Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty-Nine - I Would Rather Not

Everly

I wake up in my bed. I made sure to head to my bed after our little fuck fest. I didn’t want to fall asleep next to him again. I shouldn’t be allowed around him drunk; it makes me do stupid things. Will I ever learn? I pull my ass out of bed and head to the kitchen for some coffee. I am surprised to see Orson already up. He drank more than I did. I thought he would be hungover.

“Good morning, my beautiful fiancée.” He chirps with a smirk.

“Don’t call me that.” I groan.

“Why not? Technically, you are.” He smirks.

I roll my eyes. This is not how I want my mornings to begin.

“No, I am not.”

I sigh and go straight for the coffee. I need it to start my day. I join him at the table and feel his eyes on me. I glance up to be met with him looking at me with a smirk and lustful eyes.

“The thoughts you have in your head, get rid of them, or I swear I will throw this coffee in your face.” I threaten.

“I don’t know what you mean.” He chuckles.

Is the three-month period not over yet? I don’t react. I take my coffee and walk away to my room to drink it. I have a little time before I need to get ready for work. I sit up on my bed and take a sip, sighing in relief. One that is short lived because Orson comes barging into my room.

“You need to wear your ring to work today.”

“I don’t need to do anything,” I reply.

“Yes, you do. We need to make it believable to everyone.”

“And you think they will buy it at work? They see first hand how we fight.”

“Don’t worry about that. I will come up with something, just wear your ring. It isn’t a request, Everly.”

He walks out of my room without another word. I throw a pillow at the door and groan in annoyance. I don’t want everyone at work to know! I understand the need, but it means more people to deceive. With any luck, Orson will come across someone soon whom he will want to be in a relationship with, so I can get out of this. It is highly doubtful. The guy has a commitment phobia.

I finish my coffee and make a move to get ready for the day. I could do without it today, but needs, must. If he isn’t ready, I will leave without him. I make sure I have everything and stroll through to the living room. Sadly, he is ready and waiting for me.

“Come on, we can take my car.” He says, jumping to his feet.

“If we must.”

He looks at my left hand and raises his brow at me. “Did you forget something?”

Meh! I thought he wouldn’t notice. I sigh, return to my room and slip the ring on. It is a shame that something beautiful represents a lie.

Orson smirks. “Good girl.”

I roll my eyes and walk out of the front door, heading to his car to wait. We are soon on our way. He tries to make small talk, but I am not in the mood. I hmm and nod, staring out of the window. I don’t want or have any need to talk to him. The drive to the office feels like forever. When we arrive, I climb out as soon as it is safe, walking in before him. Orson is quick to catch up with me.

“Stop trying to run away. You are in this now. You need to start acting like it.” He hisses.

“Whatever.”

Orson rests his hand on the small of my back as we stroll inside. Does he really need to do that? I try to pull away, but it makes his hand move from the small of my back and slip around my waist, bringing me close to him.

“What are you doing? I agreed to wear the ring. I didn’t agree to walk in like this. Do you know what people are going to think?”

“Relax. No one will say a word. They are too fearful, too. If they do, that is easily sorted. I will threaten to fire anyone who tries to say anything.”

I would rather not show off our “relationship” to everyone. I sigh because there is no point in trying to fight with him. The second we step into the building, people are staring. They are properly trying to work out what the hell is going on. I keep my hand at my side, trying my best to keep the ring hidden. I don’t want to draw attention to it. There is enough attention on us.

Orson doesn’t seem phased with all the eyes on us. I, however, am. My heart races in my chest, and my palms are sweating. I don’t want to lie to them. I am friends with some of them, and I can’t be honest with them.

“Try and seem like you don’t hate me.” He whispers in my ear.

“Trust me, I am trying, but it isn’t easy.”

Orson walks me to my office door. He removes his hand. I am ready to turn and walk away, but before I have a chance, he pulls me against him and kisses me. What the fuck? I hesitantly kiss back and part as quickly as possible. Orson smirks at me, laughing. I glance over my shoulder to see people looking at us in shock.

“I hate you,” I whisper, making sure he is the only one to hear me.

“I will see you soon. Love you.” He replies, loud enough for people to hear.

My fist clenches at my side to stop from slapping him. “Hmm, you too.”

I refuse to say those words to him. He can go to hell. He winks and disappears to his office. The day has only begun, and I am ready to leave. I know I will be questioned more than once today. I dread it. I dread everything that has to come for me because it is going to be a shit show.