Page 38 of Size King

“Everyone, please,” I say with my hand raised. “I’ll answer some of your questions in a moment, but I did not come to entertain you. I called this press conference to tell the whole world about my relationship with Kate Harly. I need to be completely and totally honest for the first time in a long time.”

I look over to Kate, seeing that beautiful smile forming on her face again. Her kind eyes tell me everything I need to know about moving forward. Whatever comes of it, I’m willing to risk it and face the consequences. I have to believe she will understand.

“Kate and I, we’ve been seeing each other for a few months now.”

“Why haven’t we seen her before now?” a reporter asks.

Kate leans in to a microphone. “I prefer to keep a low profile.”

“Everyone, like I said,” I repeat in annoyance, “I will get to questions when I am through. If anyone interrupts me again, this press conference is over.”

While the crowd’s voices go silent, their phones and cameras do not.

I clear my throat and carry on. “Last year, Kate interviewed for the very job that I gave to Sarah Blackburn. I didn’t hire Kate, because… I wanted to date her.”

Kate smiles wider at me, blushing. To my surprise, a couple of people in the audience seem to chuckle.

“I know how ironic it may seem, me sayingthatafter the footage that is leaked to the press,” I continue. “I typically don’t date or sleep with my female employees. What’s happening in my life—and in Kate’s—right now is exactlywhyI don’t typically do either of those things.

“In a brief moment of stupidity, I gave myself to a horrible woman who wanted to use me like she’s used so many other men. Now, I’m paying the price of sleeping with an insane woman. But then, as I dealt with this scandal, I turned to this woman beside me.”

I take Kate’s hand in mine, squeezing it tight.

“It may be inappropriate to some, but it’s not against my values to work with someone I love,” I say. “People in love have sex. They don’t always have it broadcast to millions of people, but it happens. Trust me.”

More laughter breaks out in the crowd.

“And after being with Kate for only a few months, I knew how I felt and I knew what I wanted… so, I proposed to her.”

Everyone erupts. People are asking questions all at once. I look over to Kate, and I’m thrilled to see that she isn’t wearing a dumbfounded expression or even a shocked one. She is visibly puzzled about my new lie for a brief moment but quickly composes herself without saying a word.

She smiles at me, still holding onto my hand. I take this as my sign that she will go along with my new cover-up tale.

Many of the reporters call her name, trying to get her attention.

“It’s true,” Kate tells the press. “We’re engaged.”

While photos are being taken, Kate and I are each constructing realities that encompass the lies.

“What is your history with physical abuse towards women, Mr. Marx?” someone else asks.

“He’s never hurt a woman in his life,” Kate says for me. “He’s never abused me, he didn’t harass Sarah Blackburn, and none of what she says is true.”

“When did you propose?” someone asks me.

“Just recently,” I reply. “We had dinner at my house, danced to our favorite songs, it was wonderful. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to get carried away.”

“What is your response to the scandal you two are involved in?” someone else asks.

“There is no scandal,” I respond. “Kate is my fiancée. I’m in love with her. That security footage only proves that Kate and I can’t stay away from each other. There are no boundaries with us, and frankly, I mean, I don’t want to speak for her, but we’re pretty crazy about each other.”

“He’s the greatest man I’ve ever known,” Kate says with sincerity, rubbing my arm affectionately. “And wearecrazy about each other. If you thought what you saw on that security footage was bad…”

We give each other a knowing, sensuous look. This prompts whistles, hoots and hollering from the crowd.

“The sex tape is bad, don’t get me wrong,” I say. “It looks horribly unprofessional, especially considering it is right here where I work. I don’t want anyone working for me to feel like they’re working in an uncomfortable work environment or one that encourages sex in the workplace.”

“To be fair, it was after hours,” Kate adds.