BE MY OBSESSION

CHAPTER 34

•SHELBY•

"It's currently at 10%, but we've made some small adjustments to raise it to 15% instead," Shay's voice permeated the air around me, but I struggled to concentrate on her weekly report.

All I could think about was William and his ex-fiancée, Sidney, whom I had discovered this morning.

I couldn't believe it. How did I not know that he was engaged before? For someone like him, it should have been all over the news and social media. Did he intentionally keep it a secret from me? And when Sidney mentioned that they had talked on the phone, I couldn't help but wonder how long they had been in touch without my knowledge.

Does she know that William and I are only pretending to be engaged?

Questions swirled in my mind. How long had this been going on? A few days ago, I might not have cared about his personal life, but after our conversation last night when he confessed his feelings for me, I started to believe him. Until Sidney showed up.

I bit the cap of my pen nervously, tapping my feet on the floor under the table. If Sidney is back, everything changes. She might still have feelings for him and want him back, and considering they were engaged before, there's bound to be a part of William that still loves her deeply.

What if they rekindle their relationship?

Where does that leave us?

Does he still love her?

Our fake engagement wouldn't hold him back from being with someone he was genuinely engaged to before.

"Shelby, are you listening?" Shay's voice brought me back to reality, and I blinked, focusing on her again.

"Sorry, what?" I replied, trying to hide my anxiety. Shay sighed and clasped her hands together.

"Do you think I should have my wedding this October?"

Realizing she was discussing her own wedding, I shifted in my chair and paid attention.

"It's entirely up to you and Jason," I said, trying to be supportive.

Shay beamed excitedly. 

"Well, yeah, I know. I asked him the same thing, and he said I should decide for myself. It's my wedding, after all."

This was a rare moment of Shay opening up, and I appreciated her trust. 

"Why October?" I asked curiously.

"Why not? It gives us plenty of time to plan the wedding details, and I want it to be perfect."

I nodded in understanding and closed the folder on the table. 

"Okay, whatever makes you happy."

Her smile wavered as she looked at me. 

"Are you feeling okay? You didn't get into another fight with William again, did you?"

I managed a dry chuckle, leaning back in my chair. 

"What makes you think that we fought?"

"It's what you two always do whenever you're together. We're not blind, Shelby," Shay said playfully.

If Shay noticed our arguments, it was possible that the paparazzi and reporters did too. That could explain why they've been following us more closely lately.

Deciding I needed some space to sort out my thoughts, I stood up and grabbed my coat and bag. 

"I'm leaving. Finish that report and leave it with Adam at the front desk, and I'll review it again tomorrow."