Billionaire's Disastrous Kiss

15

"Ten dollars that she's a blond" Alan kept his money on the table.

"Ten dollars that she's a brunette"

I grinned and leaned over the table to keep my money. "100 dollars that she's a red head"

"If I were you, I wouldn't do that" Liam, an employee of the HR gave me a pointed look.

"Oh please. I'm good at guessing"

Brian leaned in to whisper in my ear. "This is cheating"

"Shh" I hushed him. "It's not if no one knows"

"You're going straight to hell" Lexi muttered next to me.

We were at the company cafeteria having our lunch. And one from the sales department decided to make bets on the appearance of the fiance and I realised it was my time to shine.

We had joined several tables together and half the company stood surrounding it to place their bets.

"So the next one, make bets on her height"

"5,5" One kept his money.

"5,7" Another did the same.

I was about to put mine when a delivery man came in, holding a package in his hand.

"Anyone name Hailey Evans?"

"That's me" I raised a hand up.

I signed the document he extended and took the package from him. But there wasn't any name of the sender in it. I asked the delivery man but he said he didn't know either.

Weird.

I placed the package on the table and everyone leaned in to get a good view of it. With the help of Lexi, I unwrapped the box and opened it's lid.

From the inside I pulled out a beautiful floor length off shoulder black dress that had a high slit traveling up to the thigh.

"Wow" Lexi gasped. "That looks damn expensive"

I narrowed my eyes in confusion. Who send it? I checked the box again and found a small note at the bottom, pinned to a red rose.

I took the note out and read it,

Wear it to the party tonight.

Brian scowled. "Hailey, you have some secret lover we don't know of?"

"I keep no secrets from you guys" I said while still staring at the note in shock.

"Maybe" Ashley leaned in from across the table. "Someone in the company who has a crush on you sent it"

"Really?" I quirked an eyebrow in joy. "That is so romantic" I giggled. "Any idea who send it?"

Ashley turned to rest of the table. "Any of you guys send this?" She said pointing to the dress.

And the guys shook their heads.

"We are too broke to pay for that" One shouted.

"Then who?"

"Hailey" Lexi nudged my arm in panic. "Look up"

In confusion I glanced up and my breath hitched in shock.

At the upper level, by the railing stood Ian Kingston, gazing down at me with a smirk playing on his lips.

When our eyes met, he gave a devious smile and released his hands from the railing, walking away.

What was that about?

"This is absurd" I exclaimed in shock as I stared at the crowd of reporters gathered around the hotel where the function would be held.

I glanced at one reporter in front of us who was broadcasting the situation live.

"As you can see-" She turned and gestured to the hotel. "we are outside the primrose hotel where the big event is happening. Today is the 35th anniversary of the ATC and mostly importantly-" She squealed. "Today is the day Ian Kingston is going to introduce the love of his life to the world"

"You gotta be kidding me" Lexi snapped. "They're here to see the fiancé"

"Obviously" I sighed in frustration.

"I know you all have been eagerly waiting for this day" The reporter continued to speak. "But you don't have to anymore because today is the day and we, SBS are going to do a live coverage tonight!"

"My gosh can we go inside?" Lexi asked. "I think I'm gonna have a headache seeing all these camera flashes"

We were standing near a lamp post watching the cameramen take endless photos of the celebrities and the business tycoons that were walking on the red carpet.

"We'll use that door" Brian jerked his chin towards a side entrance of the hotel.

"Good idea" I held my black gown up and walked over the grass to the side entrance.

We steered our way through rest of the employees who had decided to enter from this entrance and reached the banquet hall.

And the banquet hall was marvelous. The ceiling of it was nearly twenty feet high and up there hung a massive chandelier that illuminated the entire hall with a shimmering gold. Vases of red roses were placed on top of short white columns adding a floral colour to the function.

"Wow" I thought Lexi was commenting on the decorations but when I looked at her, I realised she was looking at all the men in tuxedo. "Men look hot in tux"

"I'm gonna get a drink" Brian marched towards one of the waiters and grabbed a champagne for himself.

"I need a drink too-"

Someone tapped on the mic and we turned to find our VP standing on a dais. She smiled before starting to speak. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for being here with us today. We're very pleased to have all of you joining with us to proudly celebrate 35 years of ATC"

"Don't tell me she's giving the welcome speech?" Lexi hissed next to me.

"Anyone need ear plugs?" Alan went around asking people.

"I need one" Brian raised a finger up and Alan gave it to him. Then he plugged it into his ears, tuning out VP's voice.

