Fake Engaged to My Enemy (Dirty Plays #1)

1. Chapter One

Chapter One

“Ifeel like a heartbroken wife on the brink of a divorce,” Allison complains, downing her rum as quickly as she’d drink a glass of water. “And my husband is a serial cheater.”

An amused chuckle spills from Lennox’s lips as he leans back against the chair. The strobe lights in the bar paint his face in different shades of green and red.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Allison. Mergers happen all the time. If anything, we should be lucky it’s happening.”

Heather shakes her head as I twirl the glass of whiskey in my hands.

“I still think it’s all too sudden. Who would have thought that the Apex Fitness Co.

would become one with its biggest rival?

The two companies have been at each other’s throats for years, and just like that, they’re blending into one company. ”

“Talk about the worst marriage ever.” Hearty chuckles ring out in our booth.

As much as I’d like to chip in a thing or two, I’m too bothered about my son’s well-being to be a source of comedic relief to my co-workers. I dropped him off a while ago with Ethan Knox, my deadbeat, good-for-nothing ex-boyfriend, who also – unfortunately - happens to be the father of my son.

I think about the scratch Leo had sustained on his elbow during his last stay at Ethan’s place.

I think about the less than pleasant expression on his face whenever I tell him we’re going to his dad’s place.

I think about how he hugs me extra tight just before Ethan and his delirious ex whisk him away.

Maybe it’s all in my head. I’m just being an overprotective mom who obsesses over the tiniest details that others may deem insignificant. But with the custody battle looming over me like a dark cloud, the only thing I know how to do is worry.

I don’t even realize I’ve been tuning in and out of the conversation until Matteo, another colleague of mine nudges me back to life with his elbow.

“Everything okay, Hailey?” he asks.

I shoot him a tiny smile and nod. “If you asked me what I thought about the merger as an employee whose only concern is the welfare of the company, I’d tell you it’s the best option there is.

United, Apex Fitness Co. and Flux Wears will be a force to be reckoned with in the athletic world.

But if you asked me as a friend, I’d tell you that the thought of working with those Fluxxies makes me want to hurl. ”

The nickname we came up with makes the table erupt into another round of laughter.

“Well, well, well,” Allison laughs, glancing forward. “Talk about the devils and they’ll appear.”

We follow her line of sight and sure enough, a herd of Fluxxies take their seats at a booth two tables away from us, chatter and chuckles resounding amongst them.

As always, one stands out amongst the rest, but then again, Matthew Pierce has the tendency to stand out in any room he walks into.

At a towering height of 6’4 and an impressive build that screams his former athletic career, he is – to most people – a sight for sore eyes. Even under the flashing disco lights, I can still see how white his teeth are as he smiles and how stupidly good-looking his face is.

Heather calls him a walking sex god and Allison thinks he’s the most beautiful man to ever exist. But I’d beg to differ, because beneath all those unfairly good looks, he remains my best friend’s brother, a terrible next-door neighbor, and a grade A asshole.

Out of muscle memory, my face contorts into a glare as soon as I see him. As always, he’s flirting with a woman and she’s falling head over heels like they always do.

He looks even more handsome than usual tonight, but I’ll blame that thought on the alcohol in my system. The last thing I am is attracted to Matthew Pierce. Still, I don’t look away from his ruggedly enticing appearance.

His tie is loose, his hair an attractive mess, the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up to his elbows, and the first few buttons are undone.

He glances at our booth, meeting my eyes immediately like a moth to a flame, and I look away like a kid who’s been caught stealing candy.

“You know, there’s a chance that one of them could be next in line for Brand Director,” Lennox says like a secret as he leans forward on the table. “They say he’s just as good as you, Hailey. The Fluxxies’ best talent.”

“Oh come on, Lennox. It’s just a rumor,” Heather says, but they all glance at me.

I shrug, pretending not to care but it’s been eating away at my insides ever since I heard about it. I’ve worked too hard and struggled far too long on my way to the top for this very moment.

And the thought of a random stranger from a rival company waltzing in to steal my chance at success makes my brain tingle with blood-curling anxiety.

“Hey,” Matteo addresses us. “Whether it’s a rumor or not, doesn’t really matter. At the end of the day, we’re all aware of the fact that Hailey is the most deserving of this position. She works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Allison nods vehemently. “He’s right. It doesn’t matter who they bring. You’re my brand director. You’ve got this.”

