Chapter 3: Dilemma
1341 Words
Heart’s POV
The morning after, I learned about the man behind the familiar name.
Ace Valentino does not simply run a random company… no, he sits on top of an empire. From tech, luxury goods, energy and infrastructure, down to media and entertainment, even real estate and property development—the conglomerate giant handles the parent holding company of these industries.
And I hooked up with him in the middle of his own gala! God, no wonder the media and the crowd chased us! I really got myself in a big dilemma.
“You are also dating THE Ace Valentino?!” Therese exclaimed in front of me, hands on her hips. “Heart Briar Lovell, when were you gonna tell me this?!”
I massaged my head due to my hangover. I really did not count how much wine I was drinking last night. Ugh. And Therese, my manager s***h closest friend, used my full legal name. Yeah, things are really ugly for me. I should never drink again.
I looked up at her with my fingers on my temple. “Of course not, why would I be dating two guys? What do you think of me?” I sighed and slumped back on the couch, sliding down with a grunt. “It just somehow ended like that last night.”
With that, I told Therese what happened between me and that CEO Ace until the proposal he told me. I kind of wish I was just imagining that part.
Staring at the ceiling, I recalled every decision that led me to this mess.
“This is Steven’s fault! That bastard!” I shouted in anger after remembering the cheating asshole. I tousled my hair and stomped my feet. “And also… the wine too. They shouldn’t serve that!”
I felt Therese watch me as I dive in the couch face-first, grab a pillow, bury my face on it, and scream my heart out.
I can’t even wallow in heartbreak or rage after my five-year relationship crashed like that! Now, I have to think about the consequences of my actions… oh, this would be a great time to be hit by a truck.
“You have the luck of a black cat that always lands on its feet,” Therese chuckles and pushes me to sit up as she settles beside me. “Out of everyone you could've pulled as revenge on your loser ex… you ended up with a man with such a big reputation. I’m not sure if you’re lucky or not.”
“I know.” I groaned and stared into nothing, feeling my hopes and dreams vanish.
This might just be the end of my non-existent career. They are gonna tear me up in the headlines. I might just be labeled as the maddest woman this city has ever seen. It’s so over… after years of enduring and working, I stupidly make another horrible mistake. I’m such a screw-up.
I turned to Therese and held her by the shoulders. With my smudged makeup and manic expression, I bombarded her, “Should I leave town? Change names and appearance? I should just vanish off the face of the earth, right?”
Therese laughed at me and pushed my face away.
“Like you can do that.” She rolled her eyes. “Stop overreacting, Bri. You can’t leave Auntie just because you made out with a super hot billionaire for the world to see. It couldn't be that bad,” she grins.
“Easy for you to say,” I mumbled and covered my face with the back of my hand.
I sure do hope mom won’t hear about this in the hospital. I don’t want to stress her out just because she has an impulsive daughter. She already has enough worries with her health and condition.
“Actually, since last night, I've been receiving calls from different media outlets. There are also agencies who want to call you for a meeting. I’m holding them off for the meantime but it would only take a matter of time before they find a way to reach you,” she says.
“And you know, with Mr. Valentino being the big shot he is, you could really get the exposure you’ve always been working for,” she points out. “He said it himself, it's a business proposal. Wouldn't you two benefit from this? It’s not like it’s permanent or impossible to do. You’re an actress! Pretending to be his girlfriend will be a piece of cake.”
I looked at her in disbelief. “There’s gonna be layers to a fake relationship with a man like him. It’s not as easy as you make it sound! What if I get involved in more complicated things? He is not a simple person.”
Therese sighed and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” She slumped down like me and faced my side. “But I bet Steven would die in anger if you date him, though.”
I paused at that.
“Yeah, for a guy who disappeared on me for more than a month, he sure called and texted a lot since last night.” I scoffed.
Therese laughed. “He won’t be able to accept it… he’s trying to climb the ladder and enter the life your CEO hookup has,” she tells me teasingly.
I rolled my eyes at Therese. She’s not thinking about the gravity of this matter.
Suddenly, my phone dings.
“Is that Steven again?” she asked and glanced at my phone.
“No… it’s the hospital,” I responded.
From: Cresvalen Medical Billing
Good day, Ms. Lovell. This is a courtesy message from Cresvalen Medical regarding the current outstanding balance for patient Dahlia Hale. As of today, the amount due for her extended inpatient care and treatment totals $146,800. Please be advised that this does not include the pending charges for her recent diagnostic tests.
The look on my face pretty much gave Therese an idea of what message I just received.
“A good career can pay bills, you know,” she says sympathetically.
I turn to her, defeated. “Are you telling me to use Ace Valentino to make it in the industry?”
“Why not?” she asks me seriously. “The majority of everyone is doing it, anyway and they reach the top. That’s how they keep their career going. Is it so bad if you take an opportunity? You have the talent, just not the connections, you know.”
I pondered about it. There is hesitation in my gut. For years, I have always felt that it’s unfair that other people have their privilege—like Ginny who debuted the same time as me but has a producer father who backs her up… suddenly doing the same thing feels wrong.
My phone dings again. I checked it.
From: Cresvalen Medical Billing
Kindly contact us within 3 business days to discuss a payment plan or financial assistance options. Please settle or contact billing support within 7 days to avoid further action. Thank you.
Reality hits me hard.
I don’t think I have the luxury to be morally right all the time, huh?
I faced Therese.
“Maybe it really isn’t a bad proposal after all.”
Hours of more contemplating later and finally biting the bullet to swallow my pride, I found myself stepping outside the elevator of the Valentino Tower.
The familiar bodyguard guided me to Ace’s office.
I can’t believe I’m caving in this fast but I’m already here so… I just have to suck it up.
“A personal visit,” his voice spoke from where he was standing by the large glass windows. He looked at my direction with that same old serious expression. “I assume you're giving me an answer I’d like?”
I walked closer and stopped by his desk.
“Congratulations,” I repeated his words from the previous evening. “You just earned yourself a fake girlfriend.”
- Writer