"Wow we really hate her, don't we?" I chuckled and shook my head in dismay.

I scanned our surrounding and noticed many popular faces. Business tycoons, actors and actresses, politicians, our board of directors. All were talking in groups, standing around cocktail tables, wearing the most expensive clothes in all of New York.

And at the far end of the hall I spotted Ian, talking to a group of people. His face was angled away from me but I could his long lashes, his soft lips, his prominent jaw, the strength of his arms beneath that black suit he wore. He was the perfect Adonis.

And I found myself blushing hard. My god what's wrong with me? Perhaps I share the same weakness Lexi has for handsome men.

"He's here" Lexi squealed.

"Who?" I asked, coming out of my daze.

"Our crush" She pointed to a blond man across the room and it took me several seconds to recognise him. It was the 28 year old MD of Vanguard investment bank.

All the thoughts I had about Ian Kingston vanished away instantly and my eyes rounded up on my long time crush, Blake Smith.

"He's so freaking handsome" I breathed.

"I know right" Lexi was practically crying. "Let's go and talk to him"

"What? No-"

Lexi ignored my protest and started dragging me towards him but before we could reach there another woman jumped in. A red head.

I gasped.

"Blake Smith isn't it?" She kept a seductive hand on his forearm "I'm Melissa Taylor"

"Who's that b***h-" Lexi was about to go and fight Melissa but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Don't"

"Why?"

"She's Ian's fiancé"

Lexi looked at me as if I said I could fly.

"W-what? That's her?" She asked, dumbfounded.

"Yeah" I nodded.

"Omg I'm gonna go get Brian" She giggled like a maniac and sprinted towards Brian, leaving me stranded here.

"Right" I said to myself. "I'll go and get food then"

I walked over to the food table and examined everything that was related to chocolate. I finally settled in for a chocolate truffle and was about to pick it up when I heard a familiar voice.

"You came Miss Evans" I whirled around and met Ian Kingston, leaning against a pillar, his arms folded across his chest.

"I didn't know I had a choice"

He smirked. "I read your notebook"

My cheeks heated. Gosh, can this get more embarrassing? "That's not mine" I blurted out and blushed hard seeing the amused look on his face.

Before I could decide to throw Lexi under the bus I changed the subject. "I saw your fiancé" I said, nodding my head towards Melissa, who was flirting with Blake.

Ian followed my gaze. "She's not my fiancé"

"Uh" I narrowed my eyes. "She is"

Ian raised a questioning brow so I explained. "I saw her at the executive's meeting and she called you darling" I exaggerated on the word and glanced at him, expecting a reaction but he looked unfazed. "Then later on I heard her tell someone on the phone that she wants to marry you soon"

Ian signed. "She's not my fiancé Miss Evans" He leaned in. "And unlike you, I don't lie to people"

I scoffed. Lame. "So if she's not your fiancé, then who's the real one?"

"You'll see in few hours"

I furrowed my brows in suspicion and in return, he gave me that smug look of his.

"Whatever" I grumbled. "And you better not talk to me or people will think I'm your fiancé"

Ian suddenly threw his head back and laughed, his eyes glinting with bliss.

"I know right" I said in a monotonous tone. "So funny"

"Not at all Miss Evans" He shook his head with a smile on his lips. "Enjoy the party. See you in few hours"

"Why would I see you in few hours?"

But he was already gone.

"What a jerk" I cursed and looked for my friends. I found them standing not far away from Blake and Melissa, eavesdropping on their conversation with deep interest.

I was about to run to them when Alan interrupted me.

"Is it my hallucination or did Ian Kingston really laughed with you?"

"You're drunk" I faked a smile. "It must be a hallucination"

Alan wrinkled his nose. "It should be because Ian Kingston never laughs"

Really? Damn.

"Right, nice info. Gotta go Alan"

I went back to my friends and dragged them far away from Melissa and Blake. Lexi always act weird around handsome men and I have a very limited capacity when it comes to handling the second hand embarrassment. And tonight, none.

After many speeches and boring presentations about the history of the company, the dance floor came into life.

The celebrities were the first to dance and then joined the business tycoons along with our board of directors and the executives. They did slow couple dances with their partners and if it wasn't for the cuteness of our chief and his wife I would have dropped dead the instant slow songs started.

The DJ came and was about to hype the party up when Melissa took the mic and climbed on to the stage.

"s**t! It's happening" Lexi gasped.

With utmost curiousity, I moved away from my friends and strode forward to get a more clear view of the drama that was about to happen. I was so interested in seeing Ian's face when Melissa announces herself as his fiancé.

