CHAPTER THREE

Leila stared at her phone, the headline glaring back at her. Her head was blank, Her heart raced as she skimmed the article, reading every word. Blurry photos of her and Gavin leaving the afterparty together filled the screen. It was only a matter of time before someone figured out that she was the one in the pictures. One showed Gavin’s hand resting on her lower back; another caught them stepping into the elevator.

Her voice was barely a whisper. “This can’t be happening.”

Gavin, now fully dressed in dark slacks and a crisp white shirt, stepped closer and plucked the phone from her trembling hands. He scanned the article, his jaw tightening with every line.

Leila ran her hands through her hair, “And Adele… oh my God, what if she sees this?”

Gavin’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Adele and I have an understanding,” he said, his tone clipped. “She knows how the media operates.”

Leila blinked at him, incredulous. “An understanding? Gavin, they’re calling me your mistress!”

He held up a hand, silencing her. “Calm down. We’ll handle it.“I’ll handle the press.”

“How?” she demanded. “What are you going to say? That we didn’t…” She trailed off

Gavin’s eyes held hers. “I’ll say whatever I need to. You’re my employee, and it’s my responsibility to protect you.”

Before Leila could respond, his phone buzzed on the nightstand. He glanced at the screen and cursed under his breath. “It’s Armstrong,” he said. “He’s probably seen the article.”

Leila felt her stomach turn. “Great. Just great.”

He answered the call, his tone professional. “Armstrong… Yes, I’ve seen it. No, there’s nothing to worry about. The article is baseless… Yes, I’ll issue a statement.”

As he spoke, Leila backed away, her anxiety level kept going up. She couldn’t be here when this all blew up. She needed to think

“I need to go,” she said abruptly, grabbing her bag.

Gavin ended the call and turned to her. “Wait”

“No,” she interrupted, her voice firm despite the tears threatening to spill. “I shouldn’t have come to the gala, and I definitely shouldn’t have…” She shook her head, unable to finish the thought. “This was a mistake. All of it.”

Gavin’s expression darkened, but he didn’t stop her as she bolted out of the room.

By the time Leila got back to her apartment, her phone was flooded with messages. Frank had called at least three times, each voicemail more frantic than the last.

Frank: Call me NOW.

Frank: What the hell happened?

Frank: Leila, are you okay?

She sank onto her couch and stared at the phone, debating whether to call him back. Before she could decide, there was a sharp knock at her door.

“Leila! Open up!”

Frank’s voice was unmistakable. She groaned and walked to the door, unlocking it reluctantly.

Frank burst in, his face a mix of concern and exasperation.

“What the hell, Baker? First, you disappear after the gala, and now this?” He shoved his phone in her face, displaying the same damning article.

“I know,” she said weakly. “I saw it.”

Frank crossed his arms, studying her closely. “So? Are you going to tell me what really happened?”

Leila hesitated, then blurted, “It was just one night, okay? We were both drunk, and… things got out of hand.”

Frank’s eyes widened. “You slept with Gavin Hasters? Are you insane?”

“Yes,” she said miserably. “I must be.”

Frank groaned, pacing the small apartment. “Leila, do you have any idea what kind of mess you’re in? The tabloids are going to eat this up. And if Adele Cooper decides to go nuclear…” He trailed off, his expression grim.

“I know,” she said, tears welling up. “I screwed up, Frank. I just… I don’t know what to do.”

Frank sighed and sat beside her, patting her shoulder awkwardly. “Okay, first things first. Damage control. Has Gavin said anything about how he’s going to handle this?”

Before Leila could respond, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Gavin.

“Answer it,” Frank said.

Leila hesitated, then pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Leila,” Gavin’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “We need to meet. Now.”

Her stomach clenched. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“It wasn’t a request,” he said. “I’ve arranged for a car to pick you up. Be ready in ten minutes.”

The line went dead.

Frank raised an eyebrow. “What now?”

“He wants to meet,” she said, her voice hollow.

Frank frowned. “You sure that’s a good idea?”

“No,” she admitted. “But I don’t think I have a choice.”

The car dropped Leila off at a private office building downtown, far from the company headquarters. A security guard escorted her to a conference room where Gavin was waiting.

He stood when she entered, his expression unreadable. “Leila, sit down.”

She hesitated, then took the chair opposite him. The tension in the room was suffocating.

“I’ve spoken to my PR team,” Gavin said, his tone brisk. “We’re going to release a statement denying any romantic involvement between us. We’ll say you accompanied me to the gala as part of your duties, and the photos were taken out of context.”

Leila nodded in response.

“There’s more,” Gavin continued, leaning forward. “I need you to stay out of the spotlight for the next few weeks. No social media, no interviews, nothing. The less attention we draw, the better.”

“And what happens to me?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Do I still have a job after this?”

Gavin’s gaze softened slightly. “Of course. You’re not being punished for this, Leila. But we need to be careful. The Bancrofts are already asking questions, and I can’t afford for this to affect the deal.”

Leila’s heart sank. So that’s what this was about, protecting the company, protecting him.

“Fine,” she said quietly. “I’ll do whatever you need.Can I leave now?”

“Yes. Be good” Gavin nodded

As Leila left, the only thing she could think of despite all the chaos was the night she and her boss shared.