CEO Dane Romano, My Fake Boyfriend

Chapter 1 - Job Interview

Lexi POV

At first, I was brisk walking but when I looked at my watch; I did what I have to do. I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I couldn’t be late for my interview, which will be in fifteen minutes.

I had recently graduated from college, and I needed to find a job immediately. Yes, I need the money. I didn’t want to return to my hometown and be declared a failure.

I had attended several job interviews already but have heard nothing from them yet. I still have my part-time job and my savings, though. However, it wouldn’t be enough to sustain me living in the city. New York City. I could get two or even three part-time jobs, but what’s the use of my diploma?

I used to receive a measly monthly allowance from my parents, which I know was very fortunate of me, even how small it was. But since I have graduated, they had cut it off. For my graduation gift, they gave me a check. My start-up fund they said if there was a thing like that. A start-up fund for the new beginning I was facing. It was not big, but comfortable enough to rely on in case of emergencies.

Wearing my white blouse, a fitted gray skirt, and black pumps, I made my way up the steps of an enormous building, hoping I would get to the office on time.

I wonder what I look like right now. I should have ridden a taxi!

“Mr. Dane Romano’s office, please.” I took a deep breath as I stand before the receptionist. “It’s Lexi Scott. I’m here for an interview.” I couldn’t help but take a few deep breaths. I was panting and fanning myself. I could feel the beads of perspiration on my forehead.

“Yes, here you go.” She said as she handed me a visitor’s ID with a smile. “Please follow that man. He will go up as well.”

“Thank you,” I replied and walked a few steps going towards the way the receptionist pointed me to. The problem was, I didn’t see which man was she pointing to. There were two men.

What the heck. Both of them are going upwards, anyway.

I ran to the man who had just got in an elevator.

The faster the better.

I turned around and wondered why the other incoming people opted to wait at the other elevators when there was already an available car. I shrugged my thoughts away and simply went inside the car with the lone man. The fewer people in the car, the faster I could reach my destination.

When I got in, I heard the man clear his throat. I thought I would block his way out, so I went to one side and stayed there. The door had already shut and then I felt the car move. I sighed, knowing that I only have a few minutes left.

I was worried the entire ride up, but I can’t help to notice the fact that the man behind me smelled so good. I closed my eyes and inhaled through my nose and relish the musky scent.

“Interview?” I heard the man ask.

I jumped from where I was standing and immediately looked behind me.

Fuck! Never had I met a man as handsome as this one. Definitely an alpha male.

Jet black hair, dark brown eyes, pointed and narrow nose, full lips, firm jaw with a five o’clock shadow that made him more handsome. He stands tall in a delectable gray suit. He’s probably around six feet and two or three inches.

However, the man just looked at me oddly.

“Are you done ogling at me?” He smirked and raised an eyebrow at me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just surprised.” I blinked my eyes at least a hundred times. “Uh, yes. I’m here for an interview.” My heart was beating wildly as the man stared at me after he ran his gaze from top to bottom, then back to my eyes.

“Well, you better freshen up before your interview. Your name?”

“My name is Lexi Scott,” I replied meekly. I could feel my face blushing.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” he said as he tilted his head at one side while still looking at me.

The elevator stopped and then the door opened. I looked at the monitor and it said we were on the top floor, which was also my destination. I also noticed there were no other buttons. That meant this elevator doesn’t stop at any floor except at this one. I wished the floor would swallow me whole.

“Care to get out, Ms. Scott? You still have an interview to go to.” He stretched out his arm towards the door. “The restroom is that way. I expect you in my office in five minutes.” He said while looking at me.

Oh fuck. It is Mr. Dane Romano, the CEO!

“Yes, Sir.” I nodded and quickly went to the restroom.

How could I not notice it was him? I have studied the company profile and seen his photo several times on the company website.

I shook my head and thought he looked all the better in person.

Nothing much was to be fixed, but I was grateful for the extra time given to me. It gave me time to clear my mind and focus on possible questions that may be asked in the interview.

