I left the office very aggravated. Who does Xavier think he is?..... To propose a flimsy fake marriage to me. Does he think I am one of his whores?

I wondered to myself. I hadn't even bothered to read the whole of the contract before I rejected it. 

I started to blame myself for saying no when he asked if I was seeing someone. I just didn't know what he was up to.

I was very startled by the question and because 'no' has always been my default answer to someone asking if I was seeing someone for the longest time now, I blurted it out–I was uncomfortable and I wasn't thinking straight when he randomly threw the question at me.

I haven't dated anyone in almost two years now. I instantly thought about Drake and how he would feel if he heard about all that happened and my part to play in it. I decided to keep it from him and call Ava instead. 

"You wouldn't believe what happened at work today" I said to Ava after she picked up my call. 

"Omg, what happened again in your dramatic place of work- there's always one drama or the other going on in that place" she says to me. 

"Well this one directly affects me" I huffed.

"You know what, I have little spare time on my hands. I should come over to listen to this, plus, it's been a while since we hung out. I'm bringing pizza!" Ava announced.

"Please bring ice cream too, I could really use some," I told her.

"Uh-oh.... this must be serious, for you to demand ice cream, this must be a lot" She responds.

"See you in 40 minutes babes" She says, I could hear shuffling in the background "Yeah bye" I say, hanging up.

Ava came a few minutes later, gathering me in a bear hug into her arms. 

"You've been through so much lately babes, I'm so sorry I haven't been present to pat you on the back" Ava says affectionately. 

"Oh don't be silly, I know you've also been dealing with a lot of pressure at work" 

"Honestly I have, it's been a lot of pressure on my end. My MD dumped another pitch deck on me this morning, and I'm already drowning in financial modeling."

"But weren't you working on that M&A deal?"

"Exactly! We're in due diligence right now, and the deliverables are insane. I barely finished the valuation last night."

"So basically... another week of late nights?" I asked. 

"More like another week of no life" She exclaimed rolling her eyes. "The deal flow has been nonstop. My pipeline is full, clients are calling every hour, and compliance wants an update by tomorrow." Ava whines.

"Whew. Investment banking is not for the weak." I concluded 

"Trust me, I've noticed. But enough about me, I came here for you today. What's up?" She finally asked. 

"Well my boss threw a fake marriage proposal at my desk during work hours today"

"Oh my goodness! You're absolutely kidding me right now right?" Ava exclaimed, wide-eyed in shock.

"I heard him the other day on a call with his dad, from his response, I could tell he was reluctant, he was refusing to get a wife but for some reason, he agreed after much convincing. It must be for a very valid reason because, knowing the kind of person he is, he doesn't strike me as someone who wants to settle down willingly." I explained to Ava

"I mean nnn" she dragged "You've told me all about his whoring episodes so I'm not surprised at all."

"So he, what?- wants you to be his fake wife?" she asked ludicrously.

I nodded and she burst out laughing. After laughing uncontrollably for several minutes, she saw I didn't join in her laughter, she finally turned to me and said, "So you aren't kidding really"

"Yes Ava, I'm dead serious, he actually pouched me like it was a legit business deal" I said still reeling from the shock. 

"He didn't even ask if you were seeing someone or something" she says.

"Erm actually...." I said shifting uncomfortably, looking everywhere else except her face.

"Oh my God Syd!, Don't tell me he actually asked you if you were seeing someone" 

"Well, in my defense, he practically summoned me into his office and demanded to know if I was seeing someone"

I changed my voice to a deep baritone to mimic Xavier "Are you seeing someone?....Okay you're dismissed".

I said, making Ava laugh with my funny way of mimicking Xavier.

"He didn't even give me a chance to respond before he went back to whatever he was doing like I didn't exist or like he didn't just ask me a very personal question" I whined.

"Well I heard him talking to you over the phone the other day and he sounded very scary, his presence physically must be pretty intimidating" She said, reasoning with me.

"What did you say though?" she asked.

"Of course I said no," I said matter-of-factly. "It's not like I don't have Drake's feelings to consider" 

"Well, you didn't actually tell him you have a man though" I glared at her. "What? It's the truth" she shoots back after seeing my expression. 

"Wait...." She said pausing "Would you have agreed to the proposal if Drake didn't come into the picture?" she asked inquisitively. 

