Chapter 4 - The Fake Girlfriend Arrangement
Gabriel's attack changed the rules.
I couldn't return to my apartment.
My bakery needed repairs.
My mother refused to leave me alone.
And Callum refused to let me go anywhere without security.
I hated it.
He knew I hated it.
“I'm not a prisoner,” I told him.
“I know.”
“You act like I am.”
“You act like you're invincible.”
“I'm not.”
“Exactly.”
We argued over breakfast.
My mother watched from the kitchen.
Eventually she said:
“You two sound married.”
We both froze.
“No,” I said immediately.
“Absolutely not,” Callum said at the same time.
My mother smiled.
“Interesting.”
That afternoon, Callum told me there was a problem.
“People are watching the mansion.”
“Who?”
“Gabriel's people.”
“And?”
“They know you're connected to me.”
I frowned.
“So?”
“So they need to believe the connection is stronger than it is.”
“What does that mean?”
“You have to attend public events with me.”
“As what?”
He hesitated.
“My girlfriend.”
I stared at him.
“No.”
“It keeps you protected.”
“No.”
“Marin.”
“Absolutely not.”
He sighed.
“I expected that.”
“Good.”
Then he leaned closer.
“It also protects the company.”
“What company?”
“Your company.”
I stopped.
He explained.
The ownership documents listed us as joint beneficiaries.
If Gabriel could prove I had no relationship with the Mercer family, he could challenge the trust.
A public relationship would strengthen the legal case that my grandmother intentionally linked us.
I hated the idea.
But I agreed.
The first event was a charity gala.
I wore a black dress I bought secondhand.
Callum wore a suit that probably cost more than my bakery equipment.
We entered together.
The room went silent.
Everyone knew him.
Everyone stared at me.
A woman approached.
“So you're Marin.”
“Yes.”
“I've heard so much.”
“Mostly lies, I hope.”
She laughed.
Callum's hand settled gently at my waist.
I froze.
“Relax,” he whispered.
“You're enjoying this.”
“Yes.”
I glared.
His mouth twitched.
Then a man approached.
“Callum.”
“Daniel.”
The atmosphere changed.
Daniel Mercer.
Callum's cousin.
He looked friendly.
Too friendly.
His gaze lingered on me.
“So this is the baker.”
Callum's arm tightened.
“She has a name.”
Daniel smiled.
“Of course.”
I noticed the ring on Daniel's hand.
A black raven.
The same symbol I had seen in the basement.
My pulse jumped.
I leaned toward Callum.
“He's involved.”
“How do you know?”
“The ring.”
Callum's eyes moved.
Daniel noticed.
He smiled.
Then walked away.
That night, Callum and I danced.
I was terrible.
He wasn't.
“You've done this before.”
“Yes.”
“With girlfriends?”
“No.”
“With women?”
“Yes.”
“With people who didn't hate you?”
He laughed.
“Most did.”
I looked up.
“You're not funny.”
“I am tonight.”
The song ended.
Neither of us moved.
He whispered:
“Marin.”
“Yes?”
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you might actually like me.”
My breath caught.
Then he stepped back.
“Never mind.”
Later that night, I found him in the library.
“You knew about Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“You didn't tell me.”
“I didn't have proof.”
“There is a difference between proof and suspicion.”
“I know.”
He looked exhausted.
I sat across from him.
“You don't have to carry everything.”
He smiled faintly.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because you keep acting like you do.”
He looked at me.
“I've been alone a long time.”
I said nothing.
“So have I.”
The silence between us softened.
Then he reached across the desk.
His fingers touched mine.
The world narrowed.
I should have moved.
I didn't.
He leaned closer.
Then stopped.
“We shouldn't.”
“Why?”
“Because this started as an arrangement.”
I pulled my hand away.
“Right.”
He looked disappointed.
I pretended not to notice.
The next morning, the newspaper published photographs of us.
Callum and His Mysterious Girlfriend.
The headline made me furious.
I stormed into his office.
“Stop calling me your girlfriend!”
He looked up.
“What?”
“Every newspaper has it.”
“We can control what they print.”
“Then do it.”
He stood.
“I could.”
“Then why haven't you?”
He walked closer.
“Because I'm not sure I want to.”
I froze.
“What?”
He looked directly into my eyes.
“The arrangement may have started as protection.”
His voice lowered.
“But that isn't the only reason I want you beside me anymore.”
I couldn't breathe.
“Callum…”
He touched my cheek.
“I think I've fallen for you.”
My heart stopped.
Then the office door burst open.
Lucian ran inside.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“Gabriel found the trust.”
Callum's expression changed.
“And?”
Lucian looked at me.
May you like
“He has your bakery's original deed.”
The moment shattered.
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