Chapter 5 First work trip

I got home and began packing. I was lost in thought, wondering who Vanessa was going to say I looked like. I decided to text Alyssa to see if she knew anything.

Me: {Have you heard that I looked like anyone form the company?}

Alyssa: {I don't know, Ill ask around!"}

Me: {Thank you, I'm going to Oregon tomorrow with grumpy CEO. HELP ME!"}

Alyssa: {What?! That is a great opportunity! I don't even think Julia has even gone out of state with Grayson, and she has been his assistant for 2 years! How did that happen?}

Me: {Julia called out sick today and Charles must stay to finalize a big new client.}

Alyssa: {That seems weird because he can do that from anywhere….hmmm. I will let you know if I find out anything.}

Me: {thank you, I'll talk to you tomorrow.}

I felt like I barely fell asleep before my alarm went off at 5 am.

The car was outside at 6am sharp. The driver opened the door for me, and I got in.

Grayson was sitting to my left scrolling through his phone.

"Good morning!" I said.

He barely looked at me and nodded his head before going back to what he was doing on his phone. Clearly, he was not a morning person, but then again, was he ever not short with me?

We boarded the plane or should I say private jet. I don't know if I could ever fly on a normal plane ever again after being on this jet. It was luxurious and spacious. I was secretly happy that we had our own personal space as he seemed to be in a bad mood today.

His phone rang, and he quickly answered it. I decided to pull out my laptop to work. I was writing an email when I heard Grayson speaking. It was as if it was a completely different person. This was the voice I remembered that night. It was calm and sincere. It felt comforting and I didn't want him to stop talking. Why did he speak to me with such disdain in his voice?

We checked into the hotel after landing. He had the presidential suite, and I was in the adjoining room. We had a full day of meetings, so we just dropped of our belongings and headed out for the day.

It was a grueling day. We finally got back to the hotel around 7pm. I was starving but tired at the same time. I decided to take a bath and maybe order room service. I was just about to get into the bath when I got a text.

Alyssa {Oh my god girl! I just found out who you look like!}

She sent a photo of Grayson and a woman. I could clearly see the resemblance. It was quite strange actually. It looked like me, but it was not me.

Me {Who is this!!??}

Alyssa {I guess this is his ex-wife!}

Me {Why would he hire me if I looked like her}

Alyssa {I guess they separated a little over a year ago. She was pregnant when they split up. No one knows exactly what happened. Everyone was given NDA paperwork and signed a contract that any talk or gossip about his wife or ex-wife would be immediate termination. I will let you know if I hear anything else!}

I was no longer hungry, but I needed a drink. I grabbed my purse and quickly went down to the hotel bar for a glass of wine.

I could not stop thinking about what I had just found out. Did he hire me because he saw me on the interview video? Is that the only reason I got this job? Maybe that is why he is so rude to me? My mind was reeling, and I decided I was just going to ask him. I had two glasses of wine on an empty stomach, so I was feeling pretty confident.

I got to his door and knocked. I wasn't sure if he would answer and was about to walk away when the door opened.

He looked at me silently.

At that moment I felt like I had lost my courage.

He was going to shut the door on me when I stopped him and showed him the photo on my phone. "Did you hire me because I look like her?" I said loudly.

He looked at the photo and his whole demeanor changed. "Where did you get this photo? He said calmly.

"It doesn't matter, I just need an explanation" I yelled at him.

He looked me in the eyes, and I immediately calmed down. I couldn't figure out how he was able to make me feel at ease so quickly.

Then he spoke. "That is a photo of me and my wife. She passed away giving birth to our stillborn son a little over a year ago. I hired you because I felt you were qualified for the position, however, I am now regretting my decision. I do not discuss my personal affairs and can assume I have your absolute discretion on this matter?"

My eyes were tearing up and I was at a loss for words. My heart broke for him. I did not know what to say. So, I decided not to say anything. I impulsively hugged him. I said nothing else and went to my room.