CALI

I placed my hands on my chest as I stepped out. I looked around but didn't see any of the girls again-most of them had already been dismissed by him. I left the building and took a cab home, disgusted by what I thought was meant to be a celebration, and I let out a bitter laugh.

BRYAN

No girl had ever resisted my offer before, but this one clearly did. Not only that-she yelled at me. At me. Who dares do that? Yet she did.

The funniest part was that I still gave her the job. That was exactly what I wanted. I didn't need a secretary who would drool over me or try to seduce me.

She's perfect for the position. The look on her face when I asked for sex showed she was decent. Still, I needed to rest. I thought as I placed a call to Catherine, my PA.

CALI

I got home and shut the door behind me, dropping my bag by the couch. I immediately noticed the house was empty-Edward wasn't home yet. Worry crept in.

Just as I was about to sit down, the doorbell rang.

I rushed to the door, already preparing to reprimand Edward for staying this long at the hospital. I opened it, ready to talk, but froze when I saw the house owner standing there. I sighed and rubbed my forehead in frustration.

"Good afternoon, sir," I greeted, bowing slightly as I let him in.

"There is nothing good about this afternoon, Cali," he said coldly as he walked in.

"Your rent is due, and you know that."

His harsh tone made me flinch. He suddenly started walking toward me, forcing me backward until my back hit the wall.

"What?!" I yelled.

He reached out and touched my hair. I slapped his hand away.

"You know you could pay with your body," he said suggestively, staring at me in a way that made my skin crawl.

"Are you mad?!" I shouted. "I just got a job. Give me this month and I'll pay everything!"

"You're being stubborn," he said angrily. "I'll be back next week for my rent."

With that, he stormed out.

Gosh... where would I get $80,000 to pay rent? I thought helplessly. And Edward-where was he? If he didn't come home by tomorrow, I would call the doctor.

I went upstairs, freshened up, and arranged the clothes and items I'd need for the next day. When I was done, I sat in the living room and picked up my phone to call the doctor-but my phone rang first.

"Good afternoon," I said, unsure of who was calling.

"Good afternoon. Am I speaking to Cali Rillion?" a woman asked.

"Yes," I replied, sitting upright.

"You are Edward Rillion's guardian, correct?"

"Yes, I am."

"I'm calling from B&S Specialist Hospital, where your brother was admitted."

My heart skipped as I jumped to my feet.

"Miss Cali, your brother needs surgery immediately. If not operated on, the cancer may spread, and it could become very dangerous."

I felt completely lost.

"Are you still there?" she asked.

"Yes... yes," I replied weakly.

"You'll need to deposit $120,000 to commence the surgery. It's urgent."

My heart sank.

"How is he now?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"He's stable for now, but you must get the money within 72 hours. Otherwise, we risk losing him."

"Okay... thank you," I whispered.

I dropped onto the nearest couch as she ended the call.

What kind of mess is this? I cried out loud. How do I get $200,000 to fix all of this?

"Edward, I'm so sorry you're going through this," I cried until my eyes burned. Exhaustion finally took over, and I fell asleep on the couch.

UNKNOWN

I sat back in my chair, smoking quietly while waiting for my boys to give me feedback.

I swore to myself that once I got my hands on her, I wouldn't let her go again. A slow smile crept onto my face as dark thoughts crossed my mind-just then, my phone rang.

It was my spy. I picked up immediately.

"Boss, we found her," he said.

I exhaled, an evil grin spreading across my face.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"She's currently in Gorgie City, on an unknown street," he replied, then paused. "We'll get her as soon as we see her."

"No," I said calmly. "Don't touch her. I'll take her myself."

I smiled and hung up.

I'm coming for you, babe. And this time, I'm not letting you go, I thought, smiling sarcastically.

GORGIE CITY - HERE I COME.

BRYAN

"Mom, good evening," I greeted as usual.

"Hi, son. How are you?" she replied happily.

"I'm fine, Mom," I said, pausing.

"What's making you so happy?" I asked.

"Guess," she replied mischievously.

"I can't," I said, rubbing my forehead.

"I'm coming over next week, and I need to meet your girlfriend," she squealed like a child.

I stayed silent.

"And if you don't have one," she continued, "I'll personally arrange one for you. The only thing I ask, son, is grandchildren."

She sounded sad now. I sighed, rubbing my temple.

"But Mom-"

"No buts," she cut in sharply.

"Bye, my child. See you next week."

The call ended.

"Gosh... what kind of pressure is this?" I muttered.

Later, I explained everything to my best friend, Henry. Instead of helping, he laughed and told me to find a fake girlfriend-someone who would act lovey-dovey while my mother stayed at my mansion.

