Pretend To Be Mine (Ramsey Billionaire Brothers Series Book 1)

by Suzie Nelson

  “It was wonderful Sally.” Lorry leaned back against the make-up counter. “He took me to his apartment and we just spent the whole night together wrapped up in each other’s arms.”

  “Are you serious?” Sally looked at Lorry gob-smacked that she had bedded the billionaire on the first night.

  “I couldn’t help it. He’s so intense and passionate, I couldn’t resist him.” Lorry felt a bit embarrassed about talking so openly in front of a model that she didn’t know but she hardly ever had time to speak with Sally at work.

  “Who are you guys talking about?” Their conversation had peaked the model’s interest and she wanted to know who they were discussing. Lorry didn’t really want to provide any details but Sally piped in before she had a chance to stop her.

  “Silvester Hughes. You know, the richest bachelor in New York. And saucy Lorry here bedded him last night.” Sally reached for the eyelash curler and tilted the model’s head back but she reached out her hand and pushed herself up.

  “Are you joking? Silvester Hughes?” The model was as surprised as Clarissa had looked the day before which affronted Lorry.

  “Yeah. He flew me to his penthouse in his helicopter. Why, do you know him or something?”

  The model raised her eyebrow as though she had some secret information that she didn’t want to share.

  “Hey, if you know something about him you should tell her before she gets too involved with this guy.” Sally pointed the eyelash curler at the model as though she was pointing her finger and she wasn’t going to stop until she talked.

  “I’m just surprised that’s all. He pretty much goes to every fashion event in town and is always hanging around backstage.” The model looked Lorry up and down but she had a strange sympathetic look on her face.

  “So what if he likes the fashion shows? Loads of people go and hang out at them.” Lorry wanted to defend Silvester but also defend her feelings for him.

  “Look, I don’t know him but he’s at ALL the shows.” The model leaned forward and looked directly at Lorry with her disturbingly pretty face. “When he’s backstage he never comes near the female models. He spends all his time with the male models even when they’re changing and getting ready…you know what I mean?”

  “Are you saying he’s gay?” Sally blurted out the question without realizing the full implication for Lorry.

  “He’s a bit of running joke with all the models, that’s all. You never see him with a female model and you never see him in public on any dates…that has to mean something,” the model had said her bit and settled herself back into the chair ready for Sally to continue her work.

  “That’s ridiculous!” Lorry couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had just spent the most passionate night of her life with a man she was considering to be the one and now she was being told that everyone within the fashion industry thought he was gay? “I was with him all night and he certainly had no issue making love to me!”

  Sally and the model looked up at Lorry in surprise as her voice was starting to get raised. “If everyone believes what you’re saying, then why would Clarissa be throwing herself at him? It doesn’t make any sense?”

  “I don’t know, maybe she thinks he’s bi or something. Or maybe she doesn’t care because he’s filthy rich and loves fashion? I don’t know, ask her.” The model was flippantly spreading horrendous gossip which Lorry should have known better than to listen to but it bugged her and got under her skin. She knew that Silvester had truly desired her, otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to have such chemistry but was it possible that he was open to any type of relationship? Lorry wasn’t sure why it even mattered; she cared about Silvester and he appeared to care for her.

  “Have you heard from him today?” Sally was also unsure what to think and hoped that whatever was happening, it would be more than just a one night stand.

  “No, not yet.” Lorry flickered her eyes down to the ground. “It was only last night, I don’t really expect to hear from him yet.” Everything she was saying was reasonable but, for some reason, it didn’t sound convincing in light of these bizarre rumors.

  “Of course not. Did you make plans to see him again?” Sally started to add blusher to the model’s rosy cheeks as she waited for Lorry to answer.

  “Um, not exactly.”

  Sally darted a look over to Lorry and her expression showed concern. “We didn’t make set plans but it was pretty clear that he wanted to see me again.” Lorry tried to think back to how the evening had ended and all she could remember was Silvester showering and getting ready for work. He had kissed her and told her to use his driver to get home but he hadn’t said anything about meeting again. Then she realized that he didn’t even have her cell phone number, perhaps he didn’t have any intention of seeing her again.

  Sally noticed that panicked look that flashed across Lorry’s face. “What is it?”

  Lorry didn’t really want to confirm their doubts but she was starting to feel bewildered by the whole thing. “He doesn’t have my cell phone number. He never asked me for it and I never thought to ask him for his.”

  Sally looked at the model and they shared a knowing look between them that Lorry had been used without even realizing it.

  “I just don’t understand…none of this makes any sense?” Lorry looked up at them hoping that one of them might have a plausible explanation for the gossip and their one night together but they both remained deathly silent.

  “Lorry!” From the far side of the studio, Clarissa started to shout for her assistant. “Lorry, where the bloody hell are you?” Clarissa spotted them and stomped over in her usual fury. “Will you be doing any work today or am I keeping you from your busy day of chatting?” Clarissa put one hand on her hip and stared at Lorry with fiery green eyes.