Ha. I'm gonna return that smug look of his back to him.

"Hello everyone" She smiled. "I want to say something very important to you. It's what you all have been waiting impatiently to-" She suddenly stopped as her gaze fell on somewhere - or on someone.

I turned to see who she was looking at and then saw Ian Kingston striding towards me.

What's he doing here? Shouldn't he be on stage?

He reached me and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

I gasped.

Then he did the last thing I expected him to do.

He kissed me.

First I heard a chorus of gasps. Then the clicking sound of number of cameras.

And I saw everything because my eyes were wide open as Ian Kingston moved his mouth against mine, rendering me breathless. His tongue darted out trying to part my lips and then only did reality came crashing down to me.

Ian f*****g Kingston is kissing me!!!

I tried to bring up my fist to slam against his chest but the space between us was too small to do that. I was pressed against him. As Ian found no sign of resistance he pulled me closer and deepened the kiss as more cameras clicked.

Failing to break apart, I harshly bit his lip and he pulled back.

"What the hell-" I burst out but he cut me off.

"People" He put an arm around my shoulder and turned to the media. "Meet my fiancé, Hailey Evans"

Loud cheers and applauses erupted from the crowd gathered around us. The guests started congratulating and the press sticked their out mics, asking endless questions that I had a hard time understanding.

I was too shocked to even do anything.

I slowly turned to my friends and saw the entire marketing department looking at me in bewilderment.

And the looks on my friends' faces, they were priceless.

"How long have you been dating him Miss Evans?" One reporter jumped in, blocking the view of my friends.

"Wha..." My jaw slacked. I was too shocked to even speak.

"We've been dating for three years" Ian answered and I looked at him in horror.

"How did you meet her?"

"I once met her at a club and then later on found out that she's an employee of mine" He smiled and looked down at me in adoration. "She's too pretty to go unnoticed. We talked and I guess-" He shrugged. "Love blossomed"

"Mr. Kingston this is the first time you spoke to the press and the first time any of us have ever seen you smile. Is she that special?"

"Very" Ian smiled at me and then glanced up at the press. "My fiancé is a bit shy in front of cameras. You may take a few photos and leave us"

Few is an understatement because they took gazillion of photos to the point I almost went blind. Realising the press wasn't going away the security came and forcefully ushered them out.

When they were gone I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. I opened my mouth again. "Wh-at a-re" But my voice cracked.

"You need a drink?" Ian asked me with a smirk on his lips and anger started to boil inside me at a tremendous speed.

"What the f**k" I yelled. "You f*****g bastard" My eyes blazed with a vicious fire, yearning to kill everything that I set my eyes upon, which in here was a CEO.

"You-" I charged forward. "I'm going to kill you" I raised my hands up to claw his face but he grabbed my wrists and pulled me closer.

"Calm down Hailey" He leaned in and whispered in my ear. "Or I'll make sure you won't have a job for the rest of your life" Then he pulled back, giving me a sardonic smile.

I gaped at him in shock. "How-how dare you threaten me?"

"I told you there will be consequences"

"T-this is absurd" I stuttered. "You already have a fiancé" I whined and looked at Melissa over Ian's shoulder, who was now glaring at me. "Great. Now she looks like she wants to kill me"

"I told you she's not my fiancé"

"Then who is she?"

"She's the woman my mother chose for me"

"So she is your fiancé"

"I choose my fiancé, not my mother. And I chose you"

"Did you lose a nut in your brain-"

Ian interrupted me before I could finish. "Can we have this conversation elsewhere? Because people are looking"

"Let them look. Let them see you're deceiving them"

Ian laughed. "I'm not deceiving anyone. I merely introduced my fiancé to them" Before I could argue he kept a finger to my lips. "And if you do something to expose us, my threat will be very much active and that chief of yours, who helped you disobey me-" I gulped. s**t he knows the chief helped. "he will also be in trouble and that'll be all your fault"

"Asshole" I cursed.

"Good" Ian smiled. "Now that we're settled, you can go and have fun" He gave me a dissmissive wave and walked back to his group.

I stayed on my spot, shivering with violent anger.

"What the hell just happened Hailey?" Lexi approached me, almost running in her six inch heels.

"That bastard kissed me!"

"That part-" Brian gave me a pointed look. "We saw"

"Why did he call you his fiancé?"

"I don't know but what I do know is that I want to throw every table in this room at him" I said through gritted teeth, glaring at Ian. "I want dip his head in the sink and fill it with water. I want to push him off this god damn building"

"I think there's another girl who wishes to do the same to you" Brian jerked his head towards the stage and I whirled around to see Melissa, shivering with anger so violent that I feared she would break apart.

