|| XAVIER GREY's POV ||
" Why are you bothering to call me, father??"
I asked a little annoyed over everything. At first, it was the media, fussing over the whole dating drama. Now, it was my father who decided to show up at the wrong time. My father was USK's president twice. He left on the peak of his career and decided to hand over all the responsibilities on me just when I turned eighteen.
Afterwards, he started living a pretty messy life. He abandoned his family just like that and didn't bother to return. Even he barely contacted my mother during the years of living abroad. When the whole world said that I was too young to handle a political party, he kept firm on his decision and said that running politics was in my veins.
His cold voice growled through the speaker, hissing angrily,
" Shut up! If you weren't on all the news, would I have bothered to call you? Look at you!! When did you start caring for a mere assistant? Xavier, we never had any scandal. How did you drag yourself into this mess?? Explain!!"
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Indeed, he called me to piss off. It was true that I had a clean image from the beginning. I replied, letting out a scoff,
" I have done nothing wrong. It's normal to care for my employees. Just enjoy your vacation father! I know how to handle it or else I would have given back your position long back."
His response came out growling,
" Have you ever thought about what Petra will feel if she sees it?"
I cut him off with a growl, not interested in his conversation anymore,
" You.... Don't call me now, father..."
The phone call ended and I knew that he was going to take the charge in his hands if I didn't fix the matter. My father was someone who liked to see me in control. He wouldn't hesitate to fly back to the country if I couldn't take care of my own matters. His reputation was always the most important.
Daniel tapped on my shoulders. As I looked back at him, he said with a soft sigh,
" It's not possible to control the media anymore. I mean, they are getting great coverage with your dating news. How can I possibly threaten 100 Media?"
My lips parted to let out a frustrated groan. I was pretty sure that someone was playing a sick game behind it. Daniel asked in a worried voice, his eyes full of concern and worries,
" How do we fix it now??"
I gave it a long thought. Sometimes we needed poison to remove a poison. Running my fingers through my curls, I said to him in a deep voice,
" There's only way!!!"
___________
|| Iris's POV ||
" You will be staying here until you recover!!"
The lady told me with a smile. I was baffled out for a split moment to see the mansion. Mr.President told me that I had to stay under observation until I recovered. I thought that he planned to send me somewhere else but instead he had locked me in his own mansion, not the one that his mother and sister used to come to.
This new mansion was remarkably away from the town, standing next to the hill top. Except for this lady worker, there wasn't anyone else. She said that Mr.President came here for vacation often. Rich People huh!!
Smiling, I began to discover the house. It looked so classy with those navy blue paints. I imagined him, wandering around with his sharp features and cold aura.
" Did you like your room?"
A sudden voice startled me. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I failed to hear his footsteps. Xavier Gray stood behind me, his palms shoved into his pockets. There was a trace of tiredness on his face. Was he working hard to clear the mess?
I nodded with a hum and replied politely,
" Thank you but I could have managed. I have a robot and my friend..there.."
He cut me off ruthlessly, walking next to me,
" Your friend isn't a doctor. I always have doctors available here."
I understood his concern. He probably felt guilty for the shot that I got. In reality, it was no one but me to blame for the whole incident. He continued speaking, his voice calm and reserved,
" I have a proposal for you, Miss Young!"
I shot him a confused stare and stuttered nervously,
" Proposal.. what kind of proposal??"
He stared up at me, his eyes looking deep through my soul. I swore that I felt weakening under his intense glare. He opened his mouth to say it again slowly,
" Let's pretend to date each other for sometime. I think, this will help to shut down all the rumours."
My mouth fell open speechlessly. Was he kidding me? He wanted me to be his pretentious girlfriend? Did he think me so cheap?
I shook my head firmly, my words turning cold,
" I am sorry, Mr.President but I can't agree with that. It's not a joke to be the first lady. Besides, people will accuse me for seducing you. I can't agree on that. It's better that I clear your name in front of the media."
His face hardened all of sudden so much that I could see his blue veins, popping out. Stomping on his feet, he stood up, snarling,
" Do you think that the media will fucking believe you? They will think that I have manipulated you to say this words. Don't challenge my patience, Miss Young!"
Maybe it was a good chance to complete my mission but my heart wasn't willing to play this sick game. Whether it was the fear of getting exposed or the fear of falling in love, I wasn't quite sure. But I wasn't ready for it. I scoffed back stubbornly, folding my arms over my chest,
" What if I don't agree?"
His brows knitted together. In a swift moment, he was dangerously close to me. Our faces were so close to each others. I nibbled my lower lips nervously. I hated the power that he had on me. He spat in a demanding voice, making my heart tremble in fear,
" You have no choice, Miss Young! You know, I am not a nice man, don't you??"
I sweated visibly and defended him for the last time,
" What will happen if we date? What will tell you the public afterwards?"
His eyes softened a little. Putting a distance between us, he replied coldly,
" We will just say that it didn't work out and we had to separate! Otherwise the consequences will be worst for both of us. The media wouldn't stop chasing you!"
I gave the whole situation a deep thought. Going against him wouldn't do me any favour. Pretending to be his girlfriend would give me much access to his secrets. Besides it was no harm to be the president's girlfriend, isn't it??
After a moment of silent, I replied to him finally, taking a deep breath,
" I...I am willing to be your fake girlfriend, Mr.President but you must let me go soon."
His face relaxed after hearing my response. Taking a step closer, he replied in a firm voice, his voice missing the confidence that he had,
" Don't worry, Miss Young! I don't hold things that doesn't belong to me."
The following day, I woke up to see all over the news that Mr.President had revealed his girlfriend officially.