Chapter 12

Jax I found myself thinking of Reine even after she had left. She was something. I knew that she was attracted to me, but I also knew that her walls were erected very high. Something was telling me to stick to the business side of our agreement, but that would be a little too easy. Plus, I needed to work that fascination I had with her out of my system quickly.

I was repeating myself, but it wasn’t something I understood. She was probably a poor girl from some little town in the middle of nowhere who had come to Seattle, tried to live above her means, and had gotten into debt. My mind had processed this. So, I didn’t understand why the interest just wouldn’t die. Maybe I was overestimating my attention span.

It had barely been two days. I didn’t expect her to just slip off my mind like that. Especially when I still knew virtually nothing about her. There was still that basic fascination, and I almost believed that Reine knew exactly what she was doing. Trying to lure me in with a false innocent front, then present me a sob story and hope that this turned into something real.

Maybe I was just being way too cynical, especially since I was the one who had suggested the whole fake fiancé arrangement. But my experience in the past had taught me that it was better to be too cynical than not at all. I didn’t know how to act in the face of what seemed like a very contrasting personality. Everything was simply at odds with her and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to smooth the puzzle out in my mind.

I looked down at the contract and shook my head. I had not been able to leave my office since I had gone downstairs with Reine and made sure that she had gotten into her Uber safely, and making sure that she had gotten home safe. I had proposed to drop her off, but the more I had insisted, the more she had looked uncomfortable and cornered. I had backed out because the last thing I wanted was to force her into something she clearly didn’t want.

Whatever she was hiding… it could be that she was very private, and she didn’t appreciate anyone knowing any personal details about her. But I felt it went much deeper than that. There was no way to prove it though, no way to get close either. I found myself at a loss.

If I told this to Dylan, he would assume she had put me under some kind of spell. First, I was offering her one million dollars to be my pretend fiancée, something that would never have crossed my mind under normal circumstances. Then, I was obsessing over her and things she had all right to keep private.

Nah, there was no way he was ever going to learn something like that. Dylan was never going to let me live it down. I shook my head, picked my phone, and dialed Reine’s number. I shook my head again as I waited for her to pick up. It had been forty-eight hours, and I was getting obsessed with this girl. Nah.

I cleared my throat when she answered, and I heard a soft hello.

Her voice was soft, it was like honey and I honestly could listen to her talk all day. The effect it had on me was startling. With the way Reine was behaving, I knew that she was just as attracted to me as I was to her. But she was holding back. And just like I had told her, I was not the type of person who forced myself on women. There had never been any need to.

I was Jax Coleman; women gravitated to me. I didn’t even need to show interest. I had never seen it as much of an advantage. It sounded weird but I was one for genuine relationships. That didn’t mean all the relationships I had been in had been serious no. I just preferred a situation where both parties had an obvious mutual interest. Which was why I was never going to force Reine into anything, no matter how obvious it was that she was attracted to me.

I didn’t know why she was holding herself back—maybe it was the fact that she was a normal human being and didn’t consider it appropriate to show attraction for a man she had not known for even up to a week. I shook my head a little. This was ridiculous. I decided to focus on the call and forget about whatever thoughts were going on in my mind.

“Reine,” I started. I knew that my tone probably sounded very bored. But that was my aim. “I trust you reached home safe?”

“I did,” she said in that soft voice of hers. “Thank you for checking.”

“I will send the contract to your mail shortly, but I also wanted us to discuss details for lunch tomorrow.”

There was a short pause, and I already knew that Reine was searching in her catalog of excuses for all the reasons she could give to escape the lunch I had not even concluded yet.

“Are you not a busy person?”

I laughed. I couldn’t help myself. Not only had the question been very unexpected, but it also sounded really funny. The more I spoke to Reine, the more I realized how much of a breath of fresh air she was. Like I said, I couldn’t even figure her out.

“I can make time for what I truly want, Reine. I want you to remember that.”

There was another pause. “Okay,” she said. “Is it going to be at your apartment?”

My facial expression changed. I could understand her being uncomfortable about coming over to my apartment, but I hated that her voice was laced with some hint of distrust. I had thought that after the last time, and the fact that I had not once behaved inappropriately towards her, she would stop thinking I was going to do something to her. I didn’t expect her to trust me, but I didn’t appreciate the fear laced questions either.

“Reine, when you came over this evening, did I once touch you without your permission?” I asked seriously. I needed to know that I would never wake up to false rape or sexual assault allegations being levied against m r.

This time around, Reine’s reply was almost instantaneous. I was actually surprised she could be that spontaneous.

“You did not. I’m sorry that I sound paranoid, but you have to understand. You’re still a stranger to me no matter how we want to see things, and I don’t mean to offend you, but if something happens to me, nobody would believe me over you…”

I was silent for a while. She was right. I did have the advantage over her. And it would be easy for me to do anything to her and escape blame simply because of how much power and wealth I had.

