The CEO’s stand-in girlfriend

His offer

3 years ago

*Ashley*

The soft sounds of conversation mingles with the clink of wine glasses, creating a background for my thoughts. I stand in the corner of the gallery, surrounded by vibrant art that seems to pulse with their own life. I shift my weight from one foot to the other, the familiar ache of longing tightening in my chest as I gaze at a piece that for some reason reminds me of Alexander. Awaking memories I can never quite escape.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a voice breaks through my thoughts, deep and rich like the finest wine. I turn to see a man… there is something familiar about hin. He stands tall and imposing, an air of cold confidence surrounding him. He’s strikingly handsome, and for a moment, I feel a jolt of something.

“Yes, it is,” I reply, forcing a smile that feels too bright. “It speaks volumes, doesn’t it? It makes you feel.”

He tilts his head, studying me as if I’m another piece of art to be critiqued. “You’re perceptive. Most people just see color and shapes.”

I can’t help but feel a thrill at his attention. He is no doubt a man who commands respect, and though the sharp edges of his demeanor intimidate me a bit, I find myself drawn to the intensity in his gaze. “I think art is about connection,” I say, carefully choosing my words. “It’s about how it makes you feel.”

He nods, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “And what does it make you feel?”

Before I can answer, his phone buzzes. “Excuse me for a moment,” he says, his voice low, and he turns away to speak into the phone.

And then it hits me, It's uncanny how much this man resembles Alexander. The same strong jawline, the same dark hair that falls just so, even the same brooding intensity… he just seems colder, slightly harder than Alexander. I swallow hard, my heart racing. It’s a cruel twist of fate, a reminder of what I’ve lost, and yet I can’t help but be captivated by the man standing before me, wondering who he is.

My fingers brush against the necklace I always wear… Alexander’s last gift to me… an anchor in a world that feels unsteady.

Minutes pass, and I find myself lost in thought, watching the man from a distance as he seems frustrated. There’s something about the way he holds himself, a mix of arrogance and vulnerability that draws me in. I can’t look away.

When he returns, the air is charged with an energy that makes my skin tingle. “I didn’t catch your name,” he says, his voice smooth like silk.

“Ashley,” I reply, my heart racing as I meet his gaze. “Ashley Monroe.”

“Lucas Reed.” He extends his hand, and I accept it, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact. “So, Ashley, what brings you to this gallery? Are you an artist?”

That is why… Lucas Reed, Alexander’s younger brother. I have never met him, but I know from the gossip pages that he has recently had some problems with a business he tried to start on his own… but now he is back in the family company.

When I do not answer he clears his throat and I give my head a small shake, telling myself to pull it together.

“Not really,” I say, a hint of nervous laughter in my voice. “I just appreciate art. It helps me escape.”

“Escape?” He raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “From what?”

I hesitate, memories of Alexander flooding my mind making me feel unsteady. “Just… life, I suppose. It can be overwhelming.”

He nods, and for a moment, I see a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “I get that.. Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it.”

We both stand in silence for a moment, I am focused of getting this burning pain and longing for Alexander under control, it would be embarresing to break down in tears.

Lucas’s expression suddenly shifts. “I realise this might sound weird, but I have a proposition for you,” he says, his tone turning serious.

“A proposition?” My heart skips a beat, my curiosity piqued.

He takes a step closer, lowering his voice. “I’m in a bit of… trouble. I need a girlfriend… someone to help me navigate some… personal and professional issues, someone to look pretty on my arm when needed. It’s complicated...” He runs a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his features. “In short, I want to enter into a contractual relationship with you.”

“Contractual?” I repeat, blinking slowly trying to understand what he means. “You mean… like a business arrangement?”

“Exactly.” His confidence reasserts itself, and I can see the wheels turning in his mind as he tells me the terms. “We present ourselves as a couple in public. You get the benefits of my connections, my influence… ”

“Why would I need that?” I cut in, doubt creeping into my voice.

“Also companionship, a life free from the pressures of dating… no strings attached, just a contract. We can agree on the specifics… among those the payment… when you have agreed.” His eyes gleam with ambition, but beneath it lies something else, something that reminds me of Alexander, that is what intrigues me. “You wouldn’t be required to love me, just… play the part.”

I blink, taken aback. This is not what I expected when I came to the gallery tonight.

“Why me?” I ask, genuinely curious. “You don’t even know me.”

He has no idea I dated his brother, so it can’t be because of that.

He shrugs, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone… special. And you clearly know how to hold your own in a conversation, of giving the right look, and as I do not know you, you do not have a history in my.. circles. I feel you are capable of being the girlfriend I need."

A mix of emotions swirls within me… flattery, confusion, and a flicker of annoyance that he thinks I can be bought. On the other hand, could this be an turned into something useful for me? A way to bring Alexander back to life, kinda at least? But the thought of entering into a contract with this man… his icy persona and the weight of his past… sends a shiver down my spine. Will I be able to pretend he is Alexander or are they too different?

“What’s in it for you?” I ask, my voice steady despite the storm of thoughts racing through my mind.

“Revenge, I suppose,” he admits, his expression darkening momentarily. “I’m tired of being the man everyone assumes I am. This will show them that I’m in control of my life, that I can move on.”

“And I’m just a pawn in your game?” I challenge, crossing my arms.

“Not a pawn, Ashley,” he replies, his voice lower, more earnest. “A buisness partner, sort of. Someone who gets to play a role for a while, have an easy life, and will leave you with money and connections when the time comes. I need you, and I think you need this too.”

I look into his eyes, searching for sincerity. There’s an intensity there… though I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. And this crazy idea form in my head, to use him to get my own needs met. He looks so much like Alexander, that maybe I can make myself believe he is.

“Let me think about it,” I finally say, my heart racing at the thought of what this can mean to me, good and bad.

“Take your time,” he replies, the corners of his mouth lifting in a sly grin as he hands me a business card. “But don’t take too long. I have a feeling this contract could benefit us both in ways we haven’t even imagined yet.”

As we part ways, I feel the weight of his proposition full my thoughts. The gallery fades into the background as I step into the cool night, my mind a whirlwind of emotions.

I walk the short way home to the apartment I share with a friend. Stepping inside I realise she has once again not cleaned, and also she is having some guy over… again… I can hear them, and somehow this is the final straw that makes me decide.

I pick up my phone and send Lucas a short message. ‘I am interested.’

It doesn’t take long for him to reply. ‘Great, meet me at this address tomorrow at 3 pm. And we can go over the details of the contract.’

I put down the phone… Am I really doing this?