"Urgh! I really don't know!" I buried my face in my hands, groaning. "I don't exactly know, I catch myself wondering how it's going to be married to my boss and I question my feelings for Drake so much"

"Don't you like him?" She asked confused 

"I do, I don't just know if I like him more, I mean to the point where I can say it's true love"

"You shouldn't rush yourself, Syd, feelings don't just rush to you, it's a gradual process babes" she said reassuringly. 

"I know but I keep getting this nagging feeling like something is amiss" I said softly. Ava left her sit across from me and walked to me, bent and held my hands. 

"Everything will work out fine, babes, you'd eventually get there, okay?" 

"Okay," I said finally. "Omg we've both been so caught up that we let a good ice cream melt" I said, eyeing the ice cream on the desk in my living room.

"We better dig in before it totally dissolves," Ava says, walking to the kitchen to bring spoons. 

We ate while catching up with a series of other things happening in our lives. We have been so busy lately that we barely have time to just sit and talk. 

"Are you staying here tonight?" I asked Ava after seeing how dark the weather is becoming. 

"Oh I would really love to but I didn't pack an overnight bag plus I have to be at work super early tomorrow" she says. She left several minutes after and I was left with my thoughts in my quiet tiny apartment. 

I thought of calling Drake but I decided to call my mom instead. I haven't heard from her in a while and I was starting to feel guilty about it. I dialed her number and she picked up when the call was almost going to voicemail. She often forgets she has a phone. 

She finally picks and I clear my throat. "Hey Mom-how are you doing?....how's Rochester been?" 

There's a pause on the other end of the line-long enough that I actually pull the phone away to check if the call dropped.

"Mom?" I say.

"Oh. Yes. I'm doing well honey. Rochester is fine," she murmurs, her voice floating like she's miles away from the room she's standing in.

"Are you doing well? Eating well?" I ask, trying to keep my tone light.

Another stretch of silence. I hear her exhale softly, like she forgot I was talking to her. "Mm-hmm. I'm... managing."

She always says that-managing. Never good, never bad.

I try again. "Did you get my text about visiting next month?"

She doesn't answer immediately. When she finally speaks, it's slow, unfocused. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

I close my eyes. "Nothing. It's fine."

And just like that, the conversation dissolves into the same quiet I've grown used to- her body on the line, her mind somewhere I can't reach.

It has always been this way since we lost dad and I feel agitated that she is now a shadow of herself even if we both lost someone we loved. 

"I just wanted to check if you're doing fine," I said, trying to keep the sadness away from my tone. 

"Err...yes I'm good honey" she says slowly. I know the conversation is over on her end because she might just go mute if I talk to her further so I decided to put an end to the call. 

"Okay Mom, take care of yourself- bye" I said, hanging up.

I fell flat on my bed sighing, my mood ruined. I don't know why I keep expecting her to change all of a sudden. I should be used to her distance by now. I thought about ways to help her until I fell asleep. 

********

I woke up pretty early today, energized and ready for work. I left home earlier than necessary just so I could beat Xavier getting to work before me.

After my brief rejection of his proposal, I want to do everything necessary to avoid being the reason for his anger. I was simply in no mood for that today. 

I stepped into the office building, exchanging greetings with my colleagues. I quickly stepped into my cubicle trying to settle in for the day. I checked Xavier's office and I was glad when I didn't see him, thank goodness! I thought to myself. 

I drop my bag on my chair, then freeze.

There's an envelope sitting in the middle of my desk. White. Unmarked. Perfectly centered, like someone placed it there with intention.

My name is typed across the front.

I already know.

My pulse skips as I slide a finger under the flap and unfold the paper inside. The words hit me in one sweep, even before I could force myself to read them one by one.

"Termination of Employment."

My stomach sinks.

I scan the rest-employment ended effective immediately... final paycheck processed... return company property... Thank you for your service.

He even dared to say thank you.

The signature at the bottom makes my throat tighten. His name. Bold. Clean. Like this is nothing but routine paperwork to him. "Xavier Crest. CEO of TechUp"

I fold the letter back up with shaky fingers and sit down slowly, letting the weight of it settle.

So this is what "no" costs.

This is what happens when I refuse to sign a marriage contract with my boss.

I swallow hard, staring at the paper. It feels cold. Final.

