Chapter 5 FIVE

Scarlett

"Who the fuck are you?" Paul sneered, staggering to his feet.

Jett took a step toward him and my coward ex scrambled backward, all his earlier bravado suddenly gone. Honestly, he'd have been stupid to try to go up against a man like Jett, who was way bigger and looked every inch a viking.

"You have three seconds to get out of here," Jett said in a cold voice.

Paul glanced over his shoulder at me, "Seriously? These are the kind of assholes you surround yourself with now?" A moment later, recognition filled his face, "Wait a minute, aren't you Jett Heathrow? The football_"

The taller man had had enough. He reached forward, grasped my ex by the collar and tossed him out the door before banging it shut on his stunned face.

I was at a loss of words. How had he found me here? "What the hell are you doing here? I'm sorry, but you have to leave. I have an appointment and I can't deal with whatever this is right now," I snapped, "I had no idea who you were, okay? And you don't need to throw threats around. I work in PR, so I know to keep my mouth shut and forget that_"

"Miss Jonas," Eve poked her head in from the door, cutting off my tirade. My assistant's face complexion was pale and pasty, "Uh, this is your 1pm appointment. I sent you his file this morning."

Shocked, I rushed over to my laptop and opened it, scrolling to the file I hadn't yet had time to go through. I felt faint as I saw Jett Heathrow's name written in bold print at the top of the document.

"Uh, th-thank you Eve."

Nodding, my assistant slipped away, shutting the door softly behind her.

Awkward silence filled my office, and I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I couldn't believe I'd just fucked this up so bad.

"I'm so_"

"Is that the sorry I get for saving you from that asshole?" Jett cut in, looking mildly annoyed.

I let out a nervous chuckle, "I'm s-sorry, Mr. Heathrow. I think there was some confusion, and it's completely on me. Please take a seat."

I winced, expecting him to snap at me and storm off, but to my surprise, the large man settled into the seat across from me. I made a mental note to get bigger chairs if this working relationship was going to become a permanent thing.

"Again, I'm sorry about all of that," I fixed on a smile, "I promise it won't happen again. I'm a perfect professional and I don't mix work with personal relationships."

The last sentence was said for his benefit as well as for mine. He merely raised one eyebrow, remaining silent.

"So what can I do for you, Mr. Heathrow?"

"I've just recently parted ways with my former public relations team due to some conflict of interest," he said, "My image has taken a bit of a hit recently, and I'd like to turn it around."

I leaned forward, "Oh, what happened?"

His jaw clenched, "It's in the dossier I filled." The words were a reprimand directed at me and my cheeks immediately heated up in embarrassment.

I quickly scrambled for my laptop, gaze flying over the information on him. Apparently, he got into too many fights and was seen as some sort of lose cannon. The fans were out for blood and demanding he be traded.

I cleared my throat as I faced him again, "Well, in this case, we'll need activities to soften your image. Some charity events, hospital visits, a few carefully planned sightings with your family to show your soft side_"

He cut in immediately, "I don't want my family getting involved in this at all."

"Fine," I said, "We can do some shoots at the animal shelter and the orphanage."

"I don't like animals. And children."

I blinked at him, "What do you mean you don't like animals? Not even cute cats?"

Jett gave me a droll look, "Can't you curate some headlines to change public opinion."

"Public opinion doesn't work like that," i gritted out, "They have to decide for themselves that you're a good guy beneath all the punches and violence."

He glared at me and I glared back. No wonder he had left his former Public Relations firm.

"Look, you want me to help you, this is the way to go. Animal shelters and children_" I trailed off when he suddenly rose to his feet, "Uh, where are you going?"

"it seems you can't help me either. Good day miss Jonas."

Panic gripped my chest and I jumped to my feet wide eyed, "Wait, wait! Wait a damn minute. I have other ideas." No way was I letting Jett walk out, and miss the opportunity to make loads of money by having one of the richest athletes in America as one of my clients.

"Like what?" He asked challengingly.

"Like_" my mind raced, "Like a fake relationship. You like women right? Then this is the perfect solution. Someone nice and normal, someone that can help to show your soft side. Someone who likes kids and animals. The public would eat that up."

"Yeah? Like who?"

Damn it. I had no idea, "I can go through a roster and have a list for you before the end of the day. Maybe an actress, or a_"

He snorted, "sorry to burst your bubble, but an actress isn't the definition of nice and normal. it's clear that I'm in the wrong place."

I watched, heart sinking as he turned to walk away again. As he opened the door, I saw Eve standing there wide eyed. I knew she had heard the entire conversation from the intercom.

"Do something," she mouthed.

I shrugged, at a loss. "Like what?" I mouthed back. Maybe Paul was right and I was just wasting my time trying to run this firm after all. If I couldn't get a well paying client within the next two weeks, I wouldn't even be able to pay the rent for this place not to talk of paying Eve her salary.

"What about Miss Jonas?" Eve suddenly blurted, gaze flying between Jett and I, "You could fake date her."

"Me?" I scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous." I started to laugh, but it dried up in my throat when Jett stopped in his tracks.

He turned around and faced me, gaze accessing, and then he shrugged, "Okay."

What the_