THE CONTRACT

If Ethan hadn't cheated on her, she would probably be on vacation, living her best life. Her breakup with Ethan was the start of all her problems. The media dragged her online; she was falsely misunderstood by the press, people called her names, and now she was just jobless and could also be homeless if she didn't find a way.

It fucking hurt.

Everything was just too much for one person to contain.

By the time Lena arrived at the firm, it felt like the air was heavy, and she struggled to breathe. But anyway, after staring at the firm for what felt like forever, she slowly went into the building, her hand wrapped around the strap of her bag.

When she stepped fully inside the building, she stopped at the other side of the glass door that separated her from the main office. She dipped her hands into her bag and brought out her pass card issued to every employee who worked there. She tried scanning her card, expecting the glass to open as usual.

Her heartbeat skipped for a moment.

Her card was declined. It was now clear to her that she had already been logged out before she was actually fired last night.

“Hi, Ciara.” Her voice came out barely above a whisper as she called out to the receptionist who sat on the other side, inside the main office. “My card isn't working.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, Lena, but you've actually been logged out by the boss and barred from entering the building.”

Lena took a step backward before forcing a small smile on her lips.

This was just too much for Lena.

Just then, she was sure she heard Mr. Reynolds coming from the hallway near the receptionist lounge. It was him.

As soon as he spotted Lena, his expression turned cold, as if seeing her had ruined his day. He stood inside the firm, separated from her by the glass door.

“You don't need to come back to the firm again; your belongings have already been packed and given to a delivery driver to bring it directly to you. And I'm sure before you get home, it will already be there."

Lena never uttered a word.

“So you can go now and never set foot in this building again,” Mr. Reynolds finally said and turned his back to her. Soon, he disappeared into the hallway.

Dejectedly, Lena turned to the front door that led her outside the building. Everyone's eyes were fixed on her.

She was now a public figure.

Lena just knew this wouldn't come to an end if she didn't do anything. But what on earth was she going to do? Her mind went back to the contract proposed to her by Olivia. Accepting the money would prove the public right.

And now, she was about to become homeless. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden to someone.

She stopped in her tracks as she slowly dipped her hands into her bag and brought out her phone.

Her thumb hovered over the call button as she exhaled slowly. Soon, the call was answered on the first try, and she held the phone to her ear.

“Fine, I will do it. I'm going to sign the contract.” Her gaze fell to the ground. “Where the fuck should we meet?”

“Fuck,” excitement laced in Olivia's voice. “You finally agreed.”

“I asked a question.”

“Sure, umm, I'm gonna send you the address to your email.”

The call ended. She had just agreed to fake a relationship with the most famous hockey star. Was that something she should be happy about?

She just hoped she knew what she was doing.

A few hours later, Lena found herself standing outside the building Olivia had sent her the address to.

It was clearly Noah's private training facility; his face was on a wide billboard that stood at the entrance of the building. She slowly made her way into the building. This time, she met the gazes of everyone who stared at her without looking away.

She knew what she was there for; however, she wished Emma was by her side as she made this decision. Unfortunately, Emma wasn't in support of what she was about to do, and Aiden felt the same way. The two closest people in her life weren't in support of the decision.

But despite everything, she had made up her mind.

Before she knew it, she found herself standing at the door. Olivia had already explained to her where to meet them.

She didn't bother waiting for anyone at the reception.

Fuck it.

This time, she was taking matters into her own hands. She pulled the door open; Olivia and Noah were sitting on a couch apart from each other, their expressions clearly showing they'd been expecting her.

She fully stepped in and slowly closed the door behind her. Her gaze landed on the contract file that they had placed on the desk.

“Remember, Olivia, this stays between us,” Lena gave her a stern look as she spoke.

Hearing what Lena had just said, Noah immediately jolted from his seat. “Oh wow, so the public won't know you collected money just to be in a relationship with me? Is that so?”

“I'm not fucking doing this for your money or fame.”

“Stop this, you two,” Olivia cut in before Noah could respond. "You two need to put up with each other; this contract is for six months."

"I haven't agreed yet." A mischievous smile tugged at his lips.

"We've talked about this, Noah, so be ready to lose your endorsement deal with the sponsor. You know they have threatened to cancel this deal if all this shit isn't resolved." She exhaled slowly before continuing, "About this contract, there are certain rules that must be followed."

"What rules?" Both Lena and Noah said at the same time, glancing at each other.

"You two need to pose as if you are in a relationship to the public, attend parties together, go to games, and do whatever you can to make this believable. Also, you guys are not allowed to fall in love with each other. No feelings should be involved; it's strictly business."

Of course, Lena wouldn't think of falling in love with this arrogant hockey player.

Shit!

Six months with him.

"Someone has to sign first,” Olivia whispered as she raised the pen over her head.

"I will." Lena stepped forward, took the pen from Olivia, leaned over the desk, and signed the contract. Noah followed and also signed it. Olivia took the contract file, her gaze lingering on it as she let out a small gasp. “One more thing,” she said. Lena frowned. “What now?”

“You'll be moving into Noah's apartment this evening; from now on, you'll live with him.”