The CEO's Pretend Lover

Three: "That's a crazy idea"

Elizabeth sat in the lounge, waiting for Jéan's flight to land from Berlin so they'd go back to the office together. Jéan had sent her an email earlier in the day briefly stating a new job they'd have to do for the benefit of the company.

Elizabeth still weighed the options of having her boss play the role of a lover, but she didn't know who else could. Her parents wouldn't consider someone of average background. That's a losing card on her part. Considering what Elena said, any male brought is a big loss, so her option only narrowed down to females.

Ever since Derek suggested asking her boss, no other alternative had come to her head. Worst case scenario, Jéan would refuse and she'd hit the streets or she'd plead on her knees.

I must be so desperate and crazy. Elizabeth sighed for the fourth time that day.

She was jolted back to present when the PA announced that the flight had landed and she quickly stood up and went towards the arrivals gate. She beeped at Jéan's driver, telling him to park close enough and wait for the both of them.

Jéan walked out with a small suitcase she had carried with her and Elizabeth took in the clothes her boss wore. She looked good in the black central drapey shirt she wore that exposed her arm tattoos and the ripped pants with combat boots. She wore sunglasses and was on the phone. You'd think she was a model the way she walked out that door like she owned it.

Elizabeth shook her head, she couldn't be checking out her boss. Is the anxiety making her think of her boss in another way? She's always admired her boss' fashion taste because she has a fit body, but today seemed different.

"Elizabeth…" Jéan stood a few feet away from the assistant who was lost in her head. She could see that she was thinking about something so deep.

"H-Hi. Welcome back, how was the trip?" She smiled before taking the suitcase from Jéan's possession and gestured to the car waiting for them.

Jéan didn't offer a reply but just walked towards the car and Elizabeth quietly followed. The driver, James, rushed to take the suitcase from Elizabeth and placed it in the booth of the car.

"We're not going to the office, take us to my place." Jéan dictated to Elizabeth's surprise and he nodded before pulling out of the parking lot.

Elizabeth kept thinking throughout the ride about why she suddenly wanted to be home instead of the office. She only had two meetings, though not important, and documents to sign that she had placed on the desk two days ago.

She concluded that Jéan must be tired after all and made a mental reminder to adjourn the meetings to another day.

"Should I make something for you while you take a shower?" Elizabeth asked once they got into the elevator of the building.

"Okay."

"I can ask James to bring the documents you need to sign from the office-"

"Forget about that for now. I want you to look into Miller's Rest for me. We're planning an acquisition. You'd need to make the necessary documents and contact their secretary to hold a meeting to discuss this further."

The elevator door opened and Jéan walked out, leaving Elizabeth in a state of confusion. Miller's Rest was her parents' line and she never knew that Jéan had planned this acquisition.

She followed Jéan into the kitchen and coughed lightly, she had to let Jéan know the state of things. "I'm afraid it won't be easy ma'am. The owners are already setting up a meeting with a potential associate of theirs."

Jéan turned to Elizabeth with an eyebrow arched. She knew she had never spoken about the acquisition before today. How was Elizabeth already aware of Miller's Rest?

"And how did you know that?"

Elizabeth sighed, this was the moment that would lead up to her asking Jéan for help. "Because Miller's Rest belongs to my parents."

The silence was thick. Jéan had many thoughts in her head. How didn't she see this right before her eyes? She never imagined that the Elizabeth Miller who worked for her for 2 years was also related to Miller's Rest.

This was going to be easy, since she was already acquainted with her assistant, the acquisition of Miller's Rest should be smooth.

"That's great! You can tell your parents that the CEO of Romano and Romano, who's also your boss, wants to do business with them. Wow, I didn't expect it to be this simple." Jéan nodded her head in satisfaction.

"My parents don't know who I'm working for. Secondly, they are keen on marrying me off with their associate's son so that they can get back on their feet." Elizabeth rubbed her forehead in frustration, recalling the annoying ordeal she had to go through that night.

"And I told them that I'm in a relationship with someone already, but I know that won't stop it."

"Wait, you're in a relationship?" Jéan exclaimed and Elizabeth jumped, not expecting that reaction. Jean knew it couldn't be possible because Elizabeth was at her beck and call every day. If she had a boyfriend, their relationship would have ended a long time ago.

"I'm not, but I have to be by next month or bye bye to the romance I have always dreamed of."

Elizabeth didn't expect that in a thousand years, she'd be having this conversation with her boss in the kitchen. She didn't know how to ask for Jéan to play along, so she let out a breath and urged Jéan to take a shower while she made something for her to eat. She was going to embrace her cowardly side.

Jéan didn't head towards the bathroom but sat on the couch. She felt Elizabeth had an idea but was holding it back.

"Elizabeth, come sit here." She called out to the woman who was still pacing about in the kitchen who, upon hearing her name, followed the call and obeyed the order.

"We must get this acquisition and I'm asking you to give me your suggestions as my employee. If you know anything that could make this work, say it now." Jéan stared right into Elizabeth's eyes and she gulped, feeling bothered by the sudden eye contact.

"Erm, well...my friends suggested I introduce a lover to them, but it has to be a female because no matter who I bring, they'd ensure I break up with them."

"-so making them believe you're a lesbian would guarantee this acquisition?"

"Not just any female though, I thought you'd play the part." Elizabeth looked away, not wanting to see the expression on Jéan's face.

Jéan's eyes were squinted and her head tilted to the side. "Miss Miller, that's a crazy idea you've got going on in your little head."

"Just think about it!" Elizabeth went on, "Since they were willing to marry me off just because the associate offered to assist, you can also achieve that with just this act."

"Miss Miller-"

"Please, I don't want to marry someone I don't know and be miserable for the rest of my life. This isn't the romance I want." Elizabeth had held on to Jéan's hands like her life depended on it. Jéan could see that she was desperate and she was put in a tight spot.

But she felt she had no choice, she had to make her father proud. If Elizabeth was accurate about her plans, this could work. She analyzed the situation all over in her head; Elizabeth had mentioned that even if she brought a man home to her parents, they would not approve. She would have to bring someone that would make her parents forcefully cancel the planned marriage and be powerful enough for them to accept their offer.

Jéan looked at the woman who was close to leaving a mark on her arm and groaned. Maybe if she played along, it wouldn't hurt at all. She convinced herself she was doing it for the company.

"Fine! Can you let go of my arm?" Jéan muttered. Elizabeth's face lit up and she let out a squeal of delight.

"Seriously? You agree?" Elizabeth jumped up and clapped her hands in pure glee and Jéan groaned yet again. Was it too late to change her mind?

"I'm going to take a shower." Jéan stood up and dragged her body towards her bedroom, leaving Elizabeth in her world of celebration. Whatever happened after that day, she hoped it was going to be worth it or it would be embarrassing.

Elizabeth watched Jéan walk away and picked up her phone to text her friends the good news. Their idea worked and she was going to suggest going for drinks to celebrate.

"I told you she cares about you," Elizabeth imagined Derek having this teasing smirk on his face and she smiled.

"Yeah, you could be useful for once. Drinks are on me this time."

"Now that Jéan agreed, what's the next step?" Elena questioned, and she paused. What next is something she will think about tomorrow, but for now, she has to make a wonderful meal for her boss who just saved her non-existent love story.