I am just an ordinary girl, trying to live my life by working as a secretary for a devilish CEO. My boss is strict and cold-hearted.
He has a handsome face and stands at 1.8 meters tall. Ruthless and meticulous, he doesn't let a single flaw go unnoticed in his company. Despite his intimidating aura, countless women chase after him without rest.
No woman wants to leave a man like him alone. Yet, he's never been interested in any of them. He looks at them with disgust, and none have ever dared to confess their feelings to his icy face.
I am one of his admirers too, though I never dared to hope for anything in return. From the start, I knew I stood no chance. Our worlds are far too different. He comes from a wealthy, prestigious family, and I was born into poverty.
Even if I had the same status as him, he would never fall for me. I'm not as beautiful as his beloved cousin. Yes, you read that right—he's in love with his cousin.
She's the most beautiful woman in Apple City. Graceful, elegant, and the star of many films, she's admired by everyone. My boss is no exception. But the goddess he worships loves someone else.
That someone happens to be my boss's older brother—a man even more handsome and successful, known throughout the city for expanding the family business.
My boss's name is Hugo. Although his older brother is praised by many, people also admire Hugo because he built his own empire without help from his family.
Hugo chose to step away from the family's power struggle. He didn't want to be entangled in that mess. But even so, many believed he was more capable than his older brother.
This belief only deepened the rift between them—especially after Hugo found out his brother was getting close to the woman he loved most.
Hugo's older brother deliberately approached her to provoke him. Even though Hugo was more capable, his brother still managed to steal the woman he cherished.
Their relationship worsened when Hugo discovered his brother's cruel intentions. After they got married, Hugo fell into despair.
The once-cold man became brokenhearted. His brother mocked him, saying he couldn't even win over the woman he loved. Unable to bear the humiliation, Hugo asked me to become his shadow girlfriend.
A shadow girlfriend—someone who plays the part of a girlfriend in public but is only acting behind the scenes. It's a job, nothing more.
He paid me well for playing the role. The better I performed, the more money I received.
So, I did my best to act like his perfect girlfriend. I smiled sweetly, dressed prettily, and visited the beauty salon daily as he requested. He treated me like a queen, and people envied me. But no one knew how empty it all felt.
I looked like a queen, but I walked a path full of thorns. Hugo never realized I had fallen in love with him. He dressed me up only to outshine his cousin. I stopped being a person to him—I became a tool.
A marionette, a painting to flaunt, a doll to decorate and reward with cash.
Being his girlfriend was never about love. It was just a job—a job I never wanted.
He never noticed how my heart grew emptier with each passing day. His parents disapproved of me because I came from a humble background, but they couldn't stop Hugo. He had built his own company, free from their control.
I visited his house once. Every corner was filled with memories of his cousin.
He loved her deeply, but she only saw him as an older brother. Hugo wanted more—she never did.
My heart shattered the day Hugo touched me while imagining her instead. That moment broke the last piece of my love.
One day, Hugo wrapped his arm around my waist and looked at me with such affection. I knew it was just an act, but my heart still fluttered. His smile brightened my day—even if it wasn't real.
Then he whispered into my ear, and my heart turned cold.
"Do your job as usual," he said, planting a kiss on my cheek.
I nodded slightly and smiled sweetly, as always. Maybe I was better suited to being an actress than a secretary. His words reminded me of my place—just a shadow girlfriend.
He greeted his friends while his eyes followed the beautiful woman who had arrived with his brother. I did my best to hide my pain because I knew she was the only one in Hugo's eyes.
My presence would never be enough to make him fall in love with me. I pretended not to care, knowing he hated women who fell for him—especially when his heart already belonged to someone else.
He would leave me behind whenever his cousin appeared. He didn't want me intruding on their time together.
And I knew what people whispered behind my back:
"Look at her. So pitiful."
"Isn't it obvious Leanna is just Hugo's shadow girlfriend?"
"I used to envy her, but it's laughable now. Hugo doesn't even treat her like a real girlfriend."
"I wonder how much he's paying her?"
"She's probably just after his money."
"For a poor girl, money means everything."
"Hugo buys her everything, but she's still unworthy."
"She's just good for show—not marriage."
"She's a joke."
"Does she really think dating Hugo will land her in a rich family?"
"In her dreams."
"No wealthy family would accept someone like her."
"She's not a lady—just a shadow."
"Good for decoration, not for love."
"How does she even put up with Hugo?"
"I couldn't do it for a day."
"Let's not waste time talking about such a nobody."
"Let's discuss the latest designer bags instead."
I clenched my fists. I couldn't be angry with them because… some of it was true. Hugo did pay me. But they were wrong about one thing—I never did it for money. I truly loved him.
Even if I told them that, no one would believe me.
So I kept silent. Denying their accusations would only make things worse.
I walked to the terrace, unsure how much time had passed. The stars above sparkled, but my heart felt as dark as the night.
Tears fell from my eyes.
I hoped Hugo would one day see my love.
But if he couldn't… I just wished for the strength to walk away.
I couldn't live in Apple City anymore. Hugo had threatened to destroy my chances of getting another job if I ever quit being his shadow girlfriend.
And with his influence, I knew he could do it—with just a word.
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