Lexi

Three weeks. Three beautiful, wonderful weeks of being with Lucian. I moved back into his penthouse, and this time it felt different. It felt real. We were always together, and every morning I woke up felt like a dream I was afraid to wake up from.

But it seems like dreams have a way of turning into nightmares.

"Did you see this?" Mia burst into the coffee shop, her phone clutched in her hand. Her eyes were wide with concern.

"See what?" I looked up from my cup.

She placed her phone on the table, and my blood turned to ice. The headline read. "BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET AFFAIR: Lucian Cross Caught in Compromising Position with Employee."

The photo showed Lucian and me in what looked like an intimate embrace. But I knew exactly when this was taken. It was last week when I'd tripped getting out of his car and he'd caught me. From the angle of the shot, it looked like we were kissing passionately against his car.

"Oh God," I whispered, scrolling through the article. The comments were even worse. They called me names. Gold digger. Slut. Home wrecker.

I’d told Lucian to keep us a secret till I earned the right to appear side by side with him. And he agreed. We’ve tried our best to be secretive for the past few weeks. I was only seen as his personal reporter.

"There's more," Mia said grimly. She showed me her tablet with various gossip sites all running the same story. "Someone's been feeding them information. They even know you live with him. They're saying you seduced him for his money."

My hands shook as I read comments after comments tearing me apart. "Who would do this?"

"I think we both know who." Mia's voice was hard. "Giselle Laurent has been spotted at several society events recently, and she's been very vocal about her opinions on your relationship."

I felt sick. "What do you mean?"

"I have a friend, not really a friend. Sarah, she works at the Tribune. She said Giselle's been calling reporters, giving them tips about where to find you and Lucian together." Mia sat down across from me.

Before I could respond, my phone rang. Lucian's name flashed on the screen.

"Lexi, are you okay?" He said immediately I picked. His voice was tight with concern.

"I'm... I don't know. Have you seen the articles?"

"I'm looking at them now. Marcus is trying to trace the source of the photos."

"It was Giselle, wasn't it?" I asked.

He paused. "Probably. But that doesn't matter right now. What matters is damage control."

"Damage control?" I felt tears building. "Lucian, they're calling me a gold digger. They're saying I seduced you for money."

"And they're wrong. Anyone who knows you knows they're wrong."

"But the board won't know me. Your investors won't know me." I was spiraling, I could feel it. "This is exactly what she warned me would happen."

"Lexi, listen to me…"

"We should end the contract," I interrupted. "I should quit and move out and…"

"Don't you dare." His voice was sharp. "Don't you dare let her win."

But I was already drowning in the comments, in the speculation, in the vicious attacks on my character.

"Mr. Cross?" Marcus's voice came through the background. "The board is requesting an emergency meeting."

My heart sank. "Go," I told Lucian. "Handle your business."

"Lexi…"

"Just go." I cut him off.

I hung up and buried my face in my hands. Mia moved around the desk and put her arms around me.

"It's going to be okay," she murmured.

"No, it's not. She was right, Mia. This was always going to happen."

Tears streamed down my face endlessly.

“Let me take you home.” Mia volunteered.

Mia sat across from me, passing me tissues to wipe my nose. An hour later, Marcus appeared at my doorway looking grim. "Miss Carter? Mr. Cross is calling an emergency press conference and he wants you there."

"A press conference?" My stomach dropped. "Why does he want me there?"

"He didn't say. But he was very insistent. And said I shouldn't leave until you agree.”

“Would it be proper if I go?” I asked, scared at how the journalists would bombard me if I was sighted.

“They wouldn't dare.” He said coldly. “I’ve got you covered.” He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

“She will join you shortly.” Mia said over my shoulders, closing the door.

I didn't know it was possible for a lady to get dressed in one minute! Mia made sure of that. And I still looked stunning.

I followed Marcus to Cross Media Entertainment, and surprisingly, journalists didn't rush at me. They only stood afar. I could see the disgust in their eyes.

We entered the conference room where several reporters had already gathered. Lucian stood at the podium, his face composed. When he saw me, he nodded towards a chair at the side of the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lucian began, his voice carrying easily through the room. "I've called this press conference to address the recent speculation about my personal life."

My hands gripped the arms of my chair. I could see the reporters leaning forward, hungry for scandal.

"There have been numerous false reports and malicious rumors circulating about myself and Miss Lexi Carter, who works as my reporter and consultant for Cross Media Entertainment."

I held my breath. Was he going to deny our relationship? Claim it was all lies? I bombarded myself with questions.

It was possible. He could just deny me like I was nothing because I was really nothing.

"I want to set the record straight," Lucian continued. "The truth is..." He paused, his eyes fixed on me. "Lexi and I are in a relationship." He said firmly.

I choked on the water I'd been sipping to cook myself. "What?!" The word burst out of my mouth before I could stop it.

Every head in the room turned towards me. Cameras flashed. I felt like I was going to faint.

Lucian's eyes never left mine as he continued. "We've been together for three weeks now. Yes, she works for my company. Yes, she lives with me. And yes, I'm completely in love with her."

The room erupted. Reporters shouted questions. Cameras clicked frantically. But all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears.

He'd just announced our relationship to the world. Without asking me. Without warning me!

I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "I need some air." I muttered.

I rushed out of the room, ignoring the shouts of reporters trying to get my attention. In the hallway, I pressed my back against the wall and tried to breathe.

"Miss Carter?" A young reporter had followed me. "How do you respond to accusations that you're only with Mr. Cross for his money?"

"No comment," I managed, pushing past him towards the elevator.

But more reporters were waiting. Cameras flashed in my face. Questions were shouted at me from every direction.

"How long have you been sleeping with your boss?" One asked.

My eyes widened. “What?!”

As much as I would have loved to, I haven't!

"Did you know about his previous engagement to Giselle Laurent?" Another asked.

"What's your response to people calling you a gold digger?" Another asked.

They threw questions at me.

The elevator doors finally opened, and I dove inside, pressing the button for the parking garage. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold my phone.

Giselle had won. She'd gotten exactly what she wanted. The media circus, the public humiliation, the destruction of any chance Lucian and I had at a normal relationship.

And now the whole world knows.