10. Sebastian

CHAPTER 10

SEBASTIAN

It was only Thursday and Sebastian could barely concentrate. He was so excited about his date on Saturday. He wasn't sure why he'd regressed into a teenage boy with raging hormones, but he was on board with it. There were many things they could do, but to be blunt, he just wanted to impress Charlie, and get that smile again.

Before all that, he had to deal with interviews for the general manager position. They had exciting expansion plans over the next few years and needed someone who could lead a company through rapid growth across new territories and still be an inspirational leader to the rest of the team. For Sebastian, he'd pick someone with leadership skills over technical ones any day, especially at this level. If a leader was confident enough in their team, and led them properly, they didn't need to know everything. Sebastian had people working for him who knew parts of the business far better than he ever would, and he wasn't threatened by it at all. The new GM needed to have a similar mindset.

The first interview of the day was a bust. A nice enough woman, but she didn't come across as hungry, in the sense that she wouldn't go above and beyond. To Sebastian, it wasn't about working excessive hours, but thinking beyond the here and now, with one eye always on the future.

Their second candidate was a guy called Ford Edwards. He was from the US but had been living in the UK for the past ten years. He'd built a solid reputation in the industry.

Sebastian was called to confirm Ford was waiting for him in the boardroom. The plan was for Sebastian to have these initial chats with the candidates put forward by the headhunter and, if suitable, Candice, Trent, and Colin would interview them. If the new GM was going to be their boss, involving the leadership team in the hiring process was essential.

Ford was looking out the window when Sebastian entered. The guy was stunningly good looking and looked like he'd walked off a Paris runway. It explained why the receptionist had been a little giggly when she'd called to say Ford was here.

"Mr Steele, good to meet you."

"Call me Sebastian, please."

They shook hands. Ford held intense eye contact. He had vivid green eyes, which Sebastian could hardly believe were real. He had a feeling this guy knew how good looking he was, and even though he had a wife and kids, he knew how to charm anyone – which could be a potential benefit, and a nightmare.

Sebastian gestured for him to sit and checked if he wanted anything to drink. He poured them both a water and started with some idle chitchat about the journey. Once they were settled, Sebastian dove straight in.

"Ford, tell me why you want this job."

"I'm not sure if I do yet."

Not the response Sebastian expected, but he didn't react, just asked Ford to elaborate.

"It's a two-way thing for me. I mean, I'm interested enough to take this meeting, but it's got to be right for both sides. I see this as us interviewing each other."

Sebastian thought it was a sensible approach, but Ford wasn't done.

"I mean, I have a lot of options available to me. My record speaks for itself. Before I even answer that question, you need to answer one first. Why should I want to work here and for you? Come on, Sebastian, you need to impress me." He leaned back in his chair, opening his arms and smiling like an arrogant arsehole.

Sebastian didn't have time to play games, but Ford was kind of asking for it.

"We're looking for a strong leader, who can take the brand we've built into a billion-dollar company in the US, and replicate that across Europe."

Ford nodded and took a sip of his drink.

"The person we hire for this role will inherit an excellent executive team, which is bought into our mission and role models our values. We've set up an employee benefit trust because we want our people to own shares and be invested in the company's success."

Ford looked more interested now. That nugget was something they weren't advertising just yet, but it was worth the risk, and nobody could confirm anything.

"We expect this person to be here for the next five to ten years and leave an impressive legacy behind, whilst benefiting from what's likely to be millions in profit share."

Ford was nodding along now, fully invested.

"But that leader isn't you, is it Ford?"

He looked momentarily stunned. Before he could open his mouth, Sebastian silenced him with his hand.

"We need a leader who people want to follow."

Sebastian stood up, and Ford looked flustered for a second, before recovering. He wasn't about to lose face. It wasn't something Sebastian enjoyed doing, but the guy needed a reality check.

"Thanks for coming in, but this isn't going to work. I'm sure you can be very successful somewhere, but that isn't here."

He walked to the door and opened it, trying not to smile as Ford looked like he wanted to punch him. They walked to the reception in silence. Sebastian offered his hand, but Ford ignored it, jabbing his thumb on the button for the lift. A few seconds later, the doors opened and Ford stepped in, pressing the button for the lobby. He probably shouldn't, but Sebastian had one more thing to say.

"You've had an impressive career, Ford, but look up beauty bias. It might explain a few things."

He turned and walked away before Ford could respond, giving the girls on the desk a smile as they struggled not to laugh.

By the end of the day, he was no further along with the GM role. The last candidate had the personality of a dial tone, so was a no. The headhunter could whistle if they thought they were being paid for who they'd put forward so far. They had one more shot or Sebastian was going elsewhere.

