Chapter 61: Can’t Hurt
- LAWSON -
It’s curious how Dex seems to have latched onto Auraya so quickly. That was not what I was expecting, but it’s definitely something I can use. With the accident, she’s obviously got the damsel in distress thing going on that pulls on the highly emotional side of my brother. And anything highly emotional can only threaten the cool and collected version of Dex that my father is relying on.
Once my father and the board see an unhinged Dex, they’ll realize I’m still the best choice for CEO. Because shit like this doesn’t rattle me. I definitely wouldn’t need to speak to a counselor after witnessing something like a car accident—that’s for sure.
"Have you spoken to Auraya? How is she doing?" My lip twitches toward a smirk, and the threat that was already in my brother’s eyes narrows further.
Dex may have avoided getting mixed up with his mother’s family all these years, but you can’t tell me he doesn’t look like he belongs right there alongside them. There’s a ruthlessness that is crouched and waiting for a reason to unleash. I’ve always been able to feel it.
I wonder if his cousins realize that he’s back in town. Maybe I could find a way of letting them know.
"Raya is returning to work next week, per doctor’s orders." Dex says while maintaining that cold stare.
"That’s good to hear. I think she has a lot of potential with us."
"Did you hear what I said?" Dex asks.
"You want me to stay away from her, but we all work in the same company. I’m not sure what you mean."
"I know what you’re trying to do, Lawson. It’s not going to work."
"What am I trying to do?" My brows pinch together. "Look, Alexander, we currently have the same title. You’re not CEO yet, so I would appreciate it if you would address me as a colleague rather than an employee. I’ve been here longer. I know this company better."
His hands come up, tenting in front of his face as he stares at me. He may be a pussy for running away from his problems years ago when his mother died, but he could be a mafia boss plotting my death right now with that expression, I swear.
"Can we talk about actual jobs now?" I ask, changing the subject. Because I have no intention of leaving Auraya alone. I’m just not sure yet how she will continue to fit into this plan of mine now that he’s become so fixated on her.
"Creative pitched an idea to Luxe Life a few weeks back, and we were all set to do the shoot this week. But I just got word our model has Covid, so we need to scramble to find someone else or risk losing the account. Luxe is already in a rush to get this line out, and the location Creative promised for the project is only available this week."
"We don’t have any other models?"
"I haven’t been able to find anyone yet who’s available with the look they want," I tell him, seeing how well I can deliver this and get him to bite. "Our original was slender with dark hair and green eyes. I came in early to try contacting as many agencies as I can, but no luck so far."
Dex groans and sits up in his chair. "Grace is in town," he says, not looking at me.
"Grace who?"
"Grace who?" He repeats, shooting me a glare. "The Grace who called you. The one you felt at liberty to share my sleeping arrangements with. "
"Oh, so she came?" I chuckle, acting surprised—like she hadn’t called me last night upset that he had sent her to a hotel. What I want to know is who the friend is staying in the guest house. Did he bring someone with him from Montenegro? "I tried to give you a heads-up. She has a similar look, doesn’t she? Do you think she’ll be interested in the job?"
"I’m sure she will be," he sighs. "But you’ll have to go through her agent."
"Do you want to take the lead on this since you know her? It may go smoother, and then you can oversee the project this week and get a better feel for the Creative team. This campaign is a big deal for us, and we can’t afford to lose it."
Dex stares at his desk before his eyes cut back to me, and then he nods. "I’ll take care of it."
————
- DEX -
Lawson was much too eager to hand the Luxe Life job over for me to problem-shoot this week. I’m going to have to do a little bit of digging to see if the story checks out about this model having Covid, and I’ll also need to be on my guard for any unseen pitfalls he may have arranged for me to stumble upon.
But in the meantime, Grace is here. And I know she is available. If it works out for both parties—for Mobius and for her—then I guess it can’t hurt anything.
After finally getting her agent on the phone, she tells me that she will check with Grace and get back to me. Thankfully it’s not me having to call her directly, because having a conversation with her about this job is not something I’m looking forward to. I already told her we wouldn’t need her for any reason, and here I am with a job ready and waiting as if it had been prepared specifically for her and her availability all along.
At least since we’re going through her modeling agency, she won’t get confused that this is anything personal on my part. I hope she won’t, that is.
After I receive confirmation about what I already know—that Grace is available and willing to do the job—I arrange for all the appropriate paperwork to get where it needs to go so that everything else runs smoothly for the photography shoot later in the week, which is scheduled for Wednesday.
The rest of the day is productive. Everyone seems genuinely appreciative of having the counselor to speak with, and Jay and Cricket ask if I can find a way to get their numbers to Raya. I’m sure Raya will be glad to know that there are people here missing her and wishing her well, so I assure them that I will pass their information along.
Now I’m just relieved to finally be done with the day and on my way home. That’s not a feeling I’ve had in quite some time. And it’s all simply because I’m imagining eating my dinner alone in the kitchen, gazing out at the pool and wondering what the woman of my dreams is doing on the other side.
