Is this destiny?

Martha's mind was shifting between sliver of hope that he will announce that she is his girlfriend and a huge abyss which was scenario where she will be exposed as fake. He instinct told her that she needs to leave this place. Now.

Bridgette watched from the side how Martha is drifting into the state of panic, and texted Sarah.

[Bridgette]: "You were right. She is definitely panicking when she heard that CEO will meet his girlfriend at five."

[Sarah]: "Make sure she does not leave office before that."

[Bridgette]: "I will do my best."

It is an open office concept, with low walls between work areas, so Bridgette could clearly see that Martha is standing up and getting her purse. Bridgette rushed to her. "Martha, dear... "

"Do I know you?" Martha looked at Bridgette who was approaching her with huge smile.

"Maybe not... but everyone here knows who you are! Right?" Bridgette looked at women who were sitting in the area, and talked loudly, so that everyone can hear. "I want to tell you that it's great that CEO wants to announce your relationship. I know you want to keep it a secret for his sake, but there is no need for keeping a secret, if he takes the initiative to tell the world who his woman is today at five o'clock in main hallway." Bridgette glanced at the purse in Martha's hand. "Oh, are you trying to leave early in order to save CEO the trouble? How can you do that to the man who wants to show his honest intentions?"

Women around Martha stood up and supported Bridgette.

"Yes, yes... you can't leave."

"Are you going to break his heart? Now suddenly I feel sorry for the man... maybe I will comfort him when you leave... hehehe..."

"Really? I didn't know that... I want to see this."

"Nooo... I look forward to public display of affection at five."

"Display of affection? Are we talking about hugs and kisses? Ahhh!"

"You can't leave, Martha... for our sake... and for the CEO's sake!"

Martha felt defeated and sat back into her chair. She had two options. One is to admit that everything is a lie, and second is to let this unfold wherever it's going. From her point of view, admitting this as a lie is a horrible idea. All these women will ridicule her. And if she goes with the flow and does not admit that she is lying, who knows how it might end. Maybe CEO takes pity on her and he embraces her at the end? Martha's brain refused to accept that she is so deep in her lies that she can't escape without any consequences. She still hopes to find an opening and leave office before five o'clock. However, for the rest of the workday, Martha could not find a single second without being accompanied by women who craved to see her, and CEO embrace each other publicly at five o'clock. They followed her even to the restroom, chatting enthusiastically and guessing what romantic scene they will get to witness later that afternoon.

…

JoAnna got ready and left the penthouse with her four bodyguards.

Bob1 and Bob2 were in the car with JoAnna. Bob1 was driving, and JoAnna was in the back. Max and Ross followed them in the car behind.

They headed to an upscale mall where JoAnna went first to the clothing store. Max and Ross entered the store to check for safety while Bob1 and Bob2 stayed with JoAnna at the entrance. Few minutes later, Max exited saying that the store is safe. Bob1 and Max stayed at the entrance and Bob2 entered with JoAnna. Bodyguards at the entrance didn't let any new customers enter the store while JoAnna was there. JoAnna felt like a celebrity for a second, and then she felt sorry for those people who got denied entry, as well as for clerks in the store who were losing business. She hurried her shopping. After she made her picks, she headed to the shoe store. Same routine: two bodyguards checked the store while two stayed with her. While she shopped, new customers were not allowed entry into the shoe store. Her last stop was a styling studio. There bodyguards checked the salon but didn't disrupt the business. JoAnna got a private room, and they stayed in front of that room while she got her hair and makeup done.

About an hour later, JoAnna looked at herself in the mirror and she was happy.

"Simple, but extremely efficient!" Stylist exclaimed with eyes open wide.

JoAnna wore a body-hugging white shirt, tucked into a tight black skirt which ended above her knees. Wide golden belt accentuated her waist. High heels made her legs look extra-long and alluring. Simple make up didn't hide her perfect skin and features, but only slightly highlighted her full lips and bright blue eyes. Her hair was wavy and pulled tightly into a ponytail. As she moved her head, hair in the ponytail was bouncing, making her look very youthful.

JoAnna was happy with the final outcome and smiled, revealing two rows of white teeth. Hair stylist and makeup artist were dazzled and were only able to make 'Oh' and 'Ah' sounds.

JoAnna took a picture of herself in the mirror and sent it to a group chat for Hill sisters with a caption. "Ready to go and claim my man."

Sarah returned an emoji: thumbs up.

[Sophia]: "You look super sharp! What is the reason to claim something that is yours already? Did something happen?"

[Sarah]: "There is a silly woman claiming that Jeff is her boyfriend."

[Sophia]: "Silly indeed... Go get him, Anna!"

When JoAnna got out of the VIP room, even the bodyguards who had an extensive training in keeping calm, needed few seconds to compose themselves. Then they glanced few times at her to make sure that is the same person who got inside VIP room an hour ago. JoAnna was pretty and attractive usually, but this outfit and style gave her polish which boosted her confidence. All that together increased her attractiveness several folds. No one can resist gazing at a beautiful and confident woman.

"OK. Boys..." JoAnna said to the bodyguards with a bewitching smile.. "Now we go to White corp."