Chapter Two- How To Look Broke In An Expensive Suit.
Ethan ++++++
"What did you just say, boss?" My assistant's voice cracked through the phone like he couldn't believe his ears.
"Are you deaf?" I snapped, already pacing barefoot across my bedroom floor, towel still hanging loose around my hips. "I said I've got the second interview in two hours and a full board meeting at the same damn time. How the hell am I supposed to clone myself?"
"I—I'm sorry, boss. I didn't mean—"
"Save it," I cut him off, rubbing the back of my neck. The guy was good at his job, but right now his nervous stuttering was just adding to the headache.
He stayed quiet for a beat, then sighed. "Boss… You've been talking about how important it is for you to become a bodyguard at Logan Enterprises. I don't know why someone as rich as you would even want that kind of job but—"
I cut him off.
"You don't need to. But right now I need solutions, not questions."
I needed to get inside Logan's world today.
I ran a hand through my hair, pacing slowly.
Think, Ethan. Think.
"I need to do something…" I muttered under my breath.
"Boss?"
I stopped walking.
Then an idea hit me.
Not a good one.
But still.
"Can't you just go in my place for the interview?" I blurted. "I'll bump your pay up thirty percent right now. Cash. Today."
"THIRTY PERCENT?!"
I winced.
"Lower your voice."
"Boss, that is a VERY good offer!" he said, almost sounding like he was about to cry. "I wish I could! I really, really wish I could!"
"But?" I asked.
"But… your photo was in the application form."
I froze.
"…Right."
"So unless I magically turn into you, I don't think that will work."
I closed my eyes.
Of course it wouldn't be that easy.
I let out a long, frustrated groan.
"Why does it have to be this complicated? I swear I'm about to lose it."
My fingers tightened around the phone until my knuckles went white.
I had waited seven years for this..
And now something as stupid as scheduling was trying to ruin it?
No.
Not happening.
Then suddenly—
An idea hit me.
"I'll talk to you later," I said and hung up before he could even respond.
I immediately dialed my secretary. She picked up on the first ring.
"Hello, sir!"
"Morning. Listen — is there any way we can push the board meeting to tomorrow? Like, any excuse? Family emergency, sudden flu, alien invasion, I don't care. Just make it happen."
She went silent for a few seconds. I could hear her typing furiously. "I… I don't think so, sir. The investors from Singapore are already on the flight. But let me check with legal and see if we can do something. I'll get back to you in five."
"Try," I said. "And call me back."
"Yes, sir."
I ended the call and stood still for a second.
Then exhaled
Interview first.
I bolted into my walk-in closet with my heart pounding but I immediately stopped.
"…Right."
Problem number two.
Everything I owned screamed money.
"This is ridiculous," I muttered, running my hand through the hangers but couldn't find anything that doesn't look expensive.
What was I supposed to wear?
I couldn't walk into a bodyguard interview looking like I owned the building.
I groaned and dropped to my knees, digging through the bottom shelf like a raccoon in a dumpster.
I pulled out suit after suit.
"Why do I even have this many clothes?" I snapped.
I stood there for a good minute, just staring.
Then I sighed.
"Should I just… damage one?"
My eyes slowly shifted toward the door.
"…Maybe I should get a knife from the kitchen and just—"
I paused.
Then shook my head.
"No. That's stupid."
I exhaled again and went back to searching.
After what felt like forever…
I finally found the oldest pair I owned.
"…This one."
My cheapest suit. "This will have to do."
....
Then came the next problem.
Shoes.
I walked over and stared at the rows lined up
neatly.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
They all looked too expensive and wrong to wear to a bodyguard's interview.
"I should have bought at least one ugly pair," I muttered.
After more unnecessary struggle, I finally picked one.
I rubbed the toes against the carpet like a crazy person, trying to scuff them up.
"There. Now you look like you've walked through hell… kinda."
"You'll do."
I then looked through my tie collection and randomly picked a tie.
"This is torture," I whispered.
...…
After dressing up, I stood in front of the mirror.
I adjusted the collar slightly.
Looked myself over.
"…It'll pass."
Satisfied enough, I reached for my leather briefcase out of habit — then froze.
"What am I doing?
Bodyguard applicants don't carry fancy suitcases." I snatched just my phone and wallet instead, shoved them in my pockets, and headed out.
—
The living room was empty. My housekeeper must've already left.
I grabbed the keys to my matte-black Audi, then stopped dead at the door.
"What the fuck is wrong with me?" I whispered. "A broke bodyguard applicant rolling up in a 2025 Audi? Yeah, that'll go over great."
I tossed the keys back on the console and I sighed.
"Cab it is."
I stepped toward the door.
Then stopped again.
"…And where exactly am I going to find a cab here?"
I closed my eyes.
"This is so frustrating."
I went back inside to get my car key and jogged back to the garage.
I turned on the car, and zoned off.
Ten minutes later, I found an underground parking space and parked quickly.
Then rushed out to the main road and called a cab.
....
Inside the cab, I finally checked the time.
And froze.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Less than twenty minutes.
"Shit."
I leaned back and ran a hand over my face.
"All that time… just over choosing clothes?"
....
The cab finally screeched to a stop in front of the massive glass building.
I paid the driver extra, muttered a "Thank you."
and stepped out.
—-
The second I walked through the revolving doors, every eye in the lobby swung my way.
Why are they staring? I thought, tugging at my crooked tie. Do I look that obviously broke? Or do I look suspicious? I glanced down at myself, confused as hell. "I thought I toned it down…"
I pulled out my phone, double-checked the suite number, and followed the signs to the elevator.
The interview hall was on the twelfth floor. When the doors opened, I stepped into a room packed with at least thirty other guys.
"Way more people than I expected," I muttered under my breath.
"Should I just bribe my way through this?" I muttered.
For half a second I actually considered walking up to the front and sliding a bribe under the table. But I killed the thought fast. Too risky.
Just then a sharp voice cut through the chatter.
"Mr. Ethan!"
My head snapped up. "Yes?"
The lady gave me a weird once-over, eyebrows raised. A couple of the other candidates turned too, staring like I'd grown a second head.
"This way, please."
I followed her down a short hallway.
She opened a heavy door and I stepped inside.
Three interviewers sat behind a long table — two men, one woman. I dipped my head in a quick, awkward bow.
"Good morning."
There was silence.
Then....
"Are you sure you applied to become a bodyguard?"
I forced a small smile and nodded. "Yes, sir. I did."
He exchanged a look with the others, then tapped my printed application. "Then why are you dressed like this?"
"That suit is more expensive than mine. You sure you aren't from a rival company?
"You Sure you aren't here to sabotage us?"