In the cutthroat world of corporate business, Sophia Patel has always strived to make a name for herself. As a talented and ambitious marketing specialist at Harrison Industries, she's risen through the ranks with her sharp wit, intelligence, and dedication. Her colleagues and superiors respect her, and she's confident in her abilities. However, Sophia's life is about to take a dramatic turn when she's approached by the company's enigmatic CEO, Alexander Harrison, with a proposal that will change everything.  Alexander, known for his ruthless business tactics and charismatic charm, needs Sophia to pretend to be his girlfriend. The reason behind this unusual request is to improve his public image, which has taken a hit due to recent controversies. The board of directors is breathing down his neck, and he needs a convincing narrative to distract the public from the company's troubles. Sophia is torn between her professional ambitions and personal values. Accepting the offer could catapult her career to new heights and provide financial security, but pretending to be in a relationship with her CEO could lead to unforeseen complications.  As Sophia weighs the pros and cons, she considers the potential risks to her reputation and emotional well-being. Despite her reservations, she's tempted by the promise of a promotion and a significant raise. Alexander's proposal is clear: pretend to be his girlfriend for a few months, and in return, she'll reap the benefits. Sophia knows that this decision will impact her life in ways she can't yet imagine. With her career on the line, she must decide whether to take the risk and play along with Alexander's plan. As she contemplates her response, Sophia can't help but wonder what she's getting herself into. Will she be able to keep up the charade, or will it all come crashing down?

As they drove back to Alexander's penthouse, Sophia couldn't help but wonder about the tension she had sensed between Alexander and his parents. What was going on?


When they arrived, Alexander poured them each a glass of wine and sat down beside her on the couch. "Okay, let's talk about my parents," he said, his expression serious.


"What is it?" Sophia asked, her curiosity piqued.


"My family's business is... complicated," Alexander said, choosing his words carefully. "We've been in the spotlight for years, and there's a lot of pressure to keep up appearances."


Sophia nodded, sensing that there was more to it. "What kind of pressure?"


Alexander hesitated, then took a deep breath. "My parents want me to take over the family business, but I've always had other plans. They've been pushing me to conform to their expectations, and it's caused a lot of tension between us."


Sophia's eyes widened in understanding. "That's why they were so intense at dinner?"


Alexander nodded. "Yes. They're worried that I'm not taking my responsibilities seriously. But the truth is, I have my own ideas about how to run the business, and they don't align with theirs."


Sophia felt a surge of sympathy for Alexander. She could imagine how hard it must be to navigate family expectations and pressure.


As they talked, Sophia realized that Alexander's life was more complex than she had initially thought. There were layers to him that she hadn't seen before, and she was intrigued.


But as the night wore on, Sophia couldn't shake off the feeling that there was still more to the story. What other secrets was Alexander hiding? And how would they affect their relationship?


As they prepared for bed, Alexander turned to her and said, "I'm glad you're here, Sophia. You're the one person who truly understands me."


Sophia's heart skipped a beat. She felt a deep connection to Alexander, and she knew that she was falling for him. But she also knew that there were still many unknowns, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future held.


Chapter 13 - FAMILY SECRET