Chapter 2

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 about details. She just wants me to have a girlfriend. And there's someone we need to annoy," he said.

Hanna frowned.

"My stepfather needs to be annoyed. You seem good at irritating people since you managed to annoy me pretty well," Ethan explained.

Hanna wasn't sure whether to feel pleased or offended by his comment. Nonetheless, she was ready to cooperate for the money she'd earn.

***

They arrived at the Miller mansion. It looked like a palace, with expansive grounds, a large garden, and a swimming pool on the side.

Hanna felt out of place in her white T-shirt, jeans, and old sneakers.

She noticed the surprise on Ethan's parents' faces when they saw her. They probably wondered who this pauper was with their son. Even she couldn't believe she was being introduced as his girlfriend, even if it was just a pretense. It felt like she was the star of a soap opera.

Hanna approached them politely and smiled sweetly. She even took their hands in the traditional gesture of respect.

Belinda, who was beautiful despite her age, gently led her inside. Emilio, on the other hand, turned his back to them.

"Let's have dinner," Belinda said.

Belinda was friendly and asked her many questions.

Naturally, Hanna made up some details about her life. She wouldn't be with them long, so there was no reason to share her real story.

Ethan excused himself and went upstairs for a moment. Belinda then approached Hanna.

Hanna suddenly felt nervous. But then she remembered some TV shows where the poor female lead was offered a large sum of money by the rich mother to leave her son. She secretly smiled as she was willing to leave for more than 10,000 dollars.

"I had you investigated, and not even half of what you said is true, Hanna Smith," Belinda said, shoving a tablet with Hanna's information in her face.

Hanna closed her eyes. The money she thought she had earned turned to dust.

Hanna came clean. "I am sorry, Madam Miller. This wasn't my idea. Your son made me lie and pretend to be his girlfriend. He didn't explain why. I agreed because I need the money."

Belinda thought for a moment. "I was considering having you arrested."

"Oh, please don't. I'm the breadwinner of my family. I'm begging you," Hanna pleaded.

"Your situation is indeed pitiful. Your sister has cancer and needs chemotherapy. I have an offer for you," Belinda said.

"What is it?"

"He introduced you to us, which means he sees something in you. And you managed to get close to him. Since his girlfriend left him and chose someone else, he hasn't been in a relationship," Belinda revealed.

Hanna frowned as she listened to Belinda's story.

"I want a grandchild. Seduce him, and something must happen between you two. I'll give you a year. If you get pregnant, I'll pay you 1,000,000 dollars, provided you give me the child and disappear."

Hanna's eyes widened at the offer. But agreeing felt wrong.

Belinda noticed her hesitation. "I'll also cover your sister's medical expenses on top of the money."

It would be akin to winning the lottery if she accepted the offer. She played the lottery daily, knowing her chances of winning were slim. But this was clear money. Her grandmother always said it was foolish to refuse blessings.

Hanna had been praying for a long time. She needed money to solve all her problems. If she had it, she could bring happiness and comfort to her family. Her father was a construction worker, and her mother was a laundress. As the eldest of five siblings, this might be the answer to her prayers.

"Think about it, darling."

Hanna didn't know how to respond.

Should she agree?

Hanna was nervous about what she was getting into, but she had always relied on courage to face life's battles. Whatever the consequences, she was ready to accept them for the significant money that would change her family's life and heal her sister. As such, she would leave it to fate.

Ethan returned. "Mom, I'll take Hanna home. It's late."

"Too bad, we didn't get to chat longer. But she'll be back. Hanna, you're welcome here anytime." Belinda hugged her.

"Yes, I'll be back. Thank you, Madam Miller."

"Call me 'Mama Belinda'."

"Okay, Mama Belinda." The last two words felt strange on her tongue. She felt embarrassed calling Belinda by her first name.

Soon, Ethan and Hanna headed to the fancy car. She noticed Ethan driving it out of the garage.

How many people lived there? Why were there twelve different cars? Rich people really had no limits to their wealth. Meanwhile, she had to argue with a bus driver over 5 dollars.

Ethan even opened the car door for her.

***

Ethan remained silent throughout the drive and stopped just outside her subdivision.

"Why did you stop? I thought you were taking me home."

"Watch how you talk to me. Learn to separate the truth from pretending. When we're not in front of my parents, you're a cleaner, and I'm the CEO. Don't get confused if you want this arrangement to last. Don't spread rumors about our relationship. And most importantly, don't fall in love with me," Ethan growled.

She smirked at his last statement. "As long as you pay me what we agreed on, Mr. Miller, you won't have any problems with me."

"Here's the contract. Read it and sign it before I give you the initial check," he said, handing her a few pages.

So that's why he had headed upstairs—it was to draft the contract.

"This is long. Where does it say you'll pay me 10,000 dollars?"

Ethan pointed out the clause.

Hanna immediately signed it.

"Hey, why did you sign without reading?"

"I'll read it at home," she replied, grabbing the check.

"You're really all about the money," he said, shaking his head.

"Mr. Miller, you wouldn't understand because you were born rich. If you ever experienced not even having money for food, you'd understand why I'm all about money," she shot back.

"It's not my fault I never experienced poverty or lacked money from birth."

"Hey, why is it only 5,000 dollars?" she complained upon seeing the amount on the check.

"You'll get the rest after three months of pretending. That's what happens when you sign without reading," he chided.

Hanna forced a smile. "Okay, Mr. Miller. Just take me home."

"Wow, you think you've got a driver. Get out! Why should I drive you?"

She noticed the light rain outside.

"Mr. Miller, it's raining. Could you please drive me home? It's hard to find a ride." She smiled sweetly, hoping he would pity her.

"No way! You're not important, and I don't care about you."

Hanna was about to get out when she realized she didn't know how to remove the seatbelt.

Ethan helped her.

Why did he have to get so close to her face just to unbuckle the seatbelt? And he was sniffing. Maybe her employer was an addict.

She was about to open the car door when he stopped her. "Wait!"

She looked back. "Are you taking me home?"

"What perfume are you wearing?" he asked.

"I made it myself. Crushed roses and oil."

"Bring me your perfume."

"Why?" A puzzled expression crossed her pretty face. Her perfume was for women. Did the handsome CEO of Mythical Marketing Solutions have a woman's heart?