Page 2 of The Grump's Fake Wife

"It's your fault we lost our financial support, Lilian," Mom said, her voice growing edgier. "You messed it up, so you need to fix it.”

My throat tightened painfully. “Mom...”

“You nearly took one life. Do you want to be responsible for this one, too?"

And with that, she dropped the call.

Taking care of my little sister is worth all of this. I have to be here. I have to get this job. After all the damage I’ve done to my family, this might be my only chance to make it right.

Anxiety claws at my chest, and just as I'm about to hightail it out of there, I hear a high-pitched voice beside me.

"Hello, ma'am. Welcome to Ecotech. How may I help you?"

I look up to the familiar face of the front desk receptionist, a pretty blonde woman with a polite smile that always seems alittle too practiced. I glance at her nametag to recall her name.Amanda Sanchez, that's it.

I clear my throat nervously, shuffling uncomfortably on my feet. “I'm here to interview for the role of Executive Assistant.”

Her eyes flash with surprise, but it’s gone quickly, replaced with that fake polite smile of hers as she gestures towards the elevator. "If you take the elevator by the right, it'll take you directly to the CEO's office."

“T-the CEO?” I stutter, staring blankly at her.

She nods, her fake smile dropping slightly. "You're going to be his assistant if you do get employed," she says, stressing the last part as if she didn't see the possibility. “So, yes, he'll be interviewing you himself."

My anxiety level instantly shoots up from ten to one hundred, but for some reason, I don't want to give this woman the satisfaction of seeing me intimidated. So I raise my chin to meet her condescending gaze squarely.

"Thanks for your time, Miss Sanchez," I say curtly, mimicking her fake smile. Without waiting for a response, I turn around and head in the direction of the elevator, praying desperately to the heavens that she doesn't see me quaking in my old suede heels.

The elevator ride is shorter than I hoped and before I know it, I’m standing in front of the CEO's office. I let out a shaky breath before knocking briefly on the door.

“Come in,” comes a deep, velvety voice from within.

“Here goes nothing,” I mutter to myself before pushing the door open.

This time, I can't marvel at the bold display of wealth in the large office because all my attention is focused on the tall, broad-shouldered figure standing by the window. Even with his back turned to me, I can feel the power emanating from him. Everything else seems to fade in comparison to the magnetic presence of his imposing figure. Then he turns around and I momentarily lose my sense of reality.

Holy moly! He's handsome!

I don't know what I expected the CEO of Ecotech to look like, but my imagination couldn't have prepared me for this magnificent Adonis standing right in front of me. I read somewhere that God has favorites on earth, and I'm pretty sure he's one of them with his perfectly sculpted face and silky dark hair. The edges of his sideburns are just beginning to turn white.And his eyes!They're the most gorgeous shade of gray I've ever seen, almost like storm clouds on a winter evening.Intense. Powerful.

His gaze meets mine and I feel my breath hitch in my throat. Something flickers in his eyes, but it disappears so quickly that I might have imagined it.

“You seem lost,” he says quietly, his gaze pinning me in place. The husky timbre of his voice instantly sends goosebumps down my arms as I stare helplessly into his handsome face.

“Are you?” he asks, raising a perfectly arched brow at me.

“W-what?” I stammer, unable to form a coherent thought.

“I'm asking if you're lost.”

“N-no. I'm not, I, uh – I’m sorry...'' I let my voice trail off, licking my lips nervously.

Something flares in his eyes. Anger? Disdain? I can't tell.

“Well, are you going to stand there and stutter all day, or are you going to state your business in my office?” he asks impatiently, his eyes never leaving mine.

There's something about the intensity of his gaze that has my stomach all tied up in knots. My palms feel sweaty and my heart is pounding at an unnatural pace.

Get your head on straight, Lily!

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