Let's pretend (book 1)

Chapter 1: Meet my girlfriend

"I want you to be alert, take notes as usual, and please focus on Mr. Bertenelli's reactions. I need to convince them to work with us and he's the one who makes the final decision."

"Of course sir."

With that said we both entered the conference room and were greeted by my employees. Before we could sit, Mr. Bertenelly and his associates made their way in.

"Buongiorno signore Walton"

"Good morning Mr. Bertenelli" I shook his hand and greeted his associates Mr. Febunacci and Mer. Russo "It's good to see you again gentlemen. This is Elise, my secretary. She can assist you if you need anything."

"Nice seeing you." Mr. Bertenelli looked at Elise with a smile "Sei una bella signora"

"Grazie Signore"

I eyed Elise not knowing she actually knew how to speak Italian. As soon as everyone was seated, she instantly gave them the papers they needed to read and discuss before taking her place facing me.

I started the presentation and stopped every once in a while to answer their question. The meeting took two hours long and the Italians seemed to have been impressed. Elise and I walked with them to the elevator bidding them good bye.

"Did you take notes?" I asked when we were alone and heading back to the office.

"Yes sir, I even recorded the Q&A part."

"Good, I want everything on my desk tomorrow morning."

"Yes Mr. Walton, I'll type everything and have them printed right away."

Reaching my office, I turned around to say something to Elise but she had already left, probably gone to finish her work for the day. I pushed my door open and SURPRISE!

My mother, Ella Walton, in all her glory was sitting in my chair behind my desk. She was sipping coffee while enjoying the view of New York.

"Mother?" I asked a little surprised. I closed the door behind me and sat in a chair facing her "To what do I owe this amazing surprise Lady Ella?"

"Oh stop buttering me up Zachary Hunter Walton!"

"Buttering you up? Never. What have I done now to upset this beautiful woman?"

"You very well know what you have done Zachary. I cannot stand it anymore."

"Actually I don't know what you are talking about. I've always made you and father proud." I crossed my arms staring at her.

"You need to understand that your ways are smudging your name into the mud" she threw a newspaper in my face. To say she was angry was an understatement, the woman was fuming.

"Chill ma... look I'm handsome on this picture" I stated ignoring the headlines.

"The fact that you are handsome was the last thing I noticed Zachary. Look at how you are dragging that whore outside the club!"

"First, you need to keep your voice down. This is my workplace." I said sternly but calmly as I got up and walked behind the desk leaning on it. Second, Jamie is a nice girl, she's not a whore. She's a friend actually."

"Friend? You? I'm your mother, I'm not a fool. You have no friends except that idiot of William Barns who keeps himself busy in night clubs."

The mention of Will made me chuckle, she could never stand him. William was my childhood friend, and even though she was close with his mother she hated his guts. Lady Ella would always call him names and she would try to keep us apart.

Apparently, he had a bad influence on me, and without having him in my life I would have had a wife and kids already. She didn't want to believe the fact that being single was my decision, Not William's, not anyone else's.

"Oh mother, I love you so much you know that right?"

"I know but what would that change? Look at yourself! You're a successful businessman, why do you have to let the paparazzi get a chance to ruin your image?"

"What do you want me to do mother? You know I hate seeing you upset."

"Saying yes would please me a lot"

"Yes to what mother?"

"Getting married, settle down, have kids and stop being a playboy."

"Don't tell me you still want me to take Ashley as a wife!"

"Actually yes. It would do great for business, and she's beautiful. She'd be the perfect wife."

Ashley Wells was a hot woman, very classy and hot headed. We hooked up twice or thrice and to be honest, as much as she's beautiful on the outside, she's as uglier on the inside. She only cares about herself, and always tries to get all the attention she can get. If I ever want to settle down, it wouldn't be with someone like her.

"Mother I'm afraid that is something I cannot do. You've been pestering me to get married for a few years now, what if I don't want to? What if I have someone in my life already? Have you ever thought of that?"

That must have gotten her attention because next thing I know my mom is standing across from me studying my face "who is she? Do I know her?"

"Who are you talking about?" I asked a little lost.

"That 'someone in your life' that's who I'm talking about."

That just gave me an idea. The only way to get her off my back for a few months would be to lie to her. I hated lying to her or anyone else for that matter but I was out of option. I was going to play a little game and make my mother believe I have someone in my life. At least she'd forget about Ashley.

"Zachary, you spaced out. I said, do I know her?"

"No mother, you don't know her and I plan on keeping it that way for now. You'll be scaring my girlfriend away."

"None sense! You're lying to me aren't you Zachary?"

That wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. Knowing Ella Walton she would want proof that I'm seeing someone. Now where am I going to get her a girl she didn't know?

In that exact moment, Elise knocked on my door and came in. Surprised to see my mother she smiled apologetically "I'm sorry I'll come back later" than it hit me. "No! Wait."

Elise paused unsure and she seemed very uncomfortable, but she was my only chance right now.

"Mother, I would like you to meet Elise Collins, my girlfriend".