chapter 2

‎Kourtney

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‎The board members dispersed one after the other, pouring out congratulations in huge quantities, like a kid's candy bag after trick-or-treating on Halloween.

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‎I barged into his office, flung the door open so hard it jolted against its hinges, causing the other staff to look in our direction, but who cares? I was filled with so much fury, I didn't even realize this is a workspace.

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‎He looked up at me, completely void of guilt or regret for what he did and said in there.

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‎"How dare you tell the board members I'm your partner? We've never even held hands before, and you just walked in there without my permission, introduced me as your girlfriend, and kissed my forehead. Why would you do that, Ethan?" I kept asking "why" while he sat there, waiting for me to finish venting.

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‎His calmness infuriated me more. I kept blabbing and pouring out my fury. When I was finally exhausted, he smiled at me and said, "Are you done? You need some water or a beverage to cool off?"

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‎I got angry all over again. This son of a bitch wasn't even moved by his actions.

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‎"Sit," he said.

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‎"No!" I stomped my feet like the floor had a hand in my predicament.

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‎He stood up, held me gently, his palms resting on my shoulders, so soft and warm, and his scent very relaxing—a mixture of amber, cedarwood, and soft musk. I felt relaxed by his slow breath as he guided me towards the chair, forgetting my fury. I inhaled his scent deeper until I sat.

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‎As if a switch was turned on, I returned to my anger mode once his palms left my shoulders.

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‎"Please tell me why you'd tell the board members we're in a relationship when clearly we're nothing close to admirers."

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‎"First off, I'm sorry I caught you off guard, but I really needed the board members' trust. I mean, you heard them in there. They'd vote me off the board if the models fight over me.

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‎"But you and I in a relationship would make them believe I'm not having an affair with any model or designer."

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‎"So basically, you're using me to secure your place, right?"

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‎"No, no, no, that's not it at all. Just consider it as a business transaction between us."

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‎I secure my place and we work together to impress the investor.

‎We look like a power couple.

‎I mean, who wouldn't believe?

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‎Your features kinda complement mine, and we could pull off this Bonnie and Clyde thingy without anyone suspecting a thing, and you can have whatever you want, and I'll impress the board members and the investors.

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‎I couldn't believe my ears, this motherfucker really thinks I'm a contract girlfriend. I'm not gonna do it, Ethan.

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‎I don't care if you fire me or ensure I don't get any other job in this city. I won't do it.

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‎What if I grant that one wish you've ever wanted? I mean, it'll just be for a couple of months as I'm trying to get into the good books of the big magazines to showcase our couple designs.

‎Okay, I'll get you a new apartment and a new car, and also get you a VIP ticket to that Taylor Swift concert next month. I'll also bring up your design ideas for fall in the next board meeting, you know that will definitely give you a promotion.

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‎This was a very tempting deal. I mean, we won't have to kiss or have sex, just public appearances, a few photos, and lots of other benefits that'll come along for being his girlfriend.

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‎"You don't have to think about it; it's a good deal, Kourtney," he said as I stood there contemplating.

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‎"Give me today to think about it. I'll get back to you," I said as I gently went further out the exit.

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‎I went to get some water from the cafeteria, and everyone was just staring at me. Some even bowed to greet me, like I'd just been appointed the president.

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‎Matt, my work bestie, came up to me with so much excitement. "I hear the news, K."

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‎"What news?" I asked him.

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‎"Oh, c'mon, don't pretend anymore."

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‎"Well, whatever you heard isn't true."

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‎"Well, the girls at work are saying you and Ethan are, you know, a thing." I looked at him with fury. "Well...allegedly, of course," he added with a little chuckle. "I heard you're also giving the designs for the fall collection. I don't know what you did to get that spot, but I envy you big time."

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‎What do you mean, "What I'm doing?" I suddenly became agitated. Are you implying I slept with Ethan for that spot? Well, girl, we all know how Ethan is; he can't avoid the treasure under a skirt.

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‎Eww, Matt, you're disgusting. I thought you were my friend, but I see you don't think so highly of me. Excuse me, I shoved him to the side as I walked back to my department.

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‎I got to my desk, and a beautiful package was on my table: a box of chocolates, a money bouquet, and a neatly sealed envelope with my initials written on it. I looked toward his office; he was smiling at me from his desk. The envelope was scented with jasmine, and its content was a contract with my name boldly written, the duration of the contract, the benefits, do’s and don'ts, as well as a space for my signature. He had already signed the contract.

‎I looked back at him, wishing I could cuss him out in different languages.

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‎I took the envelope and a pen from my drawer to the restroom. I sat in there for a while, contemplating if I should sign it or not. I read the contract over and over again, hoping I'd find something that'll take me out of this situation. The benefits of being his fake girlfriend were huge, but I'm not ready to be a girlfriend, or fake girlfriend, to a man who's well-known by almost all the ladies in the city. What if someone attacks me for taking their man, or the two models who fought over him in the last shoot join forces to beat me up?

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‎My mind was racing and my head was filled with so many thoughts and scenarios. I read through the contract one more time. I mean, I could pull this off for just six months, right? I signed the contract immediately.

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‎I stood up, heading straight to his office. "Here is the contract," I said as I slammed it on his desk. He picked it up from the table with a corny smile that seemed to agitate me. "Well, thank you and congratulations, girlfriend."

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‎We need to ensure we make this as believable as possible.

‎I hesitated for a while. Are you saying we're going to be taking classes to learn how to be a couple?

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‎Well, something like that, it's just rehearsals for public appearances.

‎Calm down, it's nothing serious, but just have it in mind we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other from now on, and you're going to get used to it," he smirked, knowing fully well I was irritated by the whole idea.

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‎I don't know what seemed to excite him about this whole thing. I bet he'll call off the contract in a week.

‎It's time to get off work for today. Let me inform the tailoring department that they'll begin working tonight.

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‎"Goodbye, babe," he said out loud as I walked hurriedly through the door.

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‎Babe? He must be out of his mind.