Chapter 2 : The Unlikely Solution
1498 Words
The days following Guilliana’s fateful decision were a whirlwind of emotions. The initial shock of her situation had begun to wear off, replaced by a surge of determination. She couldn’t afford to let an unjust policy stand in the way of everything she had worked for. Guilliana had been relentlessly climbing the corporate ladder for years, putting in long hours and sacrificing personal time for professional success. And now, her marital status was threatening to bring it all crashing down.
The CEO’s new policy, which favored married employees for promotions, was a blatant injustice. But Guilliana wasn’t one to back down. She was a fighter, and if she had to get creative to secure her future, then so be it. A fake husband might seem like an outlandish solution, but at this point, she had no other choice.
The morning after her decision, Guilliana woke up early, before the sun had fully risen, her mind already spinning with thoughts of how to make her plan work. She dragged herself out of bed, but instead of going straight to her computer to get to work on the project due at noon, she pulled her phone out of her bag and opened the Rent-a-Husband website once more.
“Should I really be doing this?” she thought to herself, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.
After a deep breath, she clicked on the Contact Us page, filled in her details with careful precision, and drafted a brief but direct message. Guilliana didn’t have the luxury of wasting time.
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Subject: Urgent Inquiry: Looking for a "Rental Husband" for Corporate Purposes
Message:
Hello, I am looking for someone to temporarily pose as my husband for a series of office events. The person will need to attend corporate meetings, dinner parties, and social gatherings, all while acting as though we are a married couple. I need someone who is professional, discreet, and able to blend seamlessly into corporate environments. Please let me know if this is something your agency can assist with. I would appreciate a prompt response as I am working with tight deadlines.
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She stared at the screen for a moment before hitting send. Guilliana felt a strange mix of guilt and anticipation. She’d never been the kind of person to take shortcuts in her career, but this wasn’t just any shortcut. This was a calculated risk—a desperate move to save her future.
Once she sent the message, she turned her attention to the stack of work that awaited her. But the nagging question remained: Would this actually work?
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A few hours later, Guilliana’s phone buzzed with an incoming email. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the subject line:
Subject: Re: Urgent Inquiry: Looking for a "Rental Husband"
She quickly opened it and read through the response.
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Message:
*Dear Guilliana,
Thank you for your inquiry. We specialize in providing professional actors who are trained to adapt to various social situations, including corporate events and business functions. We understand the importance of discretion, and we are confident we can provide someone who will meet your needs.
Please send us more details regarding the events and your expectations, and we will match you with the ideal candidate. We look forward to working with you.
Best regards,
The Rent-a-Husband Team*
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Her fingers trembled as she read the email. It’s real. This is actually happening. Guilliana quickly drafted a response, providing the specifics: her upcoming meetings, office dinners, and a few important social functions that she needed her “husband” to attend with her.
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Subject: Re: Urgent Inquiry: Looking for a "Rental Husband"
Message:
*Thank you for your prompt response. The events I need assistance with are as follows:
1. A corporate dinner next Friday,
2. A business strategy meeting the following week,
3. A casual networking event in two weeks.
My ideal "husband" will need to appear comfortable in a corporate environment, know how to navigate social functions, and be able to interact naturally with my colleagues and clients. I would appreciate someone who can stay professional while also fitting the role of a married man. Please let me know if you have a suitable candidate for these dates.*
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With her response sent, Guilliana allowed herself a brief moment of respite. For the first time in days, she allowed herself to relax—if only for a few minutes. But the gnawing uncertainty lingered. Would she really go through with this? Was it even possible to maintain the pretense of a marriage?
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By the afternoon, Guilliana received a reply. This time, the subject line was clear and to the point.
Subject: Your "Rental Husband" Match
Message:
*Dear Guilliana,
We are pleased to inform you that we have a suitable match for your needs. His name is Alex Graham. He is an experienced actor who has participated in corporate events before and is skilled at blending into social environments. He comes highly recommended for his professionalism and ability to adapt to various roles.
Please let us know if you would like to proceed with this candidate. We can arrange for you to meet him and discuss the details further.
Best regards,
The Rent-a-Husband Team*
---
She blinked at the email for a few seconds before clicking the link to his profile. His headshot was professional, his smile warm but reserved—exactly what she needed. Guilliana felt a small flicker of relief. This guy looked like someone who could seamlessly fit into the role of her husband.
Before she could overthink it, she quickly confirmed her approval.
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Subject: Re: Your "Rental Husband" Match
Message:
Thank you for the information. I would like to proceed with Alex Graham. Please let me know when and where we can meet to discuss the details further.
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The reply came within the hour, and they arranged to meet at a coffee shop later that day. Guilliana’s nerves began to spike again as she prepared herself for the encounter. What if he doesn’t look like his photo? What if he’s awkward? Or worse—what if he can’t handle the corporate setting?
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At the coffee shop, Guilliana was seated at a table by the window, her mind racing as she tried to steady her thoughts. She took a sip of her coffee, watching the door nervously. And then, she saw him—Alex Graham. He entered with an easy confidence, his presence calm but commanding. He was taller than she expected, broad-shouldered, with dark hair and a charming smile. He wore a crisp suit that fit him perfectly.
When their eyes met, Alex’s smile widened, and he walked toward her.
Alex: (smiling warmly) “Guilliana? It’s great to meet you.”
Guilliana: (standing up quickly) “Yes, that’s me. Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”
Alex: (grinning) “Of course, I understand the urgency. I’m happy to help. You don’t have to worry; I’ve done similar roles before.”
Guilliana nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. He looked exactly as he did in the photo, which gave her a sense of reassurance.
Guilliana: “I’m glad to hear that. This whole situation feels a little... overwhelming, to be honest.”
Alex: (nodding) “I get it. It’s not every day someone hires a ‘fake husband.’ But I’m here to make it as smooth as possible for you.”
Guilliana smiled slightly, appreciating his straightforwardness. She motioned for him to sit down, and they both took their seats.
Guilliana: “So, here’s the deal. I need you to attend corporate events with me. You’ll need to act as if we’ve been married for years—people need to believe we’re a solid, committed couple. I can’t afford for anyone to question our ‘relationship.’”
Alex: “Understood. I’ll keep everything professional. I’ll follow your lead, but I’ll also make sure we don’t go overboard with the ‘lovey-dovey’ stuff. I want to make it feel real, but not over the top.”
Guilliana nodded, impressed with his ease. He seemed like someone who could adapt to any situation.
Guilliana: “Exactly. It’s important that we seem natural. No one can know that this is a... business arrangement.”
Alex: (smiling) “Of course. I’ll handle it. Just tell me what I need to do, and I’ll be your husband for as long as you need me.”
Guilliana felt a strange sense of relief wash over her. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all. With Alex’s confidence and experience, the plan might actually work.
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That evening, as she prepared for their first event together, Guilliana couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement. This was, without a doubt, the most unconventional solution to her problem. But as she looked at the suit Alex would be wearing for the dinner, she realized she was actually looking forward to the evening.
Maybe this could work after all.
- Writer
