"I understand, I'll come back tomorrow… What? Another introduction, Mom, can we not do this? I know my own business… Okay okay, I'll see when I get there."
At the entrance of a grand office building in YODC City, a woman in a black business suit with big wavy hair walked in while talking on her phone. Her large black-rimmed glasses covered most of her face, but they still couldn't hide her stunning beauty.
From her stride, it was clear she was a decisive white-collar worker; and from her cool demeanor, she likely held a high-ranking position.
This woman was named Gina Lopez, the general manager of JYPP Region Trading Company, a subsidiary of QLMM Group. Originally just a small branch and modest investment of more than two thousand dollars, under Gina Lopez's effort, the assets had grown to seventy or eighty million in less than two years. For a woman only 26 years old, this had been a significant achievement that proved her capability.
However, she seemed quite helpless on the phone, a sight rarely seen in the company.
"Ms. Lopez, good morning!" As she passed the entrance, a security guard saluted her.
Gina, as if she hadn't heard him, walked straight on. She was used to security guards greeting her every day at the door and hardly noticed it anymore.
But just a few steps in, she sharply turned her head back to look at the security guard who had just greeted her. He was a young man, around 25 or 26, with a square face and pronounced features, about one meter eighty tall. Though not particularly burly, his uniform made him look spirited and manly. If Emily Smith had been there, she would have recognized him as Hawk 002.
"What's your name?" Gina asked, resuming her typically cool tone as she stared at the security guard.
"James Brown!" The guard puffed up his chest and responded loudly.
"Good, come to my office in ten minutes," she said and walked straight into the elevator.
James stood frozen, not moving from his spot. Although he had been at the company for less than two months, he knew the president was tough to talk to. Suddenly being called to meet left him uncertain about the reason.
"James, what happened?" Another security guard in his twenties came over and nudged him.
"Ms. Lopez wants me in her office."
"Oh, then go. Probably something physical to handle, but doing a task for Ms. Lopez is pretty cool, after all, she is the most beautiful woman in the whole office building."
"I thought I had made a mistake and she was going to reprimand me."
"Even if we make a mistake as security, we don't get pulled up directly to the general manager. Besides, we don't report directly to their company; we belong to the building's security department, so it's not related to her."
After waiting a few minutes, James arrived on the twelfth floor, where JYPP Region Trade was located.
Today was the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and tomorrow would be New Year's Eve. Most companies would start their holiday tomorrow, and hardly anyone worked in regular offices, but JYPP Region Trade was still bustling. Everyone was diligently at work, indicating how strict Gina Lopez, the general manager, was in her management.
After speaking to the secretary, James reached the general manager's office door, knocked, and Gina's voice came from inside, "Come in."
James pushed the door open to see Gina sitting in the boss's chair behind the desk, arms on the armrests, her gaze intently on him as she said, "Close the door."
James hesitated but did as he was told, then approached the desk and said, "Ms. Lopez, I'm here."
Gina leaned forward, resting her arms on the desk, "Sit down."
James, still confused by the situation as it didn't seem like she was catching him out for labor.
Once James sat, Gina spoke indifferently, "How old are you this year?"
"Twenty-six."
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No."
"Where are you spending New Year's?"
"I'm alone. The security department has already scheduled me for the entire New Year holidays."
Gina's eyes sparkled behind her glasses, "You have no family?"
"No, I've been an orphan since childhood, Ms. Lopez… why are you asking these things?" James was completely bewildered by her questioning, it almost seemed like she was trying to play matchmaker.
Gina adjusted her glasses and lightly tapped the desk, not speaking immediately, which left James even more puzzled, and he felt a strong urge to leave. Sitting face to face with such a cold and glamorous president was truly stress-inducing.
"James Brown, I'm hiring you to pretend to be my boyfriend over the New Year holidays and accompany me home."
Gina's words left James gaping in shock, staring blankly as he processed her request.
"Starting tomorrow, for eight days until the sixth day of the New Year, I'll pay you five thousand dollars, which should cover your overtime. What do you think?"
"Ms. Lopez… this… isn't this inappropriate?"
"You don't agree?"
"It's not that I don't agree; I'm just worried I might not play the part well. I'm just a security guard, and you are a general manager. Me pretending to be your boyfriend doesn't seem fitting."
"Just agree, and I'll take care of making you presentable. You just need to come with me and let my parents see you."
"Well… but the security department already scheduled my shifts. Can I really leave?"
"I'll talk to the security department and have them schedule someone else."
"Alright then, thanks for your appreciation, Ms. Lopez," James said, forcing a smile.
"Okay, you can go now. And remember, don't tell anyone about this, not now, not ever. If any rumors start, pack your bags and leave." Gina's voice was as cold as ice, the pressure immense.
"Understood, I'll leave now." James stood up and walked out quickly.
Gina was momentarily stunned. Under such pressure, James had been remarkably composed, a response that somewhat surprised her, but at least this troublesome matter was resolved. She wouldn't have to endure endless matchmaking or listen to her parents nagging about her settling down anymore.
She picked up the phone to call her parents but hesitated and put it down again. She was still unsure whether James could really pull this off and couldn't bring herself to introduce such a fake boyfriend to them.