Chapter 30 - The Heart-to-Heart Talk (1/2)
Claire couldn't help but stare at Gabriel Tan's face. He looks exceptionally handsome at this point—did something change? Remember the first time she had seen him? That was only a few days ago, when she was standing by the revolving doors of the TXCI Tower. And there were a number of moments when she had to remind herself that this man is her boss, no matter what, regardless of the strange circumstances surrounding their business relationship.
Now, it feels like it was years ago, as though a million things have happened. The moment she said yes to Gabriel's job offer, her life has turned upside-down.
”I'm sorry, Claire,” Gabriel begins as they sit down on the opposite sides of the conference table, so business-like. ”I wasn't very forthcoming when I made you the job offer. As you realize now, there's a reason why the salary offer was that generous—because it's not really a simple matter of working for me as a personal ȧssistant.”
”That's probably the understatement of the year,” Claire says. She smiles despite herself.
”Yeah, and I'm sorry about that,” he says. He shuffles through the documents he's holding. ”Here's a revised version of the Red Contract that Mrs. Gomez made you sign the other day.”
”That looks quite extensive,” Claire says, noting how there are now several pages more of the legal document than what she originally signed. ”What has been added?”
”I'll let you peruse everything before you sign these,” he says, ”but off the bat, I've painstakingly included all the new benefits and perks of your role.”
”And my role being?”
”Uhh, well… As my fiancée. And personal ȧssistant.”
Claire couldn't help but shake her head. ”Couldn't you hire me as just your fake fiancée? Can we do away with the personal ȧssistant part?”
”I wish I could do that, Miss Monteverde,” he says. Claire notes how Gabriel shifts to formally addressing her whenever he has to insist on certain things. ”But I also had to retain your services as my ȧssistant for reasons of privacy. I can't hire another one without risking blowing our cover, you know.”
Claire nods. That makes sense, she thinks.
”Now you'll be living in the Residence throughout the duration of the remaining days of our contract. Everything you need is well taken care of. As I mentioned, the entire building is yours for the mean time.”
”And if I may ask again, why the entire building?”
”For reasons of privacy, Miss Monteverde,” he says and smiles. ”I have planned everything out.”
Oh, really? Claire doubts it, but keeps her mouth shut.
”Now for the personal ȧssistant-related errands I may give you in the coming days, I may need you to use some disguise.”
”How do you mean?”
”I'll let Miss Cassandra manage that part for you,” he says. ”Simply put, you can't go around town doing errands for me looking exactly as Claire Monteverde, the fiancée. To be utterly clear, Miss Monteverde, you have dual roles. And for your personal ȧssistant role, may we use the fake name 'Bella'?”
Claire's brow knits in confusion. ”Sorry, but I'm having a hard time following you.”
Gabriel sighs. He tucks a strand of his shoulder-length hair behind an ear. Claire notes Gabriel's ear has reddened—is he agitated about this?