AUDREY"Nel, you didn't have to accompany me, you've already done enough," I assert resignedly.What would I gain from complaining to her? In the end, she always gets her way, and I always have to be part of her schemes."Come on, don't complain, just smile so your sexy date sees you radiant," she tries to cheer me up, but it's futile."If you like him so much, then you go out with him," I make a face."Enough, hush," she lightly hits my arm. "Come on, go in, he must be waiting for you. At the entrance, just ask for Hill, they'll take you to the table," I sigh. "Go," she pushes me towards the door.I'm already here, I can't go back home. The double glass doors open, and I enter the luxurious restaurant.I don't know how Nelly managed to get a date with a wealthy man; he must be wealthy because this place is one of the most prestigious in the city, and it's not easy to get a reservation here.I walk and head straight to the small counter where a woman dressed in a navy blue uniform, a

AUDREYHe says it without reservation, just like that. This has got to be a joke, how come I'm going to pretend to be his girlfriend? It's crazy.- What did he say?- What I hear clearly.- I'm not getting it.- I already told you, what I want is for her to be my provincial girlfriend.- If I understood that already, which is not that... - I shut up quickly.I didn't know how to process that whole thing, it had caught me off guard and even, but out that way.I think the one who is crazier than a goat, was he, who would think to ask a woman something like that? Well, anyone would say that it's something normal, but in this case it's not.Besides, he hadn't even asked for it, he was ordering it for me.- He questions, why you - I don't question him, I assure him as if he knew what I was going to ask.- What I wanted to say is that, I am simply an employee of the Crawford companies - I deflect the above and remind you of the very obvious — Do not wait for me to accept your... your, I do

AUDREYI arrived at the company, and as soon as I take the first step inside the building, everyone's eyes are fixed on me while they murmur to each other.When did I become the center of attention?I continue walking and stop in front of the reception desk. I clear my throat to get Nelly's attention and make her look at me.She lifts her gaze, and as soon as she realizes it's me, she furrows both eyebrows."When were you supposed to tell me?" she questions, annoyed.I look at her strangely. "Tell me what?" I inquire, confused."Don't play innocent with me, I already know everything. Actually, the whole company knows now." She gives a disapproving gesture. "I only found out because my best friend kept it to herself."I still didn't understand what she was referring to. It was only then that I remembered everything that happened yesterday, after that woman arrived and my boss sent me to his office. Everything happened so fast that I haven't had time to digest anything."So, that's why

AUDREYI toss and turn in bed; I haven't been able to sleep at all because his words keep swirling around in my head every second.I don't know how much time passes, but eventually, I fall asleep, and tomorrow I'll have huge dark circles under my eyes.The next day, as I expected, exhaustion doesn't leave my body. I'm on the verge of falling asleep at my desk.The day passes slowly, at least that's how it feels, but I'm thankful that there's not much work to do. Next week, there will be a new meeting with investors and sales analysts, and everything is ready for that day.Like every workday, it's filled with paperwork, copying, and filing more paperwork, chatting with my friend during our lunch break, and then getting back to our tasks. This day and the following day go by without much fuss. The rumors among my colleagues seem to have quieted down a bit, maybe they've gotten distracted by something else.As for my boss, Daniel, I've only seen him in the mornings when he greets me with

AUDREY"Don't be nervous," he whispers in my ear. "Trust yourself, you'll do fine."Do I look that obvious? And how can he be so sure?We approach what seems to be his parents. Both of them are engaged in a lively conversation with a group of three more people. One of them clears his throat, drawing Mr. Anthony's attention, and Mrs. Sarah notices it, turning towards us.An expression of astonishment appears on her face as her eyebrows raise; she looks at me for a few seconds before diverting her eyes to her son. Mrs. Sarah is very beautiful, with her silky blond hair, tall and slender. She might have had some work done on her face, but that doesn't take away from the natural charm she still exudes.Mr. Anthony ends his conversation and turns towards us. His expression is very different from his wife's.Nervousness runs through my body. What if they don't believe our charade? What if I mess everything up? I think Daniel senses my unease again as he wraps his arm around my waist, pullin