Chapter 52

Chapter: Media Mayhem

The next morning, Mel woke up early, her mind filled with different thoughts. She couldn't help but wonder if the news of her and Ethan being in a relationship had reached the gossip hub of LIM.

Approaching the office building, her steps faltered with each passing moment.

As she turned the corner and approached LIM's entrance, she was met with a chaotic scene she hadn't anticipated. A throng of reporters and journalists had gathered outside, their cameras flashing and microphones at the ready. Her eyes widened in disbelief as their gazes fixed upon her, their attention honed in on her every move.

"Miss Mel, is it true? Are you really dating President Ethan?" one reporter shouted, stepping forward and thrusting a microphone in her direction. The barrage of questions came from all directions, their voices merging into a cacophony that overwhelmed her senses.

Caught off guard, Mel struggled to find her footing amidst the overwhelming sea of inquiries. The reporters were unrelenting, probing into her personal life with questions she was unprepared to answer. She wondered how they had found out about her personal life with Ethan so quickly, and why were they so insistent on prying into her relationship with Ethan?

The internet's speed in spreading news was truly remarkable.

"Excuse me, please," Mel managed to muster, her voice strained with frustration. "I understand your curiosity, but I'm not here to discuss my personal life. I am here to do my job and contribute to the success of our company." She said trying to make them understand but obviously they weren't ready to reason with her and her words fell on deaf ears. The reporters continued to barrage her with questions, growing bolder and more invasive with each passing moment. The situation felt suffocating, the relentless assault on her privacy weighing heavily upon her.

Just as desperation threatened to overtake her, a strong, commanding voice cut through the chaos. "That's enough," it declared, echoing with authority. All eyes turned to the entrance of the building, where Ethan stood, his presence commanding attention.

"The only answer I will give is that Mel and I are indeed dating," Ethan announced firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt. He stepped forward, his eyes locked with Mel's, silently reassuring her. Taking her hand in his, he led her through the crowd of reporters, his imposing figure and the security team clearing a path for them.

Mel's heartbeat quickened as Ethan's touch steadied her, providing a sense of security amidst the chaos. With each step they took together, her frustration began to melt away, replaced by a newfound strength. The reporters, sensing the finality in Ethan's words and the unwavering support he displayed, slowly receded, their questions dissipating into the background.

As they finally reached the entrance of the office, Ethan's grip on Mel's hand tightened, conveying a silent understanding. They had both agreed to embark on a journey of pretense and now they faced the consequences together.

With heads held high, they entered the building, leaving the media chaos behind. The heavy doors closed, shutting out the world outside and allowing them to face the challenges that awaited them within the walls of their professional lives.

Mel glanced at Ethan, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. They had taken the first step in this significant charade, and she couldn't help but wonder what awaited them as they delved deeper into the complexity of their supposed relationship.

As the office doors closed behind them, Mel and Ethan were instantly aware of the curious gazes following their every move. Colleagues who had been going about their usual tasks paused, their eyes lingering on the couple. Whispers rippled through the office, creating a palpable tension in the air.

Mel could feel the weight of scrutiny upon her, a mix of intrigue, skepticism, and even envy. She straightened her posture, determined not to let their stares unsettle her. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at Ethan, finding solace in the subtle reassurance that reflected in his eyes.

With a mere glance, Ethan sent a clear message to their colleagues. His piercing gaze seemed to say, "Back to work. There's nothing to see here." The intensity of his stare had an instant effect. Heads quickly bowed, and eyes returned to computer screens and documents. The office slowly regained its rhythm as the employees refocused on their tasks, knowing better than to let their curiosity get the better of them.

Mel's admiration for Ethan grew with each passing second. Not only was he a powerful figure in the corporate world, but he also possessed a commanding presence that demanded respect and compliance. His single look had effectively reminded everyone that they were professionals and that personal matters should not disrupt the workplace.

-Ethans Office-

Mel and Ethan entered the office, their hands still intertwined. A sense of relief washed over Mel as the door closed behind them, providing a temporary respite from the prying eyes outside. She turned to face Ethan, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty in her eyes.

