As they walked, the trees thinned, revealing a breathtaking sight in the distance – a crystal-clear lake shimmering under the sun. Emily gasped, her surprise pulling her hand away from Oliver's instinctively. Without a word, she broke into a run towards the water's edge.
Oliver chuckled, watching her go. He quickened his pace to catch up. "Wait, Emily!"
Reaching the shore, Emily stood mesmerized. The gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she gazed at the calm surface of the lake, reflecting the blue sky like a giant mirror.
Oliver joined her side, his features softening. "This place brings back a lot of memories,"
Emily turned to him. "Memories?"
"This was my childhood haven. I used to spend hours he
Oliver Sterling, the CEO with a winning personality and drop-dead looks—sharp jawline, mesmerizing green eyes, perfect nose, luscious lips, bushy eyebrows, and sleek black hair. Standing tall at 6 and a half feet with an athletic build, he strutted through his office holding onto a bunch of papers. Emily, his hyper-organized secretary, stood there all prepared with her clipboard. "Hey, Ms. Collins, what's my schedule for today?" Oliver flashed his usual charming smile, eyeing Emily's simple yet sharp look. Her ginger hair is styled in a neat bun, and a no-nonsense outfit consisting of a dull-colored long skirt, an old-school blouse, no makeup, thick glasses, and pink lips. Those lips were the only colorful thing on her. "Good morning, Mr. Sterling. Here's the deal for today's meetings." Emily handed over the clipboard. "Your 9 am got pushed to 10, and the Johnson account review is happening this afternoon." "Got it. Thanks, Ms. Collins. What about that Jenkins project report?" He q
In the confines of her cubicle, Emily sat focused at her messy desk. Papers, pens, and sticky notes covered her space. A cactus plant was set on the side, the only decoration on her table aside from hundreds of pens, notebooks, and sticky notes. "Mr. Sterling's 10 a.m. with the board got bumped to 11," Emily said calmly. As she sorted Oliver's schedule, a quick look at the pic on her desk of a financial goal scribbled on a note by her desk. Her goal of hitting a $1 million mark within a certain time frame was like her guiding star. But as the night dragged on, frustration started creeping into her expression. She double-checked her progress last night, studying the numbers with a wrinkled forehead as she faced a setback in her carefully planned-out goals. With a heavy sigh, Emily leaned back in her chair, her fingers massaging her temples as she stared at the screen. As the night wore on and the clock struck midnight, she found herself the only soul in the company. Exhaustion hun
Oliver sat at his desk, surrounded by a mountain of paperwork and illuminated by the soft glow of his computer screen. It was well past the office hours, yet he remained engrossed in finalizing the intricate details of a crucial project. The only other soul present in the office was Emily. Emily had meticulously organized files and neatly arranged stacks of documents. Her dedication to her job was admirable. Oliver glanced up from his screen, rubbing his temples in an attempt to ease the strain of looking at the screen for long. He noticed Emily typing away at her computer, engrossed in her tasks. "Hey, Ms. Collins," Emily looked up, her gaze meeting Oliver's tired eyes. "Yes, Mr. Sterling?" "How late is it now?" Oliver asked, stifling a yawn. "It's almost midnight, sir," Emily replied, glancing at the clock on her computer screen. "You've been at this for hours. Would you like some coffee?" "That would be fantastic, thank you. You're a lifesaver, Ms. Collins." As Emily headed
The sunlight filters through the large windows of the office, casting a warm glow on the desks. Oliver sits at his desk. He glances at the clock, realizing it's almost lunchtime, a perfect opportunity to discuss his proposal with his secretary. So, he strides over to Emily's desk. "Ms. Collins," he begins, leaning against the side of her desk, "Do you have a moment? I was thinking maybe we could grab lunch together?" Emily looks up from her computer screen, doubtful of Oliver's request. He never invited her to meals. "Uhm…sure, Mr. Sterling. Is everything alright?" "Yeah, of course. I just need to talk about something important" With a nod, Emily gathers her belongings and joins Oliver as they head out of the office. The streets are alive with the people going in and out, and they find themselves at a café nestled between the high-rise buildings. As they settle into a quiet corner table, Oliver orders a couple of sandwiches and a pot of coffee. The aroma of freshly brewed coffe
