Elise Collins P.O.V

"Mother, I would like you to meet Elise Collins, my girlfriend"

What the hell? I knew his mother wanted him to get married and I felt bad for him but that didn't mean he gets to use me and without even telling me beforehand. I didn't move, I just stared at his mother who was smiling big. She was happy.

She came towards me and embraced me tightly "I'm so happy you finally met someone who doesn't look like a prostitute!" she scolded her son still hugging me.

Of course I didn't look like a prostitute; I came from a well off family and was brought up in a good environment. I was also self-preserved.

"What?" I mouthed at him from over her shoulder and all he did was shrug.

"Alright mother, enough, you're suffocating her" he pulled his mother away and grabbed his suit jacket putting it on.

"Now if you'll excuse us, we have a date to get to" he winked at her and came towards me taking my hand in his. I felt a jolt go through me at the contact. Mr. Walton led the way to the elevator with his arm wrapped securely around my waist.

The receptionist and everyone else on that floor were giving us stunned stares. I couldn't blame them. It's not every day you see Zachary Walton being this close to an employee, let alone his PA. It felt as weird as it looked. 

Being behind closed doors, I pulled myself away looking at him still shocked by what he did "what the hell just happened up there?" I gasped covering my mouth for the disrespectful tone I had just used at him.

"I'm sorry I had no choice and you just came in like a saving angel! I couldn't think of something else. I'm sorry."

I just shook my head "Look Mr. Walton, you know how much I respect you and you know I would do anything to support you...but this? That's a family matter and I can't get involved. I hope you understand."

"I do, and again, I'm sorry. That won't happen again" He sounded sincere enough. We heard the elevator's ding and we had to get out "Now, I think we should go on that date anyway." He told me with his signature smirk that would have made a girl fall all over him. But that girl wasn't me.

"Excuse me? No I'm sorry Mr. Walton. Actually I just came into your office to let you know I was leaving." I pointed to Marc's car "My real date is here to pick me up. I'll see you Monday." I gave him a small smile before rushing to Marc's car.

I looked back at my boss and saw him still looking at me. I couldn't explain the mixture of feelings I was having right now. And I hoped Monday wouldn't be awkward after this.

"Hi" I smiled getting into Marc's car.

"Hi beautiful" He smiled back leaning in for a kiss but I gave him my cheek instead. If he was annoyed, he didn't show it.

"Sorry I'm late my boss needed some information on a project we're working on."

"No problem, is that him?" I followed his line of vision to see Mr. Walton still standing there.

"Yeah, it's him."

"Never saw a billionaire accompany his assistant to the front door"

"Just, drive Marc, the billionaire's assistant is famished."

Marc grinned and started the car "Good, because I made reservations in one of the best restaurants in New York. You'll love it."

I smiled at him and looked out the window. Marc was making small talks but my mind wasn't here at all. It kept wandering to what happened earlier with my boss. Mr. Walton was known for being ruthless and arrogant. I never witnessed that side of him during my two years at the company.

I've seen him act coldly, and mean to other employees but his bluntness was never directed at me. Still, seeing him today all warm and fuzzy and trying to please his mother was completely new to me.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Marc pulled me out of my thoughts.

"I'm sorry just thinking about work."

"Elise I'm taking you out so you can have some fun. Just forget about work and relax a bit would you?" I nodded "We're here." He gave his car to the valet parking and led me inside.

It was indeed a very nice restaurant, a bit crowded for my taste but I saw the effort he put into finding this place.

"How was your day at work?" I asked him as we ate

"It was good. I'm just waiting for that promotion to happen. I just need that bitch to back off"

"Excuse me? Who are you talking about?"

"Oh I'm sorry. It's just a woman who is trying to snatch the promotion from under my feet. But I won't let her."

His tone and the look in his eyes sent a chill down my spine. This was the second time I went out on a date with Marc. I didn't know him well, but for a second impression, he wasn't scoring any points right now.

"Where would you like to go after dinner?"

"There's an artist's gala tonight, maybe we could go check it out?"

"Nah.... I'm not into art. We'll go see a movie."

Looks like he had already decided, so why ask?

During the movie, Marc kept trying to touch me, or kiss me and I hated how touchy he had been acting. I wanted nothing but to end this date and go home. He looked like a totally different person from the one I met a week ago and went out for coffee with. When I first met him, Marc was respectful, nice, and gentle. Tonight he was the opposite.

It was past midnight when I finally made it home. I crashed on my bed without even bothering taking off my clothes. As soon as my head made contact with my pillow, I was fast asleep going to dreamland. It felt good, being this comfortable in my queen sized bed.

I was a hard working girl but when it came to my rest, I needed to take it fully. Or I'd wake up all grumpy. And that's just what happened on a Saturday morning. I was woken up by heavy pounding on my door. I groaned getting up on my feet and walking towards the door with a heavy headache.

I opened the door and gasped at the sight in front of me. My boss was actually standing on my doorstep, wearing washed out jeans and a navy polo. That was the first time in two years that I saw him out of his suit.

"Mr. Walton? What can I do for you this early? On a Saturday morning" I looked at my watch and saw it was only 8 am.

