Chapter 7: Prince Charming or a Sexy Beast?

Two days since Mr. Bailey came to the office for the last time.

During one entire year, Chloe had never seen Mr. Bailey miss a single day at work.

Was he with his ex-fiancée? Chloe sighed heavily. That question was around her mind since Brianna told her Jill was back in town.

Chloe was in the elevator with two other people, waiting for another workday to start.

Suddenly the doors opened on the parking floor and she smelled that unique scent. When she lifted her head, there he was. Staring at her with that intimidating glance.

All of a sudden she felt a shiver all over her body. Her senses were in alert. Chloe didn't know how much she had missed him until that moment. Mr. Bailey entered quietly.

The elevator stopped at the third floor and the two people got out.

Damn, she was alone with him in that metallic cubicle, Chloe thought. She couldn't even glance at him.

Mr. Bailey was concentrated on his phone when the elevator suddenly stopped and had a blackout.

"Wh…at is it?" Chloe was clearly nervous.

Mr. Bailey tried to use the call system and they informed it was an electrical problem. They would solve it in a few minutes. At that time, Chloe was desperate.

"What's going on? Please, take me out of here!" she had a weepy voice.

"Come on, Chloe! It's not that bad to be locked with me." He looked at her and realized she was not kidding. "In a few minutes we will be out of here."

Chloe was crouched in the corner, with her arms wrapped around her body in a form of protection. She used to be terrified of closed places. Her breath was uneven.

Watching her panic, Mr. Bailey crouched in front of her and said softly:

"Hey Chloe! Look at me. Try to breathe in and out slowly."

He had his hands in her face, trying to calm her down. They were staring at each other while Chloe breathed in and out as he said. Little by little she was getting better.

Chloe just didn't know if she was getting calmer because of her breathing exercise or because of the contact with him.

"Are you ok?" Mr. Bailey sounded a little worried.

She nodded in affirmation, petrified.

Mr. Bailey was intensely staring at Chloe and his lips were getting closer to hers. When they were about to touch, the lights came on and the elevator started again.

He broke their eyes connection and got up fastly. Everything was back to normal. Mr. Bailey became that cold and untouchable CEO again and Chloe was more confused than ever.

When they arrived on their floor, Chloe needed some space so she went straight to her office.

Chloe spent hours trying to figure out what kind of game Mr. Bailey was playing with her. That was the first time he seemed to care about her, or about anyone but himself.

Why that marriage was so important to him after all?

He was not in love with her, obviously. But today Chloe saw another side of that cold CEO that warmed her heart somehow.

"What's wrong? I didn't see you around earlier today." Brianna showed up in the room.

Chloe woke up from her thoughts, glanced at her friend and said:

"I'm busy."

"No way! You didn't even helped me today! What's the matter?" Brianna insisted.

"I'm just thinking about my father. My mom called saying he's getting depressed because he lost his business."

And that was true. Chloe didn't want to tell Brianna about the confusion Mr. Bailey was causing in her mind, so she just changed the subject. She was not lying after all.

"Sorry about that, honey." Brianna lamented. "If I had money, I would help you… But I know someone who can help you!"

Chloe looked at her friend hopeful.

"Our icy god!" the blonde-haired woman just said and her friend's smile faded away instantly.

"Chloe, he has money for the next five generations! Have you ever thought about it? One million dollars could change your life forever! It would change your story!" Brianna said nonstop.

"So you're saying I should accept the deal?" Chloe was discredited.

"f I were you, I would not think twice, of course! One year in hell and after that I will not worry about paying the bills, health insurance… I could give a comfortable life to my parents… You can work your entire life and you will not have one million dollars!" Brianna was way too excited.

Her friend had a point. Chloe was too busy thinking about everything she would have to give up that she didn't stop to think about the benefits. She could ensure a stable life for her parents and that was her biggest dream.

All she had to do was give up on Prince Charming and accept the sexy beast for one year.

"And I don't know why but I think he likes you somehow…" Brianna was still talking nonstop and Chloe just heard the last part.

"You're kidding me."

"No." Brianna thought for a moment. "Ok, I have an idea! Let's see if he cares about you."

The blonde-haired woman explained her plan and Chloe listened carefully. She really would like to know if Mr. Bailey felt something for her, maybe some kind of attraction.

"I only see one problem." Brianna was staring at Chloe ruefully. "You need to be careful, otherwise you will fall in love with him."

Chloe widened her eyes and swallowed hard.

What if she already had?