CHAPTER 5: THE PRESS CONFERENCE
654 Words
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The flashes were blinding.
20 reporters. 10 cameras. 1 microphone in my face.
“Miss Okoro! Is it true you were paid 50 million?!”
“Did you seduce Mr. Cole?!”
“Is Chloe the real victim here?!”
Damien’s security had formed a wall around me and him outside Nice’s Haven.
His hand was in mine. Sweaty. But steady.
“Don’t answer,” he whispered. “Get in the car.”
I didn’t move.
For 26 years I’d been quiet. Broke. Invisible.
Today? No.
I stepped forward. Took the microphone from the shocked reporter.
The crowd went silent.
“My name is Tasha Okoro,” I said. Voice shaking but loud.
“I own Nice’s Haven in Mile 1. I’m an interior designer.
And yes, there was a contract.”
Gasps. Phones recording.
“But let me tell you what was NOT in that contract.”
I looked at Damien. Then back at them.
“It didn’t say I had to be called a p********e online.
It didn’t say my dead father’s funeral photos had to be leaked.
It didn’t say I had to smile while a billionaire’s mother called my shop ‘quaint’.”
More flashes.
“I signed a business agreement because my landlord was about to throw me out.
Damien signed because his company was about to be taken over.
That’s it. Business.”
I paused.
“But somewhere in the last 48 hours... business became personal.”
Damien squeezed my hand.
“So to whoever leaked the elevator video: Thank you.
You proved I’m not pretending.
And to Chloe Adele: I’m sorry you lost him 2 years ago.
But don’t blame me for that.”
Silence. Then one reporter: “Are you in love with him?”
I looked at Damien. He was staring at me like I hung the moon.
“Yes,” I said. Simple. “I am.”
Damien stepped up. Took the mic.
“And I’m in love with her. Contract or no contract.
Anyone who touches her, my company, or my family will answer to me.
Press conference over.”
We got in the G-Wagon and drove off as the internet exploded.
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Back at the Cole tower, 40th floor.
Damien poured us both water. Hands shaking.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he said.
“Yes I did.” I took off the ring. Put it on the table.
“Because I’m tired of hiding.
If we’re doing this, we do it for real. No contract.”
Damien stared at the ring. Then at me.
“Tasha...”
My phone buzzed. Email.
Sender: _Cole Group HR_
Subject: _INTERNAL INVESTIGATION - LEAKER IDENTIFIED_
Attachment: CCTV footage.
The elevator. 3 days ago.
A woman in heels. Red dress. Pearl necklace.
Mrs. Cole.
She was the one who sent the video. From her own office IP.
Damien saw it and slammed his fist on the desk.
“My own mother.”
Before he could speak, his office door opened.
Mrs. Cole. And behind her...
Chloe.
And 3 board members.
“Enough,” Mrs. Cole said coldly.
“The board has voted. Damien, you’re stepping down as CEO.
Effective immediately.
And the engagement is terminated.”
She looked at me. Smiled.
“Contract’s over, Miss Okoro. You can keep the 5 million.
Consider it severance.”
Chloe smirked. “Told you he doesn’t do forever.”
Damien stood. Calm. Too calm.
“You voted me out? Fine.”
He picked up the ring. Held it out to me.
“Tasha Okoro,” he said. In front of everyone.
“Will you marry me? No contract. No 90 days.
Just you. Just me. For real.”
The room went dead silent.
All eyes on me.
Mrs. Cole’s face went purple.
Chloe’s mouth fell open.
My heart was in my throat.
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END OF CHAPTER 5
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Next: _Tasha's Answer + Mrs. Cole's Last Move_
- Writer
