The Fake Dating Deal

The moment Ethan closed the door behind him, Adrian's grandfather turned and walked away without another word, heading straight back to his study.

Adrian remained seated, staring at the folder in front of him. It was the file of blind date candidates.

"President Adrian." Ethan dropped the file onto the desk with a sigh. "How could you tell a lie like that when you don't even have a woman you're marrying? How are you going to get out of this one?"

Adrian's jaw tightened. "What do you expect me to do? I'm going to call the person responsible and make her take responsibility for it."

He pulled out his phone and dialed Chloe's number.

Chloe was sitting at her desk in the department office when her phone lit up. The moment she saw the caller ID, she frowned.

"What is this? I already apologized and settled the whole thing. So annoying."

She took a deep breath before answering.

"Hello?"

Adrian didn't waste a second on greetings.

"Let's meet after you get off work."

"What? Why? I'm busy," Chloe replied, completely caught off guard.

"Should I come to your house then?"

"What? No!" she answered quickly. "I'm working overtime today. I'll still be at the office."

"Where do you work, Ms. Stephanie?" Adrian asked, deliberately using the fake name she had given him.

Chloe hesitated. "It's... pretty far from America."

"Far? Where? I flew to New York today. Is it farther than that?"

"...What?"

"Yes. I really did go to New York today."

Before Chloe could respond, the call ended.

Within minutes, Chloe had booked a taxi. She hurried out of the office, still confused about the meeting, and called Aria on the way.

"What? Why does he want to meet you?" Aria asked, alarmed.

"I don't know. He just told me to meet him after work."

"Seriously?"

"I'm meeting him at a coffee shop near the subway. I'm almost there. I'll call you later."

She ended the call, but before she could put her phone away, it rang again.

Adrian.

"He's already there?" she muttered before answering.

"Hello?"

"I'm at the coffee shop."

"Okay. I'm on my way. Star Café, right? I was there yesterday too."

She hung up, paid the taxi driver, and jogged toward the café. For a moment, she forgot where the entrance was. When she finally found it, she walked inside and sat across from Adrian, looking around with curious eyes.

Adrian noticed immediately.

"You're really a regular here?"

"Yes." Chloe laughed softly and lifted her cup. "I like the vibe here."

Just then, a little boy ran toward their table.

"Mom! He pushed me!"

Chloe's eyes widened.

"I'm not your mom."

The boy's actual mother rushed over, apologizing repeatedly as she pulled him away.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," Chloe replied with an awkward smile.

Adrian watched the entire scene without saying a word, the corner of his lips lifting in quiet amusement.

After they left, he looked at Chloe again.

"So you come here often?"

"Yes. The coffee is really good."

She took another sip before glancing at the time.

"Can we make this quick? I need to get home."

Adrian leaned forward.

"This isn't the place to talk about it. I want us to start dating with marriage in mind."

Chloe froze.

"What?"

"Did you fall in love at first sight during our blind date?" she asked, staring at him in disbelief. "That was never part of my plan."

Adrian leaned back calmly.

"You're getting ahead of yourself. I'm not asking for a real relationship. I want us to pretend whenever other people are around, Ms. Stephanie."

"What?"

Chloe immediately stood up and grabbed her bag.

"I'm leaving."

She had barely taken a few steps before Adrian followed her.

"I won't do it," she said firmly. "You called me a fraud and an imposter. Now you want me to lie all over again?"

"What else am I supposed to do?" Adrian asked, matching her pace. "You're the best person for the job."

Chloe stopped walking.

"The best person for the job?"

She looked at him, stunned.

"You've already proven you can play the part," Adrian continued. "You did it once. You know my situation, so I don't have to explain anything. The secret stays with you. And you wanted to repay your debt. This saves both of us time. It's a win-win."

He knew exactly what he was doing. He had leverage, and they both knew it.

Chloe held his gaze.

"I don't care who wins. I'm done lying to people. Let's forget this conversation ever happened."

She turned to leave.

"You said you owe eight hundred thousand dollars."

Her footsteps stopped.

Slowly, she turned around.

"I'll double it."

Her eyes widened.

"Double it?"

Adrian stepped closer.

"Every time you meet my grandfather. He's suspicious. This won't end after one or two meetings."

A faint, confident smile appeared on his face.

Chloe couldn't speak.

I've spent most of my life chasing this debt, she thought. Should I take it? Money matters. It matters more than pride.

A few minutes later, they were sitting inside Adrian's car. Silence filled the space between them.

"Have you made up your mind?" Adrian asked quietly.

Chloe lowered her eyes.

"I don't think I can do it. I'm sorry."

Adrian looked at her.

"When you apologized for deceiving me, you said you'd do anything to make it right. Were those just empty words?"

"What? No. I meant it."

"Then do this for me. It's the only thing you can actually help me with. The only thing within your power."

His voice softened, almost pleading.

"I mean..."

The words caught in Chloe's throat.

She had nothing left to say.