The moon shone brightly over the amusement park as the laughter of children echoed in the air. Emily stood near the entrance gate, patiently awaiting Oliver's arrival still in her heels and long-fitted skirt. Soon after, Oliver arrived and spotted Emily near the gate of the lively park atmosphere. "This is quite an unexpected choice for our meeting," Oliver remarked, as soon as he reached her side. "I thought we could use a change of scenery, and truthfully, I've always wanted to ride the Ferris wheel," Emily confessed with a sheepish smile, gesturing toward the towering structure that dominated the park's skyline. But due to the demanding job of being a secretary for Oliver Sterling, she never had the chance to fulfill that wishlist so she decided to use the agreement to do so. "A negotiation in amusement park rides — I can't say I've done that before." "Work has always kept me busy, but today, I wanted to experience the joy of the Ferris wheel, and well, also discuss our arran
Oliver's office exuded an air of prestige, furnished with sleek, mahogany accents that reflected his status as CEO. Emily, poised and composed, sat across the mahogany desk, clutching a pen ready to finalize the terms of their arrangement. The pen moves fluidly in Emily's hand as she scrutinizes the lines, finalizing the contract. Oliver couldn't help but notice a faint furrow between Emily's brows. "Is there anything you'd like to discuss further, Ms. Collins?" Emily's focus snapped back to the present, "No Sir. Everything seems to align with our prior discussions. I believe we've covered all essential aspects." “That’s good to hear” With a swift yet deliberate motion, they both affixed their signatures on the document, sealing their agreement in ink. Oliver leaned forward slightly, extending his hand across the polished desk. “I am looking forward to working with you, Ms. Collins” Emily looked at his extended hand. It was like she had gone back to their first meeting a
Sunlight streamed through the windows of Emily's modest apartment, and to the meticulously arranged notes and research materials spread across her coffee table. As usual, her weekends are still busy as always. Later, she would need to bring groceries since her only stock consists of only cup noodles. A stack of magazines featuring Oliver's public appearances sat beside her laptop, open to various online articles highlighting the events of wealthy people.Emily, engrossed in her research, sat hunched over her notebook, busy jotting down"Argh…this is tiring" She sifted through pages of notes, analyzing Oliver's family. The Sterling name was not just a name. It was a multi-billionaires family name. So, it is important she did intensive research on them. Although she had a little background on them, this time she needed to research the family's daughters-in-law. "I need to somehow fit in their social status…," Emily mused, her eyes scanning through images of red-carpet appearances of
Emily carefully placed a steaming cup of coffee on Oliver's desk, interrupting his usual routine of reading reports. Oliver glanced up, a faint smile gracing his lips at the sight of his favorite afternoon coffee. "Thanks, Ms. Collins," Oliver said, acknowledging her with a nod."Sir," Emily began, "I think it's about time we put our plan into action, don't you think?"“Ah, right on cue. I've been waiting for this. How about we meet at my penthouse after work? We can discuss the details without interruptions.""That sounds good, Sir. I still have a few emails to send, so meeting after work works perfectly."With a nod, Emily returned to her cubicle after finalizing her tasks for the day. As she settled back into her chair, a sigh escaped her lips. Her legs started to protest quietly, aching from going back and forth on the company. Emily winced slightly and, in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort, she discreetly massaged her legs, trying to soothe the strain.Across the room, Ol
As they walked, the trees thinned, revealing a breathtaking sight in the distance – a crystal-clear lake shimmering under the sun. Emily gasped, her surprise pulling her hand away from Oliver's instinctively. Without a word, she broke into a run towards the water's edge.Oliver chuckled, watching her go. He quickened his pace to catch up. "Wait, Emily!"Reaching the shore, Emily stood mesmerized. The gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she gazed at the calm surface of the lake, reflecting the blue sky like a giant mirror.Oliver joined her side, his features softening. "This place brings back a lot of memories,"Emily turned to him. "Memories?""This was my childhood haven. I used to spend hours he
It has been four days since Emily stayed with the Sterling family. And she would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy it. The family made sure that she visited every nook and crook of their estates and even the town. It almost feels like the day was gone too fast.She quietly watched as maids, helpers, and other organizers busied themselves preparing for the party tonight. It was just morning, but the mansion was already a hive of activity. She had been here for four days now, and tonight’s party was the highlight of the week.Despite her initial reservations, Emily had to admit she enjoyed staying with Oliver’s family. They were warm and welcoming, and she found herself feeling at home. She couldn’t ignore the irony—she was supposed to be fake dating Oliver, yet she found herself genuinely liking the experience.
