Chapter 2-The fake engagement
Jonathan's POV...
I’ve handled boardroom battles, stock crashes, and corporate lawsuits. But nothing… definitely nothing could’ve prepared me for this mess.
A woman in my bed, a dozen incriminating photos splashed across the internet, and now the press breathing down my neck like vultures. All before my first cup of coffee.
Audrey Willow. The Audrey Willow. Supermodel. Influencer. National sweetheart. And now, apparently, my scandal partner.
I didn’t even remember falling asleep next to her. The last thing I recall was clinking glasses after she signed a modeling deal with one of my brands. A glass of wine. A toast. That’s all. Then black.
Now here she is, looking just as confused and furious as I feel.
This was definitely not what I was expecting when I signed that deal.
If I had known things would take this turn, then I wouldn't have signed that deal in the first place.
Meanwhile, I was in my boxers with a headache that feels like I wrestled a hangover and lost.
I had to think of a way to get myself out of this mess. But first, I needed to take a shower cause I didn't like the smell I was giving off. It seems I drank myself into stupor.
I spent the rest of the day in crisis mode. PR team on speed dial. Lawyers scrambling. Calls from shareholders pouring in. I don’t need this drama. Not now. My new tech launch is days away. One more scandal and I risk losing millions in investor confidence.
“Model entangled with billionaire.” “Wild night or planned affair?” The headlines just keep getting worse.
Audrey Willows and I needed to talk.
__________________________________________
"I suggest we enter a relationship," I said, my voice steady, I stared at her with an unreadable gaze. I paused briefly, studying her expression with calculated calm. "More specifically... an engagement."
"Excuse me?!" She stood abruptly, eyes wide in disbelief.
I expected this reaction from her and I honestly wished this wasn't our last resort. My parents and family must have seen the news. I wonder what they must be thinking right now, especially my Father.
My mom didn't like the idea of females joining the modeling industry, exposing their bodies just to make a fortune out of it.
Guess what! Now I'm entangled with one. She must be really disappointed right now.
"I suggest we fake an engagement," I repeated, unfazed.
But I would do anything to get myself out of this mess, even if it means being with her.
"And why would you suggest that?" she snapped, arms crossing over her chest.
She's rude! Fact.
I straightened my cuffs, clearly unbothered. “Because we’re in the middle of a crisis. Pictures from last night… of us in bed have gone viral. Neither of us knows what happened. Now, the media is spinning the story however they like.”
I looked directly at her, my tone clipped and cold. “Some call it typical celebrity behavior. But the louder voices are painting it as reckless and unprofessional. I have business partners calling me. My board is concerned.”
"And you think a fake engagement fixes that?"
I exhaled slowly. “If we say we’ve been dating in secret, the narrative changes. Suddenly, it’s not a scandal… It's a love story. We say we kept it private to avoid drama and distractions. That we wanted time to grow together, quietly.”
Audrey raised a brow. “And when the media asks why we kept it secret?”
“I was getting to that,” I said, voice firm. “We’ll tell them it was to protect our privacy. To avoid the spotlight until we were sure. Then we ‘slipped up,’ wanted to spend a night together, and got careless. Simple.”
She hesitated, clearly digesting my logic.
“We shift the story,” I continued. “We control the narrative. We look like two people in love who made a mistake, rather than a drunken scandal and PR disaster. Meanwhile, we buy time to figure out who set us up and why.”
Audrey gave a faint nod, clearly considering.
I checked my watch, then looked back at her. I had a board meeting in about half an hour. “I don’t like this either. I’m not interested in relationships, fake or real. I’m not the romantic type. I don’t do emotions or headlines. But this isn’t about feelings. It’s about damage control.”
I stepped a little closer, my expression impassive. “So, what do you say, Ms. Willow?”
"I don't know..." she said softly, shaking her head. “It sounds… logical. But... I don’t just jump into things.”
I nodded once, controlled as ever. “I understand. You’re fighting your own demons. That’s why I’ll give you time to think. But make no mistake, this is our best option. Maybe our only one.”
I turned towards the door. There has been a question lingering in the back of my head ever since this morning.
What exactly happened between us last night? I hope we didn't do anything together.
My time was already overused. I wasn’t a man who lingered.
"Decide quickly. We don’t have much time." And with that, I walked out, leaving her in a state of confusion and uncertainty. Audrey Willows was someone who always took firm decisions and most of all doesn't let emotions play games in her head.
But I saw a different side of her today, a side the internet and the world doesn't know of. She looked like she was battling with something in her head, maybe past experiences.
But I can't care less.
Or should I?
Because if she doesn't come up with a good alternative, then she's my fiancée.
Audrey's POV...
Later That Night...
The room was dim, cold creeping through the cracks in the window. I lay curled beneath my duvet, half-covered, restless.
I stared at the ceiling. Then the wall. Then my phone.
I tried to sleep, but sleep wasn't forthcoming. Not when my name was on every blog, every post, every gossip show.
My heart was pounding in my chest; it felt like it wanted to burst out. For the first time in so many years, I felt scared.
I didn’t want to live through what my mother lived through. A fake love story that turned real, then toxic. Lies that bled into reality. Pain that never left.
But still... What other choice did I have?
And for that reason, I needed to be strong, so I wouldn't disappoint my mother, again.
I kept glancing at my phone, watching the time crawl by. Thinking.
Overthinking.
I wished the morning would not come because by morning, I have to make a decision.
One that could save my career… or destroy me all over again.
_______________________________________
By morning, I was feeling calmer and more at peace. I wasn't feeling tense anymore as I was feeling last night.
"When did I fall asleep?" I asked no one in particular while rubbing the back of my neck.
It ached.
I have come up with a decision that will save me and my career.
I quickly got dressed in my best outfit, the dress I wore when I had just won the best model of the year award.
I don't wear an outfit more than once. I don't wear the same cloth twice, but I decided to put on this particular dress so I could show the world that I've not been defeated yet.
I might be involved in a scandal, but I still control the media.
I drove straight to Jackson Ryder's company. It was huge. His headquarters.
The moment I got to his office after being directed by his assistant. She dared not banter words with me.
He was handling some paperwork when I got in.
He raised his head to speak. But I didn't let him say a word. I needed to say what I came here for.
"I've agreed to your proposal, but on one condition”
What do you think her condition is? Vote and tell me in the comments.