Chapter 1

So here I am standing outside of The Empire Hotel a little panic stricken, if I'm honest, at the thought of interviewing some property tycoon, I've never heard of, on behalf of my so called best friend. Jenny Humphrey is my friend and roommate and has chosen today to be overcome with 'flu. She had scored an interview with the C.E.O of Bass Industries which could not be rescheduled owing to his precious time and previous unwillingness to give interviews. I have been convinced to attend in Jenny's place by her telling me how this apparently charismatic man contributes to the business department of the university we attend. Damn her!

"Thank you Gina, I'm sorry but it has taken forever to get him to agree to this interview. Just take notes for me, there are some questions I've written down for you," Jenny had said this morning.

"I don't know anything about him," I tried to protest.

"You'll be fine, now go before you are late," Jenny replied.

This brings me back to standing in front of the black glass doors of The Empire Hotel where I will meet Mr Bass for the interview. I moved closer to the door and the doorman opened it with a cheery welcome. Inside the Maître d greeted me, "Good morning, welcome to The Empire."

"Good morning….um….Georgina Sparks to see….um…Mr Bass," I spluttered out.

"Ah, yes. Mr Bass will meet you in the bar," the maître d replied and showed me to the dimly lit, mostly empty bar area. It was expensively decorated with oak and leather with gold trimmings; I made my way to the bar to order a soda whilst I waited for my interviewee. I attempted to sit on a stool but, of course, I slipped dropping my bag and its contents everywhere. Typical me! I bent down to gather everything in utter embarrassment, when I suddenly noticed a pair of silver grey trouser clad legs standing in front of me – looking up I caught my breath at the very attractive, blue-eyed man smiling down at me.

"I think these are yours," he said, holding out my pens, mascara and manky lipstick. I knelt up and took the things, I actually couldn't speak, "um…th...um…thank you," I muttered feeling embarrassed and flustered. He bent and held my elbow, "can I help you up?" he asked. I felt an odd electrical rush in my body at his touch. How strange. He helped me to my feet, "you look like you could use a drink," and he nodded to the bartender and held up two fingers. "Oh no, I couldn't, um…I'm here to work…I'm interviewing the owner," I babbled. "Just have one drink with me, steady your nerves. Let's sit in that booth, it will calm you down," he said smiling but looking at me with intense eyes.

As Mr Bass wasn't here yet, I thought I could use a sit down, if not the drink. I agreed and we walked over, the gorgeous stranger behind me. As I went to step into the booth I slipped – damn my clumsiness! Suddenly I felt a pair of firm hands around my waist and pulling me up, I felt strangely flushed and giddy and let out a gasp. "Are you ok?" he enquired. I exhaled, "oh…um…yeah." He let go of me after insuring I had firmly sat down. He swooped into the booth beside me with total ease, he looked agile –like he works out, and he seemed very young too. The bartender brought the drinks, bursting my bubble of this guy next to me. "So, you're a journalist?" he asked. "Huh? Um…no… I'm filling in for a friend who has 'flu," I gabbled. "I see," he chuckled. "What?" I snapped – I hate being laughed at. "Oh no, nothing – I just thought you are too nice to be a journalist, you'd know everything about me by now if you were." "That's true; I don't know how I'll conduct this interview - if he ever turns up!"

He took one of the glasses of single malt and slid the other to me. He held his glass to his mouth, "try it on me, then you'll feel more relaxed at interview." I looked at him puzzled, but then I had to agree it would help. I found Jenny's question list in my bag, and began; "well, this one might not apply to you, but just answer as if you were this kind of person – How did it feel when you made your first million?" "It made me realise I was able to help others," he responded.

That's a good answer, I thought. "Next one; so why hotels?" "People always need somewhere to stay!" he smiled. Another good answer! I looked at Jenny's question sheet, the third question are you gay Mr Bass? Leapt off the page at me and I let out a gasp. He looked at me, "are you ok?" "I think that's enough questions, I need to look for Mr Bass," I said gathering my things. He looked around the bar, "no one else here yet, what was that question going to be?" I thought, he isn't Bass – it wouldn't hurt to show him the question. "ok, now remember, it's not me – this came from my friend…" "Go on, just ask it!" he smiled. "Are you gay," I blurted it out. He laughed, "oh good one, just because I am not seen with women upon women I must be gay? Am I not allowed to keep my private life private?" Wow, this guy is good, I thought again. "Are those answers ok?" he suddenly asked. "Oh yes, thank you – I can't imagine my interview will go well with those questions." He looked at me intently, as if he could see into my soul – it made me strangely aroused; "You don't know anything about Jack Bass do you?" I broke his gaze and looked down, "no," I admitted. He laughed again, "never mind, you are very charming, you'll be fine. But you need to be yourself and ask the questions that you want to ask." I stared straight at him, "something like, why is there no Mrs Bass?" His smiled dropped, "because there are too many women to get through," he replied raising one eyebrow and leaning into me. I felt very flustered, "I have to go," I stood and got out of the booth.

"Wait!" he called as I walked off. I turned and saw him following me. As I got to the door, he had caught up to me and leant on the top of the door. "I found you charming and intriguing – I don't know your name," he said. "It doesn't matter to you," I snapped. I pushed another door, he followed me and stepped in front of me, "please, take my card." I snatched it away from him and stomped off down the street. What a cheek, I thought!

After walking a block away from The Empire, I looked at the card he gave me:

Bass Industries

Jack Bass C.E.O