by Suzie Nelson
“Now, for anyone that has not seen the headlines over the past few days, an audio recording was released in which you could hear Miss Cliffe and Mr. Ramsey negotiating the terms of a relationship. Please, could you confirm, for the first time, if that recording is of you both?”
“It is,” Jordan answered bluntly as Sally leaned in.
“The recording isn’t very clear but it sounds like you, Danica, are trying to arrange some sort of benefit from being in a relationship with Jordan. Could you explain that for us?”
Danica hesitated and her mind went completely blank. Jordan squeezed her hand and turned to her. “It’s okay, you can tell her the truth.” For the first time he gently smiled at her and she felt at ease to just say exactly what happened.
“We had decided to have a purely public relationship. We would attend events together, be photographed together and I negotiated to be a designer at Ramsey as part of the contract terms. That is what you can hear on the tape.” Although it wasn’t eloquent, Danica managed to explain part of her truth but it was inevitable that it would lead on to more questions.
Sally gave a shocked face to the camera and sat back in her seat. “Wow. I’m a little stunned to hear you confirm that the relationship was fake and that you did it to get a position within Jordan’s fashion label. I’m sure all our viewers at home are going to be equally surprised to hear that an apparently successful model, by all accounts, would use that fame to leverage a deal for an undeserved position.” Sally paused to let the viewers absorb the information as Jordan squeezed tighter on Danica’s hand.
“It wasn’t like that.” Danica had to defend herself and she couldn’t help but to jump in and correct Sally’s assumption.
“No?” With twinkling eyes, Sally engaged Danica in conversation hoping that it would ignite a heated debate. “You can be heard quite clearly in the tape demanding full control of a whole line at the Ramsey label. How would you explain it?”
Danica couldn’t understand why Jordan was just remaining silent and it dawned on her that he wasn’t going to defend her or clear her name so she had to fight for herself. “It’s true that I asked to design a whole collection but it was not my idea to start the fake relationship. My management was contacted by Jordan’s people, they wanted to use me as a fake girlfriend and the designing thing was just part of the terms.” Danica released her hand from Jordan’s grip and pointed at him. “If you want to know the truth you should be asking him.”
Jordan looked at her but she was so enraged by the questioning that she couldn’t tell if he was hurt or disappointed by her outburst.
“Jordan, you have already released a statement denying Miss Cliffe’s claim that you initiated this public relationship. Can you make it clear to everyone watching what the truth of this murky deal is?” The camera rolled in closer to Jordan and Danica knew everything depended on his answer.
“Everything that Miss Cliffe is saying is true.” Shocked, Sally leaned back and put a hand over her mouth. “It was my PR team that approached Danica’s management and proposed the deal for us to pose as a couple. It was at my request that we met in a downtown diner which is where the tape was recorded. The designing thing was just part of the deal, the rest of our conversation can’t be clearly made out.”
Danica sighed but kept her composure as she had finally been cleared of all the lies spread in the media. Sally reached for Jordan and put her hand on his arm as though she was consoling him. “So why, Jordan, did you release that statement? Why did you try and blame Danica for the whole twisted arrangement?”
Jordan turned and looked at Danica and she knew that he really was going to betray Edward. His eyes beheld her as a loved one does, taking in all her beauty and seeing none of her faults and then he turned back to Sally. “Well, Sally, the truth is that the whole sordid deal was a scheme to improve my company’s reputation and the stock price of all the Ramsey businesses. The deal, the phony relationship, the statement blaming Danica, everything was masterminded by my bro…”
“No, Jordan, stop!” Danica cut in just before Jordan could name Edward and everyone froze wondering what she was going to say.
“But Danica I will…” Jordan looked at her confused for a second as he was fully prepared to dump Edward in order to win her back but Danica couldn’t see him do that, even to the likes of Edward.
“You don’t need to.” Danica put her hand back in his as Sally Joy looked completely lost at the scene that was unfolding in front of her.
“Jordan, Danica. Emotions are clearly running high as we reveal to the nation the truth behind your public romance but we must hear everything. There is clearly something that you don’t want to share with us but I would urge you to relieve your consciences as everything eventually comes out into the light.” Sally Joy was enthralled by the amazing interview that was being captured but she couldn’t let it end while there was such an obvious secret not being shared.
“You want the truth, Sally? The full truth?” Jordan suddenly had a surge of confidence as he held Danica’s hand and saw the hope in her eyes.
“Yes, Jordan, unburden yourselves and share with us everything.” Sally was on the edge of her seat thinking about the explosive ratings she was going to get from this drama.
“It was all a fraud – the whole relationship was meant to be a fake to distract the media from my business scandals. But from the very first time I saw Danica in that wretched diner, I knew that I loved her.” Jordan lifted Danica’s hand up to his chest and she moved closer to him. Her heart was racing as he declared publicly his love for her and she beamed with joy. “It may have all started out as a shifty deal just to win media attention but I am head over heels, 100% in love with this woman. She is not just a beautiful model and talented fashion designer, she is kind, caring, compassionate and everything I have ever wanted.”
