The Enemy I Hate To Love

CHAPTER 8! The Announcement

Emma's POV

The VIP section of the club was an oasis of dim lighting, plush couches, and crystal glasses clinking against one another. Everything felt far removed from the chaos of the dance floor, where I had been lost in the music just moments ago. Sophia was still dancing, probably pulling out moves she hadn't used since college, and Vanessa was chatting up some guy near the bar. Meanwhile, I found myself at the edge of the room, cooling down with a glass of water and trying not to think about Michelle Cole Roller.
But of course, my brain didn't cooperate. Despite all the fun I was having tonight, the mess of the last few days still hung over me. Michelle had caused so much trouble, and yet... why did part of me feel weirdly excited whenever I thought about him? Maybe it was the fact that he was such an enigma-cold, rude, and arrogant one minute, but underneath it all, there was something more. Not that I'd admit that to anyone, least of all myself.
"Come on, Emma, relax," I muttered, taking a deep
breath as I leaned against the railing. "It's just one night."
But before I could fully immerse myself in the moment, I spotted someone at the far end of the VIP section that made my heart leap into my throat. Michelle. He was here.
He wasn't alone, of course. He was standing with a group of business types, all dressed in sharp suits, glasses of champagne in hand. He seemed to be in the middle of some important conversation, but then, as if feeling the weight of my gaze, his eyes suddenly flicked toward me.
I froze. Crap. Our eyes locked for a moment too long, and I quickly turned away, hoping he hadn't noticed me staring like a creep.
But my hopes were dashed when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him excuse himself from his business associates. And then-oh no-he started walking toward me. My pulse quickened, and I mentally cursed myself for not wearing something more casual, something that didn't make me feel like I was trying too hard in this glitzy environment.
Before I could even think of an escape route, Michelle was standing right in front of me. He was as impeccably dressed as always, his perfectly tailored suit somehow looking effortless on him. His eyes, though, had softened from the icy glare they usually held, and there was something almost-dare I say-apologetic in them?
"Emma," he began, his voice smoother than I remembered. "We need to talk."
I blinked up at him, unsure how to respond. "Talk? Now?"
Michelle nodded, glancing briefly over his shoulder, probably making sure his business associates weren't watching. "Look, I've been thinking about everything that happened. The posts, the rumors, all the chaos. I'm... sorry."
Wait, what? Did Michelle Cole Roller just apologize?
I stared at him, completely thrown off. "You're sorry?"
His lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "I know, shocking, right?"
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "A little bit, yeah."
Michelle sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I messed up. I shouldn't have posted that stuff without your permission, and I've already started taking steps to get the articles and posts taken down. The last thing I wanted was to make your life harder."
Was this really happening? Was the Michelle Cole Roller-the guy who had been nothing but cold and sarcastic since I met him-actually being... kind? I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I appreciate that," I said quietly. "It's been... a lot."
He took a step closer, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. "I know," he murmured, his eyes locking onto mine. "And I'll fix it. I owe you that much."
Suddenly, his tone shifted, and that signature Michelle smirk returned, but this time, it wasn't cruel-it was almost... playful. "Besides," he added, his voice dropping lower, "I think we both know you've enjoyed a little bit of the spotlight."
I opened my mouth to protest, but the words got tangled up in my brain. He was flirting. And what was worse-I was blushing. I felt my cheeks heat up as I stammered, "I-I didn't ask for this, you know."
"No, but you handled it well," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I like a woman who can keep up."
I couldn't believe this. Was Michelle Cole Roller actually flirting with me right now? I glanced around, half-expecting this to be some kind of joke, but it was just him and me in this small corner of the club, the pounding music fading into the background.
Before I could fully process what was happening, I took a step back-and immediately regretted it. My head spun from the drinks I'd had earlier, and the world around me tilted dangerously. I was about to trip over my own feet when, out of nowhere, Michelle's arms shot out and caught me, pulling me against his chest.
"Careful," he said, his voice soft but teasing. "Wouldn't want you crashing into anything else tonight, event crasher."
I looked up at him, my face mere inches from his, and felt a jolt of... something. My heart raced as I tried to catch my breath. His arms were still around me, steadying me, and the smirk on his face was nothing short of infuriating-but also kind of endearing?
"You like ending up in my arms, don't you?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.
I rolled my eyes, desperately trying to play it cool even though my heart was practically doing somersaults. "In your dreams."
His grin widened. "You'd be surprised."
Before I could respond-before I could even make sense of my own racing thoughts-he let go of me, taking a step back with that maddening confidence of his. For a moment, I thought things were finally settling down. Maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.
But then Michelle's eyes lit up with that dangerous gleam, the one that usually meant he was about to do something reckless.
"What are you-" I started, but Michelle was already walking toward the stage that overlooked the VIP section. Oh no.
"Attention, everyone!" Michelle's voice boomed through the microphone, cutting through the music like a knife. My stomach dropped as the spotlight immediately swung in his direction. People all over the club turned to face him, curious and expectant.
Oh God, no. What was he doing?
Michelle stood there, looking ridiculously at ease under the glare of the spotlight. "I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge someone very special who's here tonight," he announced, his voice confident and commanding. "You've all seen the rumors, and I think it's time to clear things up."
Panic surged through me. This couldn't be happening. He wouldn't-
He turned, and with a dramatic flourish, he pointed directly at me.
"My mystery partner-Emma Olsen."
My jaw dropped, and for a second, the entire club went silent as hundreds of eyes turned to me.

What. The. Hell.