Contracted to Deceive

PROLOGUE (Gloria) I move behind him slowly, making sure he hears the click of my heels before I press my fingers into his tense shoulders to massage them. He’s stiff at first like he always is but he doesn’t shrug me off, so I take that as permission. “You know,” I murmured into his ear, “normal people would be out celebrating right now… not still buried in emails and numbers.” I slide my hands down a little, massaging the stress out of his muscles. “Especially after closing a deal like that.” He doesn’t say anything, but his breathing shifts. I can feel it, and I know he feels me too. “Are you staying here because you’re scared you’ll actually have fun if you leave?” I tease, leaning closer until my lips almost graze his ear. “Or are you just glued to this office chair?” “Gloria,” he says in warning. I walked around to face him, tilting my head as I perched on the edge of his desk in front of him. His eyes move to my legs, then my shirt, just for a second. I undo another butto

(Gloria) A pounding headache greeted me the moment I opened my eyes the next morning.I groaned, squeezing my temples as the sunlight coming through the curtains burned my retinas. My mouth felt dry, my limbs heavy, and my stomach churned with the unmistakable regret of one too many drinks.Elena’s guest room was cozy but unfamiliar, white walls, a small dresser, and a floor length mirror that reflected the absolute mess I had become. My hair was tangled, my mascara was smudged, and my dress from last night was twisted in an uncomfortable mess around me.I cursed under my breath.“Alive in there?” Elena’s voice rang from the hallway, far too cheerful for my current condition.“Unfortunately.”The door creaked open, and Elena strolled in, holding a bottle of water and two painkillers like a savior. “Drink, you look like death.”“Thanks,” I mutter, snatching the pills and gulping down the water like a parched sailor. The cool liquid soothed my throat, but it did nothing for the exhaust

(Gloria) The clock on the wall ticks painfully slow as i tap my fingers against the counter, my eyes flicking up every few seconds to check the time. 4:57 PM, almost there.The coffee shop isn’t busy anymore, just a few customers lingering over their drinks, my shift ends at five, and I’m counting down the seconds. Not just because my feet ache from standing all day, but because I have a meeting, one I still can’t wrap my head around.Eleanor Montclair.I swallow, trying to ignore the way my stomach twists at the thought. What could she possibly want from me?4:59 PM.A customer approaches, and I force a polite smile, quickly ringing up their order. The moment I hand them their receipt, I strip off my apron, hurriedly stuff it under the counter, and grab my bag.5:00 PM on the dot.I waste no time pushing through the door, stepping out onto the street. The air is crisp, and streets over, a small café comes into view, the one Eleanor had mentioned earlier.My heart pounds as I gingerl

(Gloria)I took in a deep breath, gripping the leather strap of my bag as I stared up at the massive glass tower of Montclair Advertising. My very first day.The weight of my mission pressed upon my shoulders. This wasn’t just a job, it was a game of survival, and the stakes were very high. Somehow, I need to walk out of here with a ring on my finger, given by none other than the CEO.I walked inside, my heels clicking against the polished marble floors, trying to blend in with the sharp dressed employees who looked like they belonged in Forbes magazine.I didn’t. But I definitelywould.Before I could find my way to the HR office, a sharp voice cut through the air toward me.“You. New girl.”I turned to see a pretty woman in a fitted black dress and stiletto heels that looked capable of stabbing someone. Her sleek black hair was pinned into a perfect bun behind her head, her brown eyes cold and assessing.“Follow me,” she ordered, already walking away.I blinked. Wow, no introduction?

(Gloria)Dragging myself into Montclair Advertising at the crack of dawn should be illegal, honestly. The city is still half asleep, but here I am, trudging through the sleek, modern office like a zombie.Eleanor’s text was clear: Be early, impress him, and don’t mess up.Easy for her to say. She’s not the one dealing with a six foot three nightmare with an ego problem.I step into the CEO’s office, prepared for battle. But instead of the usual cold glare and scowl, I find Gabriel already at his desk, his sleeves rolled up, tie discarded, and glasses perched on his nose as he types away.I blink. Okay. Wow.Not that I care. Nope. Not at all.“Morning, boss,” I say, forcing a smile.He doesn’t look up. “Sit, watch, and learn.”And that’s how my first official day of training begins. For the next few hours, something shocking happens. Gabriel actually… teaches me.No sharp comments, no insults, just straight up explanations.“This is how we