Soon after that day, Emily found herself staring at the horses, their powerful forms and glossy coats gleaming in the sunlight. The Sterling family had planned a horseback riding excursion and that includes her. The air was filled with cheerful chatter and laughter."This is going to be amazing!" chirped a young girl, barely taller than Emily's knees, bouncing on the balls of her feet."I know, right?" A group of teenagers nearby chimed in. "Finally, something fun to do besides listening to Uncle George's snoring!" they joke, erupting in a fit of giggles.An older woman with silver streaks in her hair chuckled good-naturedly. "Don't be so mean to your uncle, dear. He just enjoys his afternoon naps."The
When Emily woke up, she was momentarily disoriented, unsure of where she was. Then the events of the previous day came rushing back. Right, she was in Oliver's family mansion pretending to be his girlfriend. The unfamiliar room around her slowly came into focus, and she sighed, feeling warm and comfortable under the heavy blankets.Snuggling closer, she enjoyed the warmth and the comforting scent surrounding her. It was a mix of something clean and distinctly masculine. But then she felt an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and her eyes snapped open in surprise. She found herself face-to-face with a sleeping Oliver.Her breath caught in her throat as she quickly sat upright, careful not to wake him. Oliver continued to sleep soundly, his arm falling away from her as she moved.“Shit” she mumbled.Emily took a moment to steady her racing heart, her eyes drifting back to Oliver. He looked incredibly handsome in the soft morning light. His sharp jawline was relaxed in sleep, his
After the bonfire, Emily and Oliver made their way back to their room and changed into their sleeping attire. The warmth of the fire still lingered in their bones, but the reality of their situation quickly settled in as they closed the door behind them. They stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, neither quite sure how to proceed.Oliver cleared his throat and offered, "I can take the couch, Ms. Collins. You should take the bed."Emily shook her head, her sense of duty as his secretary kicking in but also noticing that he easily switched the way he called her. "No, Oliver—I mean Sir, you're the one who should take the bed. I’m fine with the couch.""Ms. Collins, I insist. You've been through a lot today, and you deserve to be comfortable.""No, really. It's just a couch. I’ll be fine." Before Oliver could move to the couch, Emily grabbed a pillow and made a dash for it. "Emily, wait!" Oliver called out, reaching for her hand. As he did, Emily accidentally slipped on a piece of
After spending some time in Oliver's room, Emily finally decided to venture downstairs. The house was quiet, the afternoon sun casting warm light through the large windows. After lunch, she and Oliver hadn’t spoken much; he had been called away by his father. She had changed into a simple skirt and a cozy sweater, hoping to feel more comfortable among Oliver's family.She frowned when she didn't see anyone. As she walked through the hallway, she ran into one of Oliver's cousins, a bubbly young woman. Her eyes lit up when she saw Emily. "Emily hey! We're having a bonfire outside. You should join us!"Emily hesitated, unsure if she should intrude on the family gathering. "I don't know. Maybe I should just—"Before she could finish, the woman grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door. "Nonsense! You’re practically family now. Come on, it’ll be fun!"Reluctantly, Emily allowed herself to be dragged outside. The cool evening air greeted her as they stepped onto the lawn. She saw a l
Deciding it was time for some socialization, Emily descended the stairs, only to be met with a surprise. The living room was a sea of unfamiliar faces mingling with a few she recognized from previous gatherings. Her gaze instinctively darted around the room, searching for Oliver, but he was nowhere to be found.The sudden silence as she reached the bottom step made Emily acutely aware of all eyes turning towards her. Oliver's mother, Odessa materialized beside her in an instant."You finally come down!" Emily managed a shaky nod, forcing a smile. "I'm sorry, I fell asleep before I knew it""No worries, dear. Jet lag is the worst," Odessa added, before gently ushering her towards the assembled relatives. "Everyone, this is Emily! I want you to meet some of our family who couldn't make it last year. And this is our big family!"Emily scanned the faces, searching for those around her age and Oliver's. A group of children played near a window, their laughter echoing through the room."Hi
As the car rolled down the long driveway, Emily's grip on her bag tightened. Her gaze darted out the window, taking in every detail of the place that felt both familiar and utterly foreign. She couldn't help but admire the grand estate, especially the mansion. The house stood tall with large windows, its exterior constructed from light-colored stone, giving it a stately and classic appearance. The front yard was expansive, stretching out into a well-manicured lawn dotted with flower beds bursting with color. At the far end of the property, a glimpse of the family’s large land came into view, hinting at the vastness of the estate.The car finally came to a halt in front of the grand entrance. Oliver announced, "We're here. Are you ready?" His voice startled Emily from her nervous reverie.She took a deep breath. It's not like she can run back to the city and forget everything that happened. So she forced out, “Um…yeah.”She followed Oliver out of the car. He slipped his phone into his
The black car purred softly to a stop in front of Emily's apartment building. Oliver glanced at his watch, then out the window. Moments later, the door of the building swung shut and Emily emerged. She wore a simple sundress that accentuated her fair and pale skin, her hair pulled back in a loose bun. Large tortoiseshell glasses perched on her nose. However, the two large bags slung over her shoulders – one a backpack, the other a hefty duffel – detracted from the effortless grace she usually carried.Oliver stepped out, his gaze landing on the bags. "Good morning, Ms. Collins," Emily returned with her professional smile, "Hi, Sir. Good morning," she replied, hoisting the bags a little higher on her shoulder. The effort caused her to wobble slightly."Emily, did you pack all of this yourself?" he asked, gesturing to the bags with a raised eyebrow."Yes, I did. I wanted to make sure we had everything we might need for the trip. Oliver was touched by her thoughtfulness. He could tell