All Chapters of FAKING LOVE: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWELVE -MEAGAN POVI watched in amusement as the scrawny writer stammered and gaped at me like a fish out of water. Jake hadn't been exaggerating - the kid really was thrown for a loop realizing I, a woman, was the main event boxer he was here to write about.His wide eyes darted between me and Jane, clearly rethinking every assumption he'd made."S-Sorry, I... I didn't mean to stare. It's just..." He trailed off, cheeks flushing an even deeper crimson as he seemed to realize how his shock might come across as extremely rude or condescending.To be fair, I was used to getting looks like that, especially from men who bought into the antiquated notion that women didn't belong in the ring.I decided to throw the flustered guy a bone before Jane lost her patience. With a wry chuckle, I waved a dismissive hand. "Relax, writer boy. I get that reaction all the time from people who're expecting some roiled-up slab of beefcake when they hear 'renowned boxer.'"Pivoting smoothly, I sli

CHAPTER Fourteen:5 years laterHAILEY POINT OF VIEW"I don't know what he's up to?"Hailey walked out of the audition fuming. Her fists were clenched, and her jaw was tight. Miles had played her for a fool, and she knew it.The arrogant actor had only given her the lead role to torment her. She could see the malice in his eyes when he shoved her aside.His parting words dripped with malicious sarcasm - "I know, you're welcome." That smug, entitled prick was up to no good.She shoved through the crowd of disappointed actresses exiting the building, not caring who she knocked aside. Rage boiled inside her.All she had wanted was a fair chance to prove her talents.Anna had faith in her, had encouraged her relentlessly, while Miles judged her from his pedestaled perch.Who was he to decide her worth as an actress?An overpaid pretty boy who got roles handed to him.The spring air that had seemed so refreshing that morning now felt oppressive.All thanks to him!Hailey yanked off her lig

CHAPTER SIXTEEN:MILES POV"Rise and shine, my little starlet," I purred from the shadows as the warehouse door creaked open. "It's time to put those much-vaunted talents of yours to the ultimate proving ground."Hailey started like a spooked fawn, eyes wide and bloodshot from what was doubtless a sleepless night.Good - let the anxiety fester and gnaw at her wits ahead of the torments to come. A tree is always more satisfying to fell when it's already off-balance."Wh-what is all this?" she managed in a tiny voice, watching Igor set up an array of lighting, cameras, and sound equipment with ominous efficiency.Sauntering over, I traced the line of her jaw with one knuckle, feeling her instinctive flinch at my proximity. "Why, just a few... audition scenarios I've arranged to truly put your skills through their paces. You did insist on being considered a professional, after all. What better way than to subject you to a professional's gauntlet?"Her eyes flicked toward the exit, mind c

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN -MILES POINT OF VIEWI pulled the sedan door shut behind me with a weary sigh, miles of turmoil still roiling in my mind's wake.The crisp night air did little to settle my temperament - if anything, it only sharpened the disquieting thoughts needling me.Hailey was... an anomaly.I CAN say she's better than Lindsey!!No ... Noo... don't think of that BITCH!An enigma that shouldn't have existed to upend all my carefully cultivated expectations.With each subsequent "audition" I'd subjected her to, the impudent waif only deepened the offenses against my jaded sensibilities.Scorning every opportunity to wither and crumple under the harsh brilliance of my discerning cruelties.Instead, she hemorrhaged transcendent talent from every pore.Mastering the most abstruse avant-garde abstractions and caustic modern atrocities with ease. Yet still retaining that gossamer comedic touch and gift for evoking rapturous, silvery frivolity.A true... chamelonic virtuoso whose very

CHAPTER 20 -Miles' POVI snapped my fingers. A stagehand hurried over with a fresh script. Dogeared pages, creased from many hands."This next performance requires true emotion," I said flatly. Hailey's eyes narrowed.I was done playing with shallow roles for her to simply emote through. The real test began now.The script was from my hit movie with Lindsay Ford - the one that earned her the Best Actress award last year. An honor she deserved after the grueling month it took her to nail that pivotal scene."The Boss' Uncanny Girlfriend," I stated, watching Hailey's face for a reaction. Her eyes widened as she recognized the title of the critically acclaimed blockbuster romance.I would have her perform Lindsay's part - the emotional crux that truly defined the character's depths. If Hailey thought her previous "tests" represented the heights of dramatic hurdles, she was in for a rude awakening.She accepted the script pages silently. I could see the brief flicker of intimidation, the