3.

Logan stared at his phone in disbelief, his heart racing.

"Unbelievable " he muttered under his breath, pacing the room like a caged animal. "I can't lose my company. Not over something like this.”

Felix watched in silence, a deep furrow forming between his brows. He heard the whole conversation because the phone was on speaker.

“I lied that you have a fiancée to cover you up but looks like it only made things complicated” Felix said.

“I can't believe he set a damn deadline for a relationship that doesn't even exist. He gave me a week to introduce my woman to him and settle down”

“That's ridiculous” Felix remarked.

Logan let out a frustrated sigh. "I am not letting my dad take away everything I've worked for just because I'm single to stupor”

“So what would you do?” Felix asked him.

“i don't know. What would you have me do?” He asked Felix the same question.

“Hmmn, your dad is probably only pulling your legs; let's wait for a week and see; he’ll do nothing” 

“My father is a man of his word” Logan told him.

“Perhaps, he just can't wait to see his grand children, that's why he wants you to get married as soon a possible” Felix guessed.

“I'm the only one he has, what else do you think?” Logan sighed.

“Okay, let's say he just wants to be sure that there's a woman in your life. He probably didn't intend to force you to get married”

“Hmmn, you think so?”

“I feel you should just genuinely get into a relationship. You have been single for so long you know, forget about the past, love someone and allow someone love you” Felix urged compassionately.

Logan was a quiet for a moment, it took him some time to digest his friend's advice; he finally looked up and admitted. “You are right; deep down, I actually want companionship and besides Dad’s threat, it's high time I move on but…” He paused. “There's no woman in my life at the moment, I have no feelings for no one whatsoever”

“Relax, to love is a gradual process okay?” Felix tapped his shoulder.

“A gradual process you say? Then how am I supposed to introduce one to my father in a week? And why do you even speak like you are a love doctor, the only difference between both of us is that you’re in an unserious relationship”

Felix chuckled.

"Okay, so we’ll speed up the gradual process a little," He suggested. "You’ve got a week, that’s plenty of time to at least find a fake girlfriend”

“A fake girlfriend?” Logan exclaimed.

"Well, think about it," Felix said, leaning forward in his seat. "It's not like you need to marry the woman, you just need to convince your dad that you're serious about getting married someday. And for that, you just need to introduce him to someone who seems like she could be a good match."

"Hmmn, so are you suggesting I find someone to pretend to be my girlfriend for a week?" Logan asked, his eyebrows raised. "Who in their right mind would agree to that?”

“ Don't underestimate the power of money. All you need to do is to find the fake girlfriend and pay her off. It's more like you're paying for someone's time and effort, not for love”

Logan thought of the suggestion and after a moment, he shook his head continuously. “I..I don't know” 

“Alright then, do nothing and watch your dad give someone else the company” Felix said, shrugging.

Logan paced, agitated. He ran his fingers through his hair, contemplating Felix's words.

“So where do I find a fake girlfriend?”

“That's easy, anywhere actually. The club for example…” 

Logan interrupted him. “No, definitely not the club. Besides, girls at the club are irresponsible; besides I was just robbed by one”

“Argh Alright, not the club," Felix said, rolling his eyes. "How about we try something a bit more unconventional?”

“Like what?”

““I'll inform the web design team to upload a job vacancy on the internet, We can put up an advert on the internet, say something like; a job vacancy; available position is for female only”

“But we are currently not hiring!” Logan raised an eyebrows.

Felix grinned; “Don't you get it Logan, responsible ladies will mile into the company for the interview and then you’ll accept the one you are interested in, you let her know your actual plan, don't forget to inform her that you are offering a pretty hefty compensation”

“Oh, I hope someone would love to do this for the money” Logan nodded thoughtfully.

“Of course, I'll reach out to the team right away” Felix said, heading out.

**

Allyson sent application mails to several companies. As a fresh college graduate with little experience, she knew finding a well-paying job won't be easy. Meanwhile, she needed this money as fast as possible. 

Her sister, Mabel has just been discharged from the hospital; she sold the rest of the valuable items she stole to balance up her hospital bill and get Mabel’s dialysis for that week but then, she goes broke again.

Allyson scrolled through the job listings over again, becoming increasingly discouraged. Most of the positions were either too demanding or required years of experience that she simply didn't have. Just when she was about to give up, she stumbled upon an Inc(s) ad on the internet.

“Position of a female assistant to the CEO” The headline read.

She noted down the job requirement which included; Basic education, and that she must be single. While she wondered why her marital status was really necessary, the pay caught her eyes. The multi-billion dollar company was willing to pay more than a few thousand dollars for that position. 

She clicked the link and read through the description; the ad specified that only single ladies between the ages of twenty-one to twenty-five were expected to apply for the position. It was a strange requirement, however Allyson was glad she fit into it perfectly, and without giving further thought to the strange job ad, she quickly filled in her information.

While she bit her fingers and thought of a plan B in case she didn't get a job, she wasn't expecting an instant response, but an email notification popped up on her phone from the company, inviting her for an interview the following day.

“Oh My God! My God! This is so good to be true” She exclaimed, rejoicing.