There was an abundance of food at the buffet.The female chef was all smiles at Ethan. She looked familiar.Hanna's eyes widened as she recognized the chef Cali had mentioned earlier—Ethan's first love!Her gaze flitted between the two of them.Why did she feel like a huge obstacle in their love story? It was the first time she had seen Ethan smile so widely. Why did it hurt her heart that another woman could make him so happy?Casey approached Ethan, and Cali nudged Hanna. Cali seemed like she wanted to cry at the sight of the two former lovers shaking hands.Suddenly, Hanna's world stopped. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, and her chest tightened. They looked perfect together.Was she jealous?The five of them—Cali, Dylan, Casey, Ethan, and Hanna—sat at a large table.The food was delicious, but Hanna could barely swallow it."By the way, Casey, this is Hanna Smith, my fiancée. Our friends, Cali Jenner and Dylan Moore," Ethan introduced.They all smiled at Casey.
Hanna Smith's first day as a cleaner began bright and early.Determined not to be late, she left her house well ahead of time. She reached into her wallet and pulled out her last five dollars, knowing she'd have to walk home later. Squeezing into the packed shuttle bus, she sat at the far end.The driver took forever to give her change, and she began to worry, knowing that this 5-dollar bill was all she had for the next five days' fare."Sir, my change from the 5 dollars, please. I'm getting off at the corner," she called out.The driver glanced at her and said, "There's no five dollars in my fare box. You haven't paid yet."A flash of panic hit her."Sir, I couldn't be mistaken because that's my only money. I handed it over earlier." She checked her wallet again—her 5-dollar bill was gone. She looked at the person next to her, but it was a different passenger now. The person she handed the fare to must have gotten off."Ma'am, if you didn't pay, just say so. Don't deceive me!"
Hanna was momentarily stunned. Ethan must not find out she was the woman he had hired for a night."It was just a slip of the tongue. 10,000 dollars in exchange for pretending to be your girlfriend," Hanna demanded."Okay, deal."Hanna extended her hand. "Sir, hand over the payment."Ethan shook his head. "You're quite something. I'll pay you once you start pretending, and this isn't just for a day. Whenever I need you, you'll come. Anyway, sign the agreement later and you'll get your initial payment.""Okay, sir." Hanna's ears perked up with excitement. Her sister's chemotherapy expenses would be covered."What exactly will this pretending involve?" she asked."Just pretend we fell in love at first sight. You don't need to change anything. You're a cleaner at the company," he replied."Sir, it might be hard for your parents to believe that story. A CEO falling for a cleaner?""You look decent enough. They'll believe I fell for you at first sight. Besides, my mom doesn't care
"Mr. Miller, why are you interested in my perfume?" Hanna asked Ethan.She didn't mind if he was gay, but that seemed impossible considering how great he was in bed. Her face flushed at the thought."I'll pay you. Bring me the perfume you used," Ethan said."Okay," she replied, puzzled by his sudden interest in her perfume.Her grandmother had taught her to make perfume using various flowers, with the scent of roses being her favorite."Okay, you may go.""Mr. Miller, it's raining heavily.""There's a waiting shed over there. Take shelter. Get out!" he ordered."It's dark in the waiting shed. I might get raped there. And I don't have an umbrella. Please take me to the town center at least," she pleaded.He thought for a moment. "Alright, but on one condition.""What is it, Mr. Miller?""Let me smell your neck for three minutes," he demanded."What? You want to smell me? Okay." His request was weird, but it was fine as long as he took her to the town center, given the heavy
Hanna re-entered Ethan's office.Mila had initially stopped her, saying that Ethan never allowed cleaning inside his private office when he was there.Hanna carried a cleaning cloth and supplies. The office was so polished she could almost see her reflection. She pretended to clean, even though it was already spotless. Her job seemed easy—good pay with extra perks.The door burst open harshly, revealing Ethan's stepbrother, Lucas Sebastian Jones.Hanna turned away, hoping he wouldn't recognize her as one of the dancers from his bachelor party."Why was my project disapproved?" Lucas angrily threw some folders onto Ethan's desk."Because your team's project is garbage," Ethan replied, unfazed by Lucas' anger.Lucas sneered, laughing loudly. "Are you getting back at me because Cali chose me? It's been six months. We're married now. Can't you accept that you lost? The high and mighty Ethan Charles Miller is a loser!""I'm not being petty. Your team's concept is just trashy. And yo
"Mr. Miller, excuse me?" Hanna asked with a furrowed brow."I'm offering you the chance to be my fuck buddy or bed partner. Which word is hard to understand?"Hanna didn't know how to respond to Ethan. Just last night, she had been thinking about how to follow through with the agreement she had made with Belinda. And now, there he was, inviting her to be his sexual partner.It would make it easier to fulfill what Belinda wanted—she was willing to pay 2,000,000 dollars in exchange for a baby. Hanna shivered at the mess she was getting into."I'll pay you 60,000 dollars for six months," he said when she didn't respond immediately.Hanna stared at the handsome man. His mother would be paying her, so should she also get paid by him?"Don't tell me you think it's too small. It might not even last six months. I might get tired of you in just one month."Hanna thought it would be a waste to refuse the payment, but it seemed like double compensation from Belinda and Ethan. It felt as if
Hanna felt like a turtle as she exited the Mythical Marketing Solutions building.Fausto was certainly waiting for her. Marriage or prison—those were her two choices.Hanna didn't even bother taking a shuttle bus. If only she could stop time, she would.She heard a honk behind her. It was the CEO's fancy Bentley, Ethan's car!She hurried over to the car window and knocked hard. "Mr. Miller, I desperately need 20,000 dollars.""Hey, if you scratch my favorite car, you'll be in big trouble.""Mr. Miller, please. I need 20,000 dollars, or I'll be forced to marry someone I don't love."Ethan smirked. "You're delusional. What do you think you are, the heroine of a soap opera? You just want to go shopping. I saw how you blew through the 5,000 dollars I gave you. Shopping and salon. Look at you, all in new clothes."How could she tell him that her new clothes were sponsored by his mother? He mustn't find out."Mr. Miller, you're mistaken. If I don't marry or pay up, my father and I w
Ethan replied, "Agreement, Mr. Smith. We've decided not to prolong our relationship as a couple. We're planning to get married soon."Edgar's opportunistic eyes lit up."I support your love," he said, patting Ethan on the shoulder.Edgar was being unusually kind as if his usual mischief had disappeared."Alright, Dad, Ethan has to leave now. Goodnight, sweetheart," she said, pushing him toward the car."Wait a moment, sweetheart, I need to tell you something. Mr. Smith, may I borrow Hanna for a few minutes for some privacy?""No problem. There's a motel nearby, just around the first corner to the left," Edgar replied.Hanna and Ethan choked. Edgar's mouth had no filter."Oh, why are you looking at me like that? What do couples do? It's impossible to just stare at each other. You're both young and healthy—you can handle several rounds. Alright, I'll go ahead. You can elope if you want," Edgar said with a grin.Hanna scratched her head at Edgar's words, feeling like he was ready