CEO'S RENTED GIRLFRIEND

EPISODE 1

Noah's POV

I stare at the phone on my desk, my frustration mounting with each ring. Reluctantly, I snatch it up just before it goes to voicemail. "What now?"

"Noah, there's an emergency board meeting in five minutes. Stop what you're doing and get down here."

The line dies before I can open my mouth to respond.

My grandfather,Walter Moore is the founder and former CEO of MooreTechnologies. He only reaches out when the s**t is about to hit the fan, or when he needs me to clean up someone's mess.

Resisting the urge to rub the gathering tension in my temples, I place the phone back on the receiver and push away from my desk.

It's ridiculous, honestly. Our company was once the best in tech, but now we're losing investors left and right because of my grandfather's insatiable need to outpace our rivals by launching a costly new project every quarter. Despite me being the new CEO, it's an open secret that my grandfather still pulls the strings behind closed doors. An issue I've yet to remedy.

Let's get this over with. Suppressing a yawn, I exit the elevator and head for the

boardroom.

I don't waste time making small talk with any of the board members. I take my usual seat near the head of the table, offering my grandfather a simple nod as we briefly lock eyes.

"Getting straight into it—the risks we've been taking this year have almost bled us dry financially," he announces. "The good news is that I have a proposal that may reverse the damage that has been done."

I struggle to keep from rolling my eyes. His proposals to fix the issues he causes rarely end well.

"Our potential lifeline is Alex Wills," he reveals. "She's been making waves in the renewable

energy sector, and I believe our Project Terra will pique her interest a great deal."

I scoff. "Since he hit billionaire status, it's almost impossible to book a meeting with him."

"True. But fortunately for us, an exclusive opportunity has fallen on our laps. I got word that Alex and his wife are hosting an exclusive couple's retreat for business leaders and their partners.

So my plan is simple." He smirks, looking directly at me. "You need to attend the retreat and win Alex over.

Convince him to invest in us before our company goes to s**t by the end of next year."

"Wait. Win him over? I hope you don't mean romantically," I laugh before I can stop myself. "Because we all know I don't swing that way. Besides, I'm single. I can't go on this retreat."

"That's an easy fix, Noah. Simply find someone to join you, and together, you will make this work." He scrubs at his beard, and his right eye twitches, a tell he's stressed. "Registration for the retreat ends today. Spots are limited and everyone is expected to leave by Friday. I already put your name down. You should be receiving information about the next steps via email."

"No!" I stand. "This is completely absurd. I won't do it."

"Calm down," he commands in a firm tone, also moving to stand. "The retreat is a week-long event. All you have to do is pull Alex aside a few times, perhaps connect over the struggles you've faced while being in this industry, and then introduce Project Terra―”

“No” I slam my hand down on the table. “My decision is final”.

The board members exchange uneasy glances, unintentionally caught in the crossfire.

“You n eed to see the bigger picture, Noah. Our company is dying!” He shouts. “Alex's time is precious. He needs to see action before handling over any money. If you make a personal connection and show him how our company’s value align with his, then you'll be golden!”

Let me get this straight you’re seriously suggesting that I drag some random stranger into this, exploit an innocent person and and then sprinkle in a few lies all for the benefit of this company?” I ask him point-blank. “That's really what you want me to do?”

He's quiet for a moment. I bet the thought in his head are churning faster than mine.

When I stepped down because of my health, I secured the votes you needed to become the next CEO of this company. You promised to do whatever it took to keep us on top. Are you now going back on that promise, Noah?”

Goddamn it. There goes the guilt-triping. The peer pressure. The fear of becoming a failure to the person who has given me everything…

So f**k my feelings right? f**k how much I value my privacy.fuck the fact I've never stepped out publicly with a lover before. I've purposely kept that part of my life tucked away from prying eyes of the media because it wasn't their goddamn business to know who I'm sleeping. But now everyone will know. f**k, this is such a mess.

But nothing I didn't sign up for. “I understand the severity of our situation”, I grumble, hoping the angry tremor in my voice goes unnoticed. “And I will consider your dan proposal.”

The room exhales collectively while my stomach pluments for the third time.

Moore Technologies is a company that has owned much of my adult life. I don't want to see it crumble, but I can't stop thinking how far is too far? When is enough, enough?

The rest of the meeting goes by in blur.

When my grandfather finally dismisses us, I leave the room without looking back.

****

A few hour later, I enter James’s kitchen and slide into a secluded booth at the back of the restaurant, sending out a quick text.

Fifteen minutes later, the owner and my best friend strides over with my favorite meal in hand.

“Those eye bags are getting serious, man”. James teases. He puts his dirty blonde hair up into a bun before taking the seat across from me, stealing a few fries off my plate. “Let me guess, another bad day at the office?”

“Basically.” I manage a weak smile before diving into the details of my grandfather's plan.”... It still feels disgusting to even think about it.”

“Look I know he helped to raise you and everything but your grandfather is an asshole”, James says, and I don't object still giving “still given how you feel about that damn company we all know you're going to retreat.”

‘i–”

“But it doesn't mean you have to be completely miserable while you're there. I mean when was the last time you held a conversation with someone who wasn't one of your employees and I'm talking a normal casual conversation?”

I remain silent.

“Exactly and when was the last time you went out on a date?” At my scowl’ he raises his hands in mock surrender You've been working nonstop since you became CEO Noah. You need a break like this All you need to do is talk business to strangers, which you're great at, and then network your ass off with Alex. You can do this without feeling gross.’

“Since you have all the answers where the hell do you suggest I find a date for this retreat that happening 48hours from now?” I chuckle dryly swirling my drink it's not like I can go out on the street and access stranger to come with me.”

“Actually…”

“Oh, God i shouldn't have said anything.”

“Shut up and listen,” he laughs. “I have a solution but don't judge me, okay? dating his head James fishes out his cell phone and starts typing remember Emily the girl I brought to my sister's wedding well I met her through Rent a Partner.”

I almost choke on a bit of my burger. “Rent a…who?”

“Don't f*****g judge,” he repeats with a laugh and slides me his phone to view the app.”You essentially pay someone to spend time with you if you need a temporary companion for your sister's wedding like me or in your case you need a last minute date for a high-profile event you can sign up for the service and tell them about your situation.”

“And then what?” I ask.

“After you get approved to set up your profile, you can browse and request a partner directly, or you can ask to be matched with one. And before you ask–all forms of s****l contact are prohibited.”

“Interesting.”

'I can help you set up,” James says a little too excitedly as I pass his phone back. “It'll only take a few minutes. But you might have to pay a little extra since you need a date at such a short notice.”

"f**k it. Let's do it." Pushed solely by desperation, I give James my cell phone.

"How easy is it to delete your profile afterward?"

"All it takes is the push of a button."

"Good. I can't have anyone finding out I've stooped this low."