31. Keaton

By the timeI come out of the boardroom, I feel like a new man.

Now, if only Milo accepts my offer, I can also go back to being the happiest man alive. But I can't worry about that right now. Gracie said she'd take care of it straight away, and I'm sure she's doing her best. If I think about it too much, I'll call her back and pull the plug, so instead, I choose to focus on the next item on my crisis-management list.

It needs to be done just as much as what happened in the board meeting.

"Are you ready?" Jessica asks from behind the phone.

She's put it on a tripod so it's steady, and we also have extra lighting so the video looks professional and serious.

I don't usually put in all this effort when I go live, but this is different. This is all about saving Milo's reputation.

And coming clean.

"As I'll ever be," I answer and watch her as she presses a button on the phone.

I've gotten extra comfortable on camera in the past half-year, but as soon as the timer starts beeping, my stomach takes a tumble.

Telling the truth is harder than faking it, isn't it? Although, I don't think that's entirely it. With all my previous social media content, I controlled the narrative. It wasn't just about lying to save the company. Everything I shared was up to me. But this…this forces my hand in a way.

Jessica gives me a thumbs-up, and I take a deep breath.

Right.

Show's on.

"Hey, everyone. I'm guessing the majority of you have seen the news, and if not, I'm sure you will soon enough. Spotlight has done a great job on their smear campaign after all."

I pause.

"No. You know what? I'm not going to stoop to their level. They were simply doing their job. I can't fault them for that. I guess I also was."

I'm glad I can't see the comments. I don't think I could handle the hate I'm sure is pouring in.

"The-there really is no way to avoid it. I could spin the truth, but you know what? Lying has already cost me something fierce, so I'd rather tell you the truth. Maybe-maybe doing so…

"Anyway. The truth. Yes, it's true. Milo is someone I hired to be my fake boyfriend. We both knew that going in. It was a business arrangement. Or at least…that's how it started. It quickly became something more."

No. I'm not going to overshare. I'm not going to tell them just how real all those topless pictures in bed were or what happened before and after posting. They don't deserve to know that much. They already know enough.

"You…you may be wondering why on earth a man like me would need to fake a relationship, and that's a fair question." So I answer it for them.

I tell them about my pet project, about going public, about the board, about shares, about Cinderfella being taken from me. There's no point hiding it. It's all over. All the stress. All the agony.

"You might think it's preposterous, stupid, or just unbelievable that I'd care that deeply about my app to go to all that trouble. You know what? You're probably right. I do have an unhealthy attachment to Cinderfella. That's because I built it with my own hands. I put in all the work. All the hours. The stress. All the endless nights. It's probably…no, not probably. It's the only thing that's been mine and mine alone. Something I didn't buy or have handed down to me. I recognize how privileged I am, but that comes with a downside, at least for me.

"It makes me feel like a fake. Sometimes. And you know what, maybe I am. I know I definitely don't deserve all that's been given to me and the privilege that comes with it. But that's probably a conversation for another day.

"Anyway, back to Cinderfella. Like I said, I built it. In a way, it's my baby. And I hated the idea of it being taken from me. It's more than just an app for me.

"When I coded this app, I wanted it to be about fulfilling your dreams, finding your Prince Charming, getting your forever after, but you know what? I was just as stupid as my investors. Because I could never, would never, should never control what the app is to people.

"I want Cinderfella to be whatever you need it to be. If your Prince Charming is for one night, then so be it. If your Prince Charming isn't even a prince? Go for it. If you're not looking for a Prince or a Charming, that's great too. If you're looking for more than one Charmings. Whatever you want it to be, this app is for you. I was disillusioned to think I could control it. And it took me a long time to realize that, but I finally did. And I'll make sure to implement more changes to support existing and new users.

"That's why I'm taking it back. That's right. I'm taking the company back. I'm taking it off the stock market and back into my hands. I've already made an offer to the board they can't refuse. It's just a matter of time before my baby is back in my arms, and I won't ever have to worry about it getting snatched again. I don't know why I didn't think to do that before.

"Maybe all the pressure to make it work in the stock market? The pressure from my circle to make it work and not let people think of the app as a failure? Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. It doesn't change what I've done.

"I don't know why my first thought was to fake this relationship. Although it was anything but fake for me. At least the private stuff. The stuff we didn't share. And you know what? After the first few days, the social media content wasn't fake either. Yeah, we put thought behind it, but the emotions, the sentiment, the excitement? It was all real for me."

I take a moment and look away. I can only imagine what's happening in the comment section. A part of me wants Jessica to read them to me. But a bigger part of me is thinking about him. Is he watching? Did he get my offer? Does he feel the same about me?

"So, if my foolish actions hurt you, I want to apologize. I'm sorry. I was an idiot, and I hope you can forgive me. And while our story may not have been real, seeing your stories, reading how you met your partners, watching your video montages…have been my lifeline, and not only because it put Cinderfella back in the limelight. I loved seeing the love you share with your partners. I loved my comments being flooded with uninhibited, uncensored queer love. We need more of that. And that's something I want to showcase more going forward. So please don't let my story take away from yours.

"Oh, and, Milo…" I look right at the lens as if I'm looking him right in the eyes. "If you're watching, I want you to know without a shadow of a doubt that…I-I love you."

I nod at Jessica, and she ends the livestream. I slump onto my sofa and rub my eyes, pushing any emerging tears back.

There. Now, all the mess is dealt with. Now, the media has a full picture of the story, and everyone can decide who to believe and whether they can forgive, but the one I care most about forgiving me is Milo.

I hope this live is enough to save Milo from the publicity nightmare. If it's not, I'll think of something else. I'll throw money at it. I'll throw my body at it if needed. I'd rather they all come for me than him. I'll be his shield. I'll be his doormat. I'll be anything I can to protect him.

"That was good," Jessica says as my phone pings and she looks at it. A smile draws on her lips. "I think you'll want to take this."

She passes me the phone, and with morbid curiosity and just a little bit of hope, I grab it and look at the most recent notification.

Cinderfella: New Message from @Fisheye25. Slide to open.

I nearly break my finger by how fast I open the app and the message.

@Fisheye25: Kit, you there?

@Fisheye25: I just got the craziest job offer I've ever received.

@Fisheye25: Someone wants to date me forever.

I bite my lip. I want to believe he's being playful, but what if he's pissed? What if he's livid?

There's only one way to find out if he's being friendly or not.

@Kuddlebear: That doesn't sound crazy to me. At all.

@Fisheye25: But it so is.

@Fisheye25: Who in their right mind would want to date me forever? And require daily cuddles, kisses, and loving from me?

@Kuddlebear: I would. I'd want to do all that and more with you.

@Fisheye25: You would?

Maybe he doesn't know I've just admitted the truth about my feelings to the whole world. Maybe he's messaging me just because he got my offer.

@Kuddlebear: I would give up everything for you.

@Fisheye25: Awww, Kit! You sap.

@Kuddlebear: Just the truth.

@Kuddlebear: And nothing but the truth.

@Fisheye25: Ok.

@Fisheye25: I'll take it.

@Fisheye25: You.

@Fisheye25: I mean, I'll take you.

My heart skips a beat, yet I'm still not sure if I'm misinterpreting. It's been a long day. It's not my fault I'm slow to the draw.

@Kuddlebear: You will?

@Fisheye25: YES!

@Fisheye25: Get here pronto!

@Kuddlebear: If only I could teleport.

@Kuddlebear: I'll be there ASAP.

@Fisheye25: Good.

@Fisheye25: Oh, and Kit Kat?

@Kuddlebear: What?

@Fisheye25: I love you too.