THE OFFER I REFUSED

What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Lena remained dumbfounded.

“It’s so simple. You guys only need to pretend to the public that you are both in a relationship for six months, and that is it.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Lena and Noah blurted out at the same time.

“You two need to do this fucking shit.” Olivia took a breath before continuing. “For your fucking reputation.”

The office went still; you could hear a pin drop. Lena threw herself onto the couch, her head facing the ceiling as her finger continued to tap the edge of the desk beside her.

And Noah.

His face said it all. Definitely, he would be the hardest to convince. Suddenly, his voice echoed through the office. “I'm not going to pretend to date someone in public just because her so-called fucking reputation is at stake.”

“And yours is also at stake, so keep your damn voice down,” Olivia said before rubbing a hand down her face. “And if I have to say, you're at fault here. You caused this."

“Enough,” he snapped. “I've fucking heard this a hundred times.”

The office went strangely quiet.

Both their eyes were fixed on him. Never had Olivia heard him speak as loudly as he had just done. But despite that, she wasn't sure she would be able to back down now. She wouldn't leave until that blank contract file on the table was signed by both of them.

"So what, if I caused this, is that enough reason for me to settle for a mere stranger I barely even know? She isn't even that attractive."

“Noah,” Olivia called out to him.

“Excuse me,” Lena shot to her feet. “Are you so dumb? Do you think I want this?”

“Of course you do. You’ve clearly shown that.” His lip curled as he scowled. “I mean, who wouldn't want to be in a six-month relationship with me? Every girl wants me.”

Olivia stood abruptly by the window, her gaze down at the rink below. She had no plan of interfering because the argument before her was already heated.

Noah's last words replayed in her mind. How could she possibly explain to this dumb fool that she had no interest in him, his money, or his fame?

There was no way she would do that; she wasn't that desperate.

Lena let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, I think I'm getting your point now. But listen…” She raised her middle finger at Noah. “I don't need your fame, your money, or even you... you're also not attractive. I just need you to fix this scandal."

You're just blabbering shit. Read my fucking lips: I'm not going to date you.” Without another word, Noah stormed out the door.

“Fuck you. I’m also not going to date you. You're so fucking irritating.”

Lena turned to Olivia; she could see disappointment written all over her face, like her life depended on that contract.

“I'm so sorry…”

“I’m out of here, and you could try teaching him some manners.” Just as she turned to the door to leave, Olivia word stopped her in her tracks.

“Sign this contract now, and you will be offered a check worth $30 million, a house, and a car—name it. Anything you ever request."

Lena slowly turned to Olivia with a puzzled expression. “Fuck, has it gotten to this?” She blinked. “Wait, are you trying to buy me off?”

“I don't know. Whatever you call it. Just sign this contract and accept the money. I know it's going to go a long way for you.”

“I'm sorry, but I can't accept this. I'm not a piece of shit that you can buy with money just because you have a lot of it.”

Olivia let out a quiet sigh as she stared away. “Nobody here is calling you that. Can you just please stop making it hard for us?”

Lena slowly dropped onto the couch again. “You know I could go to the press right now and expose the fact that what Noah said recently was fake and that I am not his girlfriend.” She raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with challenge. “And also that the so-called famous star Noah's PR manager is trying to buy me off with money just because I refused to sign the contract she proposed.” A smug chuckle escaped her lips.

Olivia didn't utter a word. Of course, she wouldn't dare. Lena's face said it all. She simply stared at her, her eyes wide with shock.

“I thought so. Don't you ever contact me again, Mrs. Olivia.”

Lena turned to the door and left for good, as two of her instincts whispered opposite things despite her guilt.

“You could have just accepted the money and the contract,” one of her instincts whispered.

“No, Lena, you did right. Your self-respect matters a lot,” the other said.

She had no idea which of her instincts she should follow, but one thing was certain: Noah wasn't the kind of man she would want to be with, not even in a fake relationship, not after what he had just displayed in there.

How could she explain to herself that a few days ago she had found him attractive, and now she couldn't deny that he was damn handsome. She had lied back there. But something about his character irritated her and changed the way she saw him.

Immediately, Lena walked to the receptionist's lounge, only then did she spot Emma far away from where she stood. Emma was dozing off on a bench. A small smile escaped her lips because that girl right there was just one in a million.

But something was just not right; she couldn't help but notice. She glanced around the building only to realize everyone was staring at her.

Not just in a normal way. She knew those looks on their faces. She could clearly hear quiet whispers. Lena glanced away, clearly uneasy because those eyes on her weren't going to make her flinch.

She forced herself to take another step, pretending not to notice the stares. That had always been her way—pretending that challenges never affected her.

But she knew who the true Lena was.

Soon, Lena took another step toward where Emma was dozing. She was sure she heard her name in one of those whispers.

“She's a gold digger!”

Oh my God!

What the hell was this bloody stranger, who clearly didn't know anything about her, whispering about her? She just wished she could grab just one and say shit to their faces. But she pretended not to care anyway.

Lena looked away and glanced up, only for her eyes to catch on someone.

She froze.

Who the hell was she looking at? Damn it.

It was Ethan, her fucking ex. The bloody cheater.

And that wasn't all; on his right-hand side was Sophie. His arm was wrapped around her waist.

Her stomach twisted at the sight of him.

And that wasn't the worst of it. The worst thing was that they were walking towards her, with knowing smiles on their faces.

Shit!

She needed to act fucking fast. But how could she? Not with all these fucking eyes on her.

Fuck!

They were getting close to her.