"I'm here with Vignette Blackwater, daughter of Bruiser Blackwater and heiress to Killer Media. Your relationship with rival media conglomerate CEO Ledger White has been the hottest topic today!"
I smile and nod shyly. They say the best lies are based on truth, and so playing the role of a meek lovestruck girl isn't too lofty a goal to reach. The woman beside me is the picture of newscasters. She has the long blonde locks, a vibrant suit with just enough personality to make you guess about her, the ideal smile that isn't too big nor too small. Even if she works for me, I have to be careful.
"There was even an incident here in the office today!" The woman continues. Her catfish whiskers trail behind her as she leans forward, expecting me to drop juicy drama here in the news room.
"It's true, but I have to set the record straight on that," I feign a laugh. "You see, Ledge and I haven't been seeing each other for too long," I clarify.
"Uh-huh," the woman nods with her full attention. "That's so cute, 'Ledge'. You two have nicknames for each other!"
I smile weakly. "Haha, well, when you're so close to someone…"
"In such a short amount of time?! How long has it been?"
"Not long," I shake my head. "But, well, one of the employees didn't realize how close we were and, well, it's naughty…"
The anchorwoman clasps a hand over her own mouth. "Nuh-uh, no way you two were getting up to things in the elevator!" When she squeals and claps her hands, I feel disgust churning in my stomach.
"It's not what you're imagining," I clarify, waving my hands dismissively. I won't make it sound as if I was breaking public decency laws in our corporate office, but I'll leave room for speculation amongst viewers. "Anyways! One of my employees spotted us, and, well… This part I feel really bad about," I frown, looking down and squeezing my legs together. Fuck, I feel so fake.
"So bad about what? That someone caught you two in the act? Honey, we've all been there. Am I right ladies? The ladies at home know exactly what I'm talking about," she laughs, winking into the camera.
"Ledge was feeling a bit, well, on l-edge," I laugh awkwardly at my own miserable attempt at a pun, only to clear my throat and resume the story when I receive no reciprocation. "A-and, well, he got into a bit of a scuffle. Everyone's okay, but… yeah."
"Ohh, honey. Why was he feeling on edge?"
I heave a heavy sigh, then hold up my hand. "Well," I begin shakily, "Ledge actually proposed and I haven't exactly given him an answer yet," I feign a smile, wiggling my left hand for effect.
"No. Way."
"You fucking bitch!" The man of the hour is blowing up my phone as I type away at an endless pool of emails. "What the fuck do you mean you haven't given me a fucking answer? The fuck do you mean I fucking proposed to you?" The speaker is turned town, yet his voice echoes on the walls regardless.
"It's not completely made up. You brought up hypotheticals of me marrying you," I point out. If I have anything to be thankful for, it's that he can't see my flustered expression right now. "Are you saying the offer is off the table all of a sudden?"
"You made it sound like I fucked one of your employees up because I was crying over you!" He groans. "Now I have to go buy a fucking ring and– Fuck!"
I hear something being smashed in the background, a chair being knocked over or two.
"Worried about your harem finding out?" I taunt him slightly.
"My fucking what?" He asks with what sounds to be genuine confusion. Then, he retaliates. "You're not seriously going to get upset if I have a few pieces on the side, are you?"
I think I just learned something about him I wish I hadn't.
"I wouldn't marry someone who is going to betray my dignity as a lady," I bite back coldly.
"It's normal! Having a bit on the side is completely fuckin' normal! They're on the side, babe!" He attempts to preemptively defend himself.
"Don't call me ever again." Click. I hang up the phone and sag in my chair, then fully slump against my desk. Somehow I didn't think this was going to end up this way, but I really should have known. There's no such thing as a knight in shining armor. There's no heroes that save the day, nor men that sweep you off your feet for no good reason.
Time for the daily crying session, this time with added relationship drama. At least the hatred boiling in my heart can motivate me to work again. I shoot my assistant a request for a portion of tonight's company dinner service, along with something strong.
When she arrives, some thirty minutes later, I don't bother to hide my messy expression. I know she's going to blab to everyone she can about it, and I don't care. Tomorrow I'll announce that I've rejected White and given up on love entirely.
Well, maybe I won't go that far. I'll keep the ball in my court for a few days, then announce how we split up because I found out about his other girlfriend. It doesn't matter that it's not entirely true, it just matters that it's close enough and it'll hurt his image all the same. Hopefully, anyways. The public tends to enjoy twisting things into their crudest interpretations. I'm sure I'll receive pushback for not being able to keep him satisfied or some shit.
Text From: Alexio.