Little did I know that my whole life was about to change and Xavier would bring so much chaos into my life.

I was disheveled and trying to pull myself together when I saw Xavier strolling in with a bored expression on his face, two security guards walking alongside him. 

"Escort Miss Poe here out of these premises this instant" he said with no emotion to the security. I stood there, dumbfounded and tongue-tied. 

Just as the two large men were walking towards me to walk me out, I suddenly found my voice. 

"Erm, Mr. Crest can we please talk about this?" I asked quietly, trying really hard to control my anger. 

"There's nothing to talk about Sydney" He said simply, shrugging.

I couldn't help but notice how he referred directly to me for the first time and how smoothly my name rolled out of his mouth, making me love how he said my name. I scolded myself immediately and snapped out of my insane thoughts. 

"Please sir, we can talk about this" I said, hating the fact that I have to beg him.

"You have 15 minutes, I'm listening" He said, putting one hand in his pocket, waiting for me to instantly start speaking in front of everyone. I looked at him, pleading with my eyes to let us have the conversation properly. 

He wordlessly started walking to his office and I was stumbling after him, trying to match his long and fast legs. He got into his office, sat, and gestured for me to sit. I started to plead with him.

"Erm... sir... I don't think you have to fire me just because I said no to your propo-" 

"I didn't spare you 15 minutes of my time for you to tell me what I can or cannot do" he interrupted me curtly, waving his hand dismissively.

I sat up straight, gathering all the confidence I could muster,  I looked at him bravely and said. 

"No," I snap. "You don't get to fire me because I refused to marry you. That's abuse of power."

A slow smile curves his lips. Not warm. Not amused. Dangerous.

"You seem to misunderstand your position," he says. "You didn't refuse a proposal. You rejected a solution."

"A solution to your problem," I fire back.

He stands then, walking around the desk until he's standing far too close. I don't step back, even though every instinct tells me to.

"I made you an offer," he says quietly. "One that would've secured your future."

"You tried to buy me," I say. "With a contract and a ring."

His jaw tightens.

"You walked away from me," he replies. "And people who walk away don't get second chances."

I swallow. "You think firing me is enough to scare me?"

His eyes darken. "This city is small, Sydney. Especially our industry." He said with grave seriousness.

My stomach drops.

"I make one call," he continues, voice steady, deliberate. "Two, maybe. Suddenly your résumé stops getting callbacks. Interviews disappear. Interested firms decide you're 'not a good fit.'"

"Please don't do this," I whisper.

"It's already done."

The words land like a slap.

I straighten, forcing strength into my spine. "So you're going to destroy my career because I won't marry you?"

He tilts his head. "I'm giving you time to reconsider."

Silence stretches between us.

"I won't be forced," I say.

"Everyone is forced," he replies calmly. "They just like to call it choice."

I turn for the door, my chest burning.

"Think about it," he adds behind me. "Because the longer you wait, the harder I make it for you to survive without me."

My hand tightens on the handle.

This isn't over.

******

"I can't believe he would force a marriage on me!" I whined angrily to Ava on a phone call. 

"That's honestly a wicked thing to do. Plus, he threatened to make sure you don't get another job- why go through all this trouble when he can have literally anyone he wants?" she asked indignantly. 

"I honestly would kill to know as well" I rolled my eyes.

"Does Drake know?"

"Oh sure he does. I called him and said 'Hey babe! The girl you started seeing, not up to a month, is getting married to her boss who she hates so much, after she told you she wanted to have your child" I said sarcastically, face palming myself in disappointment. I have clearly gotten myself into a mess.

"I don't even know how to begin the conversation. I am the most terrible girlfriend ever!" I cried. 

"Oh of course not babes" She said reassuringly. "It's just going to be on paper right?" 

"Well, yes but....." I trailed off. 

"If at all you're going to agree to secure your career cos I don't see another way out of this -the Crests are pretty influential and you don't want him carrying out his threat and rendering you permanently unemployed" She says matter-of-factly.

"If you're going to do this, it should be on your terms. You should give him rules and regulations as well" She continued. 

"So you're saying I should agree to it?" I asked 

"Oh no Syd, I'm merely suggesting. It's up to you to decide"

"Hmmm," I thought about the whole situation. "Well if he could agree to me keeping my personal relationships, I suppose it might work. I would put it in my terms and conditions that I should be allowed to have my personal love life and all" I said. 

