Blind Date

by Brenda Ford

  Blind date

  Blurb

  I have everything that I could ever want in life, all the money in the world, everything I have ever desired, and women throwing themselves at me. I deserve it as well because I have worked hard to get to the top.

  There is only one thing that I can’t seem to make work for me and that is real love. I can’t ever seem to make anything last, which is why a charity blind date doesn’t seem like the worst idea in the world…

  Until I realize who my date is. My business rival and enemy. She is as hot as she is ruthless so there is no way this can end well…

  Index

  Chapter 1 – Daniel

  Chapter 2 – Gemma

  Chapter 3 – Daniel

  Chapter 4 – Gemma

  Chapter 5 – Daniel

  Chapter 6 – Gemma

  Chapter 7 – Daniel

  Chapter 8 – Gemma

  Chapter 9 – Daniel

  Chapter 10 – Gemma

  Chapter 11 – Daniel

  Chapter 12 – Gemma

  Chapter 13 – Daniel

  Chapter 14 – Gemma

  Chapter 15 – Daniel

  Chapter 16 – Gemma

  Chapter 17 – Daniel

  Chapter 18 – Gemma

  Chapter 19 – Daniel

  Chapter 20 – Gemma

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  Chapter 1 – Daniel

  I let out a deep sigh and focus on the wall, not wanting to look at anyone else in the room. This is why sleep overs are never a good idea, because it always leads to awkward mornings. Normally, I am good at getting rid of women before the sun rises or I make the effort to go to their place, but this red head is different. I didn’t see it in the haze of last night, but she has the potential to become a bunny boiler if I let her.

  “I have an early morning,” I tell her coldly. “I think I must have told you last night that I have to work early.”

  “Yeah, you did.” She makes no movement to get up, I can feel that without even looking at her. “But it doesn’t matter to me. I am cool to hang out with you no matter what happens. I can even stay, if you want me to.”

  “I don’t need you to stay,” I shoot back in a hurry. “I don’t know how long I am going to be in work. I could be there until late in the evening. I’m not comfortable with you in my house until that moment…”

  “Why?” She shoots up quickly which causes me to turn and look at her. “Don’t you trust me? Do you think that I am some kind of gold digger who will steal from you? That isn’t me at all.” She pouts out her puffed up lips playfully, not that I am in the mood to play. “I like you, Daniel. I want to stay because of you.”

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “I understand that, but at the same time I told you last night that it was only going to be a one-time thing. Me and you aren’t going to end up in a relationship…”

  “And why not?” Now it’s her turn to be cold. “Am I not good enough for you? What’s wrong with me?”

  “I’m only twenty-seven years old, I’m not looking for anything serious at the moment. I don’t want a woman on my arm. I’m too busy focused on my business. I’m a career man, so no relationship for me.”

  “That is really sad.” She slides out the bed and slips her shoes on. A weird item of clothing to put on first but I’m not about to get in to that conversation. “You must be so lonely. Imagine cutting yourself off like that just because. It seems like a sad turn of events to me, but if that’s how you want to live your life, so be it.”

  Is this some kind of reverse psychology shit? If so, I’m not about to fall for it. I have places to be other than here, so I rise off the bed and grab my carefully laid out suit to get dressed in the bathroom. If this woman wants what’s best for the both of us, then she will be gone by the time I am showered and dressed. There is absolutely no need for any more awkward conversation. We have both said our piece. It’s done.

  “You are a cold asshole,” I tell my reflection in the mirror as I wait for the shower to heat up to optimum temperature. “Your brothers are right about you. You are a real piece of work.”

  Mind you, it’s mostly my two younger brothers that say this to me. Tim who is one year younger than me, and Lance who is two years younger. My older brothers don’t have much to say about my behavior, but I suppose that’s because they are so wrapped up in their own lives. Ryan and his own business which keeps him as busy as me, Ben who is living the cowboy farmer dream in our home town, Artie who… well, I don’t know what Artie is doing with his life to be honest. I do speak to him, but he’s mostly cut off from us. He rides his bike a lot… that’s all I know. I want to do more for him, but I don’t know if he wants me to.

  Anyway, I don’t have freaking time to deal with anyone else’s problems. I have so much going on with my business. I have so many people who need me at all times. I’m doing my best, that’s all…

  By the time I come out of the bathroom, I find my bedroom empty, much to my relief. I’m almost ready to let the smile spread across my face but then I see her, sitting on my couch staring out the window.

  “Don’t worry, I’m waiting for my cab to arrive,” she tells me glumly. “I get the point. I don’t want to be one of those hanger ones. I’m out of here, you can get back to your sad little existence.”

  I don’t give her an answer because I can tell that she is trying to rile me up. Maybe I do come across as cold and my brothers are right, but at the same time I am just being me. If I don’t want a relationship with someone then I will be honest with it. I was honest with her last night and I am being honest again today. I prefer this to allowing there to be any ambiguity because that can lead to problems later on. At least this way, it’s done immediately. As soon as this woman leaves this place, she will never want to see me again. Perfect.

