The CEO's Pretend Lover

Twelve: "Help me"

Elizabeth had just got out of the shower and when she reached for her phone, she saw that she had missed calls from her parents.

"Damn it."

After the whole events of today, the last thing she needed before bed was her parents bombarding her with questions. Drying her hair with a towel, she dialed her mother's number before the woman filed a missing person report with the police just because her daughter didn't pick up the phone.

"Mother, I was in the shower."

"What did I see on the news?" Her mother's disbelief was evident in her tone and she sighed. She expected it, people living on the moon must have definitely heard about it.

"What did you see, mother?"

"What's the relationship between you and Romano Corp? What business do you have with them?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "I work for the CEO. I'm her personal assistant. That's all I can say for now."

"Your father wants to know what you're hiding." Her mother continued, "I don't even want to hear it over the phone."

"Yes mother, we'll speak when I come back this weekend."

"And the Chairman of Harrison Enterprise is awaiting your arrival."

Elizabeth sighed. Her mother was keen on this arranged marriage thing. Is she even considerate of how she feels instead of whisking her away to a total stranger?

"I already told you mother, I'm in a relationship and I'll be bringing my partner this weekend."

"We will see about that. Oh, your father wants to speak with you." Elizabeth heard shuffling before her father's gruff voice kissed her eardrums.

"Papa, what do you want for your birthday? I don't want to hear 'I'm the best gift'." Elizabeth walked to her window and drew her curtains closed. She wanted to wear her comfortable clothes before going to bed.

"If you can get me a bottle of the finest wine, I'd be more than happy." He laughed before telling her he'd wait for her and her lover's appearance.

"And don't be hurt by what your mother decides. You know she doesn't mean any harm."

"I've heard you, Father. Good night." She dropped her phone on the bed and pulled out shorts and a plain tee from her wardrobe before hearing a knock on her door.

Elizabeth felt weird, she wasn't expecting anyone. Elena and Derek didn't state they were coming tonight when they spoke on the phone earlier.

"I'm coming!" She yelled as she quickly wore her clothes. It may be her landlord. She did call him to make complaints about the plumbing two hours ago.

Meanwhile, the masked man outside the door smiled. When he got the order to follow Elizabeth home and harm her, he had to ask for lots of money. He saw her on the news and knew that she was worth the bait. Anyone affiliated with the popular CEO must have someone willing to spend a lot of money.

"Take your time." He let out in a low voice, bringing out his weapon. He didn't have to work hard. What stupid woman opens the door willingly to strangers?

Elizabeth peeked through the peephole, a habit she usually did before opening the door, and she gasped. A knife was in his hands and she backed away from the door, heart racing. Who's this strange man about to harm her?

"Who are you? What do you want from me?"

The masked man could feel the fear in her voice, making him aware that she sensed what he was about to do.

Jiggling with her door knob, he laughed before replying to her in a dead voice. "You don't have to worry about that, it won't be needed in the afterlife."

Elizabeth's face paled. It won't be long before he breaks her lock and barges in at the rate he was fumbling with it. She glanced around, feet planted in place. There was only one way out, and it was the front door, the same front door her death was waiting at.

Bang!

The man hit the door and she screamed before running to her window and opening it. Glancing down, she saw it wasn't that far of a drop.

She grabbed her phone and lifted a leg over the window sill just as her door opened and the man stood there with a gun in his hands.

Smiling as he lifted his hand, he fired a shot, grazing her cheek and she screamed, feeling herself fall to the ground. She ignored the pain in her arm from the impact of the fall and grabbed her phone, got on her feet and ran.

Her community was quiet, the streets were quiet and the only source of light was the street lamps that aided night walkers. Even if she shouted for help, who would be around to assist her?

Elizabeth had never felt the need to run from anything in her life, but when she heard footsteps behind her and she saw that the masked man had an accomplice, a sudden energy burst through her. It must be survival's instinct. The tears roamed freely down her cheek as she tried not to choke on her tears.

Help me. She chanted in her head.

"Stop right there!" They kept shouting at her. She didn't want to imagine what they were going to do to her. Her feet hurt so badly, but she had to go on.

She planned to run to the busy streets, and call Jéan at any chance she got. She was getting closer, she had to hold on for a little while.

Taking a sharp turn into the busy street, she didn't look at the road before running across it. Ignoring the honks of cars, she ran into the small restaurant that was still open and busy with customers. She was going to be safe here, for now. She watched the men right across the road, like they were waiting for her to leave or for the customers to disperse so they could commit the crime without witnesses.

The customers didn't even glance at the whimpering female, unaware of the situation. It must be another homeless person who would come and beg for food, as that was the frequent event that always occurred.

Elizabeth's hands shook as she dialed Jéan's number, praying that she would pick up even though it was past 10.

'The number you're trying to dial is-' Elizabeth jabbed the red icon before redialing it again. Jéan had to pick up. She could only pray.

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Jéan was trying to have a quiet night away from her pesky brother and father, especially her father, who would ask about the progress of the plan.

She planned on not picking up her calls until daybreak. She needed the energy to face stress and tomorrow was the best time for that.

But when she heard her phone ring from where she placed it, she ignored it thinking it was Jules.

"That nosy rat won't leave me alone." Jéan hissed as she crossed her legs and took a swig of her wine from the bottle. She stood like that, waiting for the ringtone to end so she could enjoy the silence.

The phone rang again, and she groaned before walking towards it. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was her pretend girlfriend and pressed the green button.

"Elizabeth, what's-"

"Jéan!" The voice cried out. "Please, help me. They're after me."

The bottle slipped from Jéan's hand and fell onto the rug, spilling its red contents over the gray surface.

"Where are you?" Jéan questioned as she looked for her keys. Grabbing it and sprinting out the door after Elizabeth had given her the name of the restaurant she was hiding in, her heart pounded due to worry.

Who was after her? Why were they after her? These questions kept repeating in her head as she drove like a mad man just to ensure her asset, to ensure the acquisition was okay.

"Elizabeth!" Jéan ran into the restaurant after she located it, not minding the whispers that were floating in the air.

"What would you like?"

"Jéan!" Elizabeth stood up from where she was crouched and Jéan took in how her assistant looked. Her eyes were red from all the crying she had done and there was blood on her arm and face. Glancing at her feet, Jéan noticed she was bare feet and her fists clenched.

"Beth!" She ran towards the female and enveloped her in a hug as Elizabeth broke out in tears once more. She was scared Jéan wouldn't make it on time as the customers were leaving one by one. She couldn't talk to anybody to help her. Who knew how the men were able to trace her to her house? Anyone would have given them the information.

She only wanted Jéan here.

"What happened?" Jéan rubbed her head, worry and anger laced in her voice, but she didn't get a response.

Elizabeth only glanced at the glass doors, right across the street where the men stood, and watched them disappear like they hadn't been there.

Jéan's eyes followed Elizabeth's gaze and right back at the woman who still shook like a frightened rabbit. Lifting the woman in bridal style, Jéan walked back to her parked car and placed Elizabeth in the back seat.

"Lie down, we're going back to my place."