He checked his phone, as he hadn't heard from Charlie all day. Perhaps he'd been busy with his dick of a boss. Sebastian had sent a couple of messages, and he was usually responsive. Candice had let him know she'd made Charlie a job offer, but didn't share the details. He was keeping out of it as long as she stayed in budget. Now he rethought that decision. Should he have spoken to Charlie first before she made an offer to check he'd be comfortable with it? Sebastian would not be here much once the GM was hired.

The day was over, and he was going to be late to meet Patrick for a drink. He wanted to sound his friend out about his plans for the date at the weekend. Sebastian tended to go overboard when he liked someone, and Patrick had always been the voice of reason. They were meeting down by the river on the South Bank.

Thankfully, the bar wasn't too busy, and Patrick already had a table and a beer waiting for Sebastian. A quick hug by way of greeting, and then Sebastian downed half his pint.

"Bad day?" asked Patrick.

"Just wasted most of the day interviewing people and none of them were any good."

"Maybe you should take the job."

"What?"

"Sorry, just being selfish. I just like the idea of my best friend being around more."

Sebastian smiled. He couldn't move back to the UK. He still had dual citizenship, so that wouldn't be the issue, but his life was in New York. But in all honesty, he was just going through the motions there. The place ran itself in the US, and the European expansion excited him, but he couldn't leave his sister and nieces.

"So, what have you got planned for the big date?"

"Claridge's for dinner."

"No. Next option."

"What? He said he liked burgers, and they do a great one."

"Yeah, for about a hundred quid. I suspect your guy would be happy with McDonald's."

"Okay, I have to draw the line somewhere. I am not taking someone on a date to McDonald's."

"Five Guys?"

"No fast food. I want a sit-down meal, so I can get to know him better."

"I thought you'd want to top your three times in one night."

"That'll come later. First, I just want to impress him."

"Why?"

"Come on, Patrick, look at how you wooed George."

"That was completely different. George was a brat who needed to be taught how to behave. Charlie sounds more like an equal. Or do you see yourself as his superior?"

"Not at all. He's an equal."

"Okay. Well then, where would you take an equal for dinner?"

Sebastian thought for a minute. If it was someone his own age, or a guy in New York, he'd probably just do something like they were doing now: a nice pub which served great food. But he couldn't take Charlie somewhere like that. He had to have looked Sebastian up by now, and he'd have expectations.

"You're overthinking," said Patrick.

"I just think he'll expect more than a gastropub."

"A gastropub is perfect. I know a couple which would work. What else are you planning?"

"I got tickets for a show."

"VIP box?"

"Fuck off."

Patrick laughed. "Does he even like the theatre?"

"I don't know."

"Look, keep it simple. Dinner in the pub and back to the hotel for dessert." He smiled, waggling his eyebrows.

"Never do that again."

They both laughed. Patrick was right. Sebastian needed to keep it simple. He wanted to get to know Charlie and they couldn't do that when they were distracted by a show. Plus they'd already slept together. He didn't need to pretend he was a gentleman, especially after the way Charlie had demanded that kiss in his office.

It was lunchtime on Friday, but Sebastian was determined to finish going over the financial reports so he didn't have to look at them again in the afternoon. He wasn't sure he could get through another twenty-nine hours until his date with Charlie, not that he was counting or anything. His office door was open, but he looked up when someone tapped on the door.

He was stunned when he saw his sister, but quickly pulled himself together and rushed over, pulling her into a hug.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought we could go for lunch."

He broke the hug and looked at her. "You flew three thousand miles for lunch? That'll look good on our carbon report."

"This isn't business. I wanted to speak to my baby brother in person."

"What's wrong? Is it the girls? Martin? You?"

"Good to know I'm the last one you think of, but everyone is fine. Just grab your jacket. I booked us a table at the Italian down the road."

His sister and her love of Italian food. When she found out Martin had a gluten allergy, she'd almost dumped him. She didn't like to have it in the house, as the girls also had an intolerance. She would indulge when it was just the two of them.

He grabbed his jacket and left the financial reports for later. He may regret that decision, but for now, he was just delighted to see his sister. What the hell was so important that she'd abandon her kids and husband to fly to London, especially when he'd be home in two days?

"Are you on your own? How long are you here for?"

"I'll fly back with you. Although I also have us on standby for another flight tomorrow, if you want to take it."

"Why would I want to leave tomorrow?"

"Let's talk when we get to the restaurant."

