Chapter 20

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"Take a seat, young lady. We have lots to discuss." Roman's father gestured to the table and I looked around at where to sit. Roman took a seat next to Lisa and I quickly went to the seat next to Colton, right across from Roman. I didn't dare look at him or Lisa. "Now, I don't think we were properly introduced. I'm Grayson Drakos." Roman's father, Grayson, introduced himself and gave me a nod. I didn't care who he was. He seemed like a despicable man.

"We weren't properly introduced because you decided to call me a whore before knowing anything about me." I pressed my lips together and raised a brow at him and he chuckled. I could see Colton pressing a hand to his mouth from the corner of my eyes and he let out a little cough. "But sure, let's say it's nice to meet you. I'm Violett Moore, the woman in that picture and the one that isn't having an affair with your son. So, why the meeting?" I wanted to get straight to the point and not drag it out. If they could be blunt, I could too. Grayson's brows raised and a smile grew on his face and I didn't like it. It made him actually look like a villain.

"Well, don't you have a mouth on you. I can see why Drakos has taken a liking to you. But nevertheless, we need to change this narrative. Even if nothing is happening between you two, the media believes something is happening."

"So, why don't you just put out a statement saying nothing is going on?" I voiced my thoughts from earlier. Lisa chuckled humorlessly.

"No one is going to believe that. This isn't as simple as a harmless rumor. There is a picture of the two of you. There needs to be picture evidence that nothing is happening. Which is where Colton comes in." Lisa spoke and I glanced at Colton when she mentioned him. He didn't look at me.

"What do you mean? What does Colton have to do with anything?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. What the hell did they have planned? I looked at each one of them when no one answered right away.

"They were thinking that in order to shut down the rumors, that you and I should be seen together, out. Preferably as a double date with Lisa and Drakos first." Colton spoke, explaining everything. I let out a laugh and looked around, seeing that they all had serious looks on their faces, even Mason.

"Wait, so you want the world to believe that I'm dating Colton? So that the company doesn't look bad? I'm good." I made a move to get up, but Grayson's words stopped me.

"If you leave this room without agreeing to this, I will have you fired and then make sure the media knows how you tried to sleep your way to the top."

I froze. "You wouldn't dare." I hissed, my face heating from the anger that started to grow inside me. "That's blackmail."

"Is it indeed. You have choices. Show the media that you are in a happy relationship with Colton or be known as a whore to the entire world."

I clenched my hands into fists, seething. Roman wouldn't look me in the eyes and neither would Mason or Colton. Lisa was the only one who looked at me, a smug smile on her face. There was no getting out of this. I uncurled my fingers, flexing them and calming myself down before I reached across the table to do some real damage to Grayson.

"What are the details and how long does this have to go on for?" My voice was low, in almost a whisper and I looked up from my hands, staring hard at Grayson. A satisfied smile was on his face and I wanted to smack it off.

"The first thing needs to happen tonight. Double date with Lisa and Roman. Showing the media that the news isn't bothering us and then someone will come out with a statement that you and Roman were having a business meeting. After that, you and Colton need to be seen out and about, being all coupled up, looking like you are in love so that the attention shifts from you and Roman, to you and Colton. As for how long it lasts, let's say two months for now and hopefully that's enough for the media." Grayson explained and I clenched my teeth. Two months in a forced fake relationship just to save the face of a company.

"Fine. I'll do it. But I need my pay to be doubled. If I'm going to be blackmailed and forced to do this, I need to be compensated so I can at least try to stomach this." I crossed my arms and stared Roman down until he locked eyes with me. There was no emotion on his face, and he looked as if he didn't even care about what was happening. He nodded and I turned to Grayson. "Is that all?" I wanted to get out of here before I broke down in front of them. I needed to process this and here was not the place to do that.

"It is. I expect you to-"

I didn't stay to hear the rest of his words. I yanked the door open and sped walked to the elevator but then decided to take the stairs because I didn't feel like waiting. I wasn't going to run down all fifty flights of stairs, but I wanted to run down enough to get all of this emotion I was feeling out of me. How dare Grayson blackmail me into this. If I actually had a choice, I wouldn't do this. I didn't want to be in a fake relationship. That required more work than I wanted to put in. I just got out of a relationship and didn't want to even think about trying to connect with anyone. Colton was nice, but this entire situation was fucked. I huffed as I continued to run down the stairs, ignoring anyone I passed.