  When the right woman comes along, someone who I actually want to have an extended relationship with, then I will change my ways. I am just waiting for that to happen, that’s all. I haven’t ever been in love, I haven’t even been close to it, but I’m sure that it will happen for me one day. There is going to be that woman who sweeps me off my feet and changes absolutely everything. When she comes along, then I will just know…

  At least, I assume I will just know. That’s what people say, isn’t it? That you just know. I haven’t known yet, I haven’t had a sign that it’s time for me to settle down, so I will keep on going. I will keep on acting like I do and wait and see what happens. I’m only young, there is plenty of time for that happy ever after…

  Eventually, her cab arrives, and we have a very cold goodbye. It’s awkward as all hell, but only for a few moments. Then she’s gone and it’s time for me to get in to my car to finally get to the office. To get my creative juices flowing. Advertising is such a fun and inspiring game, I love it. That passion is why I am one of the most successful companies in the city and why I keep on rising. It helps that I only hire people as enthusiastic as me. That way, we win pitches all the time and keep on improving every single day. I can never wait to get to work. I absolutely love being there. There are days when it feels more like home than my actual home…

  “Hey, boss,” Rebecca, the receptionist calls out with a smile as soon as I slip in to the office. “How are you? I just had a call from The Vivien, and they want to work with us. I have sent over the contracts…”

  “Awesome, thank you, Rebecca. That’s great news.” What an awesome way to start the day. “Anything else that I need to know? What’s going on this week? Do I have any meetings today?”

  “Actually, we need to get together the final plans for the charity function at the weekend.” Rebecca halts me in my tracks. I love to give back to the world which is why I always make sure to get involved with charities. There a
re a lot of people who aren’t as fortunate as me and I want to give them a chance as well. This upcoming function is for homelessness which I know is an important. “As you know, there is a silent auction and I need to know what you would prefer me to put a bid on for you. Here is a list of what is on offer.”

  I take the list from her and run my eyes over it rapidly. There are a lot of awesome prizes, the charity has done well in collecting prizes. It’s just a case of what I would prefer. The expensive meal for two, the spa day which isn’t necessarily my thing but that could be fun, the trip to Hawaii which I like the sound of…

  “A blind date?” I query while giving Rebecca a curious glance. “What does that mean?”

  “Ah, well that is actually pretty exciting.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me and laughs. “I did think about that one for you, if you were up for it. They are going to have a magical date organized for the two highest bidders.”

  “So, if you win, you don’t know who you are going to end up with?” Why does that send an excitable shiver down my spine? I can’t help it, I kinda like the idea. It’s something very new for me, to date someone without seeing them beforehand. Maybe that’s what I need to mix things up a bit. “That’s wild, isn’t it?”

  “Fun though.” Rebecca stares intently at me. “I would bid on it if I were you. You never know what’s going to happen, which is always interesting. Plus, you have that charm, don’t you? You lure in all the ladies, so you would be able to make the date fun even if it got a little bit awkward… and it’s all for charity.”

  “You do?” I pretend to act like I am considering it, but I have already made up my mind. “Sure, why not? Put a bid on it for me. For Hawaii as well. Maybe even the meal as well. Mix it up a bit, see what I win.”

  “Fab.” Rebecca grins at me. “And I have emailed you your schedule, so everything is in there.”

  I have a little smile to myself as I head in to the office. I don’t know what is going to happen at this charity event at the weekend, but it should be a laugh. Of course, there is no guarantee that I will win, but I can’t help but think how much fun it would be to have some fun on a blind date. I normally meet women at parties, networking events, or nights out, so this could be fun. Maybe this is the way that I could meet someone more meaningful.

  I might still be young, but in a way my love life is the only thing that I haven’t conquered yet. I haven’t ever found anyone to love or even like for a proper relationship. I would like to know what that is like. The whole sleeping around one-night stands thing is fine for a length of time, but to be honest it is getting a bit empty and mechanical. It isn’t so much what I want anymore. This morning has shown me that.

  God, it would be weird for some charity blind date to change things around for me, but it would also be a cool story to tell the grand kids, wouldn’t it? Something a little bit different. Why not, hey? I am always up for things being a little bit unusual, a little bit quirky. Perhaps it’s the creative side of me. It drew me to advertising and now it’s driving me towards this. My instincts are usually pretty good, they haven’t let me down before, so I don’t see why they would let me down now. This could be the week that changes everything. Wouldn’t that be insane?

  Chapter 2 – Gemma

  Why am I here? I wonder wearily as I dart my eyes around the room to look at everyone else who has shown their face at this function for the homelessness, trying to show that they are more than just a cold-hearted asshole who only cares about making money. I don’t think any of them really care. Why do I do this to myself?

  I do care, that’s the difference. I do a lot for charity and not all of it events like this where I can be seen. I do a lot under the surface which others don’t know about. That’s because I don’t do it for the glory, I do it to help. I am only here tonight because someone I know is on the board of this particular charity, Paige, and begged me to come along. But as I look at everyone else around me, I’m wondering if I should have bothered. It’s full of idiots. Not my sort of people at all. I know that they will all be looking down on me as well, thinking that I don’t belong in the man’s business world just because I am a woman. Just because I don’t act like them.

