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8: Fake lover

Author: Aria Wilde
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-05 04:35:32
Riley’s POV

6:00am

My phone buzzed with a FaceTime call just as I was pouring cereal into a mug like the functional adult I am. I almost didn’t answer. I should’ve trusted my gut.

Jax’s face filled my screen, sleek hotel lighting behind him, hair damp like he’d just finished swimming laps in gold coins.

“Riley,” he greeted, voice already clipped. No hello, just straight to business.

“You’re having a good time," I muttered, pushing my hair out of my face.

“Observant as always.” He adjusted his screen. “Listen. Carter’s PR team pulled out at the last minute. You’re going with him.”

I blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You heard me.”

“You’re sending me on tour with Leo?” I asked slowly, like I needed to double-check I wasn’t hallucinating. “Is this punishment or a prank?”

His expression didn’t shift. “His team flaked. I need someone who can handle the job. You’ve worked with me. Survived my coffee orders. My moods. You’ll survive Carter.”

“Oh, well that’s comforting,” I deadpanned. “Nothing say
Aria Wilde

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  • Let Me Go, Boss!   76: Fake Girl

    Riley’s PovA knock came in just after I had forced myself to eat some silly food. The leftovers still sat on the coffee table: half-picked noodles, a glass of water, and the same flickering muted news channel that had been buzzing in the background all day.I stared at the door and another two soft knocks rang from behind it. My stomach sank. Please no more reporters. Not another neighbor with questions they were too polite to keep to themselves.I approached the door slowly and looked through the peephole.Caleb.I sighed out in relief. At least, this I could deal with. I opened the door partway. “What do you want?” I asked, placing my hand on my waist. He smiled a bit, “Can I at least come in?”I didn’t move, I just stared at him. “I’m not here to fight,” he said, holding up a folder like it was supposed to be a proof of peace. “Just here to talk. Give me five minutes.”I stepped aside without a word.He walked in like he’d been here before. Like the space didn’t feel too small

  • Let Me Go, Boss!   75: Distractions

    Caleb’s POVThe hum of multiple screens bathed my office in a cold, ghost-blue glow. Tweets flew across one monitor. Emails pinged like gnats. My phone was buzzing again—probably another alert about the goddamn video.#Scandal.#JaxMaddoxExposed.#UndergroundKing.I exhaled through my nose and rubbed my temples. “They’re vultures.”On one screen, a gossip blog was running a blurry clip of Jax firing Riley. No audio, just a shaky video taken by one of the interns probably. Riley’s face—shocked. Jax’s expression—cold. Ruthless.On another screen: forums dissecting old footage of Jax playing tennis in some low-lit, shady underground gym. Conspiracy theories, think-pieces, timelines—people digging like their rent depended on it.I clicked over to my inbox. Journalists circling like sharks. A few asking for comment. Some demanding answers.This wasn’t just a PR

  • Let Me Go, Boss!   74: illegal

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  • Let Me Go, Boss!   73: Should I suspect you?

    Riley’s POVIf there was one thing I’d learned in the past few weeks, it was this: never walk into a room looking like the wounded party. Especially when you’re still trying to figure out who’s actually on your side.So I put on my sleekest pair of trousers, a tucked-in blouse that said “professional but not trying too hard,” and tied my hair up like I meant business.Leo’s office was in a gleaming high-rise downtown, all exposed brick and soft lighting, like the interior was trying to convince you it wasn’t part of the cold, ruthless machine of the corporate tennis world. The receptionist smiled when she saw me.“Mr. Carter expecting you. You can go right in.”Of course he was.Leo looked up from his desk as I entered, smiling in that easy, charming way that made you forget he’d once threatened to hire you just to steal you from someone else. His sleeves were rolled up, and he stood the moment I stepped in.“Riley,” he said. “Glad you came.”“Still thinking about the offer,” I said a

  • Let Me Go, Boss!   72: Not some damage control

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  • Let Me Go, Boss!   71: Problem always

    Jax’s POVI walked into the office Monday morning and I could feel the tension and weird looks from my staff members. Each time I passed there was a sudden type of silence that buzzed too loud.People avoided my eyes as I passed. Phones were being flipped over, screens locked the second I entered a room. Even Dana—who’d worked for me the longest—barely managed a “Good morning” before disappearing into her chair like she wanted to sink through it.I frowned. Then my phone vibrated. And again. And again.Notifications exploded in a steady stream—Twitter, Instagram, even LinkedIn.I tapped the screen and saw the first clip.Me. In the boardroom. Voice cold. Expression unreadable. Riley stood across from me, her eyes wide, chest rising fast. The camera caught everything—her stammering “Wait, please just listen—” before I cut her off.The words that followed felt like an echo in my chest now.“You’re fired. Pack your things.”The comments below the video were already wild and crazy. “This

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