Daddy's Virgin Bride: A Fake Marriage Romance

by Juliet Woods

  I see Tyler fuming out of the corner of my eye.

  “Why are you even here, Jack?” Austin asks. “You told us you were staying in the Bay Area this week to get caught up on other projects.”

  “Santa Fe sounded good. The high elevation does wonders for my allergies, you know. It also gives me an opportunity to check in on my new partners,” Jack says, taking his drink from the waitress. “And look at the fascinating discovery I’ve made! I’d say it was well worth my time. I had no idea you gentlemen were so… avant-garde. My, how times change.”

  “So are you cutting our contract, or what?” Austin asks through gritted teeth.

  “That all depends on you,” Jack says, sipping his whiskey. “I know some publications that would be very interested in this photograph, and it could create quite the ripple in the local business sector.”

  “So you’re blackmailing us?” Tyler says.

  “Such a serious word,” Jack says. “It’s just another business arrangement. To keep this photo out of the papers and the internet, all I’m asking for is a night alone with Ms. Jenkins. It’s clear that she’s no ingénue. Come on, fellows, you know how to share, don’t you?”

  Disgust and humiliation flood through me, but before I know it, Tyler has lunged at Jack. Tyler pulls him to his feet in a flash, snaps his fist back, and slams it square into Jack’s face. He stumbles back, looking up at Tyler in terror.

  “You’ll never fucking touch her, you motherfucker!” Tyler rages at him.

  Austin leaps to his feet and holds Tyler back before he tries to lay into him some more. Everything is a blur.

  “Let it go, man, let it go,” Austin says. “This asshole isn’t worth it.”

  Tyler nods, taking a step back, and Austin lets go. They catch their breath and watch as Jack steadies himself.

  “All right, have it your way,” Jack says, straightening himself up and wiping blood from his nose. “You could have saved yourself a lot of trouble.”

  “Get the fuck out of here,” Austin scowls at him. “I should have known better than to ever do business with you in the first place.”

  Jack squares his shoulders, not wanting to lose any dignity. He gives me one more violating look up and down and says in a sneering tone, “See you around.” He walks away, disappearing into the crowd that’s formed around us full of people peering at the spectacle.

  I feel like our world is crashing in around us as we exchange worried looks at each other. I feel the tears well up in my eyes – from what exactly, I’m not sure. But somehow I fear that things will never be the same now.

  Tyler looks at me and pulls me into his arms. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he says. “I’m sorry I lost my temper like that, but I won’t have anyone disrespecting you.”

  I feel myself shaking in his arms.

  Austin gives me a hug, too, circling me with his arms on my back and stroking my hair. “I’m sorry, too. Let’s get out of here.”

  The crowd parts as we grab our things and go. I avoid making eye contact with anyone. The whole thing is so humiliating. But I don’t really even care about that right now – I’m just worried about what Jack is going to do with that damned picture. And most of all, I’m terrified of things changing between the three of us.

  Chapter 62

  Tyler

  After a restless night following the scene with Jack Brice, I’m lounging in the jet on the way home with Katie and Austin. We’re all cuddled up on the couch.

  We were relieved to find no evidence today of the damning photograph Brice took online or in the print publications. But that relief was only momentary – what if he’s just waiting to go public with it to torture us?

  “This is all my fault,” Austin says, his head hanging in his hands. “If only I hadn’t asked Katie to play the sexy secretary angle, Jack never would have gotten the idea that she’s some kind of sex kitten. I’m such a fucking idiot.”

  Katie reaches for him, trying to soothe him. “No, you’re definitely not an idiot, Austin Murphy. And hindsight is 20/20. We all agreed to your idea because it seemed like a good one at the time. We needed to have some kind of advantage in the initial meeting with Jack, and this was what we came up with. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

  “Besides, Katie walking around in a short skirt didn’t give that asshole permission to solicit her for sex,” I add. “What she wore has nothing to do with his violation of basic human decency.”

  “I totally agree,” Katie says. “He had no right to think I’d fucking sleep with him because I wore some revealing clothes. He was totally out of line, and that’s on him, not on any of us.”

  Austin nods his head, sighing. “Yeah, you’re right. And I suppose if he hadn’t pulled this stunt, it would have only been a matter of time before he did something else that made our lives miserable.”

  “Like demanding we lay off 10% of our staff,” I interject, “or making other unreasonable orders.”

  Austin groans. “I was just hoping he would be the answer to our problems. I guess we should have never looked him up in the first place.”

  “Yeah, I had a bad feeling about it from the start,” I say, shaking my head. “I was afraid it was going to end in disaster.”

  “I think from now on, you guys should make business decisions based on Tyler’s gut instinct,” Katie says, smiling. “He was spot-on.”

  “Yeah, maybe we should give that a try,” Austin chuckles. “The other approaches haven’t been working lately.”

  “So, wise one, what should we do about our next set of problems?” Katie asks, teasing lightly. “Let’s see: this deranged man has a compromising picture of the three of us that could further damage the company’s reputation, not to mention make things awkward for all of us, but especially me, at the office. And on top of that, said deranged man will probably withdraw the funds he invested in the company, which also damages its future.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty bad,” Austin says. “We could go bankrupt.”

