Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 35: THE STRING THAT BINDS US

LAURA

Fortunately, the reporters were aloof to the fire that burned on stage between Tristan and I.

It was just us two who felt the unbearable pull, the heat, the erratic heartbeats. I could tell from the way Tristan’s pupils dilated as they burned into my lips.

The spell lasted for about ten seconds before it got broken by more questions from the audience.

Questions that rattled my being.

"Is this purely a business relationship or there’s something else underneath?"

When I looked at Tristan again, even he seemed tongue-tied for a moment. How could a question like that be answered when this press conference is clearly for the purpose of officially announcing the new partnership?

From my peripheral vision, I caught Charlotte’s silhouette by the backstage, making an urgent hand gesture in our direction. Tristan picked the cue and jumped in for the save.

"As earlier stated, this is a partnership between Pierce Holdings and Phoenix. An official statement will be released by both companies as soon as possible, so the world knows we’re making this happen." He looked at me, his lips curved in the tiniest hint of a smirk. "Any more questions?"

"Mr. Pierce, over here!"

Tristan whipped his gaze away and let it wander across the audience for a moment. Then he picked the female reporter with the honey blonde hair.

"We understand a severed string already exists between you both. Five years ago, Ms. Hayes worked for Pierce Holdings, and her employment contract was terminated after she got caught in a corporate theft scandal. Does that incident have to do with this partnership in any way? And I believe there must be some bad blood left behind. Do you think you can make it work? The partnership?"

It felt like a bucket of ice cold water had been poured over my head as I sat there, my brain playing back the reporter’s words over and over again.

Why did I never consider the fact that this could come up? Nothing slips through the press. Of course they’d mention the scandal that had ruined my life five years ago.

I swallowed a lump down and tried to not melt under the thousand eyes that shifted to my face.

"Ugh," Tristan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, but there was nothing humorous about the sound. "Your questions are a bit much for a one time answer, don’t you think?"

The reporter smirked and glanced at the paper in her hand. "Answer this, then. Did Ms. Hayes really steal corporate information and sell it out? Or was that a misunderstanding?"

Tristan was silent for a long moment. The audience was frozen, pens hovering over papers, fingers hovering over keyboards, ready to document.

"I’d rather not comment on that," Tristan finally broke the ice, then his eyes found mine, apologetic. "We’re a good match, that’s all." After a little pause, he added, "I believe we’re done here, Ms. Hayes."

"Oh, yeah." I cleared my throat and turned to the audience with a tight smile. "Thank you."

I started to scurry away, eager to be away from the penetrating eyes. But I was too in a hurry, I didn’t see the devil wire peeking out from behind the speakers. I had just made to take the first stair down when my heel caught in the wire and I tripped.

As I fell forward, my heart skipped several beats. This was it. The ultimate fall of my career. They would talk endlessly about the CEO of Phoenix brand who couldn’t contain her anxiety and tripped on stage. Can she make a good top model? Can she work under pressure?

Questions would fly left, right and center. And I would barely be able to control the narrative.

I wasn’t sure how long this entire train of thoughts flowed through my head, but as I shut my eyes to embrace the inevitable embarrassment, a strong hand caught my waist and yanked me back against a solid wall.

The audience gasped and camera lights came alive, blinking in our faces without control.

Tristan did not seem to care about any of that. He leaned into my ear and whispered, "are you okay?"

The words sent shivers racing through my veins. Maybe it’s the way he asked the question. Or it was the voice...

It melted me completely and for a moment, I forgot we stood under the heavy scrutiny of the press.

"Yes..." my voice tumbled out breathless, "I am. Now get your hands off me."

His hand slowly slid off my waist. He stood directly in front of me, so the audience didn’t catch the sensual move.

"Don’t worry," he smirked, and my body came alive with heat, "I won’t let you fall a second time."

°°°

I ground my teeth in deep thought the entire ride to Eli’s school.

The press conference was over, but Tristan still lived rent free in my head like we had any more business with each other for the day.

Why couldn’t I just get this man off my mind? Was it too much to ask? And why did he have to stir up more gossip? I believed it would have been much better if I just fell, than having Tristan’s hands on me. Especially in public. It was trouble in every word.

The reporter had described our past relationship as a severed string. Was it really severed?

The unanswered questions occupied my mind so much that I didn’t realize the traffic lights changed. I was only reminded by the incessant honking that flooded from behind me.

"Oh, shit. Sorry!" I yelled out my window as I turned the key in the ignition.

Roughly eight minutes later I was hurrying across the hallway to my son’s homeroom. School was already over and I was running a few minutes late. Plus...I didn’t inform the teacher of my intention to have a word with her.

Thankfully, she was still in with a handful of students. I spotted Eli’s red hair as soon as I walked into the classroom. "Mama!" He bolted to his feet and ran in my direction.

Catching him in my arms, I planted a kiss on his forehead. "Let me talk to your teacher real quick, okay?"

He nodded and trotted back to his seat to get his bag. Then I turned to the teacher who smiled as she watched him.

"Hello, ma’am."

"Ms. Hayes, please have a seat." She gestured to the seat facing her desk. "I didn’t think it was you picking him up today."

"Oh, yeah," I laughed. "Last minute change of plans."

"I see."

"Actually, I would like to talk to you about the letter you gave to my son."

"Oh, I’m not surprised you got it. Your son is really smart for his age."

"Yeah, about that...do you think we could leave his father out of it?"

She frowned. "Why?"

"I’m afraid his father is no longer around."

Ms. Penelope adjusted uncomfortably. "Can you explain further?"

I swallowed a large lump and folded my fingers in my lap. "What I mean is, Eli’s father is dead."