"Yes. But how about the whole sperm donor thingy?" Ava asked curiously. 

"If it's not too much to ask, I don't suppose he cares who I have a child for or not, we just have to find a way to keep it a secret from the public or make them think the child is his, right?" I asked suddenly unsure. 

"Hmm, I'm not sure how either of them would respond to the whole thing. You have to talk to both of them" 

"Yes, I guess, omg this is too much" I sighed, feeling overwhelmed and bothered. 

I was on my way home earlier than usual after the whole disaster at work. I had made a quick stop at the mall to restock on groceries. So I held my phone to my ear with my shoulder while juggling about five paper bags in both hands. 

"I can't believe there's literally a whole back and forth between my boss about getting married to each other. How are we even supposed to cohabit? It's so crazy" I said to Ava

I was in my corridor, struggling to get my keys when I was startled by a familiar voice. 

"Getting married to who?" I turned sharply, to see a frowning and very upset Drake, flowers in his hands. 

"Errr Ava, let m-me call y-you back-k" I said shakingly, feeling suddenly hot.

I dropped my shopping plastic bags on the floor and made an attempt to move closer to Drake and touch him but he took several steps back. It was like my touch could burn him. I immediately recoiled from the stinging rejection. 

"What. Do. You. Mean. You're. Getting. Married. To. Your. Boss?" he drawled out very slowly. Like he was talking to a toddler who had a hearing problem. 

"D-drake please I can explain. Please come inside, let's talk about this" I paused. "I promise, it's not what you think" 

"Then what the hell is it?" he asked lowly, his expression ice cold. "Sydney, are you getting married to your boss or not?" 

"Well I haven't agreed yet but I promise it's no-"

"I wanted to surprise you with flowers, but guess who was surprised instead" He said emotionlessly. Pushing the flowers into my body. 

"I don't want to have anything to do with a flimsy whore like you. Have a blissful marriage" He said and without turning back, he left, ignoring my cries and tears. 

Xavier has managed to take two things from me. My job and my relationship.

It's been a week since my short-lived relationship came crashing down - a week since Xavier brought so much chaos into my life and I'm still reeling from the effects. 

I have been frantically searching for a job but to no avail. Xavier had somehow gotten in touch with almost every employer in this city to make sure I don't get hired anywhere. Not even as a cleaner or waitress-not like I would actually accept that role. I shiver at the thought of stooping that low. 

He really did carry out his threat perfectly.

"Dear Mr. Crest, 

I have considered your offer, and I would like to know whether you would have me back. However, I do have certain demands that must be met if we're going to proceed.

Kind regards, 

Sydney Poe" 

I stare at the email for a long moment, wincing at how pathetic I must sound - surrendering like this. Then I hit send.

I have been forced to succumb to Xavier's games. Still, I must hold on to the tiny shred of dignity I have left. If my life is about to change this drastically, then I will demand something in return.

Not long after, I heard a knock at my door. It must be Ava, I have narrated the whole ordeal to her. 

"Heyyyy" she says, pulling me into a tight hug, the kind I desperately need. "I'm so sorry you've been through hell these past few days, I can't even imagine the emotional turmoil you must be in now" She cried, holding onto me tightly. 

"My life should be a TV show at this point" I mutter with a half-hearted laugh, trying to make light of the situation. 

She drags me to sit. 

"First of all," she says sharply, "Drake had absolutely no right to act the way he did. He called you a bitch for fuck's sake!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. 

"Well.... maybe I did behave like a bitch" I mumbled.

She shoots me a glare 

"Or maybe not" I correct quickly. 

"Of course, you don't deserve to be talked down to like that even if anything happened. Why did he feel the need to talk to you like that?" She asked rhetorically. "Look the situation spiralled beyond your control" 

She pauses, then continues more gently.

"What were you supposed to do? You didn't offer yourself to your boss willingly. Xavier cooked up a crazy plan and turned your life into a mess. That's not on you - it's on him."

"I know right?" I roll my eyes. "I mean why can't he just go marry his crazy ex" 

A thought suddenly hit me.

"Wait!" I sit up. "What do you think she'll say or do when she finds out Xavier is getting married to me!?" 