An emotional smile graces my lips. “You think so?”

“We know so,” Heather agrees. Then she refills our glasses and raises a toast.

“To Hailey! The most competent soon-to-be Brand Director our company has ever seen.”

“To Hailey!”

The others cheer loudly and I laugh, slight relief washing over me as we clink our glasses together.

A constant buzzing by my side makes me slide my phone out of my purse. But as soon as I see whose name is flashing across the screen, the smile on my face is instantly wiped off. Ethan.

The first thing I feel when I see Ethan’s name is panic. My mind whirls with possibilities of what he might be calling me for.

It’s been less than two hours since I dropped Leo off and I made sure to pack every single thing he would need for the next few days in twos, just so he won’t lack anything.

I fight the imminent urge to respond to his call as quickly as possible and get to my feet instead.

Not just because I’ll barely be able to hear him over the music in the bar seems to get louder every second, but because I’m not comfortable with having a conversation with my douchebag of an ex in front of my work friends.

Nothing good ever comes out of Ethan’s mouth, and the last thing I want is my co-workers finding out just how ruinous my relationship with my son’s father is.

“I’m just going to step out for some air,” I tell them with a light smile. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

The bar is packed now, compared to when we arrived an hour ago. So, I have to dodge a few dancing bodies, muttering excuse mes and I’m sorrys as I make my way towards the nearest exit.

I don’t expect the air tonight to be this chilly, so I’m unprepared for the lash of bone-chilling wind that waits for me as I push the back door open.

Goosebumps litter my skin as I return Ethan’s call. It’s just me and an aggressively groping couple that are out here in the alley, and I make sure to turn around and give them their much-needed privacy.

After what seems like forever, Ethan’s grating voice resounds from the other line. His voice is a testament to his destructive smoking habits. Gravelly and hoarse, like nails scratching on a chalkboard, except deeper.

I know he’s not stupid enough to smoke around Leo, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying sometimes.

“Hello?”

His voice doesn’t hint at any trouble whatsoever. If anything, there’s an attitude that comes with it. Like I’ve just interrupted something important.

I raise a brow. “Is there something wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean ‘what do I mean’? You called me a second ago. It had to be for a reason. Is Leo all right?”

There’s a loud shuffle in the background, followed by the call of Leo’s name by a nasally female voice. A voice that belongs to Fara, Ethan’s hippie girlfriend.

I press my phone tighter against my ear, hoping I can hear my sweet boy’s voice in response to his name being called. But Ethan’s voice booms again.

“You’re being paranoid, Hailey and you know how much that pisses me off. Leo’s fine. For God’s sake, he’s in his father’s house.”

I try not to lose my cool. “Then why did you call me? I told you to only call me if it’s something related to my son.”

Ethan scoffs. “’Your son’ Like you made him alone yourself or something. Do you even have any idea – ”

He seems distracted, and it’s only after a few seconds I realize he’s making out with Fara.

I scoff, looking around the now-empty alley as my temper slowly rises. He called me for no reason whatsoever. He just wants to exchange words with me and get under my skin.

He really takes me for a goddamned joke, doesn’t he?

Just when I’ve had enough, Fara speaks. “Oh my god. Can you just leave us alone for one second? When will you get the hint that he doesn’t want you anymore? He’s moved on. He has me now.”

In the background, Ethan says, “You wanna cig?”

None of what Fara just said matters to me. But I’m slightly triggered by Ethan.

Grinding my teeth, I say, “You both better not smoke around my son or else I – ”

The line goes dead.

I let out a shaky breath as I lean against the wall. I look up the sky and blink rapidly, willing myself not to cry and to pull myself together.

The sky is a thick blanket of pure obsidian, reflecting my sullen mood. There’s not a single star in sight, not even the tiniest glimmer of hope that everything will be okay.

I hate how Ethan still manages to control my mood even without trying. I hate how much power he still has over me, no matter how hard I try to convince myself otherwise.

It’s hard to believe I used to be hopelessly in love with him. I would have given up everything in the world to be with him and I did.

What we had began as a fairytale. He was someone my mother would never approve of, let alone my father. The son of the mechanic who fixed his car. Dad would rather disown me than let me date him.