Chapter 3

Serena's Pov 

The elevator ride down felt like descending into hell. Nate’s hand stayed on my back the whole time, warm, steady, completely fake. I wanted to shrug it off but remembered the contract. Appear in love. Starting now.

“How did reporters even know?” I hissed under my breath.

“Someone always talks.” His voice was calm, but his jaw was tight. “Just follow my lead.”

The doors opened and camera flashes exploded. Voices shouted questions all at once.

“Mr. Calloway, is this your new girlfriend?”

“Who is she?”

“Nate! Over here!”

He pulled me closer, tucking me against his side like I belonged there. “Gentlemen, this is Serena Voss. My fiancée.”

The word sent a shock through me. Fiancée. God.

A reporter shoved a recorder closer. “Fiancée? When did this happen? You’ve never been seen with anyone seriously before.”

Nate smiled, that polished, charming smile that probably closed million-dollar deals. “Some things are worth keeping private until they’re certain. We’re certain.”

They turned to me. “Serena! How does it feel to be engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors in the country?”

My throat closed. Nate squeezed my waist gently, a silent cue.

I forced a smile. “It feels… overwhelming. In the best way.”

Another reporter jumped in. “How did you two meet? Was it through business? A friend?”

I froze for half a second. Nate answered smoothly, “We met at a charity event. Sparks flew, but we took our time. Serena’s very private, which I respect.”

A woman with a bright pink microphone pushed forward. “Serena, what do you do? Are you in finance too? How does it feel knowing you’ve locked down Nate Calloway?”

“I… I’m not in finance,” I managed. “And I’m still getting used to all of this. Nate’s been very patient with me.”

Nate chuckled beside me. “She’s being modest. Serena keeps me grounded. That’s rare in my world.”

“Do you have any plans to join the family business after the wedding?” another reporter called out.

I blinked rapidly. “Oh, um… we haven’t discussed that yet. Right now I’m just focused on us.”

A man in the back shouted, “What’s your favorite thing about Nate?”

I glanced at him, heart racing. “His… determination. He doesn’t give up on things he cares about.” The words felt strangely true and false at the same time.

Nate’s hand pressed lightly against my back in what felt like approval.

Another flash. “When’s the wedding?”

“Soon,” Nate answered smoothly. “But right now we’re focused on enjoying the engagement.”

One more question flew at us. “Any plans for a big proposal story? Did you get down on one knee, Nate?”

He glanced at me with a fake adoring look. “That’s between us. But I can say it was unforgettable.”

I nodded along, my face hurting from the forced smile. “Yes, very unforgettable.”

He steered me through the crowd toward a waiting black car. My legs felt like jelly. As soon as we were inside and the door closed, I let out a shaky breath.

“I can’t do this,” I said. “They’re going to find out everything. My jobs, the debt, my dad—someone’s going to dig and realize this is all fake. What if they follow me to the café or the bookstore? I can’t lose those jobs yet, Nate. I still need them after this is over.”

“You can.” His voice was firmer now. “Because if you don’t, the debt collectors will start calling tomorrow. And I won’t stop them. You signed the papers, Serena. We’re in this now. The money is already being processed. Your father’s accounts are clear as of twenty minutes ago.”

I stared out the window as the city blurred past. “You’re kind of a bastard, you know that? Springing all of this on me, timing me like that in your office. Who does that? Five minutes to decide my entire future?”

He chuckled softly. “I’ve been called worse. Usually by people who want something from me. At least you’re honest about it. Most women in your position would be smiling ear to ear right now.”

“Honest?” I turned to face him. “I just lied to a bunch of reporters about how we met. At a charity event? I’ve never even been to one. What if they ask for details later? What if I say the wrong thing and the whole thing falls apart before we even finish the first week?”

“We’ll practice tonight,” he said. “Every detail. Where it was, what you wore, what we talked about. I’ll make sure you’re ready. You’re smart. You’ll pick it up quickly. We can run through it over dinner in the penthouse before the real dinner.”

The car pulled up to a sleek building that looked more like a spaceship than apartments. Nate helped me out, and we rode another elevator, this one private..straight to the top.

When the doors opened, I stepped into a penthouse that made my tiny apartment look like a closet. Floor-to-ceiling windows, marble everywhere, furniture that probably cost more than my father’s medical treatments combined.

“This is where I’m staying?” I whispered, walking further inside. “This whole place is yours? It’s bigger than my entire building. How do you not get lost here? Do you actually use all these rooms?”

“For the next sixty days.” He set my bag down. “Your room is down the hall. But Serena….”

I turned to face him, still looking around in disbelief. “My room? You mean I actually get my own space and not… something else? You’re not expecting me to share your bed or anything, right? The contract said nothing physical unless I want it.”

His expression had changed. Less businessman, more something raw. “There’s something you should know. About why I chose you.”

My heart skipped. “What?”

Before he could answer, his phone rang. He glanced at it and cursed under his breath.

“It’s my lawyer. The will executor wants video proof of the engagement tonight. A dinner. Live.”

I felt the color drain from my face. “Tonight? I don’t even have clothes for that. I look like I just came from my second job. I can’t go to some fancy dinner like this, my shoes are literally falling apart. What am I supposed to wear? And live? As in on camera? People will see right through me.”

Nate looked at me, eyes intense. “Then we’ll fix that. But first… I need to tell you the truth about the coast.”