Billionaire's Fake Girlfriend

"How am I supposed to pay for all this before the month is out?" There she is, Charlotte, a freelance photographer in Seattle, staring at her unpaid bills with a deep frown on her face. She grabs her laptop and begins to search for online job contracts.

She sighed heavily as there wasn't any progress. "Perhaps I would have to do it the good old-fashioned way, look for a bar or coffee shop that needs help, at least that would cover the rent and utility bills," she thought.

Charlotte got up motivated and took a bath. Then she dressed up hastily in black track pants and a singlet to match the weather that morning, then proceeded to go job hunting. At least she knows where to start, as she has certain connections to cafeteria managers.

Upon her arrival at a certain cafeteria, she orders a coffee while waiting for her friend Matt to arrive as he was the manager of that cafeteria.

"What's wrong?" Charlotte asked the barista, as she handed Charlotte her debit card without a printout,

"Your card declined." He replied" " How is that possible? It must have been the wrong card. Fudge!"

She exclaims slightly, and she places her fingers on her forehead. "And I didn't bring cash. What was I thinking? Is it okay if I wait for Matt? he my friend?"

"Sure" she said. The barista responds to her as she continues to sort out pending orders from customers.

A few seconds later, a solid, firm but calm voice came from behind.

"Seems like you need that coffee now." She turned swiftly to look at the face of such an alluring voice and there he was in all his glory, the CEO of NORTH Enterprise, Eric Northman himself, standing just behind her.

She stands for a moment and admires him as she recognizes him immediately.

"I know you." She says as she lifts a brow in at him and smiles "Everyone knows me" He says with a cocky tone as he signals the barista for his regular order,

"Hi I'm Charlotte. I'm a freelance photographer and a fan of your tech.

" She says excitedly, as she stretches her hands out for a handshake, she has a sense of nervousness coming over her like he would just ignore her, but then he takes off his glasses and shakes her hand.

"Photographer huh, why not the model?", This time he spoke in a flirty tone.

" what? Me? Model I don't think so. She said as she shied away from the topic." "If you ask me, you're as good as any."

He said confidently, as his eyes were fixed on hers, Eric: But that's a story for another day. There is your coffee. Enjoy.

He hands the hot cup of coffee to her after handing the barista a hundred-dollar note without taking his change.

The barista smiles excitedly as she thanks him for his generosity.

As he walked away, she could still smell the strength of his perfume, and she continuously watched as he stepped out the front door in his workout clothes and into his. Lost in thought, the barista calls her out three times.

"Hello, hello" she called out to Charlotte. Charlotte: oh hi "Matt is in now. He will see you. Oh and, by the way, thanks for making him drop such a huge tip".

"Oh, thanks, happy to help." She walks into Matt's office with thoughts of meeting an actual famous CEO in such an informal way.

Then she thinks to herself "The world really is a small place".

The next day at North Enterprises, tension arises between Eric and his PR manager Dan in a heated argument.

" What do you mean?" He says as he spoke to his PR manager in a harsh tone, "Well, this could go well if you look at the bigger picture."

Apparently, Eric is facing the tabloids about his sexual orientation.

"It's been 6 months. The question has always been

"How can a successful CEO not have a relationship status or is there something we should know?"

Every single tabloid asks nothing but this." The manager tries to convince him that it was an actual problem.

"Maybe people should get a job and mind their own business."

He responds in a vexed tone, sitting back in his chair,

"Maybe that could have been until this was published yesterday at 6 pm by the Daily Times."

"What the hell is this?" He demands angrily as he picks up the article, "It was bad enough that they accused you of having a dating problem.

Now they are getting outrageous ideas." "The CEO of North Enterprises is allegedly homosexual" "Could this be why he hasn't been seen with a woman in months? "What is the billionaire Eric Northman hiding from the public? These are the headlines in the most recent tabloids about him. Honestly, no one saw this coming.

"Tell me the journalist wrote this crap and he or she will be out of a job before I have my lunch."

He asks, fisting his hands into a ball like he is about to hit someone,

" It's a load of crap, but everyone is entitled to an opinion.

I could give you the journalist's name, and then what? You go all Northman mode and block list the person before the day is out".

" That's a nice way to put it, more like the person would regret the day he or she ever put my name in their filthy mouths!"