I didn't even know who to choose. I knew almost any woman would agree-

but not my new secretary, my subconscious reminded me.

CALI

I woke up on the couch with tears in my eyes. I stood up quickly and looked around. Through the window, everything outside was dark-that's when I realized it was already night.

I needed rest. I'd think about everything later.

For now, I reassured myself that I would get the money for the surgery-no matter what it took.

I went to my room, lay on the bed, and drifted into a deep sleep.

NEXT DAY

I woke up feeling tense and checked the time-7:00 a.m.

I jumped out of bed, freshened up, and got dressed. After making coffee, I drank it with four slices of bread. The house felt lonely without Edward, but I pushed the feeling aside and forced myself to stay positive.

I rinsed my cup, locked the door properly, and rushed out.

By the time the cab dropped me off, I was ten minutes late. With help from the receptionist, I located my office. When I entered, I saw a young lady about my age standing with her arms crossed, clearly waiting for me.

I dropped my bag.

"Hey! Don't you realize I'm standing here?" she yelled.

I flinched.

"What do you want?" I asked tiredly, still dizzy.

"The boss wants to see you in his office," she snapped, then stormed off.

Just hearing the word boss made all the dizziness fade.

What did I do to this girl? We've barely known each other for five minutes, I wondered.

I knocked on the boss's door, and his husky voice told me to come in.

"Good morning, sir," I greeted, bowing slightly.

"Good morning," he replied coldly.

"What's wrong with this man?" I thought.

"You're twenty minutes late. Why?" he asked, lifting his head.

"I-I'm sorry, sir. I had an emergency," I replied nervously.

"That shouldn't affect your work," he said, clearly unconvinced.

"I'm sorry, sir," I apologized again.

"Next time you come late, Miss Rillion, I'll deduct it from your salary," he said firmly.

"You understand?"

"Yes, sir," I replied.

"Now leave."

His voice was cold and bossy as I scrambled out of the office.

CALI

Immediately, I stepped out and clutched my chest. Is this boss of mine stalking me? Why does he always know when I arrive? I'm not even his PA. I later realized that the information they got from the office came from his PA-so why was she angry at me, acting like a boss herself? Boss like PA, I thought, huffing in irritation.

Oh no... I still need to talk to my boss about the money, I thought, clasping my hands together as they grew sweaty. My nervousness only made me more self-conscious. I knocked on the door, and his husky voice ushered me in.

"Any problem, Miss Rillion?" he asked.

"Yes... um... no, sir," I replied nervously, pausing.

"I just wanted to discuss something with you, sir."

"Okay, I'm all ears," he said, looking up.

The PA's presence made me uncomfortable. The excuses she gave were obvious. Before leaving reluctantly, she shot me a hard glare.

"Take your seat," he said calmly-nothing like the man who had been shouting minutes earlier.

"Don't worry, sir. I'd prefer to stand," I replied politely.

"Alright, go on," he said, gesturing for me to speak.

"Sir..." I called softly. He lifted his face gently from what he was reading. I bit my lip nervously.

"Sir, I need your help," I said. His face softened slightly.

I muttered a curse under my breath and cleared my throat under his keen gaze.

"My sixteen-year-old brother was diagnosed with cancer," I said shakily. "The doctor said I must deposit $200,000 00 within twenty-four hours."

Tears slid down my cheeks. I wiped them quickly, not wanting to look pathetic. He continued staring at me, silently urging me to continue.

"The doctor said we might lose him if I don't get the money within the stipulated time," I added.

"So?" he asked, his tone firm. I sighed.

"Sir, I don't know if you could lend me the money and deduct it from my monthly salary," I said, waiting anxiously. He leaned back properly in his chair.

"How do you expect me to lend such an amount to a newly employed secretary?" he asked.

I scoffed softly and sighed.

"I can help you," he said grumpily, "if you agree to what I'm about to ask."

Argh.

"I'm ready to do anything, sir," I replied desperately, biting my fingers-hoping it wasn't what I feared.

He grinned in a way that made my stomach twist, then cleared his throat and sat upright, resting his hands on the table, suddenly serious.

"I want you to act as my girlfriend for two weeks," he said finally.

I gasped and looked down.

I had suspected something like this, but hearing it still shook me. I was trapped-yet I couldn't lose my dignity.

"You have five minutes to give me an answer, Missy," he said gruffly, as if this wasn't my life on the line.

I stared at him, then sank gently into the nearby chair. I couldn't lose my dignity... and I couldn't let my brother die.

This is terrible. I'm so stuck, I screamed inwardly.

"Your time is almost up," he said. I shot him a deadly glare, but he didn't budge. I looked down again, my breath uneven.

How did I end up here? I thought, fighting the storm inside me.

"Time's up," he said, clearly expecting my answer