CHAPTER TWO: THE BLIND DATE

I got to the office a bit late. My head still throbbed from the alcohol I’d had last night. Being the boss meant I could arrive anytime, but I had documents waiting for me.

After working for over an hour, I handed everything to Mr. Patrick, my secretary. I needed to make arrangements for the blind date — and I really needed to talk to my mom.

I drove home and entered the mansion.

“Why weren’t you home last night?” my mom asked, worried.

“Mom, I’m old enough to go wherever I want. Besides, didn’t Austin come home last night?”

“None of you came home,” she said with a frown.

“Well, I told Austin I wouldn’t be back.”

“So… do you have any idea where he might be now?”

“Nope. He mentioned something about meeting a business associate,” I replied, sitting beside her.

“So, how’s work?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

“It’s going well. The hotels are progressing, and Mr. Patrick’s been doing his best. We’re actually working on a new hotel and lounge in Los Angeles.”

“Wow, that’s great. Patrick really took after his father.”

“Yeah,” I said with a small smile. Then I sighed. “Mom… I’ve decided to go on the blind date you arranged.”

She blinked at me in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, sure.”

She hugged me tightly. “Oh, Alexa, I’m so happy!”

“I’m doing this just once,” I reminded her.

“I promise—you’ll love this guy.”

“Do you have his picture?”

“Actuallyyyyy… I don’t,” she said, dragging the word playfully. “But I know a few things about him.”

“Okay, tell me what you know.”

“His name is Jason Anderson. He’s twenty-six, from a wealthy family. His dad owns Anderson’s Reality Show, and his mom runs the biggest salon and spa in the city.”

“I see.”

“That’s all I could find out. The date’s tomorrow. Is that too early?”

“No, it’s fine.”

She hugged me again and kissed my cheek. “You’ll love him.”

“I hope so,” I muttered.

Elsewhere...

“Sydney?” Mrs. Stones called.

Her daughter stepped out wearing a short floral tank top, phone in hand.

“I want to have a word with you,” her mom said.

“Okay, duh, I’m listening,” Sydney replied, eyes still glued to her screen.

“Come over and sit.”

“Hey, I don’t want to talk, okay? Just because I came out doesn’t mean you can start one of your lectures. I’ve got more important things to do than sit through a meaningless conversation.” She hissed and walked back to her room.

Mrs. Stones sighed. “What am I going to do with her?”

The next day, I dressed up gorgeously. I wore a sleeveless sparkling top with a short black fitted skirt. My hair was styled perfectly, my jewelry gleamed, and my makeup was flawless.

When I walked downstairs, my mom and Austin stared in surprise.

“Wow, you look stunning,” Mom said proudly.

“Not bad,” Austin added, smirking. “Enjoy your date.”

“Enjoy your date, darling,” Mom teased, touching my face.

I smiled, kissed her cheek, and walked out with a confident smirk.

“She’s indeed beautiful,” Mom said.

“Yeah, she is,” Austin replied with a scoff.

I hoped this was going to work.

On my way, I called Barbara.

“Hey, babe.”

“What’s up?”

“I’m heading to Nadine’s Recipe for the blind date with Jason Anderson.”

“Oh my God! Did you just say Jason Anderson?” she squealed. “That guy is f**king charming! I think—”

The line went dead.

“Hello? Barbara?” I tried calling her back, but the line wasn’t reachable. I just hoped she was okay.

When I arrived at Nadine’s Recipe, I took in the restaurant’s elegant atmosphere. A guy waved at me from a table nearby. He was handsome—too handsome. Black hair, ocean-blue eyes, perfect lips, a charming smile.

My prince charming… almost.

Then it hit me. I knew that face. I’d seen it before.

Oh yes—the jerk who spilled alcohol on my dress at the club.

My smile faded instantly.

“You—” I began furiously.

“Miss Alexa? What’s wrong?” he asked, looking confused.

“You… don’t remember?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

“Let go of me,” I snapped when he reached for my arm. “At the club—you threw your drink on me and didn’t even apologize! Instead, you insulted me!”

He blinked. “Me?”

“Yes, you! Such a pretender!”

He paused, then smiled faintly. “Oh… you must’ve met my twin brother, Jace Anderson. I’m Jason. Apologies for the confusion.”

I hesitated. “You’re serious?”

“Completely. He’s the troublesome one. People mix us up all the time. Once you meet him, you’ll see the difference.”

I sighed and sat opposite him. “Alright, I’ll give you that.”

“Have a glass of water first,” he said politely.

“Is that necessary?”

“Just take it.”

I took a sip, still cautious.

He smiled. “So, Alexa Leonard… CEO of Gresham Building. Impressive.”

“You’ve done your homework.”

“Maybe a little,” he said with a grin. “Mind telling me more about yourself?”

“Well, I’m twenty-four, I manage multiple hotels and lounges, and I have two brothers. That’s all you need to know.”

“I see… honest and direct. I like that.”

The waiter arrived with our meals. For a while, neither of us spoke. Then Jason asked, “Are you actually interested in this date—or any relationship at all?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because you look like you’d rather be at work.”

I smirked. “I wasn’t in for blind dates, but my mom insisted. I’m doing this for her.”

“Same here,” he said. “But I have an idea. How about we pretend to be in a relationship—just to make our moms happy? No strings attached.”

I raised a brow. “A fake relationship?”

“Exactly. What do you say?”

I thought for a moment, then smiled. “I like it. Let’s do it.”

He chuckled. “I hope you’re a great actress.”

“Of course,” I said with a smirk.

He made a few jokes, and I found myself laughing genuinely for the first time in a while.

An hour later, we said our goodbyes and exchanged contacts.

When I got home, the house was quiet. Mom was at a conference, and Austin was still at the office. My phone rang — it was Steve.

“Hey, Alexa.”

“Hi, Steve.”

“How are you?”

“Great.”

“You busy?”

“Not really.”

“Cool. Let’s talk.”

“About what?” I laughed.

“Anything.”

“Then come over.”

“You’re silly.”

“I know,” I said, laughing.

“Talk to you later,” he said and hung up.

Dinner was served shortly after. When Mom returned, I told her how it went. She was thrilled, her eyes shining with joy.

And for the first time in a long while, I was genuinely glad to have made her smile.

To be continued…