He replied with his deep tone and his fist still clenched. "I could let you do that after all you're the boss, but if you let me, part of my job is damage control, so all I ask is that you let me do my job."

Dan asked him as he pushed himself closer to him, "Why do I have a feeling that letting you do your job means something I would not like?

He replies with skepticism written all over Eric's face, but Dan still proceeds, "How about shutting them up, huh, once and for all with just a single act?

Eric looked up at him in curiosity and asked , crossing his legs over, "how? "

Dan replies to his question with a soft smile on his face as he continues, "Get a girlfriend.

" He looks at him in annoyance at his suggestion. "A girlfriend? Is that really a solution or are you just doing matchmaking?" "Trust me, it will work".

Eric pulled up his chair ready to listen to his pitch.

"As you already know, most relationships between celebrities are sometimes arranged for a PR stunt like that of Mc Sheen and Dorothy Freeway just to promote the movie they acted in together. Now I'm not telling you to have an actual girlfriend. You can find someone to play the role for the tabloids. Also, it doesn't have to be long term. All they need is a show-off and that would put to rest these headlines and there is no better place than the annual luncheon this weekend.

As Dan narrates his plans to Eric, he exhales in hopes that he has convinced him of the idea.

"That could work, but the question is how does this happen? I don't have a hot secretary to play a girlfriend's role".

Eric replies humorously as he picks up a document and sorts through it, waiting for his reply.

"Just get a girl (he sighs) and for a man of your caliber, you can get one before lunchtime." Eric stands up and straightens his suit, then clears his throat in response,

"Okay, I buy into your idea, make the preparations and get back to me today. I'm going for coffee."

He said, walking away from the office with his phone and wallet, " I still don't know why you insist on getting your coffee from the cafeteria 600 blocks away from here."

Dan avoided eye contact, pretending to be busy on his phone. Eric ignores him, walking away from his office.

As he drove down to the coffee shop, he had numerous thoughts about the strategy.

He never really thought he would ever have to explain himself to the public, especially not about his private life, but then leaving the audience with the question of his sexual orientation.

No way now that it caught his attention, not that he has anything against gay people, more than anything.

He hated being misunderstood and figured out by people who had no business in his life.

He arrived at the coffee shop, everyone had their heads turning with the way he walked, his eloquence, his aura, the sharp look on his face dared walk up to him for questions and images.

Then Charlotte spotted him, she began to tremble as thoughts of him filled her head, and she filled with a naivety she never thought she had. "You work here now?"

He asked, staring into her eyes. Charlotte, confused about what to say, stutters a little.

"Emm good day Mr Northman, emmm well.... Yeah, I do now. Do you remember me?" Her eyes gleam in surprise, and she scratches the back of her hair nervously and pouts her lips.

" The freelance photographer, buying coffee and waiting on his friend Matt. " His reply was swift and precise.

She was impressed with what he remembers, then presses her lips together. "Wow, that's surprising. I used to think celebrities forgot everyone they come in contact with the minute they leave because they are so occupied with stuff. "

"No, we remember, we just don't care." As he spoke, he spoke with a certain audacity that only wealth can bring.

She tilts her head at him and tries to hold down any clumsiness.

"Why are you working here now? Freelancing doesn't pay as much?"

"Nah it does or at least used to, but I used up all my savings on an investment that went south, so that left me broke. It is kind of a long story and also dumb (she laughs lightly)and now I can't seem to get a decent contract, which leaves me with so many unpaid bills that need to be paid before the month, so this is temporary till all those bills can be paid.

Eric sighed as a thought came into his head. He looks at her extensively.

She could be the perfect fit and definitely has good looks.

" So what can I get you? " She asked and she sorted out orders,

"Double shots of espresso, but I think I have something else to order, something more personal."

Charlotte pauses and instantly becomes curious, different thoughts running through her head,

"What could he possibly need from a ordinary girl like me, " she thinks to herself, eager to hear the next words come out of his lips.

"Would you be my girlfriend?"

Charlotte stands speechless for a moment while she tries to sink in what had just happened, she looks around to be sure no one observed her speechlessness before asking

" girlfriend?" she stammers" Okay, that's surprising but I must ask why this sudden act?"

