Chapter 3 THE PROPOSAL

Damian Cole's office was less an office, more a palace. Huge space, windows on two sides, breathtaking city views. Sitting area with leather couches, conference table, desk carved from dark wood.

Behind that desk sat Damian Cole.

He'd changed since yesterday - charcoal suit, light blue shirt (no tie) that made his eyes even more striking. He was on the phone but gestured for her to sit.

".. tell Harrison if he wants Hong Kong, he needs to move faster. We have other parties... Yes... No, that's final." He hung up and turned his attention to Claire. "Miss Blake. Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for inviting me? I think? I'm still not sure what's happening."

A slight smile. "How was your shift?"

"Coffee-free. No casualties today."

"I'm relieved." He leaned back, studying her. "I'm sure you're wondering why you're here."

"The thought crossed my mind."

"I need an assistant."

Claire blinked. "Don't you have an assistant? Jennifer seems efficient."

"Jennifer runs my operations. I need someone for a more specific role." He stood, moving to the windows. "I have a problem, Miss Blake. My family's been pressuring me to settle down. Get married. The usual expectations."

"Okay..."

"There's a woman.. Caroline.. who my mother thinks would be perfect. She's from the right family, has the right connections, and won't take no for an answer."

Claire's stomach sank. She knew where this was going.

"I need someone to pretend to be my girlfriend," Damian said. "Six months. Long enough to convince my family I've moved on."

There it was.

"You want me to fake-date you."

"Yes. You'd attend events, family dinners, and appear in public occasionally. In exchange, I'd pay you ten thousand dollars monthly, cover all expenses - wardrobe, transportation, everything - and provide a bonus covering your mother's medical expenses for two years."

Claire's heart stopped. "How do you know about my mother?"

He looked slightly sheepish. "I did some research after yesterday. I wanted to know who you were before making this offer."

"That's not creepy at all."

"I realize how it sounds. But I believe in informed decisions. I needed to know if you were someone I could trust." He moved closer. "I know this is unusual. Possibly insane. But I promise, this is purely professional. You'd have your own space, your own life. I'm asking for some of your time and your willingness to pretend you care about me."

Ten thousand monthly. For six months. Sixty thousand dollars. Plus medical expenses.

That would solve everything.

But fake dating a billionaire?

"Why me?" she asked. "You could hire an actress. Someone who knows your world."

"Because you're real," Damian said simply. "Yesterday, you were genuinely mortified. You offered to pay even though it would cost a month's rent. You didn't try to use the situation to your advantage. You were just yourself."

He sat on his desk edge. "Everyone in my world wears a mask. They want something - money, connections, status. But you? You just wanted to apologize. That authenticity is rare. It's exactly what I need to convince my family this is real."

Claire's throat tightened. "This is crazy."

"Completely."

"I don't know your world. I'll make mistakes."

"I'm not looking for perfection. I'm looking for someone genuine. Someone my family will believe I'd fall for." His eyes met hers, and she saw loneliness there. "Will you think about it?"

She should say no. This was ridiculous.

But she thought about her mother's tired face. Clara's MIT dreams. The bills that never shrank.

"I need time."

"Of course. Take until Monday. Call Jennifer when you've decided."

He walked her to the door. "Miss Blake? For what it's worth, I hope you say yes."

The elevator doors closed on his slight smile, and Amara leaned against the wall, heart pounding.

What had she just gotten into?