Chapter 5 No.5

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Arcadia says.

The media loves her return. Both chuckle and nod.

"What do you say about the mayor having sex with several women before you?

Closed eyelids, I groan.

Even though I hardly know Arcadia, I feel awful for her.

"Well, we only just agreed to get back together, so I can understand that the mayor had to consider other choices before deciding on me," Arcadia answers with dignity.

A chuckle.

The press loves Arcadia more than me. I

This time, no Fei Park queries.

Arm in arm, Arcadia, Doris, and I depart the stage. We go into an office, away from reporters, and I tell Arcadia, "You're too bashful for the limelight."

She grins, "You're jealous."

I LOL. "No way," I say.

"Look, the press adored me. Good for you."

What, a professional liar? "How is that good?"

"Martin, you're a professional liar," she smiles. Don't be silly.

Arcadia is gorgeous when she stands up to me, but I don't trust her. do.

"Remember, I'm mayor," I

"I didn't vote for you,"

She has my mouth agape.

She glances at Doris and then at me and says, "I have some business tonight."

"OK," I say.

And she departs. I watch her go, her lovely ass swinging like a farewell wave.

Doris grins, "Arcadia's great."

8

From our intrepid and sometimes wacky political correspondent, Osanna Dawson.

Oh, my goodness! Did you hear about it in the news recently?you've probably seen that the mayor of A city has been engaged!

"It's not so much that mayor seems to have cleaned up his act; it's almost as if his most recent antics were enough to re-establish him as the steady and reliable Commander-in-Chief that A city has come to expect."

The mayor of a city is about to marry.. But there is one thing I want you to be aware of. That this handsome mayor can't possibly belong to just one lady, as we've all witnessed on tape. I refuse to believe that a single lady could own such a national treasure. What about Arcadia Moore? In any case, we don't know much about her.

Arcadia's pov

I've never had a child., but I guess this is how it feels to entrust your kid to strangers' care.

"Yeah, KIKI," That's how it'll be for the next year," I add as I carry a bottle of Pinot Noir and a glass to the living room and put my phone on speaker. As KIKI responds, I take a seat on the sofa and pour myself a glass of wine.

"Are you certain?" I sense the trepidation in her voice as she replies, "We never run things without you..."

"I have faith in you." "You'll be OK," I say, despite the fact that my heart is pounding in my chest. It aches to let go of my business, which has been my baby for so long.

KIKI Grove joined the team during my initial months of operation and rapidly established herself as my right hand. She was a few years older than I was, in her early thirties already, and she brought some business expertise . While I concentrated on getting everything done in the field, KIKI took care of everything else while also providing live support whenever I needed it. She also went on the field a few times and performed well. KIKI is the only one I trust to take care of things when I'm away.

She sighs, "I really hope so." "I followed your instructions. I deleted all records of your engagement with the firm, so hopefully nothing will be traced back to you. The press will look for dirt, but I believe we've done a decent job of hiding our tracks."

"Good. "One less headache," I say as I swirl the wine in my glass and take a drink, the intense oak and morning rain flavors enveloping my taste senses.

"However... I have a question." Are you certain about this...? He is, after all, the mayor. "A title like that comes with a lot of baggage."

I sigh, "I know, KIKI." "But this is too fantastic an opportunity to pass up."

"It's all good, boss." Okay, there's nothing more for me to say but good luck. While you're away, I'll do my best to keep everything going smoothly."

"Thank you, KIKI.". I've finally finished tying up loose ends with my operatives, and I'm ready to focus entirely on this new task.

I put my phone on top of the table, but it immediately begins buzzing again. I take up my glass of wine, which is already empty, and read Doris' name on the screen.

"Hey," I say as I press the phone to my ear.

"Hello, Arcadia. I'm phoning to inform you that the mayor has agreed to take you out to dinner tonight. Make sure you're ready to impress the press since it'll be your first public appearance as a pair."

"I'm always ready to dazzle."

"I definitely hope so." she says as she hangs up the phone.

I get to my feet and yawn lazily as I stretch.

Martin, if I'm not incorrect, isn't going to survive a month. Even though his little address this afternoon pleased me, I'm well aware that it's all a ruse. He's like every other male in W City, and I'll be astonished if he stays with me for more than a month without 'cheating' on me. It won't bother me; it will only make it simpler for me to generate money.