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.