003

Rowan's pov.

I had woken up that morning with my phone already blown up with calls, texts and emails. It was unusual, especially since most of the callers were my shareholders and the company's board of directors. Some of my friends in the tech world left me countless texts, all asking that I checked the news.

Walking into the bathroom and ignoring everything, I stepped under the shower and let the water wash down the hazy effects of the hangover I had.

I had never had so much to drink at work, but thanks to my father, I did. Not only did he shove the idea of marrying one of his business partner's daughters in my face, he also threatened to take away my inheritance if I didn't listen to him. 

Fuck that old man. I was successful on my own, even if his conglomerate was bigger than my company. However, mom would have my head if I ever let my father give the company away. 

Stepping out of the shower, I caught my reflection in the mirror, and for a moment, just for a tiny moment, I felt something crawl up my spine as I remembered the kiss from last night. I had never felt anything so warm and… real. I hated the fact that it made me feel anything at all. 

Miss O'Reilly is the least person that should be on my mind. She's no one, no one at all. 

Groaning, I made my way back into my quiet bedroom and picked up my phone. The first call that came in was from the executive head, and he sounded like he would rip my head off through the phone. 

“What is the meaning of this, Mr Robinson!? Why the hell is the company being dragged through the mud by the media? Stakeholders are pulling out fast!” 

I was a bit stunned. Everything was fine yesterday, what suddenly changed?

“I have no idea what you're talking about.” I responded calmly, and that only seemed to upset him more. 

“Check the news or your phone. It's everywhere. You better fix this Mr Robinson, and you better do it fast.” He hung up and I raised a brow at my phone, wondering what had suddenly happened. 

“Alexa, turn on the TV.” 

The television came to life, and what I saw had my heart racing all of a sudden. My fists tightened as I watched the kiss scene between my secretary and I playing across the screen on the news channel. What the fuck!?

“Is this the true face of the CEO of RW Enterprise? Is he really a predator who demands favors from his employees in exchange for a job?” The anchor questioned, eyes glistening with curiosity. 

“Stakeholders are calling for his immediate removal, rival company sales have skyrocketed overnight and all to the detriment of Rowan Robinson and his now tagged characterless secretary.” 

I rose to my feet, rage pulsing through me. I picked out a suit, got dressed and made my way out of the house. The fool who released this video was going to pay with their life as soon as I found out who he or she was. 

“Fuck!” I grunted, driving out of the compound. My father's call came in, but I ignored it, knowing exactly what he was going to say to me. This was going to affect his business as well, and would ruin my chances with the girl he had wanted me to marry. I couldn't care less about that, but he did. 

The media had already gathered outside my office when I got there, so I made my way into the building through the back, and the first thing I met was Miss O'Rilley getting bullied by other employees in the lobby. 

She bumped into me while trying to escape, and I asked her to follow me to my office immediately. I needed to understand what the hell was going on. Did she do this to gain publicity and destroy my image? 

“What is the meaning of this? Why is my name all over the news and the internet!?” I roared, my forehead creased as I stared at her with nothing but disdain. 

She was pale, hands in front of her and eyes red. “My name is also everywhere.” She muttered.

“Did you do this?” I inched closer to her, tilting my head to glare at her, but she exploded, the fear I had seen in her eyes earlier turning into fury.

“You think I did this?” She scoffed. “You think I planned for you to get drunk, then set up a camera and made you kiss me? You think I planned to be called a whore by the whole fucking world!?” 

For the first time, I had nothing to say. I watched her pant, and then break down. I was supposed to be losing my mind over this, but that kiss still lingered at the back of my mind, and staring at her made it worse.

“Sir, you have to do something. Go out there and tell them that nothing happened between us. Tell them that the kiss was a mistake, please.” She pleaded, her voice shaky and weak in a way I had never seen. 

My phone rang before I could speak, and this time around, it was my mother. I answered, turning to face the glass walls. 

“Mom.”

“Rowan? What is this I'm hearing? Your father's business partners are in our house and he's enraged. Why did you do this? Who is that girl?” Her voice was calm, but I could sense the pain she was trying to hide.

“Don't worry mom, I'm going to handle this.”

“How? The girl's father has annulled the marriage arrangement, he called you characterless, and you know what that means. You'll lose the inheritance!” 

I bit the inside of my cheek and rubbed my forehead desperately. I needed to fix things before they got even more out of hand. 

“I know what to do.” I hung up and threw the phone on my desk before turning to Miss O'Rilley who was fiddling with her fingers and looking around like someone was going to break in and capture her.

“So?” She asked. “What now?” 

I stared at her, loathing the very words that were about to come out of my mouth. 

“There's only one way to settle this.” I let out a deep breath, and her eyes widened in hope. 

“Which is?” 

“Marry me, Miss O'Rilley.”