The Fake Relationship with the CEO

The rain fell heavily over the city, washing away the bright lights that usually made the skyline beautiful. For most people, it was just another rainy evening. For Lena Cruz, it felt like the world was falling apart. She sat quietly outside Room 312 of St. Mary's Hospital, her hands trembling as she stared at the paper in front of her. Medical Bill. Amount Due: $48,750. Her vision blurred. Not because she couldn't read the numbers. But because she knew she could never afford them. "Lena?" A gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up and saw Dr. Anderson standing nearby. The doctor smiled sympathetically. "May I sit?" Lena nodded. Dr. Anderson sat beside her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, he sighed. "Your mother's condition has become more complicated." Lena's heart sank. "Is she getting worse?" The doctor hesitated. "The treatment is helping, but she needs surgery soon." "How soon?" "As soon as possible." Lena lowered her eyes. She already knew what was coming. "The surgery is expensive, isn't it?" The doctor nodded. "I'm sorry." Those two words shattered the little hope she still had. "I'm working," Lena whispered. "I'll find a way." "You already work three jobs." "I'll work four." The doctor looked at her sadly. "You need rest too." Lena laughed bitterly. "Rest doesn't pay hospital bills." The doctor couldn't argue with that. A few moments later, he stood. "If you need anything, let us know." "Thank you, Doctor." After he left, Lena remained seated. Alone. Again. She stared at the bill. Then at the hospital room where her mother was sleeping. Everything she did was for that woman. Her mother had raised her alone. Worked countless jobs. Sacrificed everything. And now it was Lena's turn to save her. But how? How was she supposed to come up with that much money? Her phone buzzed. A text message. BANK ALERT. INSUFFICIENT FUNDS. Lena closed her eyes. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. An hour later, she entered her mother's hospital room. Maria Cruz smiled weakly from the bed. "There you are." Lena forced a cheerful expression. "Sorry. Work called." "You're always working." "Someone has to pay for your expensive hospital food." Maria laughed softly. Then immediately winced. Lena rushed to her side. "Careful." "I'm okay." "No, you're not." Maria reached for her daughter's hand. "I'm sorry." Lena frowned. "For what?" "For becoming a burden." The words broke her heart. "Mom." "I'm serious." "You should be enjoying your twenties." "I am." "No, you're not." Maria's eyes filled with tears. "You're sacrificing your entire life because of me." Lena squeezed her hand. "I would do it a thousand times." Maria smiled sadly. "You deserve happiness too." Lena looked away. Happiness felt like a luxury she couldn't afford. Not anymore. By midnight, Lena was working her third shift. The small café was nearly empty. Only a few customers remained. Her feet hurt. Her back ached. And she hadn't eaten since morning. Yet she continued serving coffee with a smile. Because smiles earned tips. And tips helped pay bills. The bell above the door rang. A man in an expensive suit entered. Everything about him screamed money. Designer watch. Luxury shoes. Perfect posture. Lena approached him. "Good evening. What can I get for you?" The man smiled politely. "Just black coffee." "Coming right up." A few minutes later, she returned with his order. The man studied her carefully. Almost as if he recognized her. It made her uncomfortable. "Is everything okay, sir?" "Yes." He smiled again. Then asked, "You're Lena Cruz, right?" Lena froze. "How do you know my name?" The man's smile widened. "I was told to find you." "What?" He reached into his pocket and handed her a business card. Her eyes widened. Cole Enterprises. One of the largest companies in the country. "What is this?" "My employer would like to meet you." "Who?" The man stood. "Ethan Cole." The card nearly slipped from her fingers. Ethan Cole. The billionaire CEO everyone talked about. The youngest business tycoon in the country. The man women dreamed about. And feared. Because despite his looks, Ethan Cole had a reputation. Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable. "What would he want with me?" "I'm not authorized to answer that." Lena frowned. "Then why should I go?" The man smiled. "Because it could change your life." And with that, he walked away. Leaving Lena standing there. Confused. Curious. And slightly terrified. At two in the morning, she finally arrived home. Her apartment was tiny. One bedroom. Old furniture. Leaking ceiling. Barely enough space for two people. But it was home. She dropped onto the couch and closed her eyes. Then remembered the business card. She pulled it from her pocket. Ethan Cole. Just seeing the name felt surreal. Someone like him lived in a completely different universe. People like Ethan didn't notice people like Lena. So why now? Why her? A thousand possibilities ran through her mind. None of them made sense. Eventually exhaustion won. And she