Chapter 3: THE RUMOR THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING
842 Words
The last day in Paris was supposed to be simple—one meeting, one quick lunch, then the flight back to New York.
But with Adrian Blackwood, “simple” didn’t exist.
By 9 a.m., we were sitting in the lobby café of the hotel, both of us on laptops, the sound of clinking coffee cups and low conversations filling the air.
“You’ll take the lead in today’s meeting,” he said without looking up from his screen.
I blinked. “I’ll… what?”
“You’ve been observing for two days. Now I want to see you in action.”
“But—”
“No buts. You’re ready.”
I swallowed my nerves and nodded.
The meeting went better than I expected. I didn’t trip over my words, and I even got a nod of approval from one of the most intimidating investors in the room. When we walked out, Adrian placed a hand at the small of my back.
“See? You’re better than you think.”
The warmth of his touch lingered even after he pulled away.
We had just finished lunch when it happened.
A group of photographers appeared out of nowhere as we stepped out of the restaurant. Shutters clicked rapidly, voices shouted questions in accented English and rapid French.
“Mr. Blackwood! Is this your new girlfriend?”
“Care to comment on your romantic getaway?”
Adrian didn’t flinch. He simply placed a hand on my arm, guiding me toward the waiting car.
“Don’t say anything,” he murmured.
By the time we reached the airport, my phone was blowing up.
Half my friends had sent links to gossip articles. The headlines were brutal:
Billionaire Adrian Blackwood Spotted in Paris with Mystery Woman
Romance or Business? Blackwood Seen Getting Cozy at Rooftop Dinner
They even had a photo of him draping his coat over my shoulders.
Back in New York, the whispers started at the office. People stared longer than usual when I walked past. I caught snippets—That’s her… She’s the one from the pictures…
By the third day, I was hiding in the ladies’ room just to get a moment of peace.
A knock on the door startled me. “Bella, it’s me,” Adrian’s voice came through.
I opened the door reluctantly.
“Why are you hiding?”
“Because everyone thinks I slept my way into this job,” I snapped.
His jaw tightened. “Let them think what they want. You know the truth. I know the truth. That’s all that matters.”
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered.
That Friday night, Adrian called me into his office. The city lights glowed behind him as he leaned against his desk.
“There’s a charity gala tomorrow. You’re coming with me.”
I frowned. “You think being seen together more will help?”
“I think letting them control the story will hurt. If you walk in with me, as my date, we take control.”
My breath caught. “As your date?”
“Yes.” His gaze didn’t waver. “Can you handle that?”
I didn’t trust my voice, so I just nodded.
The gala was held at a grand ballroom in Midtown. I wore the red dress this time. When Adrian saw me in the hotel lobby, his expression gave him away.
“You look…” He trailed off, then shook his head with a faint smile. “Perfect.”
The moment his hand found the small of my back, I felt every stare in the room.
We danced once, slow and deliberate, the kind of dance that gave the gossip columnists enough to write a month’s worth of stories.
“Everyone’s watching us,” I whispered.
“Good,” he murmured back. “Let them.”
Halfway through the night, he led me out onto the balcony. The city stretched out beneath us.
“This doesn’t bother you?” I asked. “All the rumors?”
He shook his head. “I’ve been in the spotlight long enough to know it’s all noise. The only thing that matters is what’s real.”
“And what’s real?”
His eyes locked on mine. “You tell me.”
The air between us shifted, heavy and electric. For a second, I thought he might kiss me.
But then someone called his name from inside, and the moment broke.
On the ride back, we didn’t speak much. My thoughts were spinning, my heart still racing from that balcony.
When we pulled up to my apartment, I hesitated before opening the door. “Thank you… for tonight.”
“Bella,” he said softly, leaning closer. “We’re not done.”
Before I could ask what he meant, the driver pulled away, leaving me standing on the sidewalk, breathless.
That night, I didn’t sleep.
Because no matter how hard I tried, I kept replaying his voice in my head.
We’re not done.
And I wasn’t sure if that scared me… or thrilled me.
- Writer
