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.