Chapter 9

Will Carla really do it? He asked himself minutes later after Alex left. The dumbass had teased him endlessly, asking Liam to let him know anything he later decided to do pertaining to the dinner with his family. Liam had rolled his eyes and practically chased him out of his office.

Could he really ask Carla? He was her boss for Pete's sake! What boss would ask his employee to be his fake girlfriend? A new one at that. He sighed and rubbed his hands over his eyes, feeling tired suddenly. He had no choice but make her know about it first. Carla came in that moment and he looked uneasy, feeling words clogged up his throat suddenly.

" Have a seat please " He said as politely as he could, gesturing for her to take a seat.

She obliged him and looked at him curiously, wondering why called her. She noticed he looked uneasy. Gone was the arrogant, overconfidence Liam, she almost laughed at the calm expression on his face.

" You called me sir? " She prompted when he didn't make to speak at all.

He just stared at her, a word not coming out of his lips at all. She placed her hands on her thighs and waited patiently for him to get his acts together.

" How was your first day at work? " He started, not wanting to jump into the real subject like that.

She raised one eyebrow, not believing he called her in for that. The uneasy expression she saw on his face when she came in gave it all away.

" Did you call me in here to ask me that? I'm sure that's not the real thing you wanna say " The words popped out of her mouth before she could stop herself. She groaned inwardly, she should really learn to keep her mouth shut. She had disrespected him enough for a day. She wouldn't blame him if he decided not to make her a permanent employee.

" Well, my day was good, at least I'm not dead yet " She smiled humorlessly, trying to make amends but it was too late. She sighed as she watched the surprised look on his face.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise and he looked like he didn't expect her to say that " How did you know that's not what I wanted to say? " He asked curiously.

She shrugged " The look I saw on your face when I came in gave it away. I felt you just sidetracked when you asked how my day was "

His expression turned into an amused one " I must say I'm surprised " He laughed anxiously.

Carla looked at him suspiciously but successfully kept her mouth in check as she waited for him to spill the beans.

" So? " She couldn't resist the temptation to ask him.

He heaved a long sigh " Okay, the thing is... " He let his voice trailed off as the door opened and Amanda came in.

" Hi Carla " She waved a little in her direction and turned to Liam " I just came to drop these before heading home " She dropped the files on the table and straightened up.

" Have a good night sir " She said and turned to Carla " Bye sweetheart " she said with a wink.

Carla frowned, wondering what on earth she meant by the wink. Amanda laughed on seeing the confused expression on her face.

She shrugged as she had no idea what she meant and just bade her bye.

" Have a good night, Amanda " Liam replied and once again turned his attention to Carla.

The door closed behind Amanda and her footsteps faded away.

" You were saying something, sir? " She asked.

Liam sighed " You really have to learn to be patient "

Carla rolled her eyes inwardly but smiled at him nonetheless " I'm sorry, kindly carry on please "

He shook his head, she was really a difficult woman to deal with " Will you be my date tonight? " He blurted out.

She looked too dumbfounded to speak as she processed his words " Sorry? " She whispered.

He sighed again and closed his eyes briefly, he was a man of few words and definitely didn't like to repeat his words " You heard me right, Carla. Will you be my date tonight? "

Carla's eyes widened like saucers as she looked at him. There was not a trace of joke in his voice, he was damn serious! She thought.

" Carla? " He snapped his thumb and middle finger in front of her.

" Huh? " She snapped out of her dazed look.

" Whatcha say to that? " He asked, looking at her with eyes filled with hope.

She finally regained her composure and focused on him. He wanted her to be his date?! Wow that's new, she thought. She remembered her friend's warning on being careful with her boss. Well, he had another thinking coming if he thought she was the next girl in his list to bed. She made a vow to herself not to fall into his trap.

Her eyes hardened and she raised her eyebrows quizzically " What do you mean by that? Today is my first day at work here and you're already asking me to be your date?! How funny sir " She huffed, staring down at him under her lashes.

He glared at her, already regretting why she had to be the perfect person to ask. She was really difficult and she looked like a woman who would never succumb to a man's directives. She would never be submissive to him, he thought. He frowned, why did the latter thought came to his mind? He didn't need her to be submissive to him because their relationship would never be more than a boss's relationship to his employee.

" I would never ask you to do this If there's any other girl I could ask " He said quietly.

She rolled her eyes " So what happened to your GIRLS? " She placed emphasis on the word 'girls'

He sighed " I just feel like you're the perfect person for this, Carla "

" What dinner is it anyway? " She asked warily.

" Just so you know, I'm out of this if it's one of those high social class parties " She added.

He smiled a little " Nah, it's a family dinner so I just need you to play my fake girlfriend. You heard my conversation with my Mom, right? Imma tell you about that later but for now, I want us to play my fake girlfriend "

Her eyes widened even more " Did you just ask me to play your fake girlfriend?! "