Make the best out of it!

Steve's POV

The day of the press conference arrived, and I stood before a room of eager reporters, my prepared statement in hand.

Not only was I going to cool my head off, we were also going to attend a ceremony together.

I had tried to delay when my father's call came in.

"What have you been doing, the goddamn press are waiting, you better don't try to run away. "

I rolled my eyes and ended the can.

I and Alexa had met at the company, we had passed a cold "Good morning. " to each other.

We both knew what had happened, we were both saving our sorry ass.

Immediately the limousine that took us to the conference pulled to a stop, reporters rushed at us like bees, flashing cameras and throwing questions.

We both held each other so tight, God, pretending it was the worst game ever.

"You are breaking my waist. " Alexa whispered to me flashing a false smile at the reporters. "Don't dig your fingers into my skin. "

I looked down at where my hand held her around the waist.

"You had better respect yourself, I'm saving your sorry ass here. " I said between false smiles as we pushed ourselves through the crowd of reporters.

I leaned in to kiss her on the cheek to make everyone believe we were a couple, she moved her head and the kiss was planted on her neck.

"Gross. " She whispered to me and leaned her head on my shoulder. "Did you even brush your teeth this morning ?"

I looked down at her, my eyes blazing but I won't want to disgrace myself.

"Be quiet, I'm warning you. " I said in a hush. "Do you think I enjoyed kissing you, now my lips smell like garlic. "

She threw me a look that would send one instantly to their graves but I ignored her.

.I wanted to get this done and over with.

I stepped up on the raised podium.

"Good morning everyone, I know why we are all here and as not to waste our precious time, I want to address the recent allegations surrounding my professional conduct," I began, the weight of each word heavy on my shoulders. "I want to categorically state that the claims of an inappropriate relationship are false."

Immediately there were lots of murmurings as the reporters pushed forward waiting to fire their silly questions.

"So do you mean everything you soon wife to be Meg Swan said are nothing but lies. " A lanky reporter in a faded blue shirt asked and others chorused in agreement.

"Yes." I said after a few minutes, the words heavy on my mouth.

"They are all lies and Meg Swan and I weren't engaged, it was just a fallacy. "

The murmurings were louder this time.

"We only dated for two years and she broke up with me and went for a friend of mine. " I lied and didn't feel remorseful besides she started it first.

"So if what she said lies, what about the pictures. " Another reporter threw it again at me.

I paused, my heart heaving, it seems I was about to pass out. They all stood looking like me praying that I should get caught up in all this web of trouble.

"I do not know of such. "

I knew I was in deep trouble, I shouldn't have said that.

The hall became filled with noise and the camera began to flash.

"But you were in the pictures ." One of them yelled.

"What about the abortions " Another fired.

I thought of what to do. I had gotten myself into a bigger mess than I had thought.

"I was set up, it was all planned. " I began. "Meg came to me begging, pleading that I should take her back. I was heartbroken from her betrayal and trying to pick the piece of my life up. I bluntly refused to have anything to do with her. " I paused to make sure my words had digested well enough.

"She became furious and promised to deal with me, that was six months ago. " I released another lie, the atmosphere became thick with confusion.

"Let's focus on the work I'm doing and not get distracted by baseless rumors."

The camera flashed, capturing my every expression as I continued to deny the accusations. I could sense skepticism in the room, the media hungry for a scandal that would sell headlines.

"Also," I swallowed. "While I was fixing the pieces of my life, I met a wonderful woman that had raised me up and taught me that love wasn't only for novels and movies. I found my better half . " I stopped for a while surveying the room. Then I continued.

"I am in a relationship with Alexa Stones ."

The paparazzi were so surprised that it took them so much strength that the camera didn't fall off their hands.

The shock which hit the room was stronger than a tsunami.

"And I wouldn't want to break the heart of the woman carrying my baby," I said looking into her eyes with intent.

The camera clicked relentlessly, capturing every nuance of my carefully chosen words. I could feel the weight of judgment and speculation, a burden I hadn't anticipated when I stepped into the public eye.

As I navigated through the questions, the room seemed to close in on me. The whispers of betrayal and deceit filled the air, and I couldn't shake the feeling that, despite my denials, the scandal had taken root in the public's perception.

But I was determined to clear it.

"I and Alexa Stones will be getting married soon. "

-------------------------------------

The first public appearance with Alexa felt surreal.

We had attended a ceremony together.

. As we posed for the camera, smiles plastered on our faces

The room buzzed with the hum of animated conversations and the clinking of crystal glasses. As we made our way through the crowd, the whispers of speculation followed our every step.

We found ourselves standing near a grand window overlooking the cityscape. The city lights glittered below, a stark contrast to the subdued tension that lingered between us.

"I never thought we'd be playing pretend couples," she remarked, her gaze fixed on the city below.

"Likewise," I replied, my tone neutral. The city lights mirrored the facade we presented to the world – dazzling and captivating, yet concealing the complexities that lay beneath.

"Then let's make the best out of it. "