Chapter Two

My heart slammed like a door shut in my chest, and I experienced a shockwave that ran through my veins and made me dizzy.

No way!

Standing right before me was the unmistakable figure of a billionaire celebrity, real estate mogul, and YouTube sensation with over fifty million subscribers.

Leonel Hamilton.

I did a double-take, wondering if I was mistaken. Perhaps this man shared a striking resemblance to Leo.

Several questions popped into my head. Why would this perfect-looking man with good looks and a fat wallet want a fake girlfriend?

It made no sense to me. 

Intimidated to be in his presence, I gripped the banister for balance. Calvin thought I was going to fall, so he rushed to hold me.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I stuttered. "Is he the client?"

"You know Leo Hamilton?" Calvin asked with a chuckle. "Of course you do. You don't live under a rock, and to answer your question, yes, he's the client. Now get a grip on yourself and go introduce yourself to him."

I wanted to yell at Calvin for acting so casual, but I felt so undeserving and unprepared for this. Now that I knew the gig was real, I wanted it badly.

I stole a glance at Leonel, whose brows were contorted with thick frowns like a bull's. His eyes were so blue that they seemed almost transparent.

One thing Leonel was very popular for was having a devoted fanbase of women who fantasized about him as their dream husband. My cousin, Ariel, was one of them, and if she knew I was face-to-face with her celebrity crush, she'd curse me for not bringing her along.

His eyes flashed with displeasure as they raked over me, making me feel like a naked piece of meat. Without saying anything, he had enough power to scare the shit out of me.

My gaze fell on his white shirt, which fitted snugly over his defined body. Calvin must have underestimated his boss's disapproval of this. Leonel looked disgusted and was just about to send my starstruck ass home.

Silence hung in the air like poison. The longer it lasted, the more nervous I got. Calvin cleared his throat, but Leonel chose to ignore him. 

I took a step forward and gave myself an inner pep talk. 'He's human, made of flesh and bones. He eats, snores, farts, and pisses. '

"G... Good evening, Mr. Hamilton."

I sounded like a mouse, and I hated it. Leonel's frown deepened. His gaze was on me, but he was speaking to Calvin.

"Were you so lazy that you couldn't find my match?"

Okay, I like him less now.

"That's mean, Leo," Calvin butted in. "Hiring a girlfriend is a delicate matter, and we had to get someone unknown. Would you rather have a greedy actress blackmail you after the contract is signed? If you want, I can call Jennifer, whose entire career revolves around sucking billionaire dicks and secretly recording their sex tapes, or her bestie, Rosa, who is fantastic at seducing men with her Brazilian butt lift the size of a mattress."

Leonel side-eyed him, but Calvin didn't apologize.

"Dude, you're too famous. We don't need anyone who'll expose us in the end. She's the ideal candidate."

Leonel crossed his arms and eyed every inch of my body. I felt goosebumps rise on my skin as if every cell was responding to his gaze.

"Why did you accept this gig?" He asked me flatly.

I sucked in a deep breath, hoping I wouldn't stutter. "All answers are in my file, sir."

Leonel and Calvin seemed taken aback by my response. Then Calvin burst into loud laughter, and Leonel's lips curled with an edge. 

"Does she know how serious this is?" he asked Calvin. "Let her fully absorb each part of the contract. I won't tolerate any lustful behavior from her. She's not even my type to begin with."

Calvin winced and nodded. "Crystal clear. I'm sure she's here for the money. She won't behave like a hormonal teenager." He turned to me, "Right, miss?"

I swallowed my fear, and the contract terms danced in my head. It was written in bright red letters that falling in love with Leonel would disqualify me.

"My emotions are in check, and I'm here for the money and nothing else."

Calvin grinned, pleased with my response. "Let's hope you keep your end of the bargain, because females fall for Leonel so quickly, it's sickening."

I shot him a twisted smile and felt my boldness rising. "As I said, I have no romantic feelings for him. He's not my type, not someone I'd date normally."

My voice sounded robotic, and Leonel cocked an eyebrow at my bold statement. He went silent, while Calvin let out a hyena-like laugh. I stood there feeling like a fool, and I apologized immediately. 

"That was rude of me."

Calvin dismissed my apology. "Speak your mind, darling. I'm sure Leo doesn't mind."

I became extremely uncomfortable. 

"Speak," Leonel commanded, his tone cool and detached. My voice trembled as I spoke, "I made that statement because I'm poor and a nobody. We likely have no common interests. My words were poorly chosen, and I apologize."

Calvin seemed disappointed that I let Leonel overpower me. I noticed a smirk on Leonel's lips that vanished almost immediately.

"Let's see if you're capable of keeping your promise. You might also want to watch your words. I don't appreciate my staff, let alone a pauper talking back to me." 

I clutched the step railing, attempting to maintain my balance as his sharp blue eyes fixed on me. 

"What's your name?" he asked with nonchalance. 

"Miracle."

He bit his lip to suppress a grin, but his mouth curled into a mocking smile. "Did your parents run out of names for you?"

My name was unusual, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd gotten under my skin.

"Your assignment begins tomorrow," he said dismissively before turning to leave. "Mess up, and I'll gladly send you back home."

"I promise not to disappoint you," I said, regaining my composure. 

He was trying to intimidate me, but I refused to back down. I didn't care about his wealth or good looks. I needed the money, and that was all that mattered. His arrogant attitude wasn't going to get to me; I was there for one reason, and that was to get the job done.

"Liar," my inner thoughts mocked me, and I hated myself.

_____

"I don't like him," I complained to Calvin, following him downstairs when Leonel left.

Calvin's eyes crinkled with amusement. It was contagious, and I found myself smiling.

"He's your new boss, so if you need that money badly, put in some extra effort to impress him. Now, come join us for dinner."

I shook my head. "I'll pass. I don't think I can handle any more mockery."

"Come on, he's watching you and wants you to prove yourself. Backing away means he's right." 

I was about to respond when a stunning woman entered the house, commanding our attention with her striking Arabian features. 

Her dark hair was sleek, and her perfume filled the air. She oozed elegance in a black jumpsuit and strappy stilettos.

Calvin grabbed my hand and whispered, "Oh shit. We must hide."

I was about to ask why, but then I heard her speak.

"Leo, baby, I'm home."