His mind was spiralling as they made their way down the street. For a restaurant which was two minutes away, it felt like hours had passed since Bex had dropped her little bomb.

They were seated quickly. She insisted they order first, so they wouldn't be disturbed. He ordered a Jack and Coke, as he thought he'd need it. She had a glass of white wine. Once the waitress had left them, he snapped.

"Right, out with it. Do you have any idea what wild things I have been coming up with in my head?"

"Like what?"

"Uh-uh, no. Out with it."

"I've been doing some digging into Charlie."

He was hit with a plethora of emotions. Anger at her invading Charlie's privacy, fear at what she'd found out, happiness at the mere thought of Charlie, and sadness at what he was about to lose. His sister wouldn't have flown across the Atlantic unless she had something big to tell him.

"Get it over with."

"Did you know his mum is in a care facility? She has multiple sclerosis."

"I knew she had him young and raised him on her own. He didn't say anything else. That felt a bit too personal for a first date."

"I'd hardly call it a date."

"Go on."

"The care facility costs three grand a month. His mother's benefits cover a grand of it, and Charlie pays the rest. Charlie only earns twenty-five grand a year, so doesn't even clear two grand a month after tax."

"Can you just get to the point?"

"Look, Sebastian. I don't want to be having this conversation, but you've been played. You need to know how and why."

She pulled out her tablet and passed it to Sebastian. It was open at a website called London Lads.

It didn't take long for Sebastian to see it was a male escort site, and there was Charlie's face looking back at him. His sweet, adorable Charlie. Sebastian should be angry about this, but he wasn't. He was sad that Charlie had to resort to this to help his mum, but it was also very Charlie. He was a survivor and would do whatever it took. There was something admirable about that. He passed the tablet back to her.

"Like you said, we had a one-night stand. Why is this any of my business?"

"I thought you wanted to date him?"

"I do, and I'm sure he would have told me about this when the time was right."

"There's more."

Of course there was. He loved his sister, but she was like a dog with a bone when she had decided about something, or someone. And to Bex, Charlie was trash now.

Their food arrived and, of course, she wanted parmesan, black pepper, and chilli oil, which took an inordinately long time. Bex had a pizza, and Sebastian had a prawn and crab linguine, although he had no appetite anymore. After she'd scoffed down a quarter of her pizza, she finally spoke again.

"He's in debt up to his eyeballs. He owes eight grand to the care facility and they're threatening to kick his mum out."

Sebastian had an overwhelming urge to call the care facility immediately and pay off the arrears.

"You're thinking about paying it, aren't you?" she asked.

"No."

"Don't bullshit me. Look. Think about this objectively. You said Charlie's social media strategy was well researched, and he clearly knew the company and what it stood for?"

"Yes. What's your point?"

"And then the day his boss takes credit for his work, you just bump into him in a bar and he doesn't know who you are. He can't have researched that well. Your picture's on the website."

She had a point. How could Charlie have not known who he was, especially given how well researched his social media strategy was. He didn't want to believe it though, not when it came to Charlie.

"And I know you'll say he left in the morning without your number, but he knew he'd be at the pitch meeting and that he'd see you again."

"No, he didn't. His boss did the pitch on the day we met. We didn't tell Klein about wanting Charlie at the next pitch meeting until the following week."

He felt a sense of triumph, but Bex was shaking her head and smiling. He couldn't believe Charlie would do this.

"Brother, you've been played. This guy is hurting for money and just saw you as an easy ride."

"Or maybe he's just desperate. What would you have done if it was Mum in the same situation?"

"I agree, but if it was really just about money, why has he turned down a six-figure salary this morning to stay at his shitty paid job? The guy's a hustler, and you need to walk away before he takes you for a ride."

He didn't know Candice was going to offer that much. No that Charlie wasn't worth it, but why did he turn it down? If he earned that, he wouldn't have to do escort work. And why hadn't he spoken to Sebastian about it? Bex was causing him to doubt Charlie. She knew how to get at him, and he had to not be swayed. Sebastin needed time to think.

"I'd like to hear Charlie's side of the story first."

"He'll just manipulate you again."

"Thank you for telling me all this, but you need to back off now. I'll speak to Charlie myself at our date tomorrow night. You will get on the plane tomorrow and I'll see you Sunday."

Sebastian wiped his mouth, although he had eaten none of the food, and downed his drink before standing and walking out of the restaurant. He wasn't going back to the office. He needed to clear his head first. Brandon and Henry had both screwed him over, but the pain he was feeling at the possibility of Charlie having played him made Sebastian realise just how far gone his feelings were, and how painful it would be if Bex was right.