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

CALI

"I agree," I said, my voice coming out weak. Tears threatened to spill, but I forced them back. I couldn't cry in front of an animal like you.

"Okay. I'll send the money into your account, and we'll talk later," they said nonchalantly.

I stormed out, heading straight to my office.

At the door, I ran into the so-called PA. She looked like she'd been trying to eavesdrop but hadn't succeeded. She blocked my path, but I pushed past her, ran into my office, and slammed the door shut behind me.

I cried like never before. But I had to do this for my brother. I couldn't let him die over some foolish dignity my husband would probably enjoy preserving. I wiped my tears, trying to console myself, but they kept falling anyway.

Then my phone beeped.

When I checked the message, my breath caught-$500,000 had been sent by my boss.

Is this guy serious? I thought bitterly. You couldn't lend me $200,000, but now you can suddenly send $500,000?

I hissed in frustration.

I immediately sent $120,000 to the hospital account and called the doctor. She assured me they would begin the surgery immediately.

Next, I sent $80,000 to my landlord for the house rent.

I sighed heavily. There was no turning back now-I was already in too deep. Life could be so cruel. First my parents' death, and now this.

My dog had suddenly gone to Auntie Stella's. I wondered how she was managing my parents' property after forcefully taking it from us-bribing a lawyer to alter the will in her favor.

The reason I studied Business Administration was to take over my parents' company and grow it beyond what they had built. Unfortunately, our aunt took everything from us and even denied us the things our parents' friend had left behind.

The house we currently lived in was purchased through a trust fund my parents had set up-something only I knew about. Immediately after the address was released, I withdrew all the funds. When Aunt Stella sent us away, I was able to secure the house and enroll Edward in a cheaper high school using what remained.

I also completed college with that money. Now the fund was gone, and I depended solely on my salary.

No one would have ever believed Aunt Rita could be this cruel. She had always been our favorite among our parents' relatives. I remembered when she used to visit-she always brought us candies and chocolates.

She had been more like a sibling than an aunt... until our parents died. That was when she showed her true colors.

BRYAN

Why did I even ask her to warm my bed? God, that was stupid. Now she'd see me as a bad person.

I don't want to admit how I feel, but I'm scared she'll hate me.

Oh my... Carli Rillion, what are you doing to me? When did I start feeling this guilty, like some heartless jerk? I felt like I was losing my mind.

I called the office and asked for her. Minutes passed, and when she finally came on the line, I suddenly had nothing to say.

"Sit," I said firmly.

She didn't argue. She sat down immediately.

"My mom will be coming over next week, so my driver will pick you up a day before. You'll need to get some clothes for yourself," I said quickly. She nodded.

"You can leave now," I added calmly.

She left.

My phone rang almost immediately, and I picked it up at once.