The camera rolled back to get a full view of the couple clutching each other’s hands and Danica could see Chelsea standing at the back completely gobsmacked. Sally Joy was also looking a little stunned but she was able to control her expressions for the camera.
Jordan moved off the couch and rested one knee on the floor. Now everyone knew what was coming and were at a loss. “Danica Cliffe, we have not had the best start to a relationship, in fact, it’s probably the worst start possible but I’ve known since the moment I laid eyes on you that I wanted to spend every moment of my life with you.” He held her hand up to his mouth and fixed his gaze on her pale blue eyes. Danica was lost in his words, unaware of the cameras, the lights and the TV presenter that was anxiously waiting on the sidelines. In front of her was a man that was willing to do anything for her love and she wasn’t going to waste any more time doubting the validity of his feelings.
“Danica, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?” Silence filled the studio as every eye in the place and watching via the screens waited for Danica’s reply. Jordan, himself looked up at her anxiously, not truly knowing how she would respond but hoping that she wanted the same thing as him.
Danica’s soft pink lips parted and in a gentle voice, she said, “Yes. Yes, there is nothing I would want more in this life than to be your wife.” Simultaneously, they broke out into smiles of pure joy and embraced. Still on his knees, Jordan wrapped his arms around her waist and she clutched his face with her hands as they kissed with the whole world watching.
“Oh my goodness! Congratulations!” Sally patted Danica on the back as she made her way to the center of the stage. “Well, you heard it here first and we all witnessed that fabulous proposal. It’s official, Danica Cliffe and Jordan Ramsey are in a relationship and they are engaged to be married. This is the first proposal we have ever had on the show and hopefully, we will be able to follow it up with the actual wedding. Stay tuned for more details as we will be returning after this short break with some more questions about this exciting romance.”
“Run commercial!” The red on-air light went out as the cameras rolled back and everyon
e in the studio applauded the couple that were still locked in each other’s arms.
“That was amazing! My ratings are going to be off the charts!” Sally Joy was ecstatic knowing that she had the best news scoop for the day while Chelsea was still frozen in place just watching the pair kiss.
Tears started to stream down Danica’s face and Jordan pulled away concerned. “Danica, what’s wrong?” He wiped them away with his thumb as she looked at him with watery eyes.
“I’m just so happy, Jordan. I just can’t believe everyone knows and now we can finally be together.” Danica had a mixture of emotions running through her from relief to shock, but she was mainly overjoyed that they could start a new life together, hand in hand as a couple.
Jordan kissed her again and renewed his promise to love her. “I’m going to make you happy for the rest of your life. Nothing is ever going to part us again…it’s just you and me from here on out.”
With tears still falling down her cheeks, Danica took his hand and they stood up together. “Just you and me, Jordan. Just you and me.”
THE END
Confess To Be Mine
Ramsey Billionaire Brothers Series Book 2
Chapter 1
“I can’t believe it’s only four months until the wedding!” Danica stood in the center of a mirrored fitting room wearing a pure white wedding gown. “It feels like only yesterday since I first met Jordan and now I’m going to be Mrs. Ramsey. I can’t believe it!” Danica beamed with joy as Shelby Perez knelt below her pinning some of the material.
“Just stay still for a moment, Danica. I don’t want to stab you with the pins.” Shelby gathered some of the fine lace in her hand and picked up a pin that she had been holding in the corner of her mouth.
“Oh, sorry.” Danica looked down with her big pale blue eyes and smiled. She was so excited to finally be standing in her wedding gown after weeks of going over designs with Shelby. “You really have done an incredible job on my dress. It is exactly what we discussed…I just love it!”
Shelby stepped away and looked at the back of the dress as Danica remained standing on the pedestal. “I’m just grateful that you wanted me to design it – it’ a huge honor.” Shelby had been a struggling fashion designer trying to break into the industry when she had met Blake Ramsey, a music producer that didn’t like to reveal that he was also one of the billionaire Ramsey brothers. They had friends within the same circles and though Blake had always encouraged her, it wasn’t until he introduced her to Danica that things really started to take off.
Danica Cliffe was the top model within the fashion industry and because of her relationship with Blake’s older brother, Jordan, they had become a celebrity couple with lots of power and media attention. Anything Danica did, turned to gold and when she agreed to model at one of Shelby’s shows, the whole world suddenly took notice of Shelby’s designs and talent.
“Are you kidding? I could wear every piece of clothing from your collection. You have such a talent, I just knew you would do an amazing job at giving me the dress of my dreams and here it is!” Danica was struggling to stay still as Shelby continued to walk around and decide which bits needed to be taken in. She was more than happy to design Danica’s wedding dress not only because they became close friends but also because it would be in every magazine all over the world for weeks after the wedding and who wouldn’t want the six foot, golden-haired, sun-kissed supermodel to wear their design?