"Ouuuu" Ava grins. "I smell some drama"

"Well I can't put it beyond her to-"

My phone chimes loudly with a notification popping up, interrupting Ava. 

I grabbed it almost immediately. Praying and hoping it's a text message from Drake, responding to my several calls and text messages.

I frowned on seeing it was just Xavier, responding to my email.  

Ava leans over my shoulder, scoffing as she reads the message.

"I thought as much, see you at work on Monday, Sydney. My lawyer would discuss whatever silly demands you think you have" 

"Such a cocky bastard!" Ava huffs in annoyance, while I try to steady my breath. I take a deep breath, fighting the anger rising in my chest.

"So," she says, folding her arms. "What demands are you making?" She asked inquisitively. 

"For starters, I have to protect my future," I say firmly. "No matter how this ends, my career must be secure. I can't be stuck working with my 'ex-husband.' " I make air quotes, making her laugh.

"I also want the freedom to have a personal relationship," I add. "Discreetly, of course. Because I will not be loyal to that man-whore."

"Oh, absolutely," Ava agrees.

"And I want to explain the whole situation to Drake and see if we can work our way around this and maybe get back together" 

"Well, how do you intend to do that since he blocked you everywhere?" She asked 

"I have no idea" I whine, burying my face in my hands. "We talked about the whole kids situation, maybe if he somehow finds a place in his heart to forgive me probably we can kick start that" 

She frowns. "Wait. So you'd be legally married to Xavier... but possibly carrying Drake's child?" Ava asked, confused. 

My head snaps up. "Oh my God. I didn't even think about that."

She stares at me.

"This is already a façade," I mutter. "What's one more lie?"

"Yes, it is bad!" Ava exclaims. "If you were in Drake's shoes, would you accept that?"

"...No," I admit.

"Well then."

I sigh. "Fine. Baby or no baby, I'm still insisting on the freedom to date whoever I want."

"Oh, hell yes you are," Ava says.

Then she pauses - and laughs.

"Do you realize that in the span of three months, you were single, in a relationship, trying for a baby, and now getting married?"

I blink... then burst out laughing.

"Wow," I say. "When you put it like that, it sounds insane."

We laugh until it hurts - until reality creeps back in.

Later, lying awake, my thoughts drift to one person.

Xavier's ex.

I can only imagine how she'll react to the news.

******

I walk into the office with a knot in my stomach. I am so anxious about how today will turn out 

Breaking the news will be awkward - unbearable, even. My coworkers greet me like nothing has changed, smiling, chatting... unaware that by the end of the day, they'll think I slept my way into becoming my boss's wife.

On getting to my workspace, I saw a tall, slender- attractive, and familiar woman, standing in front of Xavier's office. 

Arms folded while tapping her left foot impatiently. Her back was turned to me so I couldn't make out her face.

In a split second, she turned and her eyes snapped to mine. 

Bianca. 

My heart skips a bit and I suddenly felt a sense of doom. 

She knows.

Or maybe she doesn't.

Either way... this is about to get ugly.

It's been a week since my short-lived relationship came crashing down - a week since Xavier brought so much chaos into my life and I'm still reeling from the effects.

I have been frantically searching for a job but to no avail. Xavier had somehow gotten in touch with almost every employer in this city to make sure I don't get hired anywhere. Not even as a cleaner or waitress-not like I would actually accept that role. I shiver at the thought of stooping that low.

He really did carry out his threat perfectly.

"Dear Mr. Crest,

I have considered your offer, and I would like to know whether you would have me back. However, I do have certain demands that must be met if we're going to proceed.

Kind regards,

Sydney Poe"

I stare at the email for a long moment, wincing at how pathetic I must sound - surrendering like this. Then I hit send.

I have been forced to succumb to Xavier's games. Still, I must hold on to the tiny shred of dignity I have left. If my life is about to change this drastically, then I will demand something in return.

Not long after, I heard a knock at my door. It must be Ava, I have narrated the whole ordeal to her.

"Heyyyy" she says, pulling me into a tight hug, the kind I desperately need. "I'm so sorry you've been through hell these past few days, I can't even imagine the emotional turmoil you must be in now" She cried, holding onto me tightly.

"My life should be a TV show at this point" I mutter with a half-hearted laugh, trying to make light of the situation.

