Page 4 of Faking it With A Grumpy Billionaire

“It might help if you went on a few dates here and there, sir. It could put a stop to the public gossip and prevent further spreading of defamatory rumors.”

Anthony had a valid point, even though I didn’t agree with it. I still could not find a compelling reason why I should disclose my personal life to the public. It’s my business whom I choose to date or not.

The idea of dating someone didn’t appeal to me in the slightest. Some might find this peculiar, but based on my experiences, I understand the complexities of love all too well. While many perceive love as brightening their lives, I see it as a facade. Love is painful.

“You can go, Anthony.”

I watched him walk out of the office, closing the door quietly. I let out another breath at the thought of the challenge on my desk.

The last thing I wanted to be bothered about was relationships and love, but people seemed to be all out on my case today. I read through the article to the end, and it only got me further riled up. I knew reading through the comment wasn’t going to do me any good, so putting the tablet away was the best option.

Will is gay?

The words from the article kept replaying in my head, and the audacity of the writer began to annoy me. I never really cared about what people said about me; the opinions of others never bothered me. But if my clients were calling in about it, then I had to put an end to it once and for all.

Anthony’s solution might just be my way out. I could ask him to find me a random lady to go out on a date with and have our pictures taken. That way, we could silence the gossip.

Chapter three

Elizabeth

Waiting in line, I looked around and saw many others queuing up for the same purpose—the loan.

I sighed, realizing that this was my reality now. When I first started my brand, nobody warned me that the journey wouldn’t be smooth.

In my head, I expected customers to start rolling in as soon as I launched. However, at the moment, the opposite is the case.

I looked around for the umpteenth time, observing the faces of the people who definitely had expressions similar to mine—hopeful and optimistic, each anticipating being selected for the loan.

I scanned through the room, only to have my attention drift toward him.

Will George.

I watched him walk into the reception with so much elegance and pride, as always. His PA stayed glued by his side as though protecting him from the stares of those who couldn’t help but fixate on Will.

You can’t blame them for staring. Will was the kind of man who turned heads, captivating both men and women alike.

He had good looks—scratch that, “good” was an understatement. Honestly, Will was one of the most handsome men I’d ever seen or met. Yes, I’d “met” him because he was Lydia’s elder brother; I literally knew him right from my childhood. But we never spoke much. He always seemed to live in a world of his own, isolated from others.

As I watched him speak to his PA, I felt my heart skip the moment his gaze moved to mine. With my heart beating fast for reasons I was not familiar with, a part of me wanted to wave to say hello. At least, considering the fact that we knew each other, it was only polite that I said hi.

Settling on reaching out right before I lifted my hand to wave, Will rudely took his eyes off as though we were strangers.

Oh wow! I thought to myself as I felt the heat creep up to my face in embarrassment. Did he just pretend not to know me? Or did he not see me clearly?

Clearly, he knew who I was. He had held that gaze for more than five seconds. Thank goodness I did not raise my hand to wave! Oh, how embarrassing that would have been.

“Miss Elizabeth Giller!”

I heard my name, immediately breaking me out of my chain of thought.

“Yes, ma’am, I’m here.”

Finally! I thought to myself as I went over to the staff who was to attend to me.

Settling into the seat in front of her, I proceeded to provide her with all of the documents that had been required of me.

As much as I tried to push the thoughts of Will in my head, he kept coming back to me.

---