  I take a deep breath, and rack my brain for ideas.

  “As far as the picture, I suppose he could have been bluffing. Maybe he doesn’t care about it so much that he wants to create a public relations nightmare for us.”

  “That would be nice,” Austin says. “But we can’t count on it. He seems like the vindictive, petty type.”

  “Well, in any case, there’s not much we can do about it. He’s either going to go public with it or not,” I say. “But what’s the worst that can happen?”

  “Public ridicule, which I can live with,” Austin says. “But after the software glitches, we don’t really need more negative attention right now.”

  “Yeah, we need to get our PR people working on this now,” Tyler says.

  “I already emailed Sheila last night,” Austin says. “She’s on it.”

  “Okay, that’s good. Maybe she can subdue some of the backlash a little,” I offer. “As far as awkwardness at the office, I guess we’ll have to play that by ear. I’d like to think we treat the staff so well they’d overlook a little indiscretion like this.”

  “Yeah, I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” Katie says. “But I’m worried about the fallout I’ll see since I’m the woman here. We always seem to get blamed in these sorts of situations.”

  “I’m not going to let that happen,” I tell her. “We’re all in this together.”

  “Okay,” Katie says, but doesn’t look convinced.

  “We’ll be by your side through this, Katie,” Austin says, giving Katie a hug. “We care about you so much and we’re not going to throw you out to the wolves.”

  She nods her head. “I’ll let you guys protect me. I’m just not really looking forward to facing everyone at the office if that picture gets out.”

  “We totally understand, but we’ll be there for you one hundred percent,” I assure her.

  “Absolutely,” Austin says.

  She gives a smile, but her face quickly falls. “Well, what
about the loss of the contract with Jack?”

  “Yeah, that’s a tough one,” Austin says, sighing. “I don’t know what we’re going to do without his funds. Jack Brice was our last-ditch effort. Got any brilliant ideas, Tyler?”

  “Not yet,” I say. “I’m just hoping something will come to us soon.”

  “It’ll take a miracle,” Austin says.

  I nod in agreement, but maybe a miracle isn’t so far-fetched. I didn’t put much stock in miracles until Katie came along. But lately, almost anything seems possible.

  Chapter 63

  Austin

  Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes Monday morning, I stare in disbelief at my phone. Furiously checking every relevant website I can think of, there’s no evidence of the photograph Jack took online.

  Has he changed his mind about the whole thing? Realized what a horrible asshole he’s been and wants to make it up to us? I want so badly to believe that, but my body is tense with worry.

  I send Katie and Tyler a group text.

  Austin: I don’t see anything online. You?

  Katie: Nothing! Thank God!!

  Tyler: Not a thing. Could we really be off the hook?

  Austin: Sure hope so. But we’ll have to wait and see.

  I drive to work, a little too fast and much too distracted. Walking in and passing Jessica and a few other people on the way to my office just before 8 am, nothing seems out of the ordinary. My heart’s beating out of my chest though. I’m totally on edge, but it seems like any other Monday.

  Katie and Tyler each stop by my office as they arrive one at a time, and so far we’re all clear. Could Jack really have done the right thing?

  At 8:20, after some nervous clicking around the internet, I decide to try to push my fears out of my mind and get some work done. I need to work on the plans for the next software release. So much to do without worrying about an incriminating photograph.

  A little after 9, I hear something outside my office door. An urgent voice.

  My heart jumps into my throat.

  Then there’s silence for a long moment. Then some other voices. They sound confused, on edge. My finger is poised over my mouse. Every part of me knows what’s happened, and a sinking feeling washes over me. I don’t want to see it. I just want this to have never happened, to turn back the clock to the day I called Jack Brice. I should have done anything else but call him.

  I click on the biggest local tech website.

  The words on the screen are big and accusatory.

  TECH TYCOONS CAUGHT WITH ASSISTANT

  And underneath the words are the picture Jack took of the three of us.

  You motherfucker, I think. Why’d you have to go and do this to us?

  It’s all over the tech websites, the local gossip sites, and the Northern California business sites.

  Nine-thirty am, and already it seems all the San Francisco tech world knows all about my love life. The picture Jack Brice took is all over the internet.

  Meanwhile, my phone is beeping constantly, flashing text messages, social media alerts, and voicemail.

  Along with the picture is a lot of outrage at the “loose morals” of the management at Tyaus Technology, speculation as to the nature of our relationship with Katie, and questions raised about the future of our company. There are some commenters defending our right to privacy, and already people are dividing up into camps based on whose side they agree with.

  Shaking my head to break my trance, I bring myself back to the present moment.

  Katie. I have to see Katie now.

  I burst out of my office, the doors flinging open wildly. Everyone looks up at me. Some look angry, some are laughing, many seem confused. No one says a word to me.

  I head straight to Katie’s desk and she’s not there. I feel panic rising up in my throat.

  Tyler’s just steps ahead of me, talking to Bill.

  “Where’s Katie?” I hear Tyler ask frantically.

  “She just left,” Bill says. “Jessica was saying something to her. I don’t know what she said, but it looked like it upset Katie pretty bad, and she just grabbed her purse and flew out of here.”