She drags me to sit.

"First of all," she says sharply, "Drake had absolutely no right to act the way he did. He called you a bitch for fuck's sake!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air.

"Well.... maybe I did behave like a bitch" I mumbled.

She shoots me a glare

"Or maybe not" I correct quickly.

"Of course, you don't deserve to be talked down to like that even if anything happened. Why did he feel the need to talk to you like that?" She asked rhetorically. "Look the situation spiralled beyond your control"

She pauses, then continues more gently.

"What were you supposed to do? You didn't offer yourself to your boss willingly. Xavier cooked up a crazy plan and turned your life into a mess. That's not on you - it's on him."

"I know right?" I roll my eyes. "I mean why can't he just go marry his crazy ex"

A thought suddenly hit me.

"Wait!" I sit up. "What do you think she'll say or do when she finds out Xavier is getting married to me!?"

"Ouuuu" Ava grins. "I smell some drama"

"Well I can't put it beyond her to-"

My phone chimes loudly with a notification popping up, interrupting Ava.

I grabbed it almost immediately. Praying and hoping it's a text message from Drake, responding to my several calls and text messages.

I frowned on seeing it was just Xavier, responding to my email.  

Ava leans over my shoulder, scoffing as she reads the message.

"I thought as much, see you at work on Monday, Sydney. My lawyer would discuss whatever silly demands you think you have"

"Such a cocky bastard!" Ava huffs in annoyance, while I try to steady my breath. I take a deep breath, fighting the anger rising in my chest.

"So," she says, folding her arms. "What demands are you making?" She asked inquisitively.

"For starters, I have to protect my future," I say firmly. "No matter how this ends, my career must be secure. I can't be stuck working with my 'ex-husband.' " I make air quotes, making her laugh.

"I also want the freedom to have a personal relationship," I add. "Discreetly, of course. Because I will not be loyal to that man-whore."

"Oh, absolutely," Ava agrees.

"And I want to explain the whole situation to Drake and see if we can work our way around this and maybe get back together"

"Well, how do you intend to do that since he blocked you everywhere?" She asked

"I have no idea" I whine, burying my face in my hands. "We talked about the whole kids situation, maybe if he somehow finds a place in his heart to forgive me probably we can kick start that"

She frowns. "Wait. So you'd be legally married to Xavier... but possibly carrying Drake's child?" Ava asked, confused.

My head snaps up. "Oh my God. I didn't even think about that."

She stares at me.

"This is already a façade," I mutter. "What's one more lie?"

"Yes, it is bad!" Ava exclaims. "If you were in Drake's shoes, would you accept that?"

"...No," I admit.

"Well then."

I sigh. "Fine. Baby or no baby, I'm still insisting on the freedom to date whoever I want."

"Oh, hell yes you are," Ava says.

Then she pauses - and laughs.

"Do you realize that in the span of three months, you were single, in a relationship, trying for a baby, and now getting married?"

I blink... then burst out laughing.

"Wow," I say. "When you put it like that, it sounds insane."

We laugh until it hurts - until reality creeps back in.

Later, lying awake, my thoughts drift to one person.

Xavier's ex.

I can only imagine how she'll react to the news.

******

I walk into the office with a knot in my stomach. I am so anxious about how today will turn out

Breaking the news will be awkward - unbearable, even. My coworkers greet me like nothing has changed, smiling, chatting... unaware that by the end of the day, they'll think I slept my way into becoming my boss's wife.

On getting to my workspace, I saw a tall, slender- attractive, and familiar woman, standing in front of Xavier's office.

Arms folded while tapping her left foot impatiently. Her back was turned to me so I couldn't make out her face.

In a split second, she turned and her eyes snapped to mine.

Bianca.

My heart skips a bit and I suddenly felt a sense of doom.

She knows.

Or maybe she doesn't.

Either way... this is about to get ugly.

have considered your offer, and I would like to know whether you would have me back. However, I do have certain demands that must be met if we're going to proceed.

Kind regards, 

Sydney Poe" 

I stare at the email for a long moment, wincing at how pathetic I must sound - surrendering like this. Then I hit send.

I have been forced to succumb to Xavier's games. Still, I must hold on to the tiny shred of dignity I have left. If my life is about to change this drastically, then I will demand something in return.

