Chapter 3 The Gala Disaster

Madison POV

I noticed an effort Ethan made to say something but before he could voice out his emotions, there was a flash of light in the open space between us. I quickly looked, surprised, to my right to find a photographer taking pictures. Those eyes were now pointed at Ethan and me with the camera's lenses focused on my face, on the precise frame that captured a confrontation between me and Ethan.

Panic clawed at my chest. I looked around and noticed that we'd attracted a crowd. Cautious murmurs began to spread through the audience, almost a murmur but clear enough.

"Who is she?"

"Is she with Blackwell?"

"I've never seen her before."

Ethan's jaw tightened, his sharp features hardening into an unreadable mask. My pulse quickened as the weight of the stares bore down on me.

I did not have time to respond before Ethan sprang into motion. He put an arm around my waist and held me close against himself, as tightly as he could. The sudden contact caused me to halt in my tracks, literally to catch my breath.

"Smile," he whispered, his voice low and commanding into my ears

"What?" I asked, still started.

"If you don't want to make this worse, just smile."

The photographer took another photo, I was close to him and he had his arm around my shoulder; to anyone looking at the photo we would definitely appear to be a couple. I gave a stilted smile while my head was spinning with active thoughts. What was Ethan doing?

---

In what can only be described as the arrival of the reporters on queue, they arrived. People asked questions that came close to being thrown at us, like spears.

They approached him and one of them asked openly "Mr. Blackwell, is she your date?"

"Who is this mystery woman?"

"Why don't you enlighten us on the latest rumors of your acquisition of other businesses? "

Ethan replied as sweetly as he possibly could, ensuring his arm stayed around my waist the entire time. "There wouldn't be any comments on business tonight. Regarding my pretty companion, let it just be say there are some secret that are worth keeping."

He only stirred the sensitive issue with his words. I was about to argue with him but Ethan's grip on my waist tightened and I felt threatened, angry inside.

Every time I tried to step away, he held me closer, presenting a united front to the cameras. The reporters ate it up, their lenses flashing relentlessly.

---

When it finally seemed that the crowd was tired of the display, Ethan gently guided me away from the crowd, moving me to a corner of the room. The sound of the gala faded slightly, but the silence that appeared between us could not have been more intense.

"What the hell was that?" I hissed as i pulled my arm free from his grip.

Ethan just slumped against the wall and sighed, even though his eyes were still sharp. "i supposed to be the one asking you that question."

"I actually overheard that remark and as far as I am concerned, you had no right to drag me into your petty PR publicity stunt!"

"And you had no right to show up uninvited," he snapped back. "But here we are."

I snapped at him, standing with my fists by my sides tightly. "You think you can just play around with people's emotions like this? Why did you use me to distract the press?"

He stood there leering at me, his gaze unwavering. "You're welcome, by the way. The pressure of feeling that you could have made the situation a lot worse if I hadn't stepped in?"

My breath hitched. "Worse for who? You?"

"For both of us," he said his voice lowering. "Believe me, Ms Russo, you don't want to witness how the press behaves when they have an opportunity to unearth something."

---

The things he said made me shiver, but I decided not to show him that part of me; the frightened woman. "This isn't over, Blackwell," I told him my tone even although part of me wanted to scream.

Ethan sneered, his gaze steady, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous mix of amusement and intrigue. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

I walked away from him to go outside for some fresh air and was unusually brisk in my movements. It was late and the temperature outside was much lower than I anticipated, that slap of cold air astonished me further, but stopped my rage inside from boiling over.

When I turned my head towards the beautiful lighted windows of the gala, I caught him staring at me with those intent eyes as he walked outside the gala to meet up with me where I stood.

For a moment, silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken tension. Then, Ethan's expression shifted, his sharp features softening just enough to unnerve me.

"I have a proposition for you," he said his voice was calm as a cucumber.

I blinked, caught off guard. "A proposition?"

"Yes." Pulling himself to a closer range from the girl, his tone lowered. "A deal."

My uncertainty flared. "Why would I want to make a deal with you?"

"Because it benefits us both," he finally said. "Hear me out."

I was unsure but tried not to say anything.

"This little stunt of yours has created a narrative," he began, as the words came out of his mouth smoothly like a deceptive politician. "Since it bothers the media to think that we're a thing. Instead of fighting this aspect of the development, we use it to our advantage."

"Use it?" And I repeated, hesitant but knowing there was suspicion in my voice.

He nodded. "A fake engagement. You play the role of a loving fiancée, I use the story to clean up my image. In return, I will withdraw this lawsuit against you and open up the doors to the Blackwell empire, full access. You'll get the truth you are searching for so hard.

His words sat like a silent judgement on me but for whatever reason, I was ready to accept whatever he was willing to dish out.

"A fake engagement?" I repeated it slowly, which made my chest uncomfortable, disbelief and anxiety painted all over it.

"Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement," Ethan said. "You're getting your story and I'm getting my reputation."

I looked straight into him to tell if he was genuine or not. The idea was ridiculous, outrageous-but nonetheless tempting.

---

"You really think I would just trust you after all that have happened between us?" I asked, my voice sharp.

"You don't have to trust me," he said in return. "You just have to work with me."

The isolation of the room felt palpable for a moment and the tension was all but visible. There was a part of me that could have just said no, to hell with him and his offer. But another part, the part that makes decisions out of greed and, in this case, the hope of' salvage,' held back.

Ethan must have seen me weakening because he intensified.

.

"Here is your opportunity, Madison", he said, his voice suddenly sounding gentle. "It's time to face it – Your career is in shambles and you and I both know it. This story might turn your life around. You really want to let that go?"

"What about motives then?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "What's stopping you from using and then shoving me to the side when your needs are met?"

Ethan's gaze didn't waver. "Nothing. But if you're smart, you will ensure that you achieve what you want before that happens."

---

Instead I pulled away and walked towards the ladies rest room, around the room as I struggled with the decision. It is important not to underestimate the fact that the deal was very risky from the start. Ethan was cunning, strategic-typical of a person who only played to win.

However, the idea to receive insiders' information, to learn the truth about Blackwell wonderful empire was too tempting to deny.

When I was done washing my face, I joined him and stood right in front of him my determination growing. "If I agree to this, I have conditions."

The first reaction that crossed Ethan's face was a kind of surprise which was crowned with irony. "I'm listening."

"First," I pointed in her face to make her focus on my words, "No lies. If I have to be a part of this, there should be no secrets."

"Alright," he replied instantly "Done," he repeated without any doubt.

"Second," I went on and said, "I want this engagement to be just public not personal."

His smirk came back but he nodded. "Cool."

"And third," I said confidently, "This is done on my terms. When I say I want out it is over."

For a brief moment I was happy until I saw the look in Ethan's eye-approval, possibly? Amusement? "Agreed."

I took a moment to think over the decision that seemed to suddenly have shifted to my shoulders. This was a big risk on my part; it was the gamble which would either be my success or failure.

"Alright," I said finally. "You've got yourself a deal."

Ethan reached out his hand and I put mine into it and the moment our fingers locked, the intensity of his grip said a lot more than the determination in his eyes.

"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you formally welcome to the game Madison." His response was smooth, "Let's see if you can follow this".

---

When our hands touch and release I could feel goose bumps all over me. I had just struck the agreement with who I had considered my foe and there was no way out of it.

What I didn't know was that the game Ethan Blackwell had invited me into was far more dangerous than I'd imagined.