The CEO’s stand-in girlfriend

Does he treat her differently

*Lucas*

I stand in the bustling area outside my office, watching as Ashley disappears through the lobby doors, She looks so small and fragile the way She kinda folds in on herself, like she is freezing. My gut twists, and I can’t help but feel both frustration and worry at her behaviour. She shouldn’t have come here. Not when she’s sick. I shake my head, trying to dismiss the gnawing feeling that bubbles to the surface, that I have led her to feel she could not say no. I’m not one to be overly sentimental, but seeing her looking so frail hits harder than I expected.

“Mike!” I call out, my voice cutting through the chatter in the room. He’s on the phone, but he looks up immediately, sensing the urgency in my tone. “Call my family doctor. Have him go to the apartment and check on Ashley.”

“On it,” he replies, his expression shifting from casual to serious.

As I watch him dial the number, I can’t help but replay the moment I saw her in the lobby. That vulnerable look in her eyes, the way she tried to put on a brave face… it stirred something within me, which in turn annoyed me. My mind races with thoughts of how I’m perceived by others, how I should be seen as the strong, unflappable man at the helm of a successful empire. But Ashley? She’s not just some accessory. She’s real, and in this moment, I feel the weight of responsibility resting heavily on my shoulders.

“Lucas,” Mike says, breaking me from my thoughts. “Doctor Stevens is on his way. He’ll be there in about twenty minutes… He will call you with an assessment later.”

“Good,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “And you made sure he knows to check her thoroughly? I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Right, of course.” Mike hesitates before speaking again. “You know, I’ve noticed you’ve been treating Ashley differently lately. More…protective, maybe?”

I scoff, shaking my head. “I’m not treating her differently. I just don’t want her to infect me or be sick when I need her at charity events or business dinners. You know how it goes.”

“Sure, but it seems more than that, almost like you care about her,” he presses, a knowing look in his eyes.

“Of course I care,” I snap, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “She’s my girlfriend, even if it is just on paper. It’s part of the deal and I need her to be able to fullfill her duties.”

“Yeah, but it’s not just a deal anymore, is it?” He raises an eyebrow, and I can’t help but feel a flicker of annoyance. “Just think about it.”

“Whatever. Just get back to work, Mike,” I reply, brushing off his comments. He can’t possibly understand the complexities of our arrangement. I’m not ready to confront the idea that maybe, just maybe, I feel something deeper for Ashley.

The thought lingers, digging at me as I shift my focus back to the tasks at hand. I throw myself into my work, but the seconds stretch into minutes, and I can’t help but glance at the clock. The longer it takes for Dr. Stevens to call, the more my anxiety builds. I’m pacing around the office space, the usual buzz of energy around me fading into a dull hum.

Finally, the phone rings, and I grab it on the first ring, answering as I go into my own office. “Dr. Stevens?”

“Lucas,” he greets… he has known me litterally since birth and always uses my first name, his tone however is calm and professional. “I’ve just finished examining Ashley.”

I brace myself, my heart pounding in anticipation. “And?”

“It’s just the flu,” he says, his voice steady. “I’ve prescribed her some medication and instructions for rest. She should be fine with a few days of care.”

Relief washes over me, and I exhale deeply. “Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate you going over there so quickly.”

“Of course,” he replies. “Make sure she stays hydrated and gets plenty of sleep. It’s important for her recovery.”

“Will do,” I assure him, already mentally drafting a plan for how I’ll make sure She is taken care of. “Is there anything else I should know?”

“Just that she needs support. Emotional as much as physical. She may seem okay, but this can wear on someone if they feel alone… She needs some TLC,” he advises.

The weight of his words downs on me. I’ve been so focused on her physical well-being that I’ve overlooked the emotional side of her illness… How am I to handle that? I doubt she wants that from me. “I understand. Thank you, Doctor.”

After hanging up, I stride back to my office, and Mike raises an eyebrow as I enter. “What’s the news?”

“She’s got the flu, but it’s nothing serious. She just needs some rest,” I respond, my tone sharper than intended. But I can’t help the rush of relief that spills into my words.

“Good to hear,” Mike replies, his gaze flicking to the clock. “What’s the plan now?”

“I’m heading home a little early,” I say, grabbing my coat. “I’ll need to make sure there is someone there to take care of her.”

“Good luck,” he smirks, but I don’t bother to respond. I’m already out the door, my mind racing with thoughts of Ashley. I want to be there for her, to ease her suffering and show her that she’s more than just a role to me.

I call for my driver to take me home, telling him to bring the car out front as quickly as possible,

As I step into the rain-soaked streets, the cool air bites against my skin, but I ignore it. Luckily it doesn’t take long before the car stops in front of me and the driver quickly jumps out, opening the door for me and apologising I had to wait in the cold… I wave him off.

As the car pulls away from the curb, I can’t shake the thought that this makes me look like a loving boyfriend, rushing home to his sick girlfriend. I guess it is not a bad thing to have people believe.