  “Sorry Clarissa, is there something I can help with?” Lorry noticed the model slip out of Sally’s chair and make her way over to the other models that were getting changed.

  “I see you decided to turn up today, so I assume that you finished all the paperwork I left for you yesterday?”

  Lorry hadn’t even considered all the filing that she was meant to have done and she peered over at Sally wondering if it had been completed. Sally nodded her head and Lorry gave a small sigh. “Yes Clarissa, it’s all been filed away.” As Lorry answered she could hear giggling coming from the group of models over by the clothes rack. They were looking at her and whispering to each other which made Lorry’s confidence sink. She had become ridiculed within a matter of minutes and now gossip about her would be spread throughout all the New York models.

  “I’m going to check, you know. When we get back to the office, I’m going to make sure it’s all been done as I asked otherwise you’re out the door.” Clarissa couldn’t bear the sight of Lorry and was still infuriated that she had been passed over by Silvester for her plain looking assistant.

  “The photographer hasn’t shown up yet. I need you to call him and tell him to get his ass here or we will never use him again. And get me a bottle of water!” Clarissa barked her orders as she headed over to the group of models.

  Just once, Lorry wished that she could tell Clarissa to stick her orders where the sun doesn’t shine but today was not the day. Lorry had been on a high from her romantic evening with Silvester but thanks to some bitter rumors and an obnoxious boss, she had become completely deflated. She looked over at Sally and tried to give her a reassuring smile before she headed out the door.

  Chapter 6

  The morning’s photo shoot had passed quickly and Lorry was back at the office packing up the clothes and props that they had just used when Clarissa walked in wrapped up in a fur coat.

  “Have everything put into storage and when your done order my lunch.” Clarissa didn’t even look at Lorry as she carried on walking straight into her office while Lorry continued to fold the clothes away. When she had first dreamed about working for Class magazine she had envisioned a glamorous job of styling famous mode
ls and helping to decide on the next fashion trends. However, her reality was getting endless coffee, ordering in lunch and packing away clothes that she never even styled. Lorry had hoped that if she held onto this job long enough she might be able to get an actual stylist position and use her love for fashion on a daily basis but now she wasn’t even sure if she wanted to remain working within the fashion industry. Her boss was evil, none of the photographers or models ever spoke to her and there was a continual supply of gossip designed to humiliate people. Was this really what she wanted to give her whole life to?

  Lorry had her back to the door, bent down over the storage boxes when a familiar voice surprised her. “Hello, Miss Formby. I hope I’m not interrupting you?” Lorry turned her head quickly to find Silvester standing in the office entrance a few feet from her.

  She could have leaped into his arms she was so pleased to see him again. “Silvester!” Her tone showed her genuine surprise and she stood to her feet and beamed with joy. “What are you doing here?”

  He was dressed smartly in another expensive business suit and he seems equally as happy to see Lorry. “I just had a meeting a few blocks away and thought I’d stop by to see if you are free to have lunch with me?” His pearly white teeth glimmered as he smiled and Lorry wished more than anything that she could just walk out with him and never come back.

  “I’m not going to have time for lunch today.” She pointed down to all the boxes hopelessly. “I have to pack everything away from this morning’s shoot and then sort out what we need for tomorrow’s shoot. Are you free tonight?” Lorry tried to speak with a hushed voice hoping that Clarissa would not hear her talking to Silvester.

  “I have a few more meetings but we could do a late dinner…say nine o’clock?” Silvester was just about to lean in and kiss Lorry goodbye when Clarissa appeared in her doorway.

  “Mr. Hughes, what a pleasure it is to see you again!” She waltzed over with her arms stretched out and gave Silvester a kiss on each cheek as though she was welcoming a long lost friend. Silvester stood awkwardly like a statue not wanting to encourage Clarissa’s fake affection.

  “Miss. Cox.” He gave a civil smile and then turned back to Lorry. “Well, I won’t disturb you any longer. I will see you tonight. Goodbye.” Silvester stepped in front of Clarissa and kissed Lorry straight on the lips which left her a little shocked.

  “Bye.” Lorry watched him walk out the door as she could feel the bitter eyes of Clarissa glaring at her.

  “My office now Lorry,” Clarissa gave her order and then marched into her office and sat behind her desk. Lorry followed behind, a ball of nerves not knowing what was going to happen. She pulled out the opposite chair and was about to sit down when Clarissa stopped her. “There is no need to sit Lorry, this isn’t going to take long.”

  Lorry pushed the chair back into place and stood in front of the desk like a naughty child in front of the headmaster. She could feel her hands starting to sweat, a sure sign that she was nervous.

