The CEO’s stand-in girlfriend

Perfect 7 min eggs

Back to now

*Ashley*

It is late morning and I have already gotten a lot done while waiting for Lucas to sleep off the alcohol. Now a soft golden light spill in through the large windows into the kitchen as I c***k the eggs, my movements precise and practiced. It’s a routine I’ve settled into, one that feels almost comforting in its repetition. Seven-minute eggs for Lucas… just the way he likes them. I find solace in everything being the same: the gentle bubbling of water, the careful timing, and the fragrance of coffee brewing in the background.

I glance at the clock on the wall; it’s nearly ten. I know he had a long night, but I can’t help but feel a flutter of anxiety in my stomach. He’s got meetings today, and I wonder if he’ll be in a mood and if I should have tried to wake him up. I push the thought away and focus on the task at hand, reminding myself that I’m doing this for him.

Maybe if I can just get it right, If I can be the girlfriend he wants, if I make him happy, then he’ll be more like Alexander.

The sound of footsteps echoes down the hall, and I straighten, my heart picking up speed. Lucas appears in the doorway, his hair tousled, eyes still bleary from sleep. He squints at the light, then narrows his gaze at me.

“What time is it?” he grumbles, voice thick with irritation.

“Just after ten,” I reply, my tone soft and submissive, a voice I have thought myself to use. “I thought you could use the extra rest.”

“Rest? I have meetings, Ashley!” He runs a hand through his hair, the frustration evident in his body language. “You let me sleep too late.”

I swallow hard, forcing a smile even as my heart sinks. “I’m sorry, Lucas. I thought you needed it after last night.”

He scowls, and for a brief moment, I’m transported back to that bar, the laughter that stung more than I’d like to admit. I shake my head, pushing the memory aside. “I have made you breakfast. Your favorite eggs are almost ready.”

He huffs, crossing his arms as he leans against the doorframe. “Well, it is the least you could do.”

I bite my tongue, reminding myself that Alexander would never scold me like this. He would have understood the complexities, the exhaustion that comes with the territory of being human. A part of me still hope that maybe Lucas will soften, maybe he will mature to become more like the man I lost.

But right now he is more like a grumpy teenager, one that smells like yesterday's alcohol.

“Here,” I say, grabbing a mint candy from the bowl on the counter and offering it to him. “It might help with the…”

“I hate those!” Lucas snaps, his voice sharp enough to cut through the morning air like a knife. “You know that.”

I flinch at his tone, the sting of disappointment sweeping through me. “I’m sorry, I just thought…I forgot.”

“You would forget that pretty little head of yours if it wasn’t attached,” He shakes his head, frustration visibly boiling just below the surface.

I scold myself internally, reminding myself it was Alexander who loved mints, not Lucas. I can’t let myself slip like this, can’t let my memories bleed into the present. “I’ll remember,” I say quietly, forcing a chipper tone back into my voice.

Lucas rolls his eyes, pushing himself off the doorframe and striding toward the table, his movements sharp and impatient. “Just make sure you do something useful today. I need you to look your best for the party tonight,” he says, his voice clipped. “You know how important it is for me to have you by my side.”

“Of course,” I respond, hiding the way my heart sinks at his words. I should be grateful for the reminder, for the chance to be included in his world, but a part of me aches for something deeper… with someone else. “I’ll make sure to have everything ready.”

“Good.” He snatches a piece of toast from the counter, shoving it into his mouth as he glances down at his watch. “I have to go. I’ll be back later. Don’t forget about the party,” he calls over his shoulder as he heads for the door.

“Lucas, wait!” I call after him, but he’s already out the door, leaving me in the kitchen, the silence pressing down on me like a heavy weight.

I take a breath, my hands trembling slightly as I stir the eggs in the pot. The water is boiling now, steam rising in soft curls that dance in the air. I close my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to feel the rush of emotions swirling within me: frustration, sorrow, longing.

The truth hangs in the air, an unspoken barrier between us. Lucas is a reflection of what I lost, and yet, he can never fill that void. I want to believe in the possibility, but every time I try to reach for it, I’m met with reminders of how far we are from the kind of love I once had… how everything about our relationship is fake.

I plate the eggs, their yolks perfectly runny, and pour two cups of coffee. I take a moment to breathe, reminding myself of the role I’ve chosen to play; the one as the devoted girlfriend, and I will keep performing my part, even as the ache for Alexander tugs at my heartstrings.

With a heavy sigh, I dig my phone out of my pocket, scrolling through photos of happier times, moments frozen in time with Alexander. I feel a rush of warmth and pain, and I know that I’m still not ready to let go, so for now, I’ll put on my mask,I will get dressed for the evening ahead, and tonight I will smile and nod and be the perfect submissive girlfriend..

The eggs sit before me, perfect and golden, and I remind myself that I can still find joy in the small things, even amidst the chaos of my heart. I just have to keep pretending, keep hoping that one day, my Heart will heal enough to let me move on.