“To answer your question, Reine, no. this time around, we are going to be in a public place. I am going to have a talk with my PR manager and as soon as they communicate a place to me, I will let you know. I will be the one to pick you up this time around, you can’t escape from that.”

“Yes sir. I will be waiting,” Reine said sharply.

“Good girl. Take care of yourself,” I said then I hung up.

Take care of yourself? I was becoming so goddamn sappy. I didn’t recognize myself anymore.

I shook my head. That was not what I should be thinking of anyway. I needed to meet with the board of directors that very day. I knew that I was going to have to meet up with them and take Reine along. But under no circumstances was I dragging her into the lion’s den. She was helping me, even if it was in her personal interest. And I knew how ruthless those men could be because I could be just as ruthless.

I didn’t need her giving up when we had already gone off to such a good start. So, I had discussed it with Ben, and he agreed to set up a meeting, so I could announce my supposed engagement. I had not told him what exactly I wanted to announce. But Ben was smart, and I knew his mind was running in that direction.

I got ready as quickly as I could and headed downstairs. I had expected that I would be stressed out. But surprisingly enough, my mind was relaxed. I was a generally nonchalant person, but the future of the company was at stake here. I had expected myself to feel a little bit of pressure at least.

It just wasn’t there.

I reached the company building and went upstairs. I was actually in a cheerful mood. Maybe it was because I knew that these old men had nothing on me anymore. They couldn’t do anything to stop me from being CEO now, and I knew that with the position of CEO would eventually come that of president, given I worked hard enough. Which I knew I would.

“Gentlemen,” I said as soon as I walked into the boardroom.

They were all sitting there, and it seemed like they had been waiting for me.

“You’re late.”

Ben, of course, was the one who spoke. It seemed like he was going to be their mouthpiece once again. Not that it was very surprising.

“Traffic,” I said, then I took a seat.

I knew they considered me disrespectful, unconscious, and flippant, but none of them could contest the fact that I worked hard, and I had the interest of ColElectronics at heart. I dared them to, anyway.

In as much as I respected and looked up to them, I wasn’t one who tolerated disrespect coming from anyone.

“You said you had something urgent to tell us,” Ben continued. I nodded and put my hands together.

It was better for all of us if I went straight to the point. I was glad Ben had entered into the root of the matter so smoothly.

“Yes. I want to let you guys know that the ludicrous demand you posed to me a few days ago will no longer be an issue to any of us. I proposed to my long-term girlfriend yesterday and she agreed to marry me.”

I could see the shock on each of their faces. I had no idea what they had been trying to achieve with that ultimatum in the first place, but I knew they had not expected this kind of response from me. It was almost like they had expected me to tell them I was in no sort of serious relationship. Now what I had to do was make sure that Reine and I’s story was believable as possible. Which was why I was not going to mention any dates or anything like that without elaborating our complete story.

“We want to meet her,” one of the old men said. I was surprised it was not Ben who had spoken this time around. I chanced him a look and he still looked very much shocked. I had to force myself to stop the chuckle that wanted so desperately to come out.

“Oh, trust me I banked on that. I will set up a meeting at a time that will be convenient for us all. And by us all, I mean my fiancée, you gentlemen, and I, of course. I hope I didn’t take up too much of your time,” I said, then I chuckled.

I knew that my words were getting on their nerves but there was nothing they could say or do because I was doing what exactly they had asked of me.

I saluted, then walked out of the boardroom. I didn’t care that I was being disrespectful. Their silence had been way too unnerving, and I couldn’t stand it for another minute. I heard footsteps behind me, and I smirked. I knew it was Ben. I was not surprised that he was coming after me.

“Jax.” Definitely Ben. “Wait a second.”

I stopped and waited for the man to reach me. He stared up at me for a few seconds before saying, “I hope none of this is fake and you are truly in a relationship with whichever young lady you are going to introduce to us.”

I let out a short laugh. Of course, he would say that. “Do you think I am the type of person who would announce an engagement if I truly wasn’t serious?” I asked, raising my brow.

Ben sighed. “Truthfully, with what is at stake for you, I wouldn’t put you past that. But if you truly are serious, congrats on your engagement, Jax. Does your father know?”

My face tightened a little at the mention of my dad. I could not deny that there was still some resentment I had to unpack concerning him. He was probably the only person that would be able to see past this ruse. For the first time in a while, I was glad that he was off in a country that none of us knew.

“I will inform him,” was all I said.

Yes, I respected this man to an extent. But I didn’t trust him enough to confide in him.

“Alright. I will be looking forward to meeting…”

“Reine,” I supplied.

“Reine,” Ben said with what was obviously a fake smile on his face. Then he turned and walked away. I stared at him until he entered the boardroom before turning on my heel and walking towards the elevator.

Now I was going to have to finalize all the other details and hope that all of this went well.