"I didn't do anything" I complained. "He kissed me"

"Maybe she thinks you seduced him"

"S-seduce?" I scoffed in disbelief. "Why would anyone seduce that thing?" I said pointing in Ian's direction.

"Well he's handsome and rich-"

"That's not the point" I whined.

"I know but-"

"Shut up" I groaned, gripping my head. "Aren't you two supposed to be helping me get out of this?"

"You can tell the truth to the press" Lexi suggested.

"Yes but Ian said if I do that he'll make sure I never have a job for the rest of my life"

That shut them up. "What?" I asked in confusion.

"Hailey, you should take it serious. That's a valid threat" Lexi gave me a pointed look. "Ian Kingston has enough connections to do that"

Brian nodded. "Then you'll have to say bye to your Prescott dream forever"

Ouch. That hits harder.

"So what am I supposed to do now?" I looked at both of them. "How am I supposed to get out of this?"

"Well" Lexi pursed her lips, thinking hard. "Normally in books where the FL is forced to be a fiancé or a wife, the guy gives a time limit"

"What does that mean?" Brian asked in puzzlement.

"It means the guy only needs the girl to play the role for a few months or maybe even-" Lexi wrinkled her nose. "one year"

I bit my lip thinking hard. I already knew what Lexi was talking about. She and I were both book lovers and we had read these types of books numerous times.

"So..." Brian trailed off. "Hailey just needs to go and ask him how long she's supposed to keep doing this?"

"But-" I glanced at Lexi. "In those books the guy pays the girl to play the role. I'm not getting paid here" I complained. "Tell him to pay me"

"Why do you need him to pay you? You already have a big fat amount in your bank account"

"That's because I've been saving up for Prescott's" I argued back.

"Doesn't matter. You can't ask money from the same person who threatened you"

I threw my head back and groaned. "Why me? Me of all people? According to books it's supposed to be a secretary or a broke girl he finds in a cafe, not a crazy girl from the marketing department"

"Be happy it didn't happen according to books or else you'll fall in love with him at the end"

"Pfft" I began laughing. "That's a good joke" I clutched my stomach and laughed again. "Ahh I can't- that's so funny" I threw my head back and laughed till my eyes filled with tears. "Me falling in love with that thing?" I pointed in Ian's direction and toppled with laughter.

"Pfft haha I can't-" I smacked Brian while laughing. "Call an ambulance. I think I'm going to pass out"

Lexi rolled her eyes. "Hailey, take this serious. Now go and ask Mr. Kingston how long you have to pretend to be his fiancé. That's the only way out unless you want a CEO as an enemy"

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine fine. I'll go and ask. He better say it in days"

I turned on my heels and marched in Ian's direction.

"Oi" I called him but he didn't turn.

"Oi you" Ian took a glance and almost did a double take realising I was calling him.

He excused his friends and strode towards me. "Why are you calling me Oi?"

"What else am I supposed to use?"

"My name duh" He gave me a pointed look.

"Sorry I forgot it momentarily" I said in a mock tone and Ian narrowed his eyes.

"Why did you call me?" He asked.

"I want to know about this fake fiancé thing"

"First of all, you're not my 'fake' fiancé"

I blinked. He's weird. "Okay then how long am I supposed to keep doing this?"

Ian raised a brow in confusion and I narrowed my eyes, waiting impatiently for his answer.

Then realisation flickered in his eyes.

He smirked and leaned down, his warm breath fanning against my cheek.

"Till death do us apart Hailey"

"Hailey open the door. Hailey"

I groaned and rolled in my bed, pulling my pillow closer.

"Hailey open the door"

More loud knocks came from the door and I groaned again. "Uhh go away"

"Hailey come out now!!!" My landlady screamed from the other side and I woke up looking startled.

"What?" I whined.

"Come out"

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and pulled the covers away. "So annoying" I grumbled and stood up, putting on my fluffy pink slippers.

I groggily walked over to the door and opened it. "What?"

She stood on the other side with an avacodo face pack on her face and hands on her hips. "I don't know what you've been up to these days but you better not bring me any trouble"

I wrinkled my nose. "What did I do to you?"

"Look out the window" She jerked her chin towards my window.

Yawning again I sauntered to the window and looked down. And my eyes almost popped out of my sockets.

Flocking the entrance of the house was the press. Holding cameras and mics, waiting till - till I COME!

"What the hell-"