After combing my wavy hair with my fingers, blotting out the oil on my face, applying pressed powder and lip balm, I went out of the restroom and walked towards Mr. Romano’s office. I greeted his secretary and I was greeted back with a smile.

“You can go in already, Ms. Scott. Good luck.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at her again.

From the advertisement, the vacancy was for a personal assistant. There was nothing else said of the position, on the responsibilities, or what was expected from the applicant. But a personal assistant is more or less like a secretary but goes with the boss everywhere. Since I’m single anyway, I think I’ll be able to do what is needed to be a personal assistant.

I also chose to apply for the position because of the enterprise name, Romano Group of Companies. It was considered one of the top companies in the country. It could open up various opportunities for me in the future.

I knocked on the door before letting myself in.

“Good morning, Mr. Romano.” I walked towards his table and simply stood in front.

The moment I came in, I knew his eyes were already at me. I didn’t know, but I felt like he was a magnet that kept on attracting me. I could look into his eyes, look at his face the whole day and I wouldn’t get bored.

“Sit down please.”

I walked towards one of the seats in front of his desk and was about to sit when he called my attention.

“That’s not where I want you to sit, Ms. Scott.”

I got confused.

Where else should I sit?

“Are we going to move the interview to the sofa, Sir?” His office has an immaculate sofa set at the side.

“Later perhaps, if you pass this test first. Please have a seat, Ms. Scott.”

I gaped at him, following his movement.

No way.

He patted his lap and then motioned me to come forward.

“Sir?” I looked at him, confused again. “You want me to sit on your lap?”

“Yes. Is there any problem with that, Ms. Scott?”

“Is it a requirement to sit on your lap for the job I am applying for? I’m applying for the personal assistant position, Sir.”

“It will be one basis for me to know if we fit together. I know you are applying as my personal assistant. I have your resume here.” He pointed to the paper that he has on his desk. I looked at it and found that it was indeed my resume.

“So, what would it be, Ms. Scott? You do what I told you to do and we will move on with the interview proper.”

I stood there thinking about what I should do. Probably most women would jump right away and sit on Mr. Romano’s lap. But I was not most women. I was an NBSB girl, and this was not the way I want to lose myself in a man.

As I wondered why he would be interested in playing with me, I looked at what I wore today. I was wearing decent clothes, except for the fact that my skirt was perfectly hugging my waist and my hips. It goes down to my knees, which was not really offending. My long-sleeve white blouse got everything covered. I wore little make-up, as I cannot be bothered with anything other than powder, lip balm, and mascara. I thought those were the only thing that my face needed.

I have black hair, hazel eyes, a cute button nose, pink full lips, and high cheekbones. My tanned skin could be one of my assets, as well as my butt. So, was it my ass that caught his eye? I was standing in front of him in the elevator earlier, anyway. My breasts were of average size, so I didn’t think it mattered to Mr. Romano.

What does he think of me, anyway?

“Ms. Scott, are you done debating with yourself? I could practically hear your mind working.” Mr. Romano was still sitting there like he owned the place.

Well, he owns the place.

Fuck! That was why it was only him who went inside that elevator. It was for his personal use! Oh, my fuck!

“Sir, I’m sorry. But I don’t think that we fit together. I don’t sit on men’s lap.” He just rose an eyebrow at me. “I would have to go. Thank you for the opportunity.” I smiled a little and turned my back on him. I was about to open the door to go out when he spoke out loud.

“Twenty thousand dollars on the first month, while you are on probation. Fifty thousand on the succeeding months. Outright free housing, free food, free clothes, and you get to travel around the world. What do you say? We could make the contract six months or one year. Whatever you like.”

What? He’s giving me the chance to call the shots? And that compensation was out of this world. Why is he doing this to me?

I turned around again and looked him straight in the eye.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“I need someone to distract me when I’m doing business, Miss Scott.”

“Then why me? There are women escorts out there, who are more experienced in that kind of job.”

