Family (It's What You Are) | Port Orthos 2

chapter 7: marius's shock

chapter 7: marius's shock

~marius~

       I sense something is off in the HQ today at work considering everyone seems to be in a gossiping mood. I see people whispering to each other only to stop the moment they notice me looking at them. Either they're afraid I would get mad at them for gossiping, or they're gossiping about me.

       I really hope it's the former. No one ever wants to be gossiped about.

       One downside of being everyone's boss here is that I doubt anyone would tell me what everyone's gossiping about if I were to ask them. Nobody ever likes telling their bosses about private discussions, even if it isn't exactly about the boss.

       There's a knock on my office door, so I tell the person on the other side to come in. Sure enough, it's the one person that I believe would actually tell me about the gossiping if I ask him about it. "Clark, perfect timing. Have you noticed all the gossiping happening around the headquarters?"

       "Y-Yeah, that's actually why I'm here," Clark says as he walks over to my desk. "I-I mean, I noticed everyone gossiping but I haven't actually heard what they're talking about but..." He hands his tablet over to me. "I assume it's about this."

       I furrow my eyebrows as I grab the tablet, which is opened up on a news article. The title reads Singer Amber Nevada Cheated On By Young CEO Boyfriend Of Two Years. The moment I read the title, I have a feeling it's about me. But then I get the confirmation as I read the article.

       Apparently, Amber has decided to tell the press that she and I were dating for two years, only to break up recently after she discovered I had cheated on her with multiple women.

       I sigh heavily, leaning my head back into my chair as I rub my forehead. I really thought Sean would just leave the proposition alone once I turned it down. I didn't think he and Amber would still use my name anyway to create a false story for the media.

       And the thing is, they're dragging my name through the mud for the story. Now, anyone who reads it is going to think that I'm just a cheating womanizer with no regard for anyone I'm in a relationship with.

       "I-I hate to ask this since it's none of my business," Clark says. "But... Is it true?"

       "No, it's not," I say, handing the tablet back to Clark. "Amber is Sean Medina's daughter, so the meeting with him was about me possibly entering a fake relationship with her for publicity. I turned it down, but I guess they thought this was okay to do instead. Can you schedule me a meeting with Sean?"

       Clark nods. "Yes, sir. You know, if it is a lie, you can sue them for defamation of character, especially if this ends up harming the business you're running."

       "I'll keep that in mind. I would rather talk things out with them to see if we can settle it somehow. If they refuse, then I'm afraid I'll have to go down that route." Although, I shouldn't be afraid to go down that route. If anything, I should be eager. Sure, suing someone is never fun, but they're lying about me. They're making me out to be someone I'm not.

       At least I should be able to prove they're lying if I do have to sue them. After all, I have a boyfriend and kids, and I would never abandon any of them for someone else.

       Wait.

        Shit.

       "I have to make a call," I say.

       Clark understands that the call I have to make is a personal one, so he leaves the office. The moment the door is closed, I use my cell phone to call Fawn. I really hope he hasn't seen the article yet, but chances are if someone in Port Orthos already saw it, they would have told him.

       Fawn answers after just one ring and before I could even say anything, he says, "Marius, why didn't you tell me you dated Amber for two years? We could have gotten a free stay at one of her father's hotels?"

       "Fawn, I swear, that article is--"

       "Whoa, did you not hear the joking tone in my voice? I know it's a lie. I trust you. Besides, you already told me that Amber's dad wanted you to start a fake relationship with her. If anything, this is retaliation for you declining."

       I release a sigh of relief. "Okay. Okay, good. I was worried you would believe it or it would hurt you in some way."

       "I mean, yeah, it hurts, but because someone is lying about the man I love. This is why I like to stay of social media. Too much lying and drama and competition. So what are you going to do about it?"

       "My assistant is trying to schedule a meeting for me with Sean again so I can try working things out with him. If he doesn't want a meeting or won't cooperate with me, I'm going to have to sue for defamation."

       "That shouldn't be too hard if you have to go down the suing route. I doubt Amber would have any proof about her fabricated stories."

       "That's what I thought, but there's a downside to it."

       "Uh oh. What would that be?"

       "It's just... There's a chance I might have to tell the court about my true life outside of work to prove that I was never dating her. That I was home with my family most days after work so I wouldn't even have time to spend with Amber. Which means..."

       "They would find out about me and the twins. And if the court finds out, it might get out there."

       "Yeah."

       "Oh."

       "Look, I'll try my hardest to keep that part quiet if I do have to take them to court. I'll only bring it up if I absolutely have to."

       "But that is if you have to take them to court. There's a chance you won't have to if you're able to work things out with them."

       "Yeah. I guess we'll have to play it by ear."

       "I guess so. But just know that whatever the outcome is, if the media ends up finding out about me and the girls, it's not your fault. You tried your best to keep us out of the spotlight, and that's all the matters."

       I'm glad Fawn feels that way, but I'm still frustrated about all of this. Because of one lie, the media might find out about the people I've been wanting to keep out of the spotlight. Their lives might change, all because of one stupid lie.

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wtf amber that's so rude of you.

poor marius has to deal with all this drama now :(