Chapter 5

Elena

I pulled the door open. I swallowed hard and froze in shock.

Three hefty men dressed in black suits stood outside.

Their expressions were cold and unreadable.

“My boss wants to see you in his office. Now,” the man standing in front said.

I frowned.

“Who are you? And who exactly is your boss?”

“The man from last night.”

My heart skipped. Before I could process his words, he added,

“And you’re coming with us right now.”

His tone wasn’t a request, It was an order.

I glanced from one man to another. They looked more like bodyguards.

If I slammed the door, they would probably break it down.

“If this is some kind of joke—”

“It isn’t.”

He folded his arms.

“So don’t make this difficult.”

I swallowed.

“Give me a few minutes. Let me change into something else.”

“Be fast about it,” he replied impatiently. “I don’t have all day.”

I shut the door and leaned against it.

Everything is just happening so fast.

I took a deep breath, and changed into a pair of fitted blue jeans, a plain white T-shirt tucked neatly into the waistband, and a light beige jacket. I slipped on white sneakers, tied my hair into a low ponytail, grabbed my handbag, and stepped back outside.

The men were still waiting.

They simply turned and led me downstairs.

A sleek black SUV was parked outside.

One of the men opened the back door.

“Get in.”

I hesitated for a moment before climbing inside.

Two sat beside me side by side, while the other drove.

The moment the doors closed, silence filled the vehicle.

I kept stealing glances at the men around me.

None of them spoke nor even looked at me.

Questions flooded my mind.

What exactly does this man want from me?

Was he going to accuse me of leaking the video?

But why would I do that? When my reputation is on the line.

Nearly thirty minutes later, the SUV finally slowed down. I looked through the window. My eyes widened.

A towering glass building stood before us, its polished exterior reflecting the morning sunlight.

The company logo stretched across the entrance in large silver letters.

Employees were busy with their work while security guards stood at every corner.

This wasn’t just a company, it was an empire.

The SUV stopped at the entrance.

One of the men stepped out and opened my door.

I climbed out and followed them inside.

The moment I entered the lobby, I almost forgot to breathe.

Marble floors stretched beneath my feet, reflecting the enormous crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Expensive paintings decorated the walls, and everything around me screamed wealth.

People with this much wealth always believed everyone else was beneath them.

Especially someone like me who had spent years struggling just to survive.

We stepped into an elevator and it carried us to the top floor.

One of the bodyguards pushed the large office doors open.

The office looked breathtaking.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city.

Dark oak shelves lined one wall, filled with awards and business magazines.

A sleek black desk sat in the center of the office.

And behind it was the man I'd hoped I wouldn't have to see again.

He looked up from the tablet in his hand.

The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression hardened.

“So…” He placed the tablet on the desk and walked toward me.

“I helped you, only for the whole thing to turn out to be a planned act.”

I stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

He stopped a few feet away. “Don't play innocent.”

His voice was cold.

“I paid you well, but apparently your greed made you want more.”

My eyebrows pulled together.

“Excuse me?”

His fist slammed against the desk.

“The rumors are spreading everywhere.”

His eyes burned with anger.

“They're damaging my reputation and everything I've built.”

He pointed toward the tablet. “It all needs to disappear.”

My stomach twisted.

“So what does that have to do with me?”

“Everything.”

I folded my arms. “How?”

“The public already believes there's something between us.”

He walked around the desk slowly.

“The fastest way to control the story is to give them one.”

“So…?” I raised an eyebrow, giving him a questioning look.

“You’ll stop working at the club.”

I frowned. “Why should I do that?”

“Because my girlfriend can’t be working in a club as a pole dancer.”

I blinked. “Your girlfriend?”

I gave a short, disbelieving laugh.

“Who says I’m your girlfriend?”

“And who even wants you to be? You will have to pretend.”

His expression remained calm.

“The public already believes there’s something between us. They think we’re dating, so you’ll act as my girlfriend until all of this dies down.”

I stared at him. “You've lost your mind. I’m not pretending to date an arrogant jerk like you.”

His expression darkened instantly.

“Don’t push me, you gold-digging whore.”

The words struck harder than a slap.

Fear flickered through me at the rage in his voice, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

He shut his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he opened them again, his tone was calmer.

“Just see it as a business proposal.”

He walked back behind his desk.

“I’ll get you into one of the best fashion companies so you can learn from experienced designers, and when you’re ready, I’ll help you establish your own brand.”

My eyes widened slightly.

He continued. “I’ll also help you clear your father’s debts.”

My excitement faded, replaced by suspicion.

“How do you know about my father’s debts?”

His expression didn't change. “You don't need to know how I found out.”

I stared at him.

He folded his arms. “You get what you want. I get what I want. My reputation is already on the line, and this is the fastest way to control the story.”

He paused. “So, in the end, it’s a win-win.”

Silence settled between us.

I hated him. But a successful fashion brand, enough money to clear my father’s debts, and a chance to finally leave the nightclub behind… This was everything I had been working toward.

My pride or my future? I swallowed.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll do it.”

His eyes studied me for several seconds.

“I’m Damien.” He extended his hand.

“Damien Gonzalez.”

I ignored his hand. “Elena Hart.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

“I know you’ve heard of me.”

I folded my arms. “I’m too busy trying to survive to keep up with egotistical people.”

His smirk disappeared.

“At least it’s better than sleeping with strangers and trying to profit from them.”

My hands clenched into fists. Heat rushed to my face.

“What happened that night was a mistake.”

I met his gaze without flinching.

“It wasn’t my fault someone recorded us. My life has been turned upside down too. So don’t blame me. And don’t ever call me a whore again.”

A knock interrupted the silence.

A woman dressed in corporate attire stepped inside.

“Sir, you have a meeting with the investors in ten minutes.”

He didn't even have the courtesy to say a word to her. She simply had to assume he had heard her.

Asshole.

He started gathering some files from the shelf when he suddenly turned to me.

“And, oh, before I forget, my father called.”

He continued gathering the files.

“He has already seen the news, and he wants to meet my girlfriend.”

His gaze locked with mine.

“And our performance starts this weekend.”

My stomach dropped.

This fake relationship had barely begun, yet somehow, I already felt trapped.

“So get ready. Mike will come and pick you up.”