He cleared his throat assessing what I was wearing. "Looks like you came home late huh" when I said nothing he smiled "aren't you going to let me in?"

I moved away from the door to let him in. thankfully my pad was all cleaned up. I led him to the living room where my cat was fast asleep on the couch. "Please, sit, make yourself comfortable I'll change and come back"

"Take your time."

I went straight to my bathroom to take a quick hot shower in order to wake up and not be so grumpy at my boss. I don't want to get fired that's for sure. Ten minutes later I walked out in jeans and a white tank top. My hair was still a little damp from my shower. I didn't want to make him wait too much while I dried it off.

"Not to be rude sir but, why are you here so early?" I asked him again as I sat across from him. As soon as I sat down my cat came over and continued his nap on my lap.

"We need to talk. I know I told you I wouldn't get you into this mess, but now you're the only one that can help me."

"Sir, I already told you..."

He cut me off by standing up and making his way to me. He kneeled down in front of me looking desperate "you know Ashley right? She came over a few times to the office."

"Yes, I remember her."

"I know you might not be that fond of me, but we still have a good professional relation. Right?" I nodded and he continued speaking "Do you see me married to someone like Ashley?"

"I... well it's not like I know the girl but no. honestly, you are too good for her."

"Exactly, she's a self-centered hypocrite woman. I don't want to end up with her."

"I understand but what does that have to do with me?"

"I already told my mother we were together, and now she wants you to come to our family dinner. I refused but then she threatened me again playing the Ashley card. You know my mother, she's scary."

I giggled at that she was scary indeed. "And how exactly would I help?"

"Just show up with me tonight, maybe some other day too. I don't know, as long as it takes to have her off my back. I promise I'll do anything you want me to do. I'll even pay you if you need money! Anything, please I'm desperate".

I looked at him and felt bad for him. Mr. Almighty Zachary Walton was there pleading and begging. No one ever saw him in that state. He was always the arrogant bastard to the world. But not to me. I know him too well.

Without giving it more thoughts I nodded "fine, but I don't want anything in return. Let's pretend to be together"

I couldn't believe I said yes. Mr. Walton was grinning like a fool "thank you Elise." Suddenly I felt engulfed in his arms tightly and I stiffened. He pulled away with an apologetic look "I'm sorry I got carried away."

I smiled shaking my head, "it's okay. So now what?"

"Now, you get ready, because we're going shopping. You need a dress for tonight's dinner."

I held his hand taking him to my huge walk-in closet "Why would I go shopping when most of the clothes here are still new. And I don't know how to impress your parents so you choose."

"Why do you have all of these if you don't wear them?"

"I like them, buy them, hang them, and never get the chance to wear them," I said with a smile "go on, pick something for me while I make us breakfast."

I walked out with my cat following behind me. I paused a little looking back at Mr. Walton who seemed like studying the content of my closet. There was everything a girl might need, from signature bags to signature belts. Everything.  I let him do the picking and went to the kitchen and wrapped my apron around my waist. I started cooking breakfast.

"humm smells delicious"

"Breakfast is ready Mr. Walton" I called out from the kitchen and I saw him coming. He looked dashing in un-formal clothes. It suited him.

"You need to stop calling me Mr. Walton and start calling me Zachary," he said sitting on a bar stool. I joined him sitting across from him. Raising an eyebrow, I studied his face for a few seconds before actually speaking up.

"Now why would I do that?"

"Because you need to get used to calling me Zachary. Imagine we're having dinner with my parents and then you call me Mr. Walton, won't it seem odd?"

I giggled before taking a bite of pancake. "You're right. That would sound off. I promise I'll do my best to make this seem real" I offered him a smile that he returned. Something about him was different. He was looking at me in a different way, I couldn't quite explain it.

"I think I found the perfect person to help me with this" He smirked taking a sip of his orange juice.

"Oh, I know you have Mr. Walton, I was a great actress back in college and school. If it wasn't for my parents I'd probably be on Broadway right now".

That was the first piece of personal information I ever offered him.

"Do your parents live nearby?" He asked probably wanting to know a little about my parents.

"They live in Greece. They do own a house in New York, it's where I actually grew up. But they moved to Greece five years ago"

"Greece... interesting choice"

"My mom is Greek," I said proudly "and since my brother is running dad's Empire here, they decided to live in Santorini and be at peace."

"Your brother runs the family business? Who is he? Maybe I know him"

"Asher Collins" I took another bite finishing my plate. I always ate without worrying about carbs and calories.

"Asher Collins as in the owner of Collins co?" He asked looking surprised.

"The one and only. You know him?" I said not so excited about it.

"I do, we were pretty close back in college. But he never mentioned having a little sister."

I blushed feeling a bit uncomfortable. I got up and poured myself a glass of water drinking it in one gulp "Doesn't matter, of course, he wouldn't mention me. We weren't close".

"What about now? Are you close again?"

"I'd rather not talk about that Mr. Walton, please," I said just as we heard the front door open and I frowned deeply. No one had a copy of my keys. I ran to the door and stood there paralyzed not moving an inch.

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