Chapter 4 Cassie, Escorts, and Coffee

I continued to walk down the navy blue carpeted hallway, rolling my eyes at his immaturity, when a loud whistle resonated behind me, followed by a shout of laughter as I flipped him Ethan the finger, not wanting to waste another second with him.

Click. Clack. Click.

Once I arrived at the office with the signed contract of another writer in my hands, my beige heels landed on the marbled floor, relishing the way the sound echoed in the silent hall. My employee, Tess had done a wonderful job considering the short notice, and the customer adored the cover she had created especially for the spring collection. I felt delighted with the arrangement we had agreed upon, and I know the supervisors upstairs will be as well.

As I emerged from behind a pair of silver doors, the smile on my lips vanished as the all-too-familiar sets of eyes shot towards me before lowering below. As I walked through the divided passage between the countless workstations queuing up behind each other like dominos, the chatter and laughter came to a sudden halt.

I have my own work to accomplish. I don't care if these people don't like me.

After I passed by their stations, a few mumbled, and I knew what they were murmuring about, so no one dared to look me in the eyes.

Me.

The boss who's known as a despotic dictator. Sophia McAdams, the queen witch of the east herself, as I'd seen a few co-workers say before, but over the years I've learned to tune out the various terrible things that come my way that was said in the office.

With my head held high, I ran my eyes over each workstation, relieved to see that everyone was busy doing their job, unlike five seconds ago. I spotted a short woman standing up from her desk, which was just outside my door, as I entered my office.

"Uh Ms. Sophia, Tyler called an hour ago about the new article," my assistant, Amy said. "I'll call Tyler myself. Thank you, Amy," I replied and slipped into my office with the newly signed contract in hand.

When my door opened, I slid into the enormous black leather armchair and pulled my heels off after placing the contract on my desk.

As much as I'd love to distract myself with more work to make up for my sad, pathetic life, I can't. Why? Because if I don't think fast with this fake boyfriend situation, I'm gonna end up humiliating myself in front of my family, friends, and the media.

Every one wants to be from a well known and respected family until you realize all eyes are on you. You make one tiny mistake and suddenly every one knows.

Let me make my own god damn mistakes every once in a while in peace. I know I did something wrong, it doesn't make it any easier if you spread it around to the entire world. You don't have to shove it in my face.

Though my family may not as popular as the Kardashians, having a status like ours is still pretty tough. The pressure growing up to be perfect cause you didn't wanna ruin your parent's name was tough. That even as a kid, we were thought that we were risking a really important thing, every time we did one move wrong.

A few minutes laters, a tall blonde woman walked in with a huge pearly smile on her face and brilliant ocean blue eyes, closing the door with her butt. It's my best friend, Cassie. A white bread bag and two coffee cups to-go from the cafe across the street were in her hand.

"I came with a treat," the woman sang happily. I would never admit it, but seeing Cassie always brightens up my day even if it's just a bit. Ever since I focused on work it felt like she was all I had.

I sat up, leaning against the thin steel desk, "Thank God. I need all the energy caffeine can offer," and she offered me a cup while pulling out a baseball-sized chocolate muffin for herself. I forced the sweet liquid down my throat, gasping at the disgusting flavor.

"Oops! that must be my tea," she said, switching our cups.

"It's disgusting," I grumbled as I sipped my coffee from the second mug. She put a little hand on my shoulder and nudged the round tummy that protruded from her floral dress.

"My doctor says coffee is bad for the baby," she informed me.

"That's too bad. I keep forgetting you're pregnant. When will the baby bump be evident so that I';d have a reminder," I said.

"In a few weeks," she said as she found a comfortable position for her on the couch. "So why does Sophia McAdams look stressed today? I mean more than usual?" She asked.

"Since you're asking..." I completely taking my attention off of my work and gave it to her. "I kind of told my sister and my mother that I'd be having dinner with them at my place tonight," I said.

"Oh..." Cassie knew about my family situation. "It doesn't end there. I also told them that they would be meeting my boyfriend," I informed her.

"So uhh..." she tried to think of what to say. "No. I don't have a boyfriend and no one to present later at seven o'clock," I smiled sarcastically.

"You can hire an escort," she said. God. How did I stoop so low?

"Fine, I guess that's the solid plan. Let's call me an escort."

"Okay, I'll call an escort agency for you. What characteristics do you want?" She asked me, holding up her phone, getting ready to dial a number.

"Mature yet charming," I said, quickly. "That's pretty vague and he's still an escort.

"Just try it please," I said, feeling as if I had no other choice and I didn't in the moment.

I guess we'll see how tomorrow goes.