  “Do you want another drink?” Eve asks me, reminding me that I am not alone in this place. I always bring my personal assistant with me to events like this in place of a date so that I have someone to talk to.

  “Er, yes please,” I reply with a distraction to my tone. I do want one more drink, but I also want to get out of here. I will just stay for a little bit longer, make sure my face is shown, then I will be gone. “Thanks.”

  “And did you want me to put some bids on for you?” I stare at Eve with a blankness to my expression. “You know, the silent auction. That’s the way that the money is being made here. You kinda should…”

  “Oh yeah.” I wave my hand dismissively. “Please do. On anything, I don’t care what. You know me, I just want to help out. I’m sure the prizes are great anyway. So, yes, I am good with whatever.”

  I trust Eve, obviously, which is why I am letting her loose with my money at the auction. She has been with my marketing company from the very beginning when it was just me and her. She has helped me to get things off the ground and I honestly believe that we wouldn’t be where we are today without her. I keep trying to promote her, to give her other roles, but she is happy with her personal assistant role. She doesn’t want to go any further which is fine. I know that she is very keen on keeping a work life balance which is good. I’m not so bothered about it myself. I am more than happy to throw myself whole heartedly in to my business which may be why I don’t have much of a life out of it. Not that I want one. I mean, if I’m considering dating then the men that I am surrounded with would put me off anyway. No, it isn’t the time or place for it. Maybe later on in life. I am only twenty-five anyway. People don’t fall in love at this age. Not long term anyway…

  “Well, well, well,” a smarmy voice whispers in to my ear, making me shudder. “If it isn’t Gemma Dove. Representing Dove Corporation, right?” Urgh, there is such a patronizing tone there. I want to lash out, but I need to keep my cool. Kicking someone at a charity function won’t be received well. “Nice to see you, looking hot as always. Loving that skin-tight red dress. Your cleavage is incredible, do you know that?”

  “Oh, Roman,” I shoot back coldly as I see the man attached to the voice. “Yes, I am here representing my business. Not with my breasts, no, so you can certainly stop looking at them.” He doesn’t. I am fully covered up in this red dress, but that doesn’t seem to matter. He only sees me for my body. This is why I hate these pigs. “And since I have had a much better year than your company, I don’t know why you would say that as if you have something to brag to me about.” I cock my head curiously to one side. “Well, Roman?”

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” He dismisses me as if my success feels nothing. If Eve doesn’t return with my drink soon to take the edge of this interaction off, then I am going to lose my mind. “I’m still doing well, thank you very much, and it isn’t like I didn’t win some of the campaigns that we both went for.” His eyes are now off me and all around the room. “Although neither of us are out doing Daniel Wilson, are we?”

  Urgh, the mention of my biggest rival nearly makes me scream. I don’t know if Daniel is beating me or I am destroying him, it’s usually neck and neck when it comes to us too, but of course a sexist pig like Roman is going to believe that I could possibly be the top of the advertising world. His opinion shouldn’t bother me, I am supposed to rise above all of this shit, but I have to admit that every so often it gets to me. I can’t help it. If I was being judged because I wasn’t good at my job then that would be one thing, but because I don’t have a penis isn’t an excuse at all. I can work just as hard and as well as anyone else. Fucking pricks.

  “Look at Daniel now,” Roman laughs, dragging my focus to the last person that I want to see in this room. “He really has a way with the ladies, doesn�
��t he? That young hot woman is practically salivating just from talking to him. It must be his never-ending charm. I would like some of that.” I roll my eyes, knowing that he could certainly do with it, not that I am about to engage in that conversation with him. “He must have at least one woman in his bed every single night and never the same woman twice. It’s impressive.”

  “Is it?” I burst out, unable to stuff my feelings down anymore. He has riled me up in a way that I shouldn’t have let him but it’s too late. My lid has popped out and lava has spilled everywhere. “Because it seems like something that shouldn’t be bragged about or praised at all. Treating women like they are pieces of meat, just to be used. Do you really think that you should be celebrating another notch on his bed post?”

  “Ooh sounds like you like him,” Roman teases, his eyes glinting with excitement at the idea of winding me up as much as he can. “Do I detect some kind of sexual tension there because that could be fun? Business rivals fucking on the side. Ooh, it’s an explosion waiting to happen. Then I will end up on top…”

  “You are an idiot, Roman,” I growl angrily at him even suggesting that I would mix business and pleasure. God, he really can only see women as sexual objects, can’t he? How sad for him. “I don’t like Daniel. He is a real fool. Look at him, wasting the night away when it’s supposed to be something for charity. For other people.”

  “Sure, sure.” Roman gives me a knowing grin. He doesn’t look convinced that this isn’t me being jealous which only winds me up even more. I’m starting to think that this night has been a total waste of make-up and a nice outfit. “Whatever you say, Gemma. I believe you, thousands wouldn’t…”

  “Hey there, Gemma.” Thankfully, my friend, Paige, seems to sense that this is the moment to interrupt the conversation. “How’s it going? Thank you for coming tonight, I really appreciate it.”