IT STARTED WITH A LIE (Fated to Love You #1)

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE 

         ''I'll be damned.'' Wade swore under his breath as he read the bold letters of the headline that glared back at him.

WHO'S WADE ASHBURN'S MYSTERY WOMAN?

He didn't bother to read the article as the familiar figure in the grainy photo stared back at him. He only half listened as his P.A walked him through the entire article.

He massaged his temple gingerly with his middle finger. How could he have not seen this coming? She was a total scam and he had been a total fool. He had always been a sucker for teary eyed females and Nelly had always used that to her advantage.

Then it hit him, did that mean that all the drama she had put on last night of self loathing was all fake? How could he have missed that? Wade had a keen eye with the tendency to tell when one was lying or when something isn't what it seems but admittedly, last night he hadn't been himself and now he's been punished for that one slip.

As CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation such as Ashburn industries it was hard to stay under the radar when you're constantly put in the spotlight with flashing cameras and over eager reporters shoving their mics in your face. Some few months ago he'd had to deal with a scandal in which it was insinuated that he was gay, admittedly, his relationship with Nelly hadn't been public knowledge and he had been photographed on many occasions without a date on some highly publicised events. He didn't care then but this was too much, they had insinuated that he was engaged to that mysterious woman no less. He felt his gut boiling with rage.

That crafty little witch had planned everything to the tee, she ruined his favourite tux and had the nerve to make him chauffeur her around.

Unbelievable!

And she had fed him that sob story about being proposed to by a man who's already married. He glanced at the photo again and his eyes zero in on her finger taking precisely at the moment she had raised her hand to show him the sparkly rock. It couldn't be a coincidence, she had been playing him from the start.

Her name is Selya Williams and she works for Nocturne the same ratty magazine that had his photos splashed on its covers. So it had all been a publicity stunt.

Wade fisted his hand on the table enraged that this Selya woman would wish she'd never crossed his path once he's finished with her.

Determined, Wade grabbed his jacket which he had draped on his chair and made for the door practically running into Ramon his P.A.

''Sir, I came to remind you of the meeting with Mr. Sterling this afternoon.''

''Reschedule.''

''But sir...''

''I said reschedule!'' Wade thundered with such furious note of finality that had Ramon coiling back in fear.

''I'll be on it.'' Ramon stuttered.

As if his day wasn't bad enough Wade had to deal with his friends calling to ask if it was true and he had vehemently replied that it was not. Then his mom called asking the same question.

''I think you should bring her home so we can all meet her and get to know her.''

''Mom I already told you there's nothing between that woman and I and we're not engaged.'' He was frustrated he felt like punching the wall.

It wasn't long after he cut the call on his mom that his phone went off again and he punched the received button without looking at the caller I.D. ''I swear if you're calling to ask about the engagement I'll cut off your tongue...''

''Wade it's me.''

Wade's blood froze over and his body went rigid as the familiar voice sank into him. After eight months she finally called him.

''Nelly?'' his heart soared and he couldn't believe what was happening.

It felt so right saying her name after all this time.