The CEO’s stand-in girlfriend

Seeking shelter

*Lucas*

The cold bites at my skin as I survey the cabin’s exterior, my breath clouding in the frigid air. I feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. I can’t believe I thought taking the sports car would be a good idea. I wanted to impress Ashley, to show her that I could be adventurous, daring even. But now? Now, I’m just an i***t who put us in this situation.

“Do you have a hairpin?” I turn to Ashley, my voice steady despite the cold gnawing at my bones.

Her brow furrows in confusion. “A hairpin? Why?”

“I’m going to pick the lock,” I assure her, trying to sound more confident than I feel.

Ashley digs into her backpack, and after a moment, she pulls out a shiny hairpin, handing it to me with a look that mixes curiosity and concern. “You can really do that?”

I nod, trying to mask my own uncertainty. “I’ve… seen it done before.”

As I kneel by the door, I can feel Ashley’s gaze on me, an expectant weight that makes me feel a little foolish. I insert the hairpin into the lock, twisting and jiggling it, hoping it works. After a few tense moments, I hear a satisfying click. “Yes!” I exclaim, pushing the door open with a triumphant grin.

Ashley’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Where on Earth did you learn to do that?”

I shrug, a sheepish grin spreading across my face. “I rebelled a bit during my youth. Let’s just say I had a knack for getting into places I probably shouldn’t have.”

“Great,” she replies, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. “A delinquent and a reckless driver. Just my luck.”

I chuckle, stepping inside the cabin and shaking off the snow that clings to my sweater. The interior is dark and dusty, but it’s clear someone has been here recently. The fireplace is stacked with firewood, and I can smell the faint scent of pine. I glance back at Ashley, who hesitates at the threshold.

“Come on,” I urge, waving her in. “It’s better than freezing out there.”

She steps inside, surveying the small space with wide eyes. “It looks… rustic,” she says, her voice echoing slightly in the silence.

“Rustic is one way to put it,” I reply, trying to lighten the mood as I move toward the fireplace. “But it’s got potential.”

I kneel by the fireplace, inspecting the chimney for any blockages. Thankfully, it looks clear. I gather some of the dry kindling nearby, and I can feel Ashley’s presence behind me, her warmth a comforting reminder that I’m not alone in this.

“What about food?” she asks, her voice suddenly more animated. I glance over to see her rifling through the cabinets in the small kitchen. “There’s canned food, tea, coffee… and bottled water!”

“See?” I say, feeling a swell of relief. “We might just survive this after all.”

I grab a few logs and start arranging them in the fireplace, my fingers fumbling as I work to get a spark. The cold has seeped into my bones, and I can feel the ache in my muscles from our trek through the snow. I focus on the task at hand, pushing away thoughts of my earlier decisions.

Ashley rummages through the cabinets, pulling out a tin of soup and a couple of mugs. “What do you want? Soup or coffee?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder.

“Coffee, definitely…at least for now,” I reply, my heart racing as I finally manage to strike a flame. I hold my breath as the kindling catches, the fire crackling to life. It warms my face, and I can’t help but grin. “Yes!”

Ashley’s laughter rings out, a sound I didn’t realize I needed. “You really are a rebel, huh?”

“Only when absolutely necessary,” I say, my heart lightening as I watch the flames dance.

I quickly set about boiling water for coffee while she starts checking through all the cans, her face lighting up as she finds an wide assortment of food. I feel a surge of pride. I might have made a poor choice in transportation, but I’ve managed to find us a safe place.

As the aroma of coffee fills the air, I glance at Ashley. She’s still exploring the cabin, her curiosity evident as she examines the old photographs hanging on the walls. There’s something comforting about sharing this moment with her, even amidst the chaos outside.

“Okay, coffee’s ready,” I say, pouring the steaming liquid into the mugs. I hand her one, and our fingers brush together, sending a spark through me.

“Thanks,” she says, her cheeks flushed from the warmth. She takes a tentative sip, and her eyes widen in delight. “This is actually good… everything considered.”

I chuckle, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “Don’t underestimate my coffee-making skills. I’m full of surprises.”

We settle onto the worn couch, the fire crackling beside us, and I can’t help but steal glances at her. She’s beautiful, even when she’s cold and disheveled from our adventure. There’s a strength in her that I admire, a resilience that shines through.

“Lucas,” she starts, her tone shifting from playful to serious. “What were you thinking, driving that car in this weather?”

I take a deep breath, my heart sinking a little. “I thought it would be fun, something exciting. I… wanted to impress you.”

Ashley’s brow furrows, and I can see the concern in her eyes. “You could have gotten us killed.”

“I know,” I admit, feeling like a complete i***t. “I just… I wanted to show you that I could be adventurous.”

She softens, her expression shifting to one of understanding. “You don’t have to prove anything to me, Lucas. I like you for who you are, not what car you drive.”

Her words hit me like a wave, speaking something inside me. “I guess I’ve always felt like I needed to impress people,” I confess. “But I’m learning that it’s okay to just be myself.”

Ashley nods, a warm smile breaking across her face. “Exactly… no need to impress people and pretend to be some hot-shot.”

I take a sip of my coffee, heat flooding through me, and I feel a connection growing between us, stronger than the storm raging outside. As we sit together, I can’t shake the feeling that this unexpected detour may have led us to something more than just survival, maybe we have a change to really get to know each other.