am! You didn't take them," the barista called out.

Coffee and cookies can wait. I need to see Russell Walker right now!