Page 82 of The Fake Dating Plan

"I hope he rots in hell."

"Thanks, but honestly, you don't have to say that. Like I said. It was all a ruse. Nothing real happened between us."

"And I'm supposed to accept all those times you spent at his place as also part of the ruse?"

"Fine. We ended up having sex. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"I knew it! It wasn't all fake."

"It was just sex."

She gave me a piercing stare, one that bore into my soul and no doubt discerned the trueness of my statements. She probably saw me as a liar. She said nothing else, though, and changed the subject. "Anyway, the true purpose of coming into your office was to ask if we were still going ahead with factory expansions. I think we need a bigger or at least a newer assembly room if we're to keep up with the demand. One thing positive about your hectic love life is that it's bringing business to the company."

"At least there's some good news to this."

"This also means we need to bring in more workers as well. And that might mean possible unionizing in the future."

"Unions? Are we really growing that fast?"

"We are one of the fastest rising fashion companies you've never heard of according to Capital Magazine." She pointed to the magazine on my desk, and I scoffed. We used the thing to woo clients and investors, but honestly, some companies named in there were already bankrupt.

"Speaking of which? Did you get the call from the reporter who did that piece?"

"No, why?"

"She called me, thinking I was you and wanted to do a profile on you?"

"How could she make such a mistake?" We hardly looked alike.

"Someone probably gave her the wrong number. Anyway, if you want to do it, I think it would be great. You don't have to force yourself, of course. But it could be a great way to change the conversation and have them talking about Steel Cute instead.

I wasn't into giving interviews. They tended to go in the wrong direction if you weren't careful. But doing one now would probably be a good idea. And I had to admit, there was buzz surrounding me. It wouldn't hurt to direct that buzz towards the company. "I will look into it."

"Great," Laura said, beaming. Clearly happy I was going through with it. Made me wonder if the journalist had truly crossed our numbers or if Laura had asked her.

The journalist agreed to the meeting sooner than I expected. That afternoon, in fact. She was more than ready to come to our offices and thankfully; I was free. Something at the back of my mind said Laura was the one who freed up my schedule by taking most of my responsibilities ahead of me, but I ignored it. Either way, it was better to set the record straight.

She was as elegant as I remembered. Nothing about her screamed 'journo.' She wore amazing-looking black slacks that were well-cut, paired together with a white blouse and gold pumps.

"Hi, I'm Maggie," she said, giving me a firm handshake and taking the seat.

"I'm Emilia, as you probably know."

She laughed at my extremely dry joke. "What a growing business you have here. Last time I came by, I remember there were only five people in that pool office."

"Thank you. We are trying to expand in such a competitive market."

"And you've had help, I see."

I frowned. "The interview has already started?"

"Do you want it to start now?"

"Um," I felt cornered, even though nothing was threatening about her, "Sure, I guess."

She smiled and made a show of placing her phone in the middle of the table. "I hope you don't mind. I like to record all of my interviews."

"I don't remember you doing so the last time?"

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