FOUR DAYS UNDER ONE ROOF
979 Words
The words hung heavily between them.
"You think you can pay your way into having me?"
For the first time in years, Ethan Blake—the man who could stand before investors, destroy competitors with a single decision, and negotiate billion-dollar contracts without breaking a sweat—had no answer.
Because Elisa was right.
At least, from her point of view.
Every woman who had ever entered Ethan's world had wanted something.
His money.
His name.
His influence.
His status.
No one had ever looked him in the eyes and accused him of being too wealthy to understand the value of human dignity.
No one until Elisa Morgan.
And strangely enough…
he admired her for it.
"I'm sorry."
The words came quietly.
Elisa looked at him, surprised.
The powerful billionaire was apologizing.
Again.
"That came out wrong," Ethan continued. "I wasn't trying to buy you."
She folded her arms.
"Then what exactly were you trying to do?"
Ethan looked toward the staircase where his mother had disappeared moments ago.
A small, almost painful smile crossed his face.
"Keep her happy."
The anger in Elisa's expression softened slightly.
"My family has this gathering every year."
She remained silent.
For the first time since she met him, she was willing to listen.
"We celebrate my parents. We leave our businesses behind. We eat together. We tell stories. We remember who we are outside of our achievements."
His eyes darkened.
"Especially me."
Elisa noticed the change in his expression.
There was something hidden behind those words.
Something painful.
"You don't come often?" she asked.
Ethan laughed softly.
"Not as often as I should."
"And your mother misses you."
"More than she tells me."
A silence settled between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Not hostile.
Just honest.
"I spent ten years building my company from the ground up."
Ethan walked toward the large window, staring into the darkness outside.
"When I left my father's company, I promised myself I would create something that was mine."
"And you did."
"Yes."
"But?"
The single word made him turn around.
"But I lost a lot in the process."
For a moment, the billionaire disappeared.
There was no expensive suit.
No cold expression.
No powerful reputation.
There was only a son who missed his family.
"I missed birthdays."
He looked away.
"Anniversaries."
His voice became lower.
"Even my mother's last two gatherings."
Elisa's heart tightened.
"And now?" she asked.
"Now I return home and for the first time in years, my mother looks at me like she has everything she wants."
His eyes met hers.
"And that includes you."
Her breath caught.
She quickly looked away.
Why did his words feel so personal?
This was ridiculous.
She had known him for only a few hours.
She was a driver.
A stranger.
A woman who did not belong in his world.
"Four days, Elisa."
His voice was gentle.
"That's all I am asking."
She wanted to say no.
She should say no.
Everything about this situation was dangerous.
Pretending to be a billionaire's girlfriend?
Living in his house?
Sharing family moments that did not belong to her?
It was insane.
But then she remembered the rent notice hidden in her drawer.
Her brother's school fees.
The bills waiting for her at home.
Life had not given her the luxury of refusing every difficult choice.
Still, she would not let him think money had changed her mind.
"If I agree," she said.
Ethan stepped closer.
"If?"
"There will be rules."
For the first time that evening, a small smile touched his lips.
"Rules?"
"Yes."
"I am listening."
"One, you will never speak to me like I am an employee."
His smile disappeared.
"Agreed."
"Two, this is a deal, not a relationship."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Of course."
"Three, after four days, we go back to being strangers."
The room suddenly became very quiet.
Ethan didn't know why those words bothered him.
Perhaps because he had never met someone who made him feel comfortable so quickly.
Or perhaps because the idea of never seeing her again was already unsettling.
"Fine," he said.
"Fine."
She stretched out her hand.
"We have an agreement."
Ethan looked at her hand.
For some reason, shaking it felt like signing a contract that would change his life.
Slowly, he reached out and held her hand.
The moment their fingers touched, a strange electricity passed between them.
Both of them felt it.
Both of them ignored it.
"Wonderful!"
A cheerful voice suddenly echoed from behind them.
They immediately pulled their hands apart.
Ethan's mother stood at the entrance of the living room with a huge smile on her face.
"Oh, don't stop on my account," she teased.
"Mum—"
"I knew it!" she interrupted.
She walked toward Elisa and held her hands.
"My son has finally found someone who can make him smile."
Elisa felt guilty.
The warmth in this woman's eyes was real.
And that made the lie even heavier.
Before she could speak, another figure appeared behind Ethan's mother.
His father.
Unlike everyone else, there was no smile on his face.
His eyes moved from Ethan to Elisa.
Careful.
Observing.
Almost suspicious.
Then he looked directly at his son.
"We need to talk."
The warmth in the room disappeared instantly.
Ethan's expression changed.
Because he knew that tone.
That was not a father's request.
It was a warning.
Ethan has secured Elisa's agreement.
For four days, she will pretend to be the woman he loves.
But while his mother welcomes her like a daughter…
his father has seen something that everyone else has missed.
And whatever he wants to discuss with Ethan may destroy their lie before the first night even begins.
"The Secret Behind the Blake Name" — Ethan's father will reveal why he distrusts Elisa's presence, and Elisa will begin to realize that Blake Manor is hiding more than just a fake relationship.
- Writer
