Second Chance Addison

Greta had just come out of the bathroom when she heard a firm knock on the door. She pulled the belt on the hotel bathrobe a little tighter around her thin waist before walking over to it.

After a moment of hesitation, she unlocked the door but left the chain in place, for safety.

Working for the chairman had its benefits as well as it's dangers. If this turned into something more sinister, it wouldn't be the first time that this job had put her at risk.

Greta took a deep breath and cracked the door.

She was relieved to find that it was just the CEO's little assistant that had left her there to begin with. The cold faced woman was holding a few paper shopping bags.

Though she wasn't sure that she could take on the petite woman and win, Greta was confident enough that she could escape if she had to.

"Give me one second, please." Not waiting for Fait's answer, she closed the door and removed the chain.

She stayed alert as she reopened the door and stepped to the side, giving way to the frigid little woman.

Fait went over to the bed and started laying out the clothes. Then she turned to face Greta, who was still positioned near the door, ready to run at the first sign of trouble.

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead studied the woman for a moment. Now that her ridiculously over the top makeup had been removed, she looked more elegant and refined. It was like looking at a completely different woman.

There was no need for Greta to wear such heavy makeup. She was naturally pretty and had a smooth fair complexion that matched well with her soft pale blonde hair and light blue eyes.

Based on this alone, Fait was now one hundred percent certain that the chairman had told Greta to go after Chance. Most likely she was just the first in many probes that the old man would use to search out a weakness.

Being a fiercely loyal employee herself, she could easily understand why the woman would comply. It was for the good of the company.

But Fait also knew that both her previous and current employers would never ask her to do something that would put her in a compromising position. Mack always put the safety of his employees first. And since he had appointed Chance as his successor, she had no doubt that Chance would do the same.

In her mind, the chairman just lost quite a bit of respect.

Her eyes narrowed and she stared Greta in the eyes. Once the other woman started to squirm, she directly confronted her.

"He is not that kind of man and you are not that kind of woman. Please stand down."

"What?" Greta's eyes widened in false innocence. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Seduction will not work. He will not fall for you." She held out a smaller bag to Greta.

"What's this?" Greta took the bag and tried to change the topic.

"Simple makeup. It leans towards a natural look."

"No need, I have my own in my bag." Greta's words slowed as she scanned the room. She had only just realized that all of her things were gone.

Fait noticed the flash of anger in Greta's eyes and tried not to smirk.

"I had my secretary send your clothing to be cleaned. You bag has been sent back to the meeting room." Fait pushed her sleeve back from her wrist and checked her watch. "Time is ticking Miss Linn. If you don't get ready soon, I'm afraid you'll miss the meeting."

Greta's face flushed in frustration as she gathered the clothes given to her.

She stormed back into the bathroom and got dressed. Much to her surprise, everything fit well and she didn't hate the way the dress looked. Even the makeup turned out to be a perfect match to her skin tone. In fact, each product was exactly what she would normally use herself...

A low groan found its way out of her throat when she realized she had been totally and completely figured out.

Greta trudged out of the bathroom and sighed in defeat.

"Miss Foster, I have lost."

"As long as you realize your mistake."

"Mistake? As in one?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand."

Fait reached into her pocket and pulled out a small glass bottle. She handed it to Greta without explanation.

Greta took the bottle and saw it was the perfume that had been in her purse. She looked at Fait again in confusion.

"It stinks." Fait shrugged before taking the bottle back from Greta and tossing it in the trash.

Greta was utterly dumbfounded. 'Perfume? I was taken down over the perfume?' She looked for any indication that Fait was messing with her but found none.

"You mean to tell me that the only reason you acted against me, was that perfume?"

"What? I'm not sure what you mean." Fait turned on her heel and walked out the door.