Page 73 of Fake It For Glory

JENSEN

Two days later, in the bustling heart of Singapore, Merida and I found ourselves in the chaotic whirlwind of a massive tech conference. It was one of those events where people acted like they had just discovered fire, except this time it was AI-powered toasters. Go figure.

I was supposed to be giving a speech. I hated giving speeches, but this one was going to be extra tricky. Carl had flown in to help manage the media storm I found myself caught up in.

I sipped my Coke in the greenroom while I waited for them to call me on stage. Hattie was staring at her tablet and grimacing. “It made the Tonight Show,” she muttered.

Merida groaned. “Great.”

“It’ll blow over soon enough,” I assured her.

Apparently, someone had used their cell to record the argument between Merida and Reid at the yacht show. The video had gone viral. Reid Reese was a very well-known person all around the world. He had a terrible reputation, but people tolerated him. When a guy could buy a small country and still have money left over, he tended to gain power, whether it was deserved or not.

It didn’t take long for the video to get picked up by the mainstream news after being shared on social media. Anything with my name attached to it tended to make big waves. Everyone wanted me to screw up. They couldn’t wait to see me crash and burn.

“Oh no,” Merida moaned when Hattie started the video.

The host made a few jokes about pit bulls needing to be kept on leashes. He was obviously referring to Merida. I was ready to issue a cease and desist and use whatever legal means I had to make it stop. I didn’t appreciate anyone talking shit about her.

Merida was watching the video through her hand clapped over her eyes. “You know you’re still watching,” I said. “You may as well watch it once and be done with it. I don’t know if anyone ever told you that you are still visible even if you can’t see us. We can see you.” I was teasing her, trying to get her to laugh it off. It wasn’t nearly as bad as she thought. At least, not yet. Reid had yet to make a statement on it.

She peeked out from between her fingers and shot me a half-hearted glare. “Very funny, Jensen. I can’t watch it.”

We turned our attention to the tablet as the Tonight Show host introduced the segment with great enthusiasm. “Ladies and gentlemen, you won’t believe this epic showdown in the tech world! It’s Merida Moore, AKA, Jensen Loxley’s lovely lady, vs. Reid Reese!” A dramatic pause was followed by a drumroll. Seriously, the guy could make folding laundry sound like an action movie.

The clip started playing, and there was Merida, standing her ground like a superhero missing her cape. Her chin was raised and her shoulders back as she took on Reid Reese with nothing but sheer determination and a sprinkle of sass. The audience erupted into laughter and applause as they watched the viral showdown unfold.

“You’re a pompous asshole!” Merida’s finger came dangerously close to touching Reid’s nose.

He took a step toward her, and even though it was just a video, I found myself lurching forward to protect her. This was my first time watching the video through. I was stunned to see the insults Reid lobbed at her and the way she handled herself.

“Wait until you see this part,” Hattie said with a laugh.

I leaned in closer to the tablet, my eyes fixed on the screen. Reid had just made a snide remark about Merida’s intelligence, and she wasn’t having any of it. She retorted with a witty comeback that left the audience in stitches.

Reid’s face twisted into a scowl, and I could tell he was getting agitated. Merida, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying herself. She had a glint in her eye that I had never seen before, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride and admiration for her.

The tension between them was palpable, and I found myself holding my breath as I waited to see what would happen next. Merida was holding her own. In the video, I saw the look on Reid’s face. He was shocked. No one ever stood up to him, but my little curly-haired, curvy victim put him in his place.

Reid took a step forward and clenched his fists. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you? Well, let me tell you something, sweetheart. You’re not even close to being on my level. You’re just a pretty face with nothing to offer.”

I felt my blood boil as I watched Reid’s misogynistic behavior. Merida didn’t deserve to be talked to like that, no matter what he thought of her. The audience was rolling with laughter as the host of the late-night show pretended to be afraid.

I couldn’t hold back my laughter either. “Merida,” I said with a shake of my head. “No wonder he was calling me for help. You look like you’re going to kick his ass.”

“She should have,” Hattie said. “What an asshole.”

Merida playfully punched my shoulder. “You’re not helping, Jensen.”

But she couldn’t hide the smirk that tugged at her lips. It was the kind of smirk that told me she secretly reveled in the madness. She had enjoyed herself. As the segment ended, Merida finally let out a relieved sigh. “Well, whatever happens, at least people got a good laugh out of the situation.”

“Now, are you ready to hear some of the comments?” Hattie asked. “Carl sent me an email with some of the comments that have been liked and shared over and over.”

“Oh no,” Merida groaned and hung her head. “If they call me fat or ugly, please don’t read them to me.”

“Fuck that,” I growled. “No one thinks you are fat or ugly.”

I took Merida’s hand in mine, expecting the worst but hoping for the best. Hattie’s smile told me it wasn’t as bad as I assumed. As Hattie read the tweets and comments flooded in, it became clear that the anticipated bad press had never materialized. In fact, people seemed to be rallying behind Merida, applauding her fiery attack on one of the world’s richest men.