Ming's world as she knows it, capsides after one drunken confession on the rooftop is caught on live video. The video spreads on Instagram and by Monday morning, everyone at work knows that she has been in love with Gary for the last three years. Gary is her best friend/ co-worker, who also happens to be her sister's boyfriend. Mortified of what everyone would think, especially her sister, Mae, she pretends to be in a romantic relationship with no other than her boss, Wayne Keller. Ming catches Wayne off guard with a dramatic and very public kiss and leaves no room for him to refuse her. Wayne is a robot in human form and even though Ming hates his guts, she weaves her way into his billionaire lifestyle and spins a lie so deep she almost has everyone fooled. What happens when the lines blur in? What happens when neither of them can tell where the lie ends and the truth begins?
Chapter 1 The Confession
"You don't have to do this, Jenna," I enunciated every word slowly, my hands splayed out in front of me. My Shirley Temple lays forgotten on the rooftop railing. I am much too concerned about doing everything I can to make sure Jenna doesn't jump off the ledge she is currently dangling from.
Seriously, how did this night take on such a dark turn? Half an hour ago, I was doing shots with Gary at the bar and dancing my ass off to Kendrick Lamar. I had escaped out of here to catch my breath, only to come face to face with suicide's mistress.
I know Jenna from marketing. She is a year ahead of me. We did a marketing project together a couple of years ago. I remember how she had owned and dominated that project. Our supervisor had been very impressed with our pitch, going on to treat us to a fancy dinner that night.
Where is that woman now? What happened to her ending up here tonight?
"You don't have to jump, okay? Whatever it is, we can talk about it. You can tell me about what happened. We'll figure it out together."
I feel like I am talking to a toddler. It makes me tense and jittery. Jenna shakes her head miserably. Her eyes are stained with so much mascara, that she could easily pass for a raccoon.
"I don't want to live anymore, not when he is getting married to her."
"Who?"
"Nate. From media. We've been dating for over two years now. I was expecting a proposal, but guess what? He broke up with me two weeks ago. He'd been dating some hotshot lawyer the whole time we were together. He asked her to marry him tonight. I saw it on Instagram.
"Oh wow."
Jenna sniffs. Do you know the worst part? He called to ask for my blessing. He wants me to be happy for him.
"What a douche."
"A lucky douche, who bagged a lawyer with a cushy trust-fund, while I'm here, dangling from a ledge, about to end my own life."
"If you do this, Jenna, you will be letting him win."
"But what else can I do?"
"You can decide to step down from the ledge and vow to live your very best life starting from tonight."
"It's not as easy as it sounds."
Jenna looks so sad, and I feel sorry for her. It is the only reason why I decided to be vulnerable as well. Why did I decide to spill my deepest, darkest secret to her? Thank heavens we are the only two people out on the roof.
Sighing, I leaned against the railing and retrieved my drink. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I have been in love with my sister's boyfriend for the past three years. Well, technically, he was my boyfriend first. I met him six years ago when I started at the company. We hit it off immediately. Quickly became best friends. He never saw me as anything more than that. But I knew it was going to happen someday. I was so sure of it. Until he met my sister."
Jenna stares at me for the longest time, and then, she scoffs. "No offense Ming, but I would also go for your sister if I was a guy. I've seen photos of her on your IG. She's a total goddess."
I snorted at that. "Whatever."
Jenna's smile and something about that smile warms my heart and makes me feel like I am walking on fluffy clouds.
"Don't die tonight?" I pleaded.
"Listen, Ming, I know you are just trying to help, but if I don't jump, I'm still going to wake up tomorrow with this awful pain in my chest."
I nodded. "I understand that you are hurting right now, but trust me, you are going to get over Nate 'what's his face.' It's all going to get better. One day at a time. Just, please don't give up. Huh, Jenna?"
"Okay, fine. I won't," she promised. Then, she gives me her hand and lets me help her get off the ledge.
"Thank you," I said, helping her gain balance on her feet.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Jenna hiccups. "That's what I get from downing a dozen shots of tequila tonight." She zigzags to the railing and spews her guts.
It was pretty disgusting, but I helped to hold her hair away from her face.
"Hey, let it all out. That's it." I soothed her, rubbing her back in gentle circles. "Want to hear something funny?"
"What?" Jenna asks, wiping her lips with the hem of her dress.
"The last time I was drunk, I told Gary that I loved him. Guess what he said."
"I have a feeling you are going to tell me anyway, Ming."
"It'll pass. That's what he said. Of course, he didn't think I meant a word of it. I threw up on his favorite leather jacket two seconds later."
"No, you didn't," Jenna scoffs, her lips quirking upwards for the briefest of seconds.
I smile. "I'm an idiot. But you know who's a bigger idiot?"
"Who?"
"Nate. He's gonna regret breaking up with you. You'll see."
Jenna winces at the mention of Nate. "I don't want to hang around, waiting for that to happen."
"Of course not."
"Tonight has been quite a lot, Ming. I think I'm just going to head home and go on right to bed."
I couldn't agree more. "I'll book you a cab."
The roof door bursts open, and I watch as Gary comes running towards us.
"Hey Ming, are you okay?" he asks, halting in front of me. "Someone said they saw a woman dangling from this rooftop and I suddenly remembered how you wanted to come up here for some air."
"I'm fine Gar. I was just about to call a cab for Jenna here. She's in marketing. Jenna, this is Gareth James. He's my best friend."
"Nice to meet you, Jenna."
"Hi, Gary." Jenna offers him a smile and turns to me. "I should get going. It was nice talking to you."
"You can hitch a ride with us, Jenna. I'm taking Ming home anyway," Gary offers.
"Oh, I don't want to be a bother," Jenna brushes off his offer, already walking towards the door.
"I already called a taxi. It'll be here soon." I ran to catch up with her. "How about I walk you outside the building?"
"That would be nice. Thank you." Jenna looks grateful.
Gary coughs. "Right. Well, I had better go say goodbye to the guys. Ming, I'll meet you out front at five."
"Yeah, sure."
***
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