I paced the length of my penthouse living room, my Italian leather shoes clicking on the marble floor. The boom echoed across the space, matching the beating of my heart. Mia sat on the white leather couch, her eyes tracking my movement.
"Dylan, you need to calm down," she continued, her voice steady. "We knew this was coming."
I stopped and ran a hand through my hair. "I know, I know. But I didn't anticipate it would happen so rapidly. How could they even find out?"
Mia shrugged, her emerald dress gleaming with the movement. "It's New York. News travels fast, especially when it involves the city's most eligible bachelor suddenly being engaged."
I couldn't argue with that. It had been less than 24 hours since Mia had consented to our arrangement, and already my phone was blowing up with calls from reporters and paparazzi camping outside my building.
"We need a plan," I remarked, resuming my pacing. "What are we going to tell them?"
Mia stood up, smoothing down her clothing. "The truth, of course. Well, most of it anyhow."
I raised an eyebrow. "And what version of the truth do you suggest?"
She moved closer to me, her shoes clicking quietly. "We tell them, we've known each other for years, that we reconnected recently, and realized our sentiments stretched further than friendship. It's not wholly a falsehood."
I felt a pain in my chest at her words. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. I put the feeling aside.
"Okay, it could work. But what about the timing? They're going to question about the inheritance."
Mia's green eyes met mine, a challenge in them. "So let them ask. We'll say it's a private family concern and leave it at that. The more we try to hide, the more suspicious they'll grow."
I nodded, praising her quick thinking. "You're right. We need to address this head-on."
Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Jake, Mia's brother and my best buddy. I responded, placing it on speaker.
"Dylan, have you seen the news?" Jake's voice was tight.
"Hard to miss it when there's a small army of reporters outside my building," I remarked dryly.
"It's not just that. Turn on Channel 4, now."
I grabbed the remote and flipped on the enormous TV hung on the wall. A breaking news banner flew across the screen, and my stomach fell as I read the headline: "Blackwood Heir's Sudden Engagement: Love or Money?"
The anchor, a sharp-faced woman with neatly coiffed hair, was mid-sentence: "...sources close to the Blackwood family believe that this engagement may be tied to provisions in the late Richard Blackwood's will. We now go live to our reporter outside Blackwood Tower."
The image moved to a young man standing in front of my company's offices, surrounded by a sea of microphones and cameras.
"Thank you, Sandra. The business world was shaken today by the news of Dylan Blackwood's engagement to Mia Collins, sister of his long-time buddy Jake Collins. While officials for Mr. Blackwood has yet to respond, and suspicions are circling concerning the timing of this engagement. Anonymous sources within Blackwood Enterprises indicate about a condition in Richard Blackwood's will that demands his son to marry before his 30th birthday or risk losing his money."
I muted the TV, my hand shaking slightly. Mia's face had gone pale.
"How did they find out?" she muttered.
I shook my head, my mind whirling. "I don't know. Only a handful of people knew of the will's conditions. Someone must have leaked it."
Jake's voice came through the phone, keen with concern. "You two need to get ahead of this. If you don't make a comment soon, the speculation is going to become out of control."
I stared at Mia, seeing my own fear reflected in her eyes. "He's right. We need to face the press."
She nodded, squaring her shoulders. "I'm ready when you are."
I took a long breath, steeling myself. "Alright, let's do this. Jake, can you schedule a press conference at Blackwood Tower in an hour?"
"Consider it done," Jake said. "And Dylan? Good luck."
The phone ended, leaving Mia and me in tense stillness. I stepped over to the window, staring down at the swarm of reporters below. They looked like ants from up here, but I knew their sting could be far more painful.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked Mia, not turning around. "It's not too late to back out. I wouldn't blame you if you did."
I felt her touch on my shoulder, warm and reassuring. "I'm not going anywhere, Dylan. We're in this together, remember?"
I turned to face her, impressed by the conviction in her gaze. For a moment, I forgot about the reporters, the will, everything. It was just Mia and me, confronting the world together. The concept both excited and worried me.
"Thank you," I responded softly.
She smiled, a blend of warmth and mischief. "Don't thank me yet. We still have to confront the wolves downstairs."
An hour later, we stood behind the curtain in the Blackwood Tower meeting room. The murmur of journalists, on the other hand, sounded like a swarm of angry bees. My palms were sweating, and I fought the impulse to untie my tie.
Mia squeezed my hand. "Ready?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice. We went out from behind the curtain, and instantly, the crowd exploded in a whirlwind of camera flashes and shouted questions. I lifted my hands, pleading for silence.
"Good afternoon," I began, my voice firm despite my fears. "I'm sure you all have many questions concerning the recent announcement of my engagement to Mia Collins. We're here to address those inquiries and put any rumors to rest."
I glanced at Mia, who nodded encouragingly. "Mia and I have known one other for many years. Recently, we reconnected and learned that our feelings for each other had moved beyond friendship. We're excited about starting this new chapter of our lives together."
The room surged with questions again. I pointed to a reporter in the front row.
"Mr. Blackwood, is it true that your engagement is tied to conditions in your father's will?"
I felt Mia tighten next me. This was the moment of truth. I opened my mouth to respond, sticking to our agreed-upon answer regarding private family affairs.
But before I could speak, a voice boomed out from the back of the room.
"I can answer that question."
The throng parted, and my blood ran cold as I recognized the guy marching towards the stage.
It was Vanessa, my ex-girlfriend. The one I'd broken up with just weeks before my father died. The one who had threatened to "make me pay" for terminating things.
She reached the front of the room, her crimson lips twisted in a predatory smile. "I think it's time everyone knew the truth about Dylan Blackwood and his convenient little engagement."
I froze, my well planned words disappearing. Beside me, Mia's grip on my hand tightened cruelly. As Vanessa opened her mouth to speak again, I realized with sickening clarity that our carefully built strategy was going to come crumbling down around us.