Chapter 2: The Girlfriend He Never Had
1364 Words
The hotel door had barely closed behind Sophia Anderson when Marcus came out of the closet looking ready to commit murder.
“What the hell was that?”
Ethan loosened his tie. “You’re going to have to narrow it down.”
Marcus pointed at him. “She knew.”
“Yes.”
“And you let her know?”
“I didn't make noise inside the closet.”
Marcus’s face darkened.
Olivia stepped between them before he could answer.
“Stop. Fighting with Ethan isn't going to fix anything.”
Marcus swung toward her. “He nearly kissed you.”
“You told us to convince her.”
“I told you to act.”
“And she didn't believe the acting.”
Ethan glanced toward the door Sophia had disappeared through.
That was the disturbing part.
Sophia had known.
She had looked straight at the closet and chosen not to open it.
Then she'd summoned Ethan to her office.
Alone.
Marcus apparently reached the same conclusion.
“What does she want with you tomorrow?”
“If I knew, I wouldn't be standing here.”
“You're not going.”
Ethan looked at him. “She's your wife, not mine. You tell her.”
Marcus fell silent.
Exactly.
Sophia Anderson wasn't simply the billionaire's wife everyone smiled at during charity dinners. Her family controlled a major investment group, and she owned a substantial stake in Marcus's company.
More importantly, when Marcus's business had nearly collapsed three years ago, Sophia had been the one who saved it.
Marcus could order Ethan around.
Sophia could make Marcus nervous.
That distinction was becoming increasingly important.
Marcus walked to the minibar and poured himself a drink.
“We end this tonight.”
Olivia frowned. “End what?”
“You and Ethan. Whatever this is.”
“There is no this.”
“Good. He goes home, and nobody talks about tonight again.”
Ethan reached for his jacket.
That sounded perfect.
He had made ten thousand dollars, survived the evening, and technically still had a job.
He was halfway to the door when Olivia said, “That's a terrible idea.”
His hand stopped on the handle.
Marcus stared at her. “What?”
“Sophia doesn't believe us.”
“You don't know that.”
“She sat here and made us prove we were dating.”
Marcus's jaw tightened.
Olivia continued, calmer now. “If Ethan suddenly disappears from my life tomorrow, what do you think she'll conclude?”
Marcus said nothing.
“That we lied,” Ethan answered.
Olivia nodded.
“And then she'll start asking why.”
Marcus paced toward the windows.
“She already knows why.”
“Knowing something and proving it are different things.”
That got his attention.
Olivia had switched back into executive-assistant mode—the woman who handled hostile investors, scheduling disasters, and executives twice her age without raising her voice.
“If Sophia wants evidence,” she said, “don't give it to her. Ethan and I keep dating.”
Ethan turned.
“We what?”
“Publicly.”
“No.”
Olivia ignored him.
“We have dinner occasionally. Maybe I meet him after work. People at the office see us together. Nothing dramatic.”
Marcus looked sick.
Ethan understood why.
The plan required the billionaire to watch his mistress date his driver so his wife wouldn't discover that his mistress was actually sleeping with him.
There were lies, and then there were organizational structures.
“This is absurd,” Ethan said.
Marcus looked at him.
Then at Olivia.
Then at the door.
“How long?”
“A few weeks,” Olivia said. “Until Sophia stops looking.”
Marcus finished his drink.
“You don't touch her.”
Ethan blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“You're establishing rules for my imaginary relationship?”
“I am establishing rules for your continued employment.”
Olivia folded her arms. “If Sophia sees us together, we may have to touch.”
Marcus's expression was almost painful.
“Hands.”
“Hands?” Ethan repeated.
“You can hold hands.”
“How generous.”
“No kissing.”
Olivia looked toward Ethan.
“Apparently we need written authorization.”
“Not funny.”
It was a little funny.
Ethan wisely kept that thought to himself.
Marcus grabbed his jacket.
“Fine. You pretend to date until Sophia loses interest. Then you break up.”
“Who dumps whom?” Ethan asked.
Marcus glared.
“Does it matter?”
“I've never had a fake girlfriend. I want to understand the benefits package.”
“Keep talking and I'll fire you.”
There was the Marcus Ethan knew.
Marcus started for the door, then stopped.
His eyes moved between Ethan and Olivia.
Suspicion returned.
“You leave too.”
Olivia shook her head. “What if Sophia has someone downstairs?”
Marcus hesitated.
“If all three of us walk out minutes apart, tonight's story dies before morning.”
She was right.
Again.
Marcus hated that she was right.
“So what are you suggesting?”
“You leave first.”
“And him?”
“He stays.”
The room went very quiet.
Marcus slowly looked at Ethan.
“No.”
“Marcus.”
“No.”
“Your wife believes he's my boyfriend. Boyfriends don't run out of hotel rooms five minutes after being discovered.”
Ethan raised a hand. “For the record, this boyfriend would be delighted to run.”
Neither listened.
Marcus pointed at Olivia. “Nothing happens.”
She rolled her eyes.
Then he pointed at Ethan.
“Nothing.”
“I understood the first time.”
“I mean it.”
“So do I.”
Marcus moved closer until only a foot separated them.
“For ten years, I've trusted you with my cars, my schedule, my family, and my life.”
Ethan's humor faded.
“I know.”
“Don't make me regret it.”
The words landed harder than the threat had.
Ethan met his eyes.
“I won't.”
Marcus finally left.
When the door shut, the hotel suite changed.
Not physically.
But without Marcus filling it with panic and orders, Ethan became acutely aware that he was alone with Olivia Bennett in a room that still looked like evidence.
Olivia sat on the edge of the bed and removed her heels.
Ethan chose the armchair.
She noticed.
“You look terrified.”
“I've had easier nights driving through blizzards.”
“I'm not going to attack you.”
“Your boyfriend threatened to cut off my hands fifteen minutes ago.”
“He isn't my boyfriend.”
Ethan gave her a look.
Olivia sighed.
“Fine. Point taken.”
For a moment neither spoke.
Then she said quietly, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Not exposing me.”
Ethan studied her.
“You really believed he'd leave Sophia, didn't you?”
Her face changed.
Only slightly.
But the polished executive disappeared for a second.
“He said their marriage had been over for years.”
Ethan looked away.
He had heard versions of that sentence before.
Usually from married men.
“I suppose you think I'm stupid.”
“No.”
“You should.”
“I think you believed the person you wanted to believe.”
That seemed to hurt more.
Olivia stared at the carpet.
“I used to think women who did this were idiots.”
“And now?”
“Now I know idiots usually have very convincing explanations.”
Ethan almost smiled.
His phone buzzed.
He expected Marcus.
Instead, the screen showed an unknown number.
Be at Anderson Capital at 9:00 a.m. Do not tell Marcus what I ask you.
A second message arrived.
And Ethan?
He waited.
If he offers you money before then, don't take it.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Olivia stood.
“What is it?”
He locked the phone.
“Nothing.”
That was his first lie to his fake girlfriend.
And somehow, Ethan had the feeling it wouldn't be his last.
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