Mr. Handsome A Billionaire Romance(3)

“I can get behind that ideal, Cromwell, well said.” I addressed a few more points with him and we were able to come to agreements relatively quickly.

“Alright then, Bates, I’ll see you back here to sign once your people get everything drawn up.” Cromwell stood to leave and I got up to walk him out. We shook hands in parting once we reached the elevators that would lead Cromwell to the lobby.

After the meeting with Cromwell, my Friday went by pretty quickly.

“Hey Jeff, how about some drinks tonight, yeah?” Victor was packing up as I passed by his office directly next to mine.

“That’s not a bad idea, I’ll meet you at Shift’s?” Shift’s was our favorite bar on Fourth Avenue, the vibe was laid back and the food and drinks were always good. Victor told me that he’d see me in a few hours and I went home to get in a quick nap. Knowing Victor, a few simple drinks at the bar could turn into something much crazier. I wondered briefly if I should watch it on my drinking and not stay up too late.

I didn’t want to look drawn and hung-over on my first modeling gig. I chuckled to myself as I walked into my house and went back to the kitchen where I dropped my briefcase on the counter. Great, I sounded like some sort of diva and I hadn’t even had my first shoot yet.

I opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water and then went up the rear staircase hidden towards the back of the kitchen. It lead directly up to the second and third floor of my townhouse. When I reached the top level, I all but sprinted and leaped into my bed. The last few days had been rough on sleep, thanks to work. I set an alarm to wake me in a few hours to go and get drinks with Vic.

* * *

“Hey man, we’re gonna have to keep it to just a few drinks. I have plans for later,” Victor waggled his eyebrows at me like an idiot and I took a drink of my beer. Shift’s was a little packed that night, but Vic was able to grab a couple of seats at the bar.

What kind of plans?” I asked cautiously. Knowing him, we’d end up in some sort of underground subway rave. Victor laughed at my expression and shook his head at me.

“Don’t worry, I won’t take you to some crazy party. I have plans, with a fantastic woman tonight,” Victor said almost smugly. My eyes widened as the thought of Vanessa popped into my head.

“Dude, don’t f*cking tell me it’s Vanessa you’re seeing. She’s our employee.” I gave him a hard stare and he simply grinned at me. I sighed heavily and took another long drink from my beer.

“Don’t worry, Jeff, I really like her. She really likes me and we’re going out for a harmless nightcap.”

I groaned and banged my head against my fist.

“A nightcap? You’re going to get her drunk and then what? Victor you really need to be careful. We need Vanessa at Stargate.” Vic grew a little annoyed with my cautioning him.

“Like I said, don’t worry about it. I’m not going to mess up with her, I think something could really happen with us.” Victor hated talking about his feelings and was annoyed that he had to explain himself. I simply sighed and then shrugged my shoulders.

“Alright, man, I hope things really do work out with you guys, then. You seemed awfully chummy in the office today,” I pointed out, as I tried to steer the conversation away from a potential argument.

“Yeah, girl sure does know how to flirt. Anyway, what about you? What’s on the agenda for this weekend?”

I shrugged at his question.

“Sleep, then tomorrow I have the photo shoot so that should be interesting.”

Victor chuckled before he took a drink of his beer. “That should be interesting indeed. I really have to be there to see these people dress you up pretty to take pictures of you,” Victor laughed at his stupid quip and I rolled my eyes. “I can only imagine what they’ll dress you up in. They’ll probably put you in one of those Roman outfits and have you pose next to a bottle of cologne.”

Victor laughed harder at the visual. I tried not to laugh, but I could see how he’d find this to be hilarious.

“You suggested it, so I don’t know why it’s so funny to you,” I snapped at him, which only made him laugh harder. I took another long drink of my beer, finishing it and then I ordered another.

“I’m sorry, it’s just…it’s rich. I’ll get a good laugh out of this for years,” Victor chuckled.

“Dude, if you suggested I take up modeling as some practical joke, I’m kicking your ass. I hope it has all the benefits you said it would have,” I warned him, but all he did was grin.

“Of course, women will be throwing themselves at you with a bit more advertising…” Victor trailed off and I waited for him to continue, to tell me how this would help the business.

“Stargate won’t suffer from it, as long as you don’t take your shirt off too much,” Victor assured me, still laughing at me.

“I swear if you don’t stop laughing I’m backing out.”

Victor’s chuckling quieted and his eyes widened. “No, no, no. Nessa would kick my ass, apparently that thing with Armani was difficult to set up. Plus, she truly believes it could be a great pastime for you. Some people might even want to take pictures of you in a Roman costume standing next to a plane and that’s good advertising.”

I punched Victor in the arm and he started chortling all over again. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, that was the last one for today, I promise.”