  “Did she say where she was going?” I ask, out of breath.

  “Not a word, Austin,” Bill says. “Hey, are you guys going to tell us what’s going on? What happened with Mr. Brice and ---”

  I don’t hear the rest because I’m already out the door. I’ve gotta find Katie.

  Chapter 64

  Katie

  I don’t know where I’m going. But I have to get out of there. I can’t face them. Not Austin, not Tyler, not anyone in that office.

  I thought I had prepared myself for this, I thought I would be able to handle it. But when I saw the photo and blurb on SF Tech News Daily, everything just came crashing down. I felt physically ill.

  Then Jessica came over to my desk, spewing hate.

  “I knew you were fucking them,” she hissed at me. “I knew you were a fucking whore. And now look what you’ve done – you’ve ruined everything. The contract with Jack Brice is as good as gone, and so are all our jobs. It’s all your fault the company will fail.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, couldn’t believe she was saying those things to me.

  But maybe she’s right about it being my fault the company will fail. None of this would have happened if I had never entered their lives.

  They’d still have the Brice contract, and their reputation wouldn’t be ruined.

  Actually, they probably never would have had the software glitches if Austin and Tyler hadn’t been so distracted with me the past few weeks.

  Jessica’s right. I ruined it all.

  I’m shaking. I feel a panic attack coming on as I get into the subway, but I try to hold it off by closing my eyes and counting my breaths.

  It’s going to be all right, I tell myself. I can’t go back to that office, and I can’t see Austin and Tyler anymore. But it’s going to be all right.

  I take the train out to the suburbs, to some neighborhood I’ve never been before. I walk a couple blocks, buy a soda at a corner store, hoping the sugar will help me to calm down. I spot a patch of green at the end of the street – yes! A park.

  I kick off my shoes and stand on the grass, feeling a bit calmer with the ground beneath my feet.

  Looking at my phone, I see multiple texts from Austin, Tyler, and Michelle. Everyone’s worried about me, but I can’t talk to the guys right now. I need Michelle.

  “Hey, kiddo, how are you doing?” she answers the phone in a sympathetic voice. “I’ve been worried about you.”

  “Not good, Michelle. I panicked and bolted. Now I’m out in the boonies, hiding out in some city park.”

  “Who are you hiding from?”

  “Austin and Tyler. I – I don’t think I can see them anymore.” My voice cracks as I say the words that bring me so much pain.

  “What? Why the hell not? You need them now more than ever,” she says.

  “I ruined their lives, Michelle!” I can’t hold back the tears now, and I sob into the phone.

  “Sweetie, take a deep breath,” she says calmly. “Let’s just back up. That photo is not the end of the world, believe me. You know how these things blow over. It’ll be all anyone can talk about for three days until the next big thing comes along.”

  “Maybe, but the damage has already been done. The company is in ruins, and now I’m the Jezebel who brought them all down.”

  “Don’t buy into this blame-the-woman mentality. It’s total bullshit, and you know it. You’ve just gotta let those comments slide off your back.”

  “I’m trying,” I say quietly. “Still, though, the contract is gone.”

  “Look, Austin and Tyler are smart guys. They’ll figure out something to keep the company out of bankruptcy. They’ve been around a few years. I know it can be patched up,” Michelle assures me.

  “I don’t know,” I say. “They seemed pretty damned worried about it. I’m afraid this
might be the end for them.”

  “OK, even if this picture kills the company, and I one hundred percent don’t think it will, but even if it does, why is that your fault? They looked like they were just as consenting as you.”

  “Yeah, they definitely were, but I just feel like I distracted them and caused them to make choices they wouldn’t otherwise.”

  “Austin and Tyler think much more of you than merely a distraction. Those guys have fallen hard for you, Katie. I don’t think they regret one second with you.”

  I don’t say anything, too afraid to try to believe in what she’s saying.

  “Sweetie, you’re being so hard on yourself right now. You always are. It’s been great seeing you with them, because you’ve finally cut yourself a break and had some fun with them. You don’t have to always take the blame for everyone. Let someone else take care of you for a change,” she says.

  If only I could do that, I think.

  “Well, I’ll think about it,” I say, wanting to placate her. “Thanks for talking to me.”

  “Where are you? I’ll go get you.”

  “No, no, I don’t want you to miss work for my little dramatic outburst. I’ll be okay, I promise. I’ll take the subway back in a bit,” I try to sound casual.

  “Do you promise me you’re okay?”

  “I promise.”

  “And you’ll call or text when you’re home?”

  “The second I walk through the door,” I laugh.

  We say goodbye and I turn my phone off. I’m no longer in the mood to talk. Michelle doesn’t understand. No one understands.

  I think about Michelle’s words: Let someone else take care of you for a change. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes. That’s what I’ve always wanted. I want to be taken care of.

  First my dad left at age 10, leaving me and my mom alone. She worked so hard to provide for me, but paying the bills meant working all the time, and I was home alone a lot, taking care of myself. Then she got sick my senior year, and so I suddenly had to take care of her, too. I turned down the universities that had accepted me, and started working and paying the bills that were now my responsibility.