Two months. It didn't seem like a long time, but it was going to feel like it, I just knew it would. Why did this have to drag on for so long? I was sure the dinner would be enough. It had to be enough. I stopped funning, huffing deeply to catch my breath. I glanced up to see what floor I was on and it said thirty. All of the anger I was feeling was gone, but it was replaced by annoyance. For the situation, for the media, for everyone in that room that just sat there saying nothing as Grayson threatened and blackmailed me. I wanted to punch something, I was that annoyed, almost pissed again just thinking about it over. I walked through the door and adjusted my suit, so it didn't look like I just ran down almost twenty flights of stairs. I went to the elevator and immediately walked in when it opened. My eyes narrowed when I stepped in to see Colton on one side of the elevator, tapping on his phone. I didn't say a word to him and hoped he stayed looking at his phone and didn't notice me. I pressed the lobby button and willed the elevator to move faster. I didn't want to have a conversation.

"Violett?"

I cursed under my breath before slowly looking up at him. He looked worried and swiped his blonde locks out of his face as he took a step toward me.

"What do you want?" I asked curtly, making him freeze in place. He tilted his head at me, brows bunching.

"You're upset at me? I was roped into this against my will as well."

"Did he threaten to lie to the media, saying you were trying to crawl into your boss's pants as well in front of everyone?"

Colton glanced to the side.

"That's what I thought. You all just sat there while he said all of that, not even standing up for me. So yes, I'm upset at you, and everyone else in that room. Feel free to relay the message." I hissed and backed into the other side of the elevator, tapping my finger quickly against the small railing I was leaning on. Colton didn't say another word and when the doors opened, I threw myself out of there, making a beeline to my car. I wanted to get out of here. I parked in the private parking lot with Roman, which I now regretted, and I hoped no one was out there. I just wanted to leave. Hurrying out of the exit before I could bump into anyone, I spotted my car and let out a sigh of relief when I saw that the parking lot was empty. I reached for my keys when I was close and froze. I forgot my entire purse in Roman's office.

"Fuck!" I yelled, not wanting to go all the way back inside. I would definitely bump into someone who wanted to talk.

"Language, Violett."

I whipped around to find Roman leaning against his car, a lazy smirk on his face. Hanging from his arm was my purse and I let out a sigh. At least he was good for something.

"Roman," I said his name as I slowly walked toward him. I expected him to let his eyes roam as he usually did, but his eyes stayed on my face, that smirk still on his. "How did you know I was going to leave?" I asked as I reached him.

"I figured you were pissed enough to not want to be in the building around anyone and that you would leave. I also knew you would need your things in order to actually leave." He held my purse out to me and I grabbed it, turning to walk back to my car.

"Thanks," I mumbled, not sure if he heard me. I didn't even really care at this point.

"I'm sorry about this."

His words stopped me, and I huffed, facing him again. "Are you?"

"I am. I didn't think my father would make such a big deal out of this." He locked eyes with me and actually looked genuine.

"Why do we even have to do things his way? This is your company now, not his. He has no control. Just tell him we don't have to do this, and you'll find a way to stop the media." I took a step toward him but stopped when he let out a short laugh.

"Once my father has his mind made up, there's no stopping him. He may not be the CEO of the company, but he still has control and there's nothing I can do to stop him." He explained, which only confused me. How does he have power over him when he doesn't even have a position at the company?

"Maybe if you-"

"Stop." Roman's voice was sharp, and I scoffed at his tone. His eyes were narrowed at me and he actually looked pissed. He had no reason to be pissed about this. I did. His eyes softened when he took in the look on my face and reached out a hand, but I backed up.

"Fine. I'll go along with this ridiculous ruse while you let daddy control your every move. I just better get my money." I hissed and his jaw clenched at my words, eyes filled with anger. I stormed to my car, finally getting in, and drove off without a backward glance. 

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