THE PERFECT DECEPTION

Chapter 11

Anupama

My day unfolded with a headache and an obligation, as Jonathan's mother was the epitome of sweetness. It was followed by three hours of shopping and dressing. Arriving at Jonathan's office, I acted affectionately and reminded him to pick me up early. His mother, a vision of joy with her light blonde hair and elegance, seemed to seek a connection with Jonathan. Her embrace calmed my trembling heart, which ached from Baa's cruel taunts that reduced me to nothing more than a devalued woman.

My emotions were in turmoil because of Jonathan, and there I was, making my way into his office, only to be met by a woman whose words reeked of jealousy. She hurled every vile insult at me as if I had coerced Jonathan into making me his girlfriend, albeit a pretend one. The only thing I recall is the sting on my palm and the red imprint of my hand on her face. I was slightly taken aback, recognising a possessive streak in myself.

To be unusually candid, I had a dream last night. It wasn't the kind you wake from with a smile or a scream. It was the kind that left you panting, sweating, and gasping in shock, followed by disgust. The memory of his arms around my neck and his lips tracing my skin left me shivering, necessitating a cold shower early in the morning. I continued criticising the receptionist, who seemed oblivious to current events and lived under a proverbial rock.

Her quivering lips and widening eyes betrayed her fear as she uttered, "Sir..." prompting me to turn and see Jonathan's blue eyes fixed on me. I was paralysed by the chaos I had caused rather than staying at the restaurant. My body went limp under his gaze as he coldly dismissed the girl, and I internally gasped, tempted to confront this caveman. Yet, he promptly terminated three more innocent men. As the crowd looked on, I blinked slowly, and before I could intervene, he summoned the guards to remove all four from the office permanently.

The situation left me feeling a mix of satisfaction and guilt. My breath was shaky and heavy as I exhaled hot air before catching my breath. Jonathan held my hand firmly in front of everyone. My body trembled as his words dissolved into the charged atmosphere. "My girlfriend, my woman, my beauty—her rights are mine, and my rights are hers, just like this company. She can fire you all in seconds," he declared, and it felt like my ears would detach. I was his woman and girlfriend, and since then, it has felt acceptable to be acknowledged as such by both of us. We are FAKE DATING. NOTHING would ever happen between us. A flicker ran through my veins like a lit matchstick.

The room fell silent, and those whose gazes might curse me with bad luck for the next century lowered their eyes as if in respect. My heart kept a sharp, rhythmic beat, and I sensed a soft hum in the back of my mind, relishing the slight power I wielded. Jonathan surveyed me, searching for satisfaction in my eyes, which I concealed. He nodded, assessed the room, and then hummed, "Get back to work now." At his command, every chair and footstep hastened back to work as if on cue.

I attempted to pull away from Jonathan's grasp, but instead of releasing me, he drew me firmly against him, our heat synchronising. "What the hell do you think you're doing, fighting my battles?" I whispered harshly. His arms encircled my waist, pressing me against his unyielding chest, his demeanour emotionless while my heart raced with each millisecond. Struggling to swallow and calm my racing heart, I asked, "What are you doing? And why did you fire those three guys?" I spat out the words, and all he did was lean closer. The stares of everyone around seemed to burn through my skirt.

"Because they looked at what's mine," he growled softly into my ear, causing my ears to burn and my cheeks to flush. Are all men this attractive? Who would have thought? Ugh, Jonathan is infuriating. He's going to fuel more dreams tonight than I care for. "I am not YOURS," I countered in a low growl. "We're just pretending to date." I attempted to remain composed, yet I could feel my pulse racing with desire and my toes curling.