Chapter Five
Candace
Heads turn as Jacques and I stroll into the foyer.
Every female eye lands on the man beside me, some look on with curiosity, others are definitely jealous.
I know I’m going to be a hot topic in the office for a while.The last time I caused a stir was when Massimo hired me.I hate having any form of attention, but I can handle it today.
Besides, I can’t help but take some pleasure in it because usually, I’m the introverted workaholic woman who's always rushed off her feet.Formerly known as one of Massimo's housekeepers.I have, however, heard some of the bitches here refer to me as a former servant, or my personal favorite... the house slave.
There are a lot of nice people here, but there are also some who didn’t think it was sane for him to bring his housekeeper to work for him, even if she had a college degree.
I don’t pay attention to people like that.Ever. They can think whatever they want for all I care.Those same people watch me now, and they can continue to watch me if they wish.
I had my reasons for being a housekeeper.Jobs like that are easier to do when you’re trying to find yourself, and more so when you just want to keep close to where you feel safest.
Jacques and I stop near the reception desk.He insisted on walking me back to work from the coffeehouse, then he took the elevator up with me.We stop here because he knows I have to go to a meeting with the marketing team.
“So, how’d I do?” he asks, speaking with the hint of a French accent.
I shift in my ballerina pumps and gaze up at him.Like most of the giants around here, he’s well over six feet at six one.
I’m not that short at five four but find myself often craning my neck to look up at people.
“What do you mean?” I reply. I know what he means, but I feel like I’m getting in scene for a play.
His handsome face lights up like he can see I’m still playing hard to get, which I guess I actually am.Running a hand through his spiky black hair, he squares his wide shoulders and regards me with admiration.
“Dinner. I never mentioned it throughout coffee.” He flashes me one of his dazzling trademark smiles and his bright green eyes ooze sex appeal.
“No, you didn’t. I agreed to coffee though, didn’t I?”
He’d sent me that dinner invite from Saturday.I'd planned to make him wait all day for an answer.I wasn’t expecting to see him this morning, but shouldn’t have been that surprised when he pitched up at my office bright and early.Men like him hate not having control of a situation.That’s why he came.
“Is coffee all I get from the lovely Candace Ricci?Mademoiselle, you do realize you’re breaking my heart here by making me wait, right?”
I can definitely see the appeal to him.He’s very handsome and has that Patrick Dempsey thing going on with his hair.I think I would be charmed too like most here if I didn’t have my suspicions about him.
“Mr. Belmont, your heart does not look broken.”
“You can’t see it, Miss Ricci.I feel it though. Come on, have dinner with me tomorrow night.”
The twinkle in his eyes suggests I really have struck his interest, which means I have him exactly where I want.
“I’ll go to dinner,” I answer, and I can’t believe those words actually come from my mouth.
When he smiles wide like he’s just won something, I feel like I’m making headway with this plan.
“Fantastic. How about I take you to one of my restaurants?”
“That would be nice.”
“I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“How about I meet you there?” I suggest, running my finger over the smooth cotton of his white button-down shirt.
One corner of his mouth slides into a curious grin.“I can’t pick you up from your place?”