“I don’t have to answer that question, Ms. Scott. Think about it first. Let me know by tomorrow your decision. It’s nice seeing you today.” Then he turned around in his chair and shut me out. That must mean that I was dismissed already.

Well, I have made it known that I’m straightforward. So did he.

I got out of the office and walked my way back to the elevator.

“How was it?” The secretary asked.

“It was… I don’t know. Your boss is kind of weird.” I said, thinking out loud.

“He is. But he is a kind and generous man.” Mr. Romano’s secretary smiled kindly.

“Oh really?” I asked, not believing what she said. Mr. Romano might be generous, but I don’t know about being kind.

How could he subject women to this kind of humiliation?

“I’m his secretary for five years already. I could attest to that.” The woman looked like she’s around in her early forties and I could see she’s happy with her job.

“Right. Does he have a wife or girlfriend?”

“No. He doesn’t have either. So, are you going to be his personal assistant?”

“Did he have a personal assistant before?”

“Nah. You will be the first one, if ever. There were a lot of women applying over the past few days, but he was not able to choose anyone. From what I have observed, he was excited to see you.” She smiled at me meaningfully. “He was smiling after I handed him your resume.”

“I don’t think I’m the person to be his personal assistant.”

“Oh. That’s sad. I thought he likes you already. You two went out of his elevator together.”

Goodness! Yeah, the embarrassment for today. Was that why he cleared his throat earlier? He could not just tell me to get out of his space?

“I think I need to use the restroom again. Thank you, Miss…”

“Just call me Jan.” She smiled kindly at me.

“Thank you, Jan.” I smiled back and went to the restroom. I felt like I needed to take a breather before going out of the building.

I was in the restroom when my best friend and roommate called.

“Hey, Brianna. What’s up?”

“So, Lex. Did you get the job?” She sounded excited, but I also heard a bit of hesitancy.

“I did not pursue it, girl,” I said dejectedly.

“Oh.” She sounded sad, too.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I’m so sorry, Lex. But I have to go home as soon as possible. I don’t know when or if I will return. I know that this is quite a rush, but my mom needs me to take care of her. I will have to leave the apartment. I’m so sorry.” Brianna sounded she was about to cry. I knew of her predicament. Her mom was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago.

“Brianna. Hey. I understand. I do. What happened?”

“I just got a call from dad. Mom’s body is not responding to her meds, so she’s really in a terrible shape right now. Her doctors were going to change the meds and, hopefully, her body will accept the new ones. But I wanted to be there to take care of Mom. I don’t know if she will live this through. Dad needs my support as well. I think I’ll look for a job within the town. We still need the money for her treatments. Dad’s savings are almost depleted.”

Brianna was my childhood best friend. Her family was like my own. Her parents have treated me like their own child. How I wish I could do something to help them get through this.

“You would have to look for another roommate, Lex. Or find a smaller apartment. Or come home with me. I’m so sorry, Lexi.” She was already crying.

“Brianna, I’m okay.” My best friend didn’t need to be worrying about me, too. “I’ll be fine. Just focus on your mom.”

I know what I have to do. It’s a sacrifice that I’ll be willing to do for my best friend.

“Brianna, don’t worry about me, okay? I think I’ll have a job soon. I’ll go home in a while and help you pack.”

We talked for a few minutes more. I just needed to comfort her. After the call, I had the firm resolve to help my best friend and her family in any way I can.

I looked at myself in the mirror and made sure that I’m still presentable.

You can do this, girl.

Swallowing my pride, I went back to Jan and told her I need to see Mr. Romano again. After waiting for Mr. Romano to give her the signal that I can go inside his office, I wasted no time.

“Changed your mind, Ms. Scott?” He said in a poker face.

I did not reply, but went straight to him and shocked him by sitting on his lap.

“Do you think we fit, Mr. Romano?” I asked him breathily. I cringed internally and hoped that I sounded sexy. I slipped one arm around his shoulder and rested another on his chest.