Chapter 31 In plain sight

Chapter 31 In plain sight

Dante

I reached for Marilyn’s hand as we stepped into the hallway, slipping mine into hers. Her fingers stiffened for a fraction of a second, then relaxed.

Ahead, near the door, I noticed the secretary lingering, arms crossed, jaw tight. She was fuming, no doubt replaying the scene from earlier over and over in her mind. When she saw us, she straightened instantly, eyes narrowing at our entwined hands. The expression on her face morphed into something sharp, and I didn’t bother to care.

Instead, I tuned to Marilyn. I pulled her slightly closer, just enough to brush my lips against the shell of her ear, and whispered something meant only for her. Her shoulders twitched, shaking with quiet laughter, and she tried to hide it, but the faint curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.

We kept moving, hands linked, letting the slight sway of our steps give the illusion of ease, of intimacy that might—or might not—be real. Every glance from the lingering staff was ignored; their whispers were drowned out by the quiet rhythm we were creating between us.

As we approached a familiar cubicle, I felt that surge of mischief settle into my chest. Tom was there, talking to someone, oblivious to the storm about to pass by him. He had been the reason Marilyn’s morning had soured, and I decided a small act of theater was in order—just enough to tip the scales in her favor.

I took Marilyn’s bag from her, catching her by surprise. She blinked at me, a silent question in her eyes. I pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand, slow and careful, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my lips.

Her eyes widened, just enough to betray her shock, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, a smile curved her lips—a smile of someone enjoying the game, the little act of rebellion we were performing together.

Just as we passed by Tom, Marilyn’s voice cut through, soft but mischievous. “You are the best boyfriend ever, Baby!”

I smirked. “Better than your ex?”

“Oh, way better than that Chipmunk,” she replied. I laughed quietly at her bluntness.

Tom shifted at the corner of his cubicle, his pen tightening in his grip. Someone whispered something to him—probably asking if he was okay—but I didn’t need words.

I could see it in the way his eyes flicked toward us, irritation and embarrassment running through him like a current. Satisfaction spread through me like wildfire.

We continued down the hallway, past the remaining staff, our teasing act lingering in the air.

When we reached the lobby doors, we unclasped our hands, but I still kept my control. I led her to my car, holding the door open. I offered my hand as she slid into the passenger seat. She took it, and I shut the door behind her.

I got in and turned to her and I couldn’t resist noticing how the sunlight caught her hair, turning it into copper-gold fire. I had to stop myself from reaching over to brush a stray strand behind her ear. Instead, I started the engine and pulled out into traffic, the city humming around us, and tried to settle my thoughts.

Keep it casual, Dante. Just a shopping trip. No drama.

“Where to first?” she asked, leaning slightly toward me, resting one hand on her knee.

“Wherever you want.” I responded trying to keep my focus on the road.

“Surprise me, Mr CEO.”

I tried to bite back the grin that wanted to form on my lips knowing she was staring at me. When I couldn't, I stepped on the brakes making her look away and quickly reach for her seatbelt.

“Jesus Christ, Dante. We are going shopping not to heaven.”

I don't say anything and just tried my best to will my focus on the road. Soon, we pulled into the mall parking lot.

I stepped out first, before turning around to get her door for her. We stepped inside the mall and she immediately gravitated towards a boutique.

She walked by the aisle, taking out some outfits and measuring it to herself. She looked really breathtaking as she did so. So I slid out my phone from my pocket and tried to take a picture of her.

But I didn't put it on vibration, so the shutter echoed to her hearing.

She dropped the hanger of clothes she had picked back laughing softly. “Are you taking a picture of me?”

“Nope,” I responded casually and kept taking more.

“Geez… wait let me get my angles right” she whined making my lips twitch up.

“Alright, that’s enough, we don't want them to kick us out.” she said after a few shots. “I’m pretty sure the pictures are going to look horrible.”

“My photography skills are Top notch you know.”

“I highly doubt that. Look at how you’re holding that phone. Ars you trying to snap me or strangle me?”

I looked at the photos… trying to prove her wrong that my angle did not matter when she spoke again.

“I’m going to try this one on,” she said, grabbing a new dress from another aisle. “Don’t go anywhere.”

I nodded and watched her disappear into a changing room.

The second the door clicked shut, my phone buzzed.

Unknown — Secure Line.

Only one type of person used that number.

I answered quietly. “Report.”

“Everything’s been cleared, boss,” my man said. “We got the laptop, computers, the external drives—everything from the address you gave. Made it look like a break-in. And one of my guys grabbed the girl’s phone on the street so she’ll think she misplaced it.”

“And the data?”

“We’re wiping all drafts, all photos—everything. We’ll return the devices before they get home. Or break in and leave them clean. Whatever you prefer.”

“Wipe everything first,” I said. “Then return them.”

“Understood. What about the phone? Should we return that too?”

“No. Make it look lost.”

“Got it.”

I ended the call—and another one came in immediately.

Another surveillance contractor.

“Talk,” I said.

“There’s something circulating,” he said. “It looks like it came from your office. A short clip. I caught it early.”

“What clip?”

“I sent it to you.”

The video loaded.

Marilyn, sitting on the stool in reception not responding to the secretary yelling over her.

From the angle, it looked like she was ignoring her on purpose.

It looked bad.

“Delete it,” I said calmly. “Block the user. Anyone reposts it, block them too. Pull the video before it spreads.”

“Yes, sir. But—boss… we can’t keep this up forever. People will keep posting things. Some will save the files. I can’t guarantee this kind of cleanup will work every time.”

“I know,” I said. “Just handle this one.”

I hung up and ran a hand over my jaw.

He was right. It wouldn’t last.

I couldn’t keep erasing the internet every time someone decided to have opinions about my fake girlfriend.

But I didn’t want her mood destroyed again. Not today.

And I wasn’t about to walk into my office and scold employees about their social media habits like some lovesick amateur. That would make it worse.

I needed a plan that didn’t involve wiping half the city’s phones.

Just then I heard my name.

“Dante,”

I turned to the direction to find Marilyn standing just out of the changing room, hands smoothed nervously down the sides of a silver dress that looked like it had been made for no one else on earth. She lifted her chin, waiting for some kind of reaction.

My voice came out rougher than intended.

“You look…”

Her eyes widened a little.

“…good,” I finished.

Not enough.

But anything more would’ve sounded like I meant it.

And I wasn’t supposed to mean anything with her.

Even if the air between us suddenly felt too tight for a pretend relationship.