He takes his coffee and sips a bit before responding to her,

"I can only let on more after you have agreed".

She rolls her eyes in the audacity of his response,

" I'm flattered but this is so forward you didn't even ask if I have a boyfriend or is that just rich people's way?"

She asks with a slight annoyance written all over her face, Then he looks into her eyes and asks casually,

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

He asks, staring into her eyes, She then falters in confusion before responding,

"I don't understand you honestly."

"It's a simple question of a yes or no answer and that's because I'm being courteous because of your statement, personally I don't think it matters anyway."

He continues with a firm blank expression asking his questions unconcerned,

" And why on earth would such a detail not matter?"

She asks, still in annoyance at his arrogance as she stuffs money in the cashier,

"because you're only going to be a fake girlfriend."

He replies casually looking down at his coffee before looking back up at her waiting for her reaction,

" what! How does that happen?"

She looks him in the eyes waiting for an answer because that must have been the most absurd thing she has heard for the day.

"When do you leave?"

"At 4 pm why?"

"come to my office after work, and we shall go into details, I will put your name on the waiting list."

He demands before turning away to leave but then looks back with a cocky expression and continues with his statement,

"That's if you are interested."

He walks out the door while she keeps staring thinking about what just happened.

Later that day she packs up to leave for her meeting with him by 4 pm sharp. She waves a taxi to take her to NORTH Enterprises. As she arrives at The building, she looks up, it is so high up, and his office should be on the top floor.

She walks into the office, everywhere looks so organized and the exquisite scent of the air fresheners fills her nostrils, it is the first time she has ever stepped into this building. She walks up to the receptionist to inquire about the meeting,

" Hi, I'm Charlotte. I have a 4:30 appointment with Mr Northman."

"Sure! He is waiting for you." The receptionist replied.

She takes the elevator and suddenly feels nervous as she grabs the handle of her bag firmly watching the elevator numbers go up.

PING! She is on the top floor of the building and at his door. She knocks and opens the door he is sitting at his table busy on his phone.

"Hi again."

She waves at him in a friendly manner.

"Come in, have a seat"

He drops his phone and stares at her, then adjusts his seat and looks at her with a slight smile at one corner of his lips,

" The idea is straightforward, you pose as my girlfriend for certain occasions and at the end of it you get paid."

Charlotte still stares at him in confusion as he passes his iPad to her showing her the news on the tabloids.

She takes it and looks down on it before looking back at him then reads out the headlines.

"CEO Mr. Northman of North Enterprises is figured out by the general public on his sexual orientation, read below for more information."

"This article thinks you're gay" she says surprisingly "but you're not are you?" ,She looks up at him with her eyes wide open not with judgment but with surprise,

"No I'm not, That's the essence of this charade to put an end to these ideas and control the narrative."

She scratches one of her brows and smiles at him before asking in a playful tone,

"You do like being in control of everything huh

She said casually."

"That's how I achieved everything and wish to keep it that way. I have a problem with being figured out, but now the plan is simple, there is an annual luncheon coming up this weekend in Miami Florida, these events contain the Elites, therefore, there would be a lot of press presence and paparazzi all looking for where to stick their noses, it's the perfect place to show off my girlfriend and control this narrative, now do you follow?"

He asks, looking at her with a blank stare, searching her eyes for her answer then she clears her throat in response to him, " Yeah I do and I think it's brilliant".

" I'm glad you follow, this way we could help each other, you could help me control the narrative and I can help with your little cash problem."

His tone is deep and serious this time as she shuffles through some documents on his table

"I'm going to offer you 20,000 dollars, all expenses excluded for your trip and others."

He tells her as he pulls out a sheet of paper and a pen,

"Omg that's a lot of money and could really go far for me, wait others like?" She asked excitedly because it could only mean something good.

She responds excitedly as she thinks of the numerous things it could get for her,

"Shopping, dinners, hotel reservations, beauty care you name it and it's all yours to keep afterward, you're going to be my girlfriend you're brilliant enough I could tell but now you have to look the part."

"Hum sounds nice."

"Here write your account details."

He says handing her the piece of sheet and a pen.

"I will forward 10,000 now and you get the rest after the deal is completed, so do we have a deal?"

