Suspense

Hillary's POV

“Are you crazy? Why the hell would you run off?”

Bridget almost choked me.

“I don't know, I was so confused, and the email made me think I didn't need to sleep for money.”

“Don't be stupid,” Bridget shot back. “Do you think you get to work for the company, and they pay you immediately?”

“Ohh.”

I started regretting my decision.

“It would take a month already, and look, those men would come again and pack up everyone's load from this apartment.”

“I know, Bridget. There's nowhere to go. This is all my fault,” I sighed.

“Well, how did it go?”

She asked, “Were you able to go by the name Tessa Fowler?”

“Yeah. But at some point, I was really scared. It was like someone named Tessa Fowler existed with a fashion house. He asked about that," I raised an eyebrow.

“Huh? What was your reply?”

I shrugged. “Well, I... I just avoided his question,” I said truthfully.

“Was he cute? Handsome? Tell me about it, girl. You just missed your chance with a fucking billionaire.”

Bridget said, upset. Obviously, she was irritated.

“I'm so sorry, Bridget,” I said with regret as I carefully wore her shoes. I was getting prepared to go to the company already—Caster Enterprise.

“It really suits you a lot,” Bridget complimented.

“Thank you so much. I couldn't have achieved this without your help,” I said happily. Bridget had given me her shoes—office shoes, actually. While I ironed my short-sleeved shirt at her house and got prepared there, I stared at myself in the mirror and got a call.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Hillary Highman. Your interview starts in an hour.”

I took a deep breath.

“I got to go, Bridget.”

“Let's go. I'll book a taxi for you so I can know the location of the office.”

We both hopped in a taxi, stating the address, and after a few minutes, we arrived. My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets when I saw the view of the building. It was sleek, massive, tall, and everything.

“Good luck, girl.”

Bridget waved me goodbye, and I was still impressed. So this is where I would work. Oh my gosh. I walked towards the entrance; it was a stunning glass and steel façade that shimmered in the sunlight. I pushed through the revolving doors and was enveloped in a cool, air-conditioned space.

I walked to the reception desk, where a friendly-faced woman with a bright smile greeted me.

"Good morning, welcome to Caster Enterprises. How can I help you?"

"I'm here for an interview."

"I'm meeting with... um... I'm not sure who, actually."

The receptionist nodded helpfully.

"Let me check. Can you please tell me your name?"

"Hillary Highman," I replied, spelling it out for the receptionist.

After a brief check on the computer, the receptionist nodded.

"You're here to see Mr. Travis. He's the CEO of Caster Enterprises. Please, take a seat, and someone will come to escort you to the meeting room."

“Oh.”

Travis, I thought. Why does he have to bear a name similar to the man I almost slept with?

“Thank you.”

I responded, going to sit back. I shrugged. Anyone can bear whatever names they want to, anyway.

A woman with brown curly hair came to me.

"Hi, you must be Hillary.”

“Yes, I am.” I stood up, smoothing my skirt.

“I'm Rachel. I'll be escorting you to the meeting room."

"Nice to meet you, Rachel. Thank you."

She gestured for me to follow her.

“Right this way, please. We'll be meeting with Mr. Travis in the executive conference room."

I trailed behind Rachel as we walked past rows of cubicles and offices, the sound of muted conversations and keyboard typing filling the air.

"Please, Hillary, have a seat. Mr. Travis will be with you shortly."

I sat down, trying to calm my nerves. I fidgeted with my hands. I was so nervous that Rachel turned to me and smiled.

"You're next, Hillary. Mr. Travis is ready to see you now."

“Okay.” It seemed as though I wasn't the only one being interviewed.

My heart skipped a beat as I stood up, trying to look confident. I followed Rachel out of the waiting room and down a long corridor.

I stepped into the spacious office, my eyes drawn to the CEO standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows. His back was to me, and he was engrossed in a phone call.

“Please take a seat.”

Rachel gestured for me to take a seat opposite the CEO's desk.

I sat down, trying to compose myself.

Rachel caught the CEO's attention, signaling to him that I was waiting.

He raised his hand in acknowledgment, still speaking into the phone as his swivel chair turned from left to right.

“Good luck.”

Rachel gave me a reassuring smile and slipped out of the office, leaving me alone with the CEO.

He wrapped up his call, and I started feeling nervous and excited.

“So, Hillary Highman.”

His voice sounded familiar, and he finally turned his swivel chair around to face me. The both of us gasped the moment our eyes met.

“Tessa?”

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was him, the billionaire I'd met at the club—the one I'd pretended to be a rich socialite for. And now, here he was, staring at me. with shock and recognition.

"Tessa?"

He repeated. I could see the confusion in his eyes. What the hell is happening? How is he the CEO?

I struggled to find my voice.

But I was speechless. I had been caught red-handed, and I knew it. His eyes narrowed.

“Tessa Fowler, the daughter of a multimillionaire, or Hillary. I'm confused,” he blurted.

“I… I'm… sorry.”

I started stuttering and shaking. The weight of sheer embarrassment had already pulled me down.

“You told me your parents were multimillionaires. You even said you owned fashion houses, and now you're here as a... a secretary?”

His eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with accusation.

“So, you lied to me?”

My heart sank as I realized my deception had been exposed.

“What exactly are you doing here? Can you at least say something?”

I was able to talk when the door burst open.

“Baybee. Im back. Did you miss me?”

I heard another familiar voice with giggles. The clicking of heels was pronounced. I turned to see it was a lady. She went to meet Travis and sat on his lap.

I think it's better if I just leave.

“Hillary, what are you doing here?”

She asked, and I looked up. OH MY GOSH. My breath seized. That was Victoria. Or rather, Madam Victoria.

“Huh? Babe, do you know her?” Travis asked.

Babe? Babe? They are together?! I thought.

“Yes, she used to work for me as a maid before.”

Jesus Christ.

I've been caught. So much for pretending to be Tessa Fowler, the millionaire.