Page 88 of The Fake Dating Plan

But he didn’t listen. He continued as if I had said nothing. “We will sell our shares to VC capital and, as for the contracts that have been made under our partnership, those will continue until the specified dates of termination. The rest you’ll hear from our lawyers.” He took out his phone and checked it, then put it back in his pocket. “It’s been wonderful doing business with you.”

Was that it? The bastard was leaving. He could leave. He couldn’t do that. When he was made to stand, my hand, with its own volition, snatched his, holding him still. He looked around, shocked by my brazen move.

“You can’t do this to me. To an entire company. Many people are relying on me.”

He leaned back. “I’m sure they’ll find jobs elsewhere. Somewhere with a more responsible CEO.”

“Don’t say that. Don’t do that. You know that’s not fair.”

“Life is not about what’s fair. It’s about who wins and who loses and right now, your business is a net loss to us.”

His gaze went down to where I was touching him. His face twisted as if my touch was diseased. I whipped away my hand. Whatever I did, or he thought I did, I didn’t deserve the ire he was giving me. I had already lowered myself by facing him again and asking for money. I didn’t need to do it again.

“You’re right. Life is about who wins and who loses, and the longer I stay here begging for scraps, the faster I lose my company.”

He flashed a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m glad we’re getting on the same page.”

His arrogance was infuriating. I folded my hands on my lap just so he wouldn’t see me ball them into fists. I wanted to punch his face and scream ‘fuck yous’ to him repeatedly. But then he would win. He would know how much he affected me. I would not grant him the satisfaction.

“Seems like there’s nothing else for us to discuss,” I said, gathering my things and standing up. With my tablet and purse in one hand, I extended the other and said, “It’s been a ride doing business with you Axel Reid, but I can’t say it’s been a pleasure.”

“We’re selling off Steel Cute? Why?” Caiden burst into my office looking perplexed.

“Cutting off a losing position. I thought you’d be happy about this. I made a bad business decision and now I’m fixing it.” It was times like this when a bar in the office was needed ala Mad Men style. I wanted a drink badly and had nowhere to get it. I should have ordered one during lunch, but nursing a glass of brandy doesn’t exactly go together with a power display.

“I thought the meeting was to decide if we should get a bigger stake. I thought finance had agreed to that already?”

“Still. Had to let it go. It’s a sinking ship.” The news certainly hadn’t been kind to her. They were facing a PR nightmare ever since the hit piece on her came out in Capital Magazine. Rumors swelled. Most of them fake, I was sure, all intended to bring her very personal brand down. That was the problem with having a front-facing CEO. Things could easily turn sour if people decide they no longer like the face.

“Dowehave to let it go or doyouhave to let her go? You know, I was happy to take her off your plate myself.”

“It was a bad business decision made with a hard-on. My mistake. Won’t happen again.”

“But…” He paused. He raised his finger about to say something again and then shook his hand and then muttered, “Whatever gets you through, I guess.” I’m sure that last sentence wasn’t meant for my ears and I ignored it as if I didn’t hear it. He was right. I wanted nothing more to do with her. Seeing her again after what felt like years, when it had only been a few months, had almost made me rethink everything. She looked amazing, but then when had she never? She had put on a steely demeanor that would have fooled anyone but me. I knew she was cracking inside, just as I was. And when she grabbed hold of my hand, I wanted to hold on to it, take her to the nearest bathroom and have my way with her. Kiss her all over, tell her I missed her. Those big pleading eyes haunted me all the way back to the office. I almost floundered. Picturing her with that muscle toad gave me strength. Was she dating him now, I wondered. Or was she going to go to the father instead?Whatever. Who cares?I wanted to get my mind off her and talking about her was not helping.

“I hear we’re getting the big award at the Business Fashion Awards?” I said, changing the subject. I didn’t care about the fucking awards, but that was the email I was reading when he came in.

Caiden seemed surprised by the sudden shift, but he went along with it. “Best company of the year.”

“Nice.”

“Love the enthusiasm. Which is why you should go.” Rubbing shoulders with people who sought to be validated by other people pretending to be authorities wasn’t my kind of party.

“It was a mockery. Why can’t you go?”

“Hailey and I have an…”

“Okay, that’s it I’m going.”

“Wow. That took little convincing.”

“That’s because every sentence that starts with Hailey and me ends with some saccharine-sweet story that leaves an aftertaste.”

He chuckled. “You’ll get there, eventually.” He was almost out of the office before he turned and said, “Oh. You will present an award as well.”

“Great.” That meant I really had to go and I couldn’t get out of it at the last minute.

The event was as sophisticated as was to be expected of any event in the fashion industry. Anyone who was someone was there and even though it meant a business opportunity, I would rather be anywhere near that here. I didn’t want to spend more time than necessary, but those pesky organizers, they must have known my intentions and had me be a part of the presenters.

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