Danica had asked for something simple, just a plain white fishtail dress, but Shelby knew that she could do so much more. With delicate French lace, Shelby had made simple ruffled straps that arched over Danica’s shoulders and followed down into a ‘V’ at the bottom of her spine. Embroidered lace trimmed the open-backed gown which hugged her hips and then poured out behind her like the soft leaves of a tulip. It was the only wedding dress Shelby had ever designed and it was certainly her best creation yet.
“Thank you, it’s very kind of you to say that. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am without your help.” Shelby wasn’t just trying to be modest. She knew too well that the fashion industry revolved around connections and friends. As a child of Mexican immigrants, she knew that it would be hard to make her way but things had certainly become easier since meeting Blake and Danica.
“Now stop that!” Danica turned and pointed her finger at Shelby. “You are a gifted and talented artist. I helped you because I believe in your work. I don’t want to hear any of this insecure nonsense, okay?”
Shelby smiled as she remembered why she and Danica got on so well; they were both women of passion that knew their own minds. “Sí, señorita, but if I see you move one more time I’m going to cut straight through your dream dress,” Shelby smirked cheekily as the pair giggled.
“Blake certainly wouldn’t waste his time promoting you if he didn’t believe in your talent too.” Danica faced forward again but carried on her rant of encouragement. “He has a good eye for spotting fresh talent and Jordan would really love you to collaborate for the brand.”
Shelby started to unfasten the back of the dress as she thought about Blake Ramsey. He was only a few years older than her but he had become a successful music producer and record label owner within a very short period of time. Sure, he had his wealth and contacts to help him but Blake had ventured out into an unknown industry and made his business from scratch without his brothers. He didn’t have the same air of entitlement that every other over-confident rich man had and if anything, he had tried to hide the fact that he was privately wealthy.
After only a few meetings, Shelby and Blake had become close friends attending the same events and offering each other encouragement when they could. He had never tried to be anything more than just friends but Shelby knew she wanted more from him than friendship. He was tall, dark-eyed with chocolate brown hair and a charm about him that attracted everyone. They had had moments together where she could sense the physical chemistry between them but she had never wanted to act on it out of fear that she would destroy her most cherished friendship.
“Blake has been very good to me. I never thought that I could have such a close friendship with a man but he is just so easy to get on with.” Shelby tossed her long raven hair away from her face as she helped Danica step out of the half-finished gown. She wasn’t as tall as Danica, just average height with a more curvaceous figure that was the perfect hourglass.
Danica reached for her blouse and jeans which she quickly slipped on as she pried for more information about Blake. “Yeah, it’s so nice to see how you two get on so well. The way you talk and giggle together would make anyone think that you were a couple.” Danica purposefully let her statement hang in the air to see if Shelby would have a reaction.
Without saying anything, Shelby picked up the wedding dress in her arm and walked over to hang it up. She knew exactly what Danica was hinting at as she had often thought the same thing but she didn’t know if she could reveal all her true desires to Danica. The pair had become good friends over the past few months but Shelby was concerned that Danica would tell Jordan and Jordan would inevitably tell his brother.
“I mean, you guys do spend a lot of time together. Has it never crossed your mind that there could be something more?” Danica knew that she was pushing the boundaries of their friendship but she couldn’t help herself as she was eager to see both Blake and Shelby happy together. Danica, Jordan, Blake, and Shelby had spent many nights together having meals as friends and it was obvious to anyone that saw them that there was a clear attraction between Blake and Shelby but, for some reason, neither one had ever taken any action. Having seen weeks of their shy flirting, Danica wanted to push Shelby to get some sort of answer out of her.
“Oh, it’s crossed my mind.” It was clear that Danica wasn’t going to stop until she got an answer from Shelby, so Shelby gave in and just hoped that she could trust Danica to be discreet. “Blake is probably one of the most desirable bachelors in New York now that you’ve taken Jordan off
the market.” Shelby looked at Danica cheekily as the pair stood to gaze at the delicate wedding dress. “He’s kind, generous, talented and extremely handsome. Believe me, I’m not blind. But he’s also my closest friend. He’s helped me with my career and we share the same value system, I know we make sense on paper but I don’t want to ruin our friendship by having a failed romance.”
Danica put her hand on Shelby’s shoulder. “But you don’t know that it would be failed. It could work out amazingly, like me and Jordan.” Danica looked at Shelby with optimistic eyes and the idea of another pompous Ramsey wedding immediately popped up in her head.
Shelby could see the hope within Danica and she didn’t want to disappoint her but she couldn’t let herself wish for the same thing. Life hadn’t been easy for Shelby, she had been raised in America but she had never been fully accepted by society and everything she had, she had to work extremely hard for. Nothing had been given to her on a plate and although deep down she wanted to believe in fairytales and that she could end up with prince charming, life had taught her not to dream too big. “I don’t think girls like me end up with handsome white billionaires. Blake should be with someone that understands his world that has a trust fund and a family house in the Hamptons. Not a Spanish speaking designer that gets mistaken for his cleaning lady.”