Chapter 3

Stacey’s POV;

I had decided to step out of the building to get some fresh air after Richard left to take his call. Everything was happening so fast, and it was very overwhelming. 

I was too deep in thought to notice the crowd of reporters standing outside. Before I could realize it, I was already surrounded by reporters.

“Miss Stacey, is it true you’re engaged to Richard Desmond?” I heard faintly from the horde of voices throwing questions at me. I tried using my hand to shield my eyes from the blinding lights coming from the cameras.

I had expected this to happen but not this soon. I mean, it hadn’t even been up to a day since Richard announced we were engaged in the meeting room. This was the opposite of what I came out for. 

“Miss Stacey, would you say you’re a gold digger?” More questions were thrown at me. Microphones were being shoved in my face, and light shone from different angles. I was confused; I didn’t know what to do.

My breathing began to increase, and so did my heart rate. I began to hyperventilate, and it felt like I was about to faint. 

Suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand and pull me out of the mob of reporters.

He led me towards a black Porsche Cayenne. Opening the door to the front seat, “Get in,” he instructed. 

The reporters were already making their way towards us. It really wasn’t the time to be concerned about my safety with this man; all I wanted was to leave this place as soon as possible. I got into the front seat while he got into the driver’s seat. He revved up the engine and drove off.

After driving some distance, we were now miles away from the company where the reporters had gathered. My savior drove into a parking lot; it had a sign in front that read, “Restricted Area. No Entry Unless Authorized”. 

He brought the engine to a stop and I looked back, to confirm we weren’t followed. “No sign of reporters,” I let out a long breath. 

“Thank you.” I said, finally looking up at the face of the person who had just saved me. My eyes widened in disbelief.

“Nah, it’s cool. I’ve been in your shoes a couple of times too. You can relax; no one is getting in here.” Chad replied softly.

I couldn’t believe who was sitting next to me. This was Chad Lawrence, chairman of KXB Studios. He was a big inspiration for me because he started out his career as a movie director and built KXB Studios to what it is today. KXB Studios was the second-best film production company in the world, after Desmond Pictures and Chad Lawrence was the second hottest bachelor in Los Angeles; well, that was according to The LA Times Magazine. 

“Do you need water or anything to help you calm down?” He handed me a bottle of water. His biceps outlined the silk black sleeve he had on, which made his blonde hair stand out even more. 

“Water is just fine, thank you.” I replied as I took the bottle of water from him, my hands trembling under the weight of his presence. 

I immediately opened the bottle and took a sip, trying to calm myself at the thought of Chad sitting so close to me.

“My name is Chad, by the way.”

“Oh, I know,” I blurted almost immediately. 

I took another sip from the bottle in an attempt to hide my embarrassment. I always had a hard time composing myself around people who inspired me, and Chad Lawrence was one of those people.

“Well, I know you too, Stacey Smith,” he smiled. 

I faced him, my brows raised with curiosity.

“You’re engaged to Richard Desmond, aren’t you?” It was more of a statement than a question. 

He drew out his phone from his pocket. “Your name is the most searched topic right now. You’re on every blog, and your picture is on almost every site. You’re the hottest topic in LA.”

I started to hyperventilate again. All this was happening too fast. 

I should have said something when Richard first called me his fiancée in the meeting room. Maybe I should have told Vivian the truth, or maybe I should have been firmer in my decision to not go through with this with Richard.

“Stacey, are you okay?” I heard Chad's worried voice. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. “I’m okay, thank you.” 

“Look, Stacey, we might have just met, but I want you to know you can tell me anything.” He assured me. “If there is anything bothering you or something you just want to let out your chest. Let it out, okay.”

Chad's voice was very comforting. It felt like I could tell him everything, and I had a lot to say. I wanted to tell him how this ring I had on started this whole ruse. How Richard had suddenly told everyone that I was his fiancée, and I couldn’t even say a word. How confusing and overwhelming this all felt; my pictures spread across social media and reporters asking me if I was a gold digger. I wanted to just open my mouth and scream that it was all a lie.

I looked into Chad’s comforting brown eyes and instead said calmly, “I’m fine.” 

For some reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to tell Chad about the whole situation. I needed to at least clear things with Richard before saying anything.

“Alright, if you insist,” he said. “I know the kind of person Richard Desmond is; he would do anything to have his way, even if that meant a fake engagement.”

I choked and began to cough as I heard the word fake engagement. “Are you okay?” Chad patted my back and I nodded in response, taking another sip from the bottle.

“Just know you can trust me with whatever you want to say. Richard has hurt so many people before; I don’t want you to be a part of that list, Stacey.” He was looking straight into my eyes, genuine care flickering in his orbs.

I quickly turned my face away and began to fidget with the bottle of water in my hand. It rolled down my lap and fell beside my feet on the coil carpet 

Great! What was I to do now?

We both sat in awkward silence, him still looking at me and I, looking at the bottle on the floor who had chosen to abandon me. Suddenly we heard the sound of a car speeding in.

The car drove into the parking lot. Chad and I turned our heads toward the position the sound of the car was coming from. The car parked, and the door opened.

“I thought you said nobody could get in here?” I asked Chad, breaking our silence as the person’s footsteps got closer.

“Yes, not just anybody is allowed to ent—” The violent banding on the car window cut him off. 

I closed my eyes in fear and wrapped my arms around myself, bracing up for whatever was going to happen next. Chad wound down the car window.

“Get my fiancée out of this car now, or I promise you, Chad, I’ll break down this freaking door!” Richard threatened angrily.