Chapter 10
941 Words
Tamara couldn’t shake the surreal feeling that settled in her chest as she left Lucas’s office that night. What had she just agreed to? Fake dating Lucas Sington? The cold, ruthless CEO who barely acknowledged her existence on most days?
It was absurd. Completely insane.
And yet, as she sat in the back of a taxi on the way home, she couldn’t deny the small voice in the back of her mind telling her this could work to her advantage.
Lucas had been oddly straightforward about his situation—his ex, Amanda, wouldn’t let go, and his parents were on his neck about settling down. The company’s board, too, wanted to see stability in his personal life. A serious relationship, especially with someone outside the corporate elite, would make him look grounded. Approachable.
Tamara snorted to herself. Lucas Sington, approachable? That was a stretch.
But the bigger question was—what did she get out of this?
The money, for one. He’d made it clear that she wouldn’t walk away empty-handed. Not that she had ever imagined herself being in a transactional relationship, fake or not, but with her mother’s medical bills and her siblings depending on her? She wasn’t exactly in a position to refuse.
As the taxi pulled up to her apartment, Tamara let out a deep breath. This was happening. She had to set some boundaries.
The next morning, she arrived at work early, hoping to get a head start before Lucas inevitably summoned her. The entire thing still felt unreal.
She was scrolling through emails when a shadow fell over her desk.
Lucas.
He was dressed in his usual charcoal-gray suit, sharp and crisp as ever. He didn’t speak right away, just looked at her with that unreadable expression of his.
“We need to establish the details of our arrangement,” he said finally, his voice low and firm.
Tamara glanced around. The office wasn’t fully occupied yet, but anyone could overhear. She stood quickly. “Not here.”
Lucas nodded and turned, leading her toward his office. Once inside, he shut the door behind them and walked over to his desk, loosening his tie slightly.
“We need to be seen together publicly. Often,” he said, getting straight to business. “My parents are planning a private family dinner this weekend. You’ll be my date.”
Tamara crossed her arms. “What kind of ‘date’ are we talking about? Do I just sit there, smile, and pretend I’m madly in love with you?”
Lucas’s lips twitched, almost like he was amused. “Something like that.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I have conditions.”
His brows lifted slightly, intrigued. “I’m listening.”
“First, no surprises. I need to know exactly what I’m walking into.”
“Done.”
“Second, no… over-the-top affection. Let’s keep this believable but not ridiculous.”
Lucas leaned back against his desk, arms crossed. “That depends on what’s required. If we’re in public and people expect us to act like a real couple, we’ll do what’s necessary. Within reason.”
Tamara swallowed. Right. This wasn’t some school play. People would be watching closely—especially his family and the media.
She exhaled slowly. “Fine. But we draw a line. Strictly business.”
Lucas tilted his head slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. “Strictly business,” he repeated.
Tamara wasn’t sure why, but something about the way he said it made her pulse quicken.
This was going to be complicated.
Tamara exhaled slowly “We keep it professional in the office. No unnecessary touching, no acting like a couple when we’re here.”
Lucas nodded. “Fair.”
“Two: This doesn’t extend beyond what’s necessary. If we don’t need to be seen together, then we go our separate ways.”
He tilted his head. “Agreed.”
“Three: No actual feelings get involved.”
Lucas’s lips quirked up slightly. “You think there’s a risk of that happening?”
Tamara rolled her eyes. “I just want to be clear.”
His smirk returned, but he nodded. “Alright. No feelings.”
She exhaled, feeling slightly better now that there was some structure to this madness. “Good. Now, how do we start this?”
Lucas stood, straightening his suit jacket. “My mother is hosting a charity gala this weekend. It’ll be our first public appearance together. You’ll need a dress.”
Tamara’s stomach dipped. “A gala?”
“Yes. The press will be there. It’ll make our ‘relationship’ official.”
Her pulse quickened. It was one thing to agree to this arrangement in a private office. It was another to step into the spotlight, hand-in-hand with Lucas Sington, and play the role of the doting girlfriend.
But it was too late to back out now.
She lifted her chin, forcing confidence into her voice. “Alright. Let’s do this.”
Lucas’s gaze lingered on her for a second longer than necessary before he nodded. “I’ll send a stylist to your place tomorrow.”
Tamara frowned. “I can pick my own dress.”
His smirk was back. “I know. But if we’re going to convince the world, we have to look the part.”
Tamara sighed, already regretting this. “Fine. But I’m not wearing anything ridiculous.”
Lucas chuckled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
As Tamara left his office that night, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just stepped into something far more complicated than she had anticipated.
And she had no idea if she was ready for it.
- Writer
