BE MY OBSESSION

CHAPTER 33

•SHELBY•

Taking control of my sleep routine had always been a top priority for me. Feeling refreshed and energized in the morning was crucial, especially considering the demands of my high-pressure job. If my sleep suffered, so did everything else in my life.

Unfortunately, the past two nights had been sleepless, and I knew I needed to address it before it spiraled into something worse. My job demanded my full attention, and I couldn't afford to be cranky or moody due to lack of rest.

As I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I noticed dark circles under my eyes, a clear sign that my lack of sleep was taking a toll. I decided to put on some makeup to at least conceal the exhaustion before heading to work. But deep down, I knew that covering up the issue wouldn't solve it.

Last night's conversation with William had left me emotionally drained. His unexpected honesty about his feelings and the past brought a rush of conflicting emotions. I had been holding onto past hurts, preventing myself from opening up to him. But when he denied uploading the video that haunted me from high school, it only added to my confusion.

Driving to work, I couldn't shake off the mix of anger, heartbreak, and confusion. It was all too overwhelming, and I considered seeking help from my therapist to sort through my feelings. This unresolved emotional baggage was undoubtedly impacting my well-being and focus.

Arriving at the office, I noticed reporters lurking outside, ready to pounce on any opportunity to make headlines. I sighed, knowing they weren't interested in the company's affairs anymore; they craved personal scandals for their own benefit.

Shielding myself behind sunglasses, I hurried inside, determined not to give the reporters any chance to interrogate me. As I made my way through the crowd, I found my father blocking my path. 

"I see that you expertly managed to evade the reporters outside," he said, a hint of a smug smile playing on his face.

"They weren't exactly invisible from three blocks away while I was driving here," I replied dryly.

He chuckled, crossing his arms in front of his black tailored suit. 

"Then you must know why they're here," he replied, and I looked away, adjusting my sunglasses.

He took a deliberate step towards me, pinning his cold blue eyes on my face. 

"Just because the merger ceremony is over doesn't mean you two can slack off and not keep your end of the bargain. This fake engagement plan is still on for another month, so don't think it's over yet, Shelby."

I felt irritation bubbling up at the reminder. Before I could respond, a warm hand gently grabbed mine, and I was startled to see William standing beside me.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I think we're both still doing a great job," he said to my father, who raised his brows in surprise.

William's touch on my hand reassured me to play along, knowing how much I disliked my father talking down to me.

"I know you're doing your best, Mr. Fontane, but Shelby apparently is not. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been tipped off by the director of the media company we're working with, that all these reporters are here, watching you two like hawks."

My father gave me a pointed glare, and I looked down to avoid his gaze. He faced William again, giving him a tight-lipped smile.

"I know we've all agreed that being part of this arrangement only extends to the engagement with no further discussion of an actual wedding. But if the reporters keep showing up before our one-month working period is over, I'm afraid we'll have to consider rearranging this whole agreement to get them off our backs."

Shock washed over me. Was he serious? Was he suggesting we should get into a fake marriage just to stop the reporters from suspecting anything?

William nudged me gently with his shoulder, silently signaling me to look down. I realized I was squeezing his hand too tightly, my anger at my father's words getting the better of me.

I quickly let go of his hand and turned back to my father. 

"There won't be any discussion of a fake marriage. The agreement was for us to be fake engaged, and that's it. If the reporters are here because of us, then we'll just have to improve our acting when they're around."

Dad narrowed his eyes at me before finally nodding his head. 

"If you say so." With that, he walked away, heading outside, and I glared daggers at his back.

Once he was out of earshot, I released a deep sigh and folded my arms together.

"What do you have in mind then?" William asked, and I looked up at him.

"What?"

"You said we'll have to improve our acting, so how do you want us to do this then?"

I hadn't really thought about it before. I had only said it to throw my father off our backs. William was right; we had been doing a great job acting as a couple so far. I didn't know what else he expected us to do.

But getting married was out of the question. I wasn't going to allow that to happen—not that I didn't want to marry William, but it was too soon, and it was a significant step to take.

"I don't know. Since they're practically staring through the window, I guess we can hold hands until we're inside the elevator?"

He nodded at my suggestion. 

"Okay then." He held out his hand, and I stared at it for a moment before slipping my hand into his, feeling that weird electric sensation buzz across my skin at the physical contact. 

He led the way to the elevator, which was across the lobby. However, before we could take more than a few steps, a voice called out William's name from behind us.

He went still, and I looked at him in confusion. I could feel the tension radiating from him as he squeezed my hand a little too tightly.

I frowned and turned around, seeing a woman standing a few feet away from us. She was beautiful, with long, straight brown hair flowing down her back, wearing a stylish white top and high-waisted pants. She doesn't look familiar to me.

Her eyes shifted from William to me, and then she glanced down at our entwined hands. I gave her a suspicious look.

"We've talked about this on the phone, didn't we? It's about time we meet, so aren't you going to introduce us, Will?" she said, addressing William but keeping her eyes fixed on me the whole time. 

William's hand continued to grip mine, and I returned the squeeze, hoping he'd get the hint that he was hurting my hand.

"Who is she?" I asked him, still looking at the woman with suspicion.

William cleared his throat, struggling for words before finally turning to face me. 

"This is... Sidney."

She extended her hand for a handshake, and I shook it, getting a feeling that William was about to add something else.

Something felt off about this situation. They seemed to know each other, and there was more to their connection than they were letting on.

I looked at William, and his eyes told me everything even before the words left his mouth. 

"She's my ex-fiancée."