Not long after, I heard a knock at my door. It must be Ava, I have narrated the whole ordeal to her. 

"Heyyyy" she says, pulling me into a tight hug, the kind I desperately need. "I'm so sorry you've been through hell these past few days, I can't even imagine the emotional turmoil you must be in now" She cried, holding onto me tightly. 

"My life should be a TV show at this point" I mutter with a half-hearted laugh, trying to make light of the situation. 

She drags me to sit. 

"First of all," she says sharply, "Drake had absolutely no right to act the way he did. He called you a bitch for fuck's sake!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. 

"Well.... maybe I did behave like a bitch" I mumbled.

She shoots me a glare 

"Or maybe not" I correct quickly. 

"Of course, you don't deserve to be talked down to like that even if anything happened. Why did he feel the need to talk to you like that?" She asked rhetorically. "Look the situation spiraled beyond your control" 

She pauses, then continues more gently.

"What were you supposed to do? You didn't offer yourself to your boss willingly. Xavier cooked up a crazy plan and turned your life into a mess. That's not on you - it's on him."

"I know right?" I roll my eyes. "I mean why can't he just go marry his crazy ex" 

A thought suddenly hit me.

"Wait!" I sit up. "What do you think she'll say or do when she finds out Xavier is getting married to me!?" 

"Ouuuu" Ava grins. "I smell some drama"

"Well I can't put it beyond her to-"

My phone chimes loudly with a notification popping up, interrupting Ava. 

I grabbed it almost immediately. Praying and hoping it's a text message from Drake, responding to my several calls and text messages.

I frowned on seeing it was just Xavier, responding to my email.  

Ava leans over my shoulder, scoffing as she reads the message.

"I thought as much, see you at work on Monday, Sydney. My lawyer would discuss whatever silly demands you think you have" 

"Such a cocky bastard!" Ava huffs in annoyance, while I try to steady my breath. I take a deep breath, fighting the anger rising in my chest.

"So," she says, folding her arms. "What demands are you making?" She asked inquisitively. 

"For starters, I have to protect my future," I say firmly. "No matter how this ends, my career must be secure. I can't be stuck working with my 'ex-husband.' " I make air quotes, making her laugh.

"I also want the freedom to have a personal relationship," I add. "Discreetly, of course. Because I will not be loyal to that man-whore."

"Oh, absolutely," Ava agrees.

"And I want to explain the whole situation to Drake and see if we can work our way around this and maybe get back together" 

"Well, how do you intend to do that since he blocked you everywhere?" She asked 

"I have no idea" I whine, burying my face in my hands. "We talked about the whole kids situation, maybe if he somehow finds a place in his heart to forgive me probably we can kick start that" 

She frowns. "Wait. So you'd be legally married to Xavier... but possibly carrying Drake's child?" Ava asked, confused. 

My head snaps up. "Oh my God. I didn't even think about that."

She stares at me.

"This is already a façade," I mutter. "What's one more lie?"

"Yes, it is bad!" Ava exclaims. "If you were in Drake's shoes, would you accept that?"

"...No," I admit.

"Well then."

I sigh. "Fine. Baby or no baby, I'm still insisting on the freedom to date whoever I want."

"Oh, hell yes you are," Ava says.

Then she pauses - and laughs.

"Do you realize that in the span of three months, you were single, in a relationship, trying for a baby, and now getting married?"

I blink... then burst out laughing.

"Wow," I say. "When you put it like that, it sounds insane."

We laugh until it hurts - until reality creeps back in.

Later, lying awake, my thoughts drift to one person.

Xavier's ex.

I can only imagine how she'll react to the news.

******

I walk into the office with a knot in my stomach. I am so anxious about how today will turn out 

Breaking the news will be awkward - unbearable, even. My coworkers greet me like nothing has changed, smiling, chatting... unaware that by the end of the day, they'll think I slept my way into becoming my boss's wife.

On getting to my workspace, I saw a tall-slender, attractive, and familiar woman, standing in front of Xavier's office. 

Arms folded while tapping her left foot impatiently. Her back was turned to me so I couldn't make out her face.

In a split second, she turned and her eyes snapped to mine. 

Bianca. 

My heart skips a bit and I suddenly felt a sense of doom. 

She knows.

Or maybe she doesn't.

Either way... this is about to get ugly.