  “Quite frankly, I don’t think you have what it takes to work at Class. The past few weeks have been a disaster as you don’t seem to understand basic instructions, you don’t have any personal style or knowledge of fashion and you can’t even make a decent cup of coffee. Today’s shoot was another example of your inability to show initiative as you spent most of the morning chatting with the models,” Clarissa smirked and then leaned in closer to her desk and it was evident that she was enjoying her position of authority over Lorry.

  “We are all aware of the rumors that surround Mr. Hughes and his interesting behavior but that does not mean you can ignore your duties simply because you have formed some sort of personal acquaintance with him. It is shameful that you used your position here to form an attachment to him which is inappropriate and unprofessional. And now you waste even more time socializing with him in my office when you should be working!”

  Lorry listened to each word and it felt like she was being hit, wave after wave, with lies and undeserved hate. She had worked tirelessly for Clarissa since her first day and not once had she made a mistake or caused anything to go wrong. Lorry felt a mixture of rage and disappointment rise within her at the same time as she lifted her head to look directly at Clarissa.

  “You have no skill, no talent and I have no use for you. You are fired, Lorry. Collect your things and leave immediately.” Clarissa kept her thin lips twisted together but her eyes were bright as she undoubtedly wanted to gloat.

  Something inside Lorry snapped and she wasn’t just about to walk out of there without telling Clarissa exactly what she thought of her. “I have worked nonstop for you Clarissa. I have brought you coffee, run around town for your organic lunches, organized everything to do with the shoots and kept this department running while you swanned in and out barely lifting a finger. This has nothing to do with my abilities and everything to with the fact that you’re a cold hearted bitch!” Electricity ran through Lorry’s limbs and she stood in defiance.

  “How dare you, get out! Don’t even think that you will get a reference from me!” Clarissa stood to her feet and pounded her hands on the desk.

  “Since day one you have hated me for absolutely no reason and then Silvester picked me. You can’t bear it that he would want me rather than you. You’re jealous Clarissa, green with envy and it’s pathetic!” Lorry walked over to the exit and picked up her coat and bag from behind her desk. “You can keep your crap job. I don’t want to work for a vicious and spiteful witch anyway!”

  Lorry walked straight out of the doors ignoring the screaming that she could hear from Clarissa behind her and handed the security guard her pass as she went through the entrance barriers. She pushed against the revolving glass doors and felt the cool breeze hit her face which helped to renew her conviction that she had finally said her piece.

  Chapter 7

  “She said that to you?” Silvester was completely enraged by the cruel words Clarissa had said to Lorry when she fired her. Lorry had come over for dinner just as they had planned and relayed to him everything that had happened once he had left the office. He paced around the fireplace as Lorry sat on the edge of the white sofa they had once made love on.

  “Yeah. She said I had no skills and was completely incompetent. But I just couldn’t stand there and take it anymore, so I told her exactly what I thought of her.” Lorry had managed to calm down since her departure from Class but it felt good to share everything that had happened with Silvester.

  “Good. I’m not surprised you said something back, the way she spoke to you is completely unprofessional even if any of that stuff did happen to be true.” Silvester was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and black T-shirt but he was still the professional business man at heart.

  “It’s not true. None of it! I worked my ass off for that woman and not once did I get a thank you.” Lorry wanted to make it clear to Silvester that she wasn’t some useless assistant that couldn’t complete the simplest of tasks.

  “I know, I know that she had absolutely no grounds to fire you.” Silvester came and sat beside her taking her hands in his. “The woman is repulsive, that’s why I couldn’t bear her at the photo shoot. The way she spoke to you made my blood boil. She can’t just get rid of you like this without cause, you can sue for unfair dismissal or I could talk to her boss?” The practical, straight into action side of Silvester started to come through and he was desperate to help Lorry in some way.

  “I was just an unpaid intern, it wasn’t permanent or anything – I doubt there’s anything I can do and I definitely don’t want you using your influence to keep me there. This is my problem…I can fix it.” Lorry was grateful that he cared so much but she really didn’t want Silvester fighting her battles. “And besides, I don’t even know anymore if it’s what I want to do.”

  “What do you mean?” Puzzled Silvester looked at her.

  “It just wasn’t what I thought it would be. I love fashion and seeing all the different clothes but I really don’t li
ke the magazine business – it was brutal.” Lorry lifted her eyes to Silvester and studied his face wondering if she should ask him the questions she had swimming around her mind. “Anyway, there was one more thing which concerned you and I’d like to ask you about it?”

  Silvester turned his head wondering what else could bother that beautiful mind of his lover. “What is it?”

  “It’s silly really, just something one of the models said...I actually feel embarrassed even to ask but...Basically she said you spend a lot of time at the fashion shows, backstage and that you hang around the male models.” Lorry could feel butterflies again in her stomach as she watched Silvester’s face and wondered how he was going to react to such a vague accusation.

  “Ha! That rumor,” he laughed to himself and then stroked Lorry’s shoulder with one hand. “Do you know anything about my family Lorry?”

  She was slightly thrown by his question and simply answered with a blank expression. “No, not really?”