CHAPTER 5

" We did what !!! " Lauren screamed at the top of her lungs, so loud that the man had to clamp his hands against his ears.

He watched her throw a fit afterwards, she paced back and forth, mumbling to herself, digging her fingers into her hair, she looked like a lunatic, and he watched her with true fascination, the girl had energy, and energy was what he needed.

" Lauren " he called at first, but she didn't seem to hear him.

" Lauren ! " he called again, still nothing.

" Lauren !! " he shouted

" What !!! " she shouted back, looking like a hobo on drugs, her hair stood like spikes on her head, and her makeup had been completely ruined.

" It was just a joke " the man finally said, hoping she won't throw another fit.

" What ? " Lauren asked in a faint whisper.

" We didn't... have sex last night " the man said, and leaned back on his chair when Lauren started walking towards him.

" What did you say ? " she asked again, standing few feet away from him now.

" I said we didn't..... " he was about to complete his sentence, when Lauren cut him short.

" We didn't have sex last night " She said, her eyes glowing with hope, as she dropped on the couch behind her, and kept smiling to herself.

" No, we didn't, when I dropped you off, you fainted on your porch, so I carried you inside, your clothes were soaked so.. ahem, " he cleared his throat, and tried to avoid her narrowed glare.

" So I helped you change into something more comfortable, I stayed in your living room, but I swear that was all that happened, I didn't touch you " the man assured her.

" But you took off my clothes ? " she asked, and immmediately the man felt uncomfortable.

" Didn't you feel like touching me when you took off my clothes ? " Lauren asked, getting up from the couch, and walking towards the man again.

" No " the man answered leaning back when she stood too close.

She looked at him for a moment, and walked back to the couch, then sat down, crossed her leg, and stared at him intensely as he drank a glass of water, before she asked...

" Are you gay ? "

And just like that, he spat the water all over himself again, soaking his pants and for the second time that morning.

Thinking about it now Lauren realized that her question earlier was irrelevant and she couldn't help but feel guilty about the man's soaked pants and exhausted demeanor.

" Sorry " she whispered.

Lauren handed him a couple of hand towels that he could use to wipe himself dry, to an extent, after which he told her about his desire for her to come work for him

" So let me get this straight, you want me to work for you " Lauren asked.

" That's correct " the man nodded.

" And you're going to pay me more than my former boss ? " Lauren asked.

" Way more " the man answered.

" Do you know my former boss ? I mean not to rain down on your offer or anything but I find that a little bit difficult to believe. " she asked.

" I agree, Emberton corp does raise the stakes, " the man admitted, " but you see Helen "

" It's Lauren " she corrected him.

" Right, sorry, for you I'm ready to raise the stakes even higher, if you don't trust me, I have every single paperwork you will need to make sure that you get whatever I offer in full, and if I don't deliver, you can sue me of every last dollar I own. " the man said confidently.

Lauren looked at him for a moment, whatever it was, he must really need her help, she thought, and to be fair she could use the money as well, it was as good a deal as any.

" Fine, " Lauren said " what do you want me to do ? " she asked.

" Two words, " he said, and showed Lauren two of his fingers, " make-over " he finally said.

" You want me to work with models ? " Lauren asked.

" No, my dear, sweet, innocent, beautiful Lauren, you are not going to work with models, you my dear are going on a date " he said with excitement in his voice.

Lauren seemed confused as first, but she was curious all the same.

" I beg your pardon " she said.

" I want you to go on a date, multiple dates if possible, with none other than your former boss, Scott... Emberton. " the man said grinning widely.

It was a tempting offer. If it had been anyone else Lauren wouldn't have thought twice before grabbing the offer, but it wasn't just anyone, it was Scott Emberton, and the idea of even being close to him left a sour taste in her mouth. She couldn't stand the thought of it, not even if it meant she would get paid for it. She escorted her company out the door and threw his offer right in his face.

" If you ever change your mind, do let me know " he said.

" I don't think I ever will " she said.

But she hadn't finished talking when a woman from upstairs shouted down at her.

" Lauren, you better have my rent ready, and don't tell me you ain't got money, I can see that man you're talking to, and he looks like he's got loads of it " the lady screamed.

Lauren took one more look at the man, and drew a deep breath.

" You're sure you still want to turn down my offer ? " the man asked.

" I can see him taking your number " the lady screamed again.

" Fine, what's the plan ? " Lauren asked.

" How well is your french Lauren ? " the man asked.

Lauren stood momentarily confused by the question but answered anyway.

" Slightly good, why ? " she asked.

" You'll find out soon enough, very soon " the man responded with a suspicious grin that hung on his face .