Ava
"Calm down, Marcel. I... I can explain," I stuttered, instinctively stepping back, knowing my brother’s fiery temper all too well.
"But aren't you dating Patrick or whatever his name is?" my mother inquired from behind us.
"I broke up with him," I confessed, biting my bottom lip nervously. "He had a fiancée... he has been using me the whole time."
"What the hell! I swear I'll deal with that jerk, but only after I'm done with Caspian," Marcel seethed, his breath heavy with anger.
"You don't have to worry about them," I sighed.
"I will because you're my sister. Anyway, you're coming with me!" Marcel growled, grabbing my hand and leading me out.
"Where are we going to?" I asked, trying to keep up with his pace.
"Shut up, Ava!" he snarled, shooting me a glare that sent me quiet instantly.
Marcel hailed a taxi, which dropped us off at his company building. The scene that awaited us nearly made us retreat: swarms of reporters, armed with cameras and microphones, alongside obsessive fangirls parading with signs, all eager to identify the mystery woman their beloved Caspian had been kissing and caressing in a room the previous night.
"Is she your new slut?" Marcel read one scathing sign through gritted teeth, prepared to confront its holder.
But I held him back, pleading with him not to do anything rash.
As we carefully made our way into the building, we managed to dodge most of the aggressive press and fans, but unfortunately, I was later noticed and bombarded with intrusive questions. An angry fan even threw eggs at me. It was the security men who saved us before the matter worsened.
We burst into Caspian's office to find him calmly sipping a Chai Latte and reviewing files, seemingly unfazed as if nothing was happening.
"You bastard!" Marcel roared, lunging at Caspian and grabbing him by the collar. "How could you do that to my sister? You're my best friend for crying out loud, you motherfucker!"
With a forceful push, Caspian freed himself from Marcel's grip and rose to his feet, leveling a steely glare in my direction.
"Perhaps you should ask your sister for her side of the story before you jump to conclusions," he suggested, his voice dangerously calm.
"What?" Marcel demanded, his accusing gaze prompting me to avert my eyes in shame. "What the hell does this bastard mean, Ava?"
However, I was quiet.
"Speak, Ava!" he bellowed.
"I… I was the one who initiated it," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Caspian was hesitant at first, but I insisted."
"Your sister took videos and photos of us together last night," Caspian continued, his tone icy. "Now, they're all over social media, and the headlines are questioning who the billionaire CEO's new woman is – a gold digger or his secret lover?"
"This is a mess," I sighed, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on my shoulders.
"Just this morning, my secretary informed me that key stakeholders and clients are considering cutting ties," Caspian explained, his gaze hardening. "Contractors are contemplating terminating their agreements, claiming my actions are detrimental to the business world and could tarnish their reputations. My own reputation is also on the line here, and we need to rectify the situation immediately."
"We?" Marcel scoffed, disbelief coloring his voice.
"Yes," Caspian affirmed with a firm nod. "Ava and I need to act fast or I risk losing even more. The consequences could be disastrous for my enterprise."
"So, what do you propose we do?" I asked, furrowing my brows.
"We need to start dating openly, Ava. It's the only way to calm the public storm and prevent my reputation and business from crumbling."
"What?" I stuttered, taken aback by the suggestion. Before I could muster any further protest, Marcel's hands shot out once more, fisting the fabric of Caspian's shirt.
"Say that again, you bastard," Marcel hissed, his voice trembling with rage. "You want to date my sister? Are you fucking crazy? I'd rather die than allow it."
"My brother's right," I said through clenched teeth. "If that's the only way, then forget it, because I won't agree to that."
Caspian let out a mocking scoff. "Do you honestly believe you'll escape the backlash? You'll face humiliation and relentless bullying. What you experienced earlier was just the beginning."
"Stop spewing nonsense, Caspian," Marcel interjected, his voice laced with betrayal. "She will never date you. I thought you were my friend. How could you even consider bringing that idea?"
"You think I want this?" Caspian retorted, pushing Marcel away. "I don't, but I have no choice. Besides, it'll only be for a few months, until the public forgets. It'll be a mere facade, nothing more."
"Whether it's fake or not, I will never date you, Caspian," I declared, my voice dripping with disdain.
"Let's get out of here, Ava," Marcel said, turning to me. Glancing back at Caspian, he added, "Expect my resignation letter soon. Our friendship is over."
"Don't you want to have your revenge on Patrick after how he treated you? Imagine the satisfaction of showing him you've moved on with his boss – it's undeniably intriguing, isn't it?" Caspian said, his voice low and persuasive, before I could push the door open.
Marcel turned to me, looking confused. "Wait, you told him about Patrick, too?"
"I was a little out of it last night," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper.
"Goodness, Ava," Marcel groaned, clearly exasperated. "Let's just leave."
I shot Caspian a final, searching glance before following Marcel out the door, my mind racing with a mixture of emotions and unanswered questions.
Marcel noticed the sudden change on my face. "What's the problem now, Ava? I swear, if you add to my anger, I'll disown you as my sister."
"I'm actually considering it," I whispered.
Marcel's eyes widened in disbelief. "Considering what, exactly, little sister?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"I'm thinking about dating him," I confessed.
"What? Wait, who?"
"Caspian, of course!"
"What?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in shock.
"It would only be for a few months. Just think about it. I mean, Caspian is quite right– there could be severe consequences if I don't agree to this. Plus, I really want to get back at Patrick for how he treated me."
"Ava, please," Marcel sighed, his tone a mix of frustration and resignation.
"Consider Caspian's side too. He's your friend, and his career is on the line," I reasoned, attempting to make Marcel see the bigger picture.
"Well, not anymore. He lost me," Marcel snapped, raising his brows and looking away.
I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head, because I knew that their friendship was unbreakable.
"Remember, I'm twenty-two now, Marcel. Allow me to handle my own life from this point forward. You don't get a say anymore."
With that, I pulled away from his grasp and opened the door to see Caspian still standing as if waiting for me.
"Fine," I whispered, nodding my head in agreement. "I agree to your idea."