CHAPTER 003

STELLA

I didn't know what James was up to, but I could tell that he needed me to act like I was his girlfriend, and as his secretary, I had to always help him out of every problem he got himself into.

He was such a pain in the ass.

I didn't mind pretending to be his girlfriend because that kiss we just shared had my knees buckling in response. My entire body felt hot and I could feel a little dampness in my sensitive spot.

Fuck it, he was a great kisser. No wonder women followed him like damn sluts. I would too, if I wasn't his secretary. 

I was drawn out of my thoughts when I felt someone's hand collide with my face and I realized that I had been slapped hard by James’ mother. This was definitely not the reaction I expected.

“You've been dating my son for months and you couldn't bother to inform me? I'm the reason you got here, have you forgotten?” She yelled in anger and I let out a sigh, wondering how I would tell her that it was all a lie.

“Mom!” James immediately came between both of us as he shielded me from his mother's attacks. “You have no right to slap my woman. It's not her fault but mine so hit me instead.” He said in anger and I could have sworn that my stomach flipped when he called me his woman.

“This is crazy but I'll let it slide. I don't care how you do it but let that scandal be off the internet before the day ends. And for the both of you, I'll address it another day.” She huffed in annoyance as she left the room and I just stood there frozen with my cheek that still stung from the slap earlier.

“Are you alright? Does it hurt so much?” He asked in concern as he turned to me and if I didn't know better, I would have thought he cared about me so much. But I knew better.

“What is this about now, Mr James? What trouble did you get yourself into this time?” I asked in annoyance as I walked over to my drawer and took out a cooling patch before applying it to my cheek.

Fuck, that slap hurts like hell. It made me feel even worse given that his mother was the only reason I was here in the first place.

“You know the bimbo I told you about? That was Freya—”

“The model? You fucked around with a famous model?” I asked in sheer shock as a scoff of disbelief escaped my lips and he nodded in response, his lips curling into something I didn't quite like.

“She came after me. What was I supposed to say, no? She was hot as fuck so why should I reject her?” He replied with a nonchalant expression and I fought the urge to smack the living shit out of his face.

“Let me guess, now there's a scandal spreading about you two like wildfire and your mom came here to get you a wife so you can finally settle down. You didn't want that so you lied to her that we were dating. Correct me if I'm wrong.” I said in annoyance and when he flashed me a sheepish grin, I knew I was right.

What a cocky bastard.

“Do you realize what you just got yourself into? Your mom won't let this slide. You're either gonna marry me or marry the woman your mom chose for you. How will you take care of that?” I asked with my arms crossed and he finally let out a sigh as a serious expression clouded his face.

“I would rather marry you than get into an arranged marriage.” He replied, his expression as serious as ever and I froze for a second, not expecting that response.

“But, we don't need to get married.” He added and I raised a brow at him. “We simply need to let the news of our relationship spread instead of the rumors. Let the media see us together. Let them speculate. When the scandal finally dies down, we can come up with a break-up story and go back to being CEO and secretary.” 

His words made sense. But for how long? What if the scandal never dies down? What if Freya decides to go crazy?

“So you're advising that we fake-date for a while until the scandal dies down? What do I get in this deal? I can't just sit around and be your pretend girlfriend while I get nothing in return.” I said with crossed arms and he scoffed in response before twirling the pen on the desk in his fingers.

“Whatever you want is yours. All you gotta do is ask. Besides, being the girlfriend of James Hawthorne should be considered a privilege.” He replied smugly and I rolled my eyes at how narcissistic he was.

“Also, we need to set rules for this fake relationship of ours. We need to keep it as professional as possible. No intimacy of any sort in private. We're allowed to act like couples crazy in love with each other when in front of the media or your mom. But here with no one around, we're just the CEO and secretary.” I said sternly as I moved to take a seat but he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me to his chest.

Fucking hell, why did he smell so good?

“And what if I wanna say no? What if I don't want our fake relationship to be just out there but in here?” He asked as he trailed his finger on my chin but I quickly pushed him away and took a step backward.

“Then it wouldn't be fake anymore, would it?”

“What if I don't want it to be fake?” He asked softly as he stepped forward, trapping me between the wall and him, and I froze.