As the weight of the situation settled upon them, they exchanged a meaningful glance, silently acknowledging the act they were putting on for the sake of their company's reputation. With a gentle squeeze they let go of each others hands, understanding that their public display of affection had served its purpose.

The room seemed to exhale as the tension dissipated. Ethan's office, a sanctuary amidst the chaos, welcomed them with its familiar atmosphere. Mel took a moment to compose herself, her emotions a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and newfound closeness with Ethan.

Ethan leaned against his desk, his eyes fixed on Mel, a hint of admiration in his gaze. He recognized her resilience and the grace with which she had handled the media storm. The air between them was charged, both aware that their dynamic had shifted, even if only in appearance.

"Mel, I appreciate your composure out there," Ethan spoke, his voice carrying a softness that warmed one's heart "We'll surely be able to deal with this new situation together with time". He added

Mel nodded positively, she had agreed to do this on her own will and she surely wasn't going to find any reason enough to make her back down.

Feeling her determination resurfacing, she replied "Absolutely, Ethan, we will do what it takes to protect LIM's image at least.

After their moments of boosting each others morale, they both delved into discussions about the upcoming projects, strategic decisions, and the overall state of the company. They fell into their familiar roles, engaging in conversations that showcased their professionalism and shared dedication.

Some minutes later Mel adjusted in her chair as her expression turned quite serious. It was time to address the decision they had agreed upon—the investigation of the mysterious L logo company.

"Ethan, it's time for us to tackle the l logo company," Mel said firmly, her voice filled with resolve.

Ethan leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. He knew that Mel had discovered some concerning information about the company, and now it was time to begin the process of unraveling the truth behind its operations.

"You're right, Mel," Ethan replied, his voice echoing her determination. "We need to dig deeper and find out what's really going on."

Mel raised an eyebrow, surprised by Ethan's response. "You're already looking into them?"

Ethan nodded, a serious expression on his face. "Yes, I have somebody on it presently. I haven't received the feedback yet, but as soon as I get it, I will inform you, and we can proceed with a more concrete plan."

Mel felt a mixture of relief and gratitude. She appreciated Ethan's proactive approach and his commitment to getting to the bottom of the l logo company's activities. Working together with the resources at Ethan's disposal would significantly strengthen their investigation.

"Thank you, Ethan," Mel said, her voice filled with appreciation. "Having your support in this investigation means a lot."

Ethan offered her a reassuring smile. "We're in this together, Mel. Uncovering the truth is essential not just for our company but also for the industry as a whole. We won't rest until we expose the deception behind the l logo company."

Mel nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With Ethan's assistance, their investigation would gain momentum, and they would be able to navigate the complex web of secrecy surrounding the dubious company.

"I will be going back to my office," Mel said, standing up on her feet. "I'm sure there's a lot of work to do."

Watching her get ready to leave, Ethan leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "No problem, Mel. But remember, now that we're acting as a couple, we'll be engaging in various activities to prove our relationship to the public. You need to reserve your strength and not stress yourself out too much."

Mel nodded, understanding the importance of maintaining appearances.

"You're right, Ethan. I'll make sure to balance my work with the demands of our public persona. We need to play our roles convincingly enough." she replied and Ethan nodded as she walked out of the door.

As Mel walked down the hallway towards her office, she unexpectedly came face to face with Leah once again. Leah wore a stern expression on her face, and with just one look, Mel could sense trouble brewing.

"Team leader Mel, long time no see," Leah remarked, her voice dripping with disdain. Mel wasn't prepared to deal with any of Leah's troubles today, so she decided to ignore her and continue walking. However, Leah blocked her path, refusing to let her escape.

"Team leader Mel, you haven't said hi to me in a long while," Leah taunted once more, her tone confrontational.

"Well, that's true. We haven't crossed paths much lately, and I've been extremely busy," Mel replied, trying to maintain a polite tone. She didn't want to engage in a verbal confrontation today, so she responded calmly.

"Busy, you say? Busy with what exactly?" Leah sneered, a mischievous grin adorning her face. She extended her right hand, clutching her phone, and thrust it closer to Mel, almost pushing it into her face. With a taunting tone, she asked, "Is it this?"