CHAPTER 7

A scream jerked me awake. Lisa came running into my room, screaming my name. My heart pounded so loud I could hear it. I switched off the alarm, which was still ringing; it had failed to wake me up.

“What was that for? You can be annoyingly too loud sometimes.” I complained, barely listening to whatever she was blabbering about.

“Will you just listen? You are all over the news. Lisa’s voice cracked with urgency. “Every media outlet is running the story about the so-called proposal from last night.” She shoved her phone in my face, “See?”

Some headlines called it a scandal. Others claimed Aldwin was drunk and mistakenly proposed to a mysterious woman. Of course, that woman was me, a nobody, not worth mentioning beside a billionaire whose name alone carried weight.

Someone must have recorded it last night. I wasn't surprised. In a crowded bar with phones everywhere, it was almost inevitable.

The media had finally seized the story they’d been yearning for:

“After years of public denials of being involved in any romantic relationship, the famous billionaire and heir to Imperial Holdings finally found the woman of his dreams. Aldwin Ellison shocked the public by proposing to an unknown woman last night at the exclusive Supreme bar…”

Every news outlet ran its own juicy headline. The story was everywhere.

“Well, you’re famous now,” Lisa said with blatant mockery.

I shook my head, “This can't be happening, right?”

“Your face is on every feed. It already happened,” Lisa said, endlessly scrolling through her phone.

“Hold up,” her eyes widened as she stared at her screen. “Is that an Aston Martin Valkyrie?” Lisa covered her gaping mouth in awe.

I took the phone from her again. Wow. Someone had been really busy with my business last night. The photo showed Aldwin and me just as I stepped into his car.

Nice angle. I thought.

“It was just messing around. It wasn't a real thing. How am I supposed to go out with this face?” I panicked, pressing my palms into my cheeks.

“Brace yourself, love. From the look of things, it's getting real. And if it was a mistake, trust me, Aldwin will handle the media.” Lisa said, still scrolling on her phone.

I searched for my phone."What time is it?”

Oh no. I was going to be late again. It was my final warning, after I had shown up late numerous times over the past three months. I dashed into the bathroom and got ready as fast as I could.

By the time I got to the restaurant, Mikel was already cooking my assigned dish.

“You’re late again. I see you've got a pending offer.” Mikel said, not looking up.

“Mikel, you don't know the half of this I…”

“There’s always a backup story. Every damn time.” He shook his head slightly. “I need hands with the lasagna sauce.” He smiled. “You can explain that to Bobby later.”

I gave a nod, then swung into action, pulling out a cutting board. It seemed like any normal day at work. No one had noticed the news about Aldwin and me circulating in the media. I had finished with the lasagna and was prepping a new order when Bobby stormed into the kitchen.

“I told you there wouldn't be any more chances, didn't I?" He leaned on the table, with a soft, harmless-looking smile, as if he meant no harm.

“Something happened,” I replied, forcing a small smile.

“Well, something always happens.” He said with a wink.

His tone dropped, “And why are you on the news for no good reason?”

Now, he has everyone's attention. They all looked at me with questioning eyes.

“Aldwin Ellison? You've got some wild dreams, Kora.” Bobby's brow furrowed in disbelief. “So that's what happened last night? You were taking on him that you got so wasted and woke up late, dragging your lazy ass to work at the time you did, huh?” He roared in disgust.

“You don't get to talk to me in that manner,” I said, in a sharp voice. “And why are you so worked up about my personal life? What has it got to do with you, Bobby?”

The kitchen fell silent now, except for the sizzling sounds coming from a pan on the stove.

“This fantasy of yours is getting into your head already. If you think Aldwin will ever settle for a woman like you, you’re more foolish than I thought.” He sneered bitterly.