He looks into her eyes waiting for her response as she bites her lips nervously and shakes her head then responds to his question as she gives the writing materials back to him. "Yes we do."

The next day an alert wakes her up. It is a message from the bank stating her account has been credited with $10k.

She smiles as she starts paying up for everything she has pending, Charlotte walks into the showers as he hears her phone ring out. She grabs her phone and it is a private number she contemplates before answering.

Charlotte: hello "pack your bags only things you need and get ready. My driver will be at your doorstep to take you to the airport in 20 minutes." Eric instructs her leaving no detail out, Before she can ask any questions he hangs up the call.

Hurriedly, she finishes up with her bath and packs a few things then the driver honks downstairs. "Just a minute!" She yells as She comes down the stairs still in confusion, and she asks the driver; "Emm where are we going?" "the airport." He replies leaving no detail as he continues driving focused, "Well I'm aware ,I mean our destination?" She insisted "Los Angeles" He replied " Wait what? What am I going to in Los Angeles?" She demands, confused as she looks back on the road. "Mr Nothman would explain better on his plane." He directed at her. "What plane?"

Arriving there she looks out and sees his private jet, never did she ever think she would ride on one, she smiles as she steps out from the vehicle onto the plane.

She is directed by the Air hostess inside and she spots Eric immediately and then walks over to him hastily, I have so many questions for you." She says " I believe you do." He replies as he continues with his phone, "First of all, what are we going to do in Los Angeles?", Why am I flying private with you? there are no paparazzi here, What's up with this sudden trip? Eric immediately shuts her up with his index finger against her lips while he leans in close to her.

His aura is so strong and masculine. "All these don't matter to me, plus you will find out soon enough but answering what we are going to do there before you can pose as my girlfriend you need to learn my lifestyle which means going on this trip with me, it should give you enough education after all you are now my girlfriend."

Charlotte swallows and opens her eyes brightly, listening to his voice, "believe it or not your contract has started" He said as he handed her a piece of outline and she flipped through it. She takes it and looks back up at him the asks, "it states that the contract is for only a month, during this month I would be your girlfriend and show up at occasions together with you and pose as a girlfriend,

There is also an NDA clause here", she looks up at him for an explanation "Like I said, I want to control the narrative and that NDA assures it." "You think afterward I would go spilling my guts about an arranged relationship."

"not exactly no, but still you have to sign." "There is a sex clause too."

She looks up at him for an explanation once again, raising one of her brows and he clears his throat in response, "yes, your sole duty is for the cameras but if you ever want to have sexual relations behind the cameras, you should make it known on the contract that it was consensual." "I haven't thought about that." She looks down and ticks consensual relations "I guess that's all," she says as she signs and hands it over to him. After handing it to him .

Charlotte suddenly feels an overwhelming sense as she thinks deeply about the sexual relations clause, and then she thinks to herself "Could we ever sleep together" She feels a little turned on by the idea, looking over at his ripped, tall, and masculine figure, she unconsciously bites her lip.

"So tell me, why don't you have an actual girlfriend?" She asked ,trying to break the silence in her head, "date me for a month and you come to find out that I'm not a committed person much less." She scoffed and responds to him, "I don't believe anyone is not a committed person, we just tell that to ourselves as an excuse for not having a relationship." Eric looks at her and then turns and continues on his phone away, she starts feeling awkward and decides to further more questions at him, "Are there things that I should know for this job? Like what are your hobbies? Where are you schooled? you know."

She asks with so much curiosity hoping they could have a conversation on the journey. " you're posing for the cameras, not holding a press conference for my biography" He replies slightly annoyed by her questions. "ohh I just thought.... just in case I was asked, you know."

It was about 30 minutes of sleep, Charlotte had drifted into sleep after a nice meal and cold champagne. She wakes up to notice he wasn't sitting opposite her as he was before she had fallen asleep.

She decides to scroll through her Instagram waiting on him to return she didn't want to go poking around but it's been minutes and he still isn't back, " Well I could go use the restroom," she thinks to herself.

As she walks down to the bathroom, she starts hearing faint panting sounds coming from there, She wonders what could be happening and why it is so quiet. As she opens the door, she stands in shock with her eyes wide open and there he is. "OMG!" She exclaims.