Nathan couldn't shake the idea once it planted itself in his mind. As the morning sun filtered into his penthouse the next day, he stood by the window, staring out at the sprawling city below.
Eva Blackwell.
She was the perfect candidate. Someone who wasn't tied to the kind of scandal his social circle often brought. Someone dependable, grounded, and—most importantly—not interested in him romantically. That last part mattered most.
It was ridiculous, absurd even, but it might just work. He needed someone who could help him weather his family's scrutiny and pacify his grandfather without the strings of a real relationship.
Nathan tossed back the last of his coffee and grabbed his phone, scrolling through his calendar. He didn't have much time before his family started circling back, demanding answers.
He would approach Eva. He'd pitch it as a business deal—clear, professional, and mutually beneficial. He had no doubt she'd balk at first, but everyone had a price, didn't they?
At 9 a.m., Eva arrived at the office, punctual as ever. She looked more confident today, carrying a small latte in one hand and a stack of documents in the other. Nathan watched her from the doorway of his office as she organized her desk, oblivious to his presence.
She's efficient, he noted. And far too good at ignoring me.
He strode forward, his footsteps deliberate, and Eva looked up, startled.
"Good morning, Mr. Burns," she said, smoothing her blouse.
"Morning, Miss Blackwell," he replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "How's the workload treating you?"
"It's manageable," she said cautiously.
"Good." He motioned toward his office. "Come in. We need to talk."
Eva followed him inside, clutching her tablet like a lifeline. Nathan leaned against his desk, crossing his arms as he studied her.
"I have a proposition for you," he said.
Eva blinked, clearly caught off guard. "A proposition?"
Nathan nodded. "It's unconventional, but I think you're the right person for the job."
Her brow furrowed. "What kind of job?"
"Something outside your usual duties," he admitted. "I need you to act as my girlfriend."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Eva just stared at him, as if she hadn't heard him correctly.
"I'm sorry," she said, shaking her head. "You need me to what?"
"Be my girlfriend," Nathan repeated, his tone casual, as if he were asking her to fetch him coffee.
"Is this some kind of joke?" she asked, incredulous.
"No," he said firmly. "I'm serious. My family's been pressuring me to settle down, and it's starting to interfere with my work. They think I need stability, but I don't have time for that. What I need is a temporary solution—someone who can play the part long enough to get them off my back."
Eva stared at him, her mind racing. "You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend? Like… fake dates, family events, all of that?"
"Exactly," Nathan said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You're quick to catch on."
"And why me?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
"Because you're professional," he replied. "You're not involved in my social circles, and you've already proven you can handle pressure. Plus, you're not the type to fall for the illusion of what this job entails."
Eva bristled. "The illusion?"
Nathan met her gaze, his expression unyielding. "My wealth. My reputation. None of it fazes you. That makes you perfect for this."
Eva shook her head, still trying to process what he was saying. "This is insane."
"Maybe," Nathan admitted. "But it's also practical. And lucrative."
Her eyes narrowed. "Lucrative?"
"I'll compensate you," he said smoothly. "A significant bonus on top of your salary. Enough to make it worth your while."
Eva hesitated, the temptation flickering across her face before she quickly masked it. "This… this isn't normal. People don't just hire their assistants to play pretend girlfriends."
Nathan shrugged. "Normal doesn't work for me. I'm offering you an opportunity, Miss Blackwell. Think of it as an extension of your job. Strictly professional."
She crossed her arms, studying him. "And what happens when your family realizes it's fake?"
"They won't," Nathan said confidently. "They'll see what I want them to see. And when the time comes, we'll part ways. No harm, no foul."
Eva was silent for a long moment, her mind spinning with questions and doubts. She had taken this job to start over, to escape her past and rebuild her life. This wasn't part of the plan.
But then again, what was her plan? To keep burying herself in work until she forgot the pain of losing Adam? To keep running from the life she'd left behind?
"This is crazy," she muttered.
"Crazy works," Nathan said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "So? What do you say?"
Eva left Nathan's office an hour later, her mind reeling. She hadn't given him an answer yet, needing time to think, but the offer was tempting in a way she hadn't expected.
Nathan, of course, had been infuriatingly calm about the whole thing, as if he already knew what her decision would be.
But Eva wasn't so sure. This wasn't just about money or appearances—it was about stepping into a role she wasn't sure she could play. Pretending to be someone she wasn't.
As she sat at her desk, staring at the blinking cursor on her screen, one thought kept circling back in her mind:
What if this changes everything?