fell asleep. The next morning, Lena was awakened by loud knocking. Bang. Bang. Bang. She opened her eyes. Confused. Who would visit this early? The knocking continued. She hurried to the door. When she opened it, her neighbor was standing there. "Lena!" "What happened?" "There are luxury cars outside!" "What?" "People are saying they're here for you!" Lena laughed. "Very funny." "I'm serious." Curious, she stepped outside. And froze. Parked directly in front of her apartment building was a sleek black limousine. Several neighbors were already gathered outside. Watching. Whispering. Taking pictures. A man wearing a tailored black suit approached. "Miss Lena Cruz?" Her heart nearly stopped. "Y-Yes?" The man bowed slightly. "Mr. Ethan Cole is expecting you." And suddenly... Lena realized this wasn't a dream. The billionaire CEO truly wanted to meet her. The question was... Why? The ride to Cole Enterprises felt unreal. Lena sat quietly inside the luxurious limousine, afraid to touch anything. The leather seats were softer than her bed. The air smelled expensive. Everything inside screamed wealth. Outside the window, the city rushed past in a blur. But Lena barely noticed. Her thoughts were occupied by one question. Why does Ethan Cole want to see me? The more she thought about it, the less sense it made. She was nobody. Just an ordinary girl trying to survive. Meanwhile, Ethan Cole was one of the most powerful men in the country. Their worlds should never have crossed. Yet here she was. On her way to meet him. The limousine finally stopped. Lena looked outside. Her breath caught. A massive glass skyscraper towered above her. The silver letters on the building sparkled under the morning sun. COLE ENTERPRISES. Her stomach twisted. The driver opened her door. "We've arrived, Miss Cruz." Lena stepped out. Immediately, she felt underdressed. Employees in expensive suits walked confidently through the entrance. Everyone looked successful. Important. Powerful. Unlike her. She smoothed her simple dress and took a deep breath. Then entered the building. The lobby was breathtaking. Marble floors. Crystal chandeliers. Elegant artwork. Even the reception desk looked more expensive than her apartment. Several employees glanced at her. Their curious looks made her nervous. A woman approached. Tall. Beautiful. Professional. "Miss Cruz?" "Yes." I'm Claire Thompson, Mr. Cole's executive assistant." Lena immediately recognized the voice. The woman who had called her. "Please follow me." Claire led her toward a private elevator. As the doors closed, Lena finally gathered enough courage to ask. "Can you at least tell me why Mr. Cole wants to see me?" Claire smiled politely. "I'm afraid you'll have to hear it from him." That wasn't reassuring. The elevator continued upward. Higher. Higher. And higher. Until finally it stopped. The doors opened. Lena stepped into another world. The executive floor was silent. Elegant. Luxurious. Making him look even more powerful. More untouchable. Finally, he turned around. And said something Lena never expected. "I need a girlfriend." Silence. Complete silence. Lena blinked. Once. Twice. Three times. Surely she heard wrong. "A what?" "A girlfriend." She stared. Then laughed. A short nervous laugh. "This is a joke, right?" "It isn't." The smile disappeared from her face. Ethan remained serious. Dead serious. "You can't be serious." "I am." Her mind struggled to process the situation. Of all the possibilities she imagined... This wasn't one of them. Not even close. "Why me?" Ethan walked back to his desk. "Because you're exactly what I need." The answer made no sense. "What does that even mean?" He opened another file. "You're hardworking." He turned a page. "Responsible." Another page. "Family-oriented." Another. "Clean reputation." He looked up. "No scandals." "No controversies." "No hidden agenda." Lena frowned. "And?" "And you're believable." She stared. "Believable?" "People will believe you're different from the women usually associated with me." Lena's confusion deepened. Then Ethan finally explained. "The media has become a problem." "What media?" "Rumors." He sighed. "My family wants me married." Lena listened carefully. "The board of directors wants stability." "The investors want a family man." "And the media wants gossip." Everything slowly began making sense. Almost. "So you need a fake girlfriend." "Correct." Lena laughed again. Only this time it wasn't from amusement. It was disbelief. "Absolutely not." Ethan seemed unsurprised. "You're refusing?" "Obviously. "Without hearing my offer?" Lena crossed her arms. "I don't care about your offer." Ethan reached into a drawer. Then placed a document on the table. "What about now?" Lena looked down. And froze. The amount written there made her heart stop. It was enough money to pay every hospital bill. Every debt. Every expense. Enough to completely change her life. Her hands trembled. "This can't be real." "It is." Lena stared at the contract. Then at Ethan. Then back at the contract. For the first time... She couldn't immediately say no.