Mr. Caldera's Fake Girlfriend

AN C

r is fall

My patience is stretched thin, but I can't afford to miss anything. Months of work, pl

, then to my phone. I ignore them until I can't anymore. W

Do you have any idea what this failu

There's nothing I can say to placate him. The numbers do

y for yourself?" he dem

ly, my tone measured

e before he hangs up,

king firmly into it. "Call a meeting with th

," my secretary r

memory as I make my way to the conference room. When I enter, the air is thick with un

rately, letting the sou

low but cutting, "how we went from being days a

le

aining on my feet. My eyes sweep acr

start. This team, tasked with ensuring the success of one of the most sig

ort palpable. "Mr. Caldera, we received word late l

conveniently arise after months of negotiation?

s, his confidence crumb

rfacing now?" I deman

p, his tone hesitant. "It seems they're

audits, and reports? Are you seriously suggesting that they believe this company-my company-

s but does

eliberate. "I pay you to anticipate problems before they aris

ffocating silence. No on

tailing exactly where this fell apart, who is responsible, and the steps

ause at the door, gla

to hear about another failure from my father before I hear it from my own team, yo

back to my office, the tension lingers

tion. Not for me. N

ack into my office, his steps quick but hesitant. "Sir

turning sharply to fa

You had instructed me to cancel,

ulture circling above, waiting for the scent of blood. A rival in ever

curtly. "Might as well get it over w

sir. I confirmed with the staf

one thing is ru

to a private room where Damian LaRue is already seated. His dark hair gleams under the ambient li

e dripping with faux warmth.

forearms on the table. "Get to the point,

business. I respect that. Though, believe i

ism etched on my face. "No? The

I was surprised when I saw the tabloids. 'Lucian Caldera's secret girlfriend reveale

his stare. "If this is why you dragged m

t's fascinating, though, isn't it? You and I, so alike in many ways, but a woman

ring her up again. My personal l

yes betray his amusement. "But, Lucian, hu

s of my patience fraying.

s, her name rolling off his tongue like a challenge. "Do you r

older. My voice is steady, l

n't think you'd want me to answer that." He stands abruptly, straightening his

"You don't get to walk in here, say her n

faux-innocent smile. "I'm just respecting your bou

st

me standing in the private room. My fists clench

Seraphina? And why does h

oubt take root. It's a feeling I'm accustomed t

ive, a stark contrast to the

city. I expect to find Seraphina lounging on the couch, complaining about the day, b

de and pause in the

legant, her posture rigid and controlled. Mr. Charles circles her like a hawk, c

is tone sharp. "And take smaller stri

rs under her breath, though

much," she adds, rollin

"Elegance is a language of its own, and

back. "Elegance? I can strut just fi

of his nose. "Perhaps I should add

ame of wills. She's clearly not the most complian

day," I say, stepping

t tripping over her own feet as she moves toward me. "Lucian, do you have any idea how an

eek folder from inside my jacket. "He

e like it holds the key to her salvation, clutching it with both hands. "

n nothing, and she stumbles forward. Instinct takes over, a

ment, ti

ability there, unexpected and disarming, and I'm suddenly aware of the feel

ack, putting distance between us. "Thanks," she mum

rles. "You can

things and leaving th

pression shifting as she reads. Her eyes brighten when she reaches a pa

e says happily, "I

The weight of Damian's words remain in

e. "Is something bothering you?" she asks, tap

lf, I ask, "Tell me ab

ing the question. "That's... v

ing her intently. "Start wit

eplacing her earlier ease. "D

arp. "He seemed to know you well

schools her expression. "I don't know him,"

say, leaning back slightly. "He implied I

mething-hurt? frustration?-crosses he

I ask, my tone measured. "We ba

man who clearly wants to rattle you," she finis

about belief. It's about

don't know what Damian LaRue told you, but if you want the truth,

ches, thick with

words feel foreign. "But understand this

on softening slightly.