Chapter Three: Fake Love, Bound By A Contract

Eveline's POV

The air felt heavy. Extremely heavy. So heavy that I felt uncomfortable just being there.

I sat at a table at Area C and a pair of icy eyes glared at me as I attempted to avoid the owner of those cold eyes by looking down. My eyes were focused on my shoes as I pretended that I was examining and studying the non-existing designs on my heels.

"Ms Lennox." The deep voice that belonged to the person opposite me suddenly made itself known to my ears, "Look at me and explain to me, what are you doing in such an event?"

"To... find a suitable partner?" My answer sounded more like an unsure question. The male in front of me sighed and then pinched the bridge of his nose before staring at me again.

"If my memory serves me, I recall that you are dating Mr Sonnett?" The male before me raised his eyebrow. I did not say anything, I went quiet instantly. I glanced at the male parallel to me as he continued to wait patiently for my reply.

Axel Draven. The CEO of Draven Corporation. Also known as the company I work under. I am confident that many of you can see the link Axel Draven is my boss. Friendly reminder that this boss of mine is not well-liked by my colleagues and perhaps the rest of the workers who are under him. And why is that you ask? Well, M.r Draven is known to be cold and inconsiderate towards his employees. Especially females. The hatred in his eyes when a female does anything wrong was terrifying. Some even wonder whether he just reacts this way because he was sexist or just because he was not used to such an environment. Whatever it was, it destroyed his reputation and popularity back at Draven Corporation. However, I doubt he even cares about that, considering he is one of the few most successful CEOs in the country. He had the power to completely strip any of his workers from society and ensure that those who he disliked will never be able to make a grand debut in society. An influencer he was, however not a follower. He was one to never bother about useless information such as rumours and gossip that erupt within the corporation.

After listening to all the rumours about him, I vowed to stay away from him as much as possible. Hoping that he does not know me and that I do not bump into him was what I had in mind the moment I knew of his existence. Look at me now, sitting on a chair at a matchmaking event that Axel Draven happens to be at and having him stare daggers into me while I fumbled to come up with a genius response to his interrogation. Now that I thought about it, how did he know that I was dating David? Was he showing his consideration? Did he finally start to show kindness towards his employees? There was a small spark that glowed inside of me. Hope I assume. Hope that this cold person before me could understand and hear me out the way Abigail would have done.

"We broke up." I did not hesitate to reply, however, I think that I accidentally stuttered while voicing my response. Axel raised one of his eyebrows in either amusement or surprise. He sat upright and then leaned forward, resting his veiny hands on the table, looking at me.

"And why is that? I once overheard you talking to Ms Glynn and gushing about how David and you were going to get married shortly."

I flinched. How the hell did he overhear that? Claire Glynn and I spoke in secret, always making sure that there was no one around before communicating. I did not enjoy this 'conversation' we had at all.

Noticing that I was uncomfortable, Axel sighed and then changed his tone and way of speaking.

"You're angry at him, aren't you?" "Excuse me?" "You want to spite him and make him regret and jealous. That is why you were here in the first place aren't you?"

Right on point. I won't expect anything less than the Axel Draven. A small teardrop fell from my eyes, I started sobbing softly and nodded my head vigorously. Axel knew everything. My boss knew my tragic love story. What a lovely thing to happen to me today ain't it? Not.

A deck of papers being stapled together was pushed towards me. I looked up. Axel took out a pen and handed it to me. I looked at him, even more, confused than ever. Sensing my confusion, Axel frowned before explaining.

"My mother has been pushing me to start dating and beginning a family. Due to her request, I attended this matchmaking event however I have no intention to get married out of love. I simply do not believe in such a thing. As you can see, my mother ordered me to bring home a girlfriend by the end of next week and if I don't, she will not allow me to go to work and I could not risk it. You need a fake lover and I need a fake lover as well. Become my fake girlfriend. You just need to please my mother and I'll help you in angering your ex. I can even offer you a higher status at work, along with money. I feel that this is a splendid deal for both of us. So what do you say, Ms Eveline Lennox, do you accept this deal?"

It was a deal and I could not lie, I was so tempted to just grab that pen and sign the contract as soon as possible and then shake Axel's hand and then proceed with our plan. However, I hesitated for a while, the pen in my hand but not moving.

"Why me." "Pardon?" "I said, why did you choose me? A mere employee of yours and not another girl of a similar status compared to you." "The other females here will not budge nor accept my offer at all. I know that other women also will not agree as well so, of course, I had to result to such measures. Anyways I think that you are smart enough to please my mother, she does not have high expectations however you must know the bare minimum of being a fake girlfriend of mine."

I nodded, looking through the contract carefully. Axel watched intensively as I flipped the pages of the document and eyed each word closely.

"Marriage is a part of the contract?" I looked up and Axel had ordered a cup of coffee, sisippinguietly, and nodding. "Of course, this is all for my mother. Don't worry, I will be a good husband to you and learn to love a woman. I trust you're fine with it?" Fine? I was not sure. Do I want to spend the rest of my life with him? I did not know however at that moment, my brain was not processing the information on the paper and before I knew it, my signature was formed on the paper. Axel and I shook hands in agreement. That was it, the contract was established and I was bound to the contract.

"Now then, we need to make it such that we are in love don't we? Here's a notebook and a pen. Write down everything I should know and answer the questions at the front. After that, memorize all of these." Axel shoved another document into my palms. "Everything you should know about me. Make sure to know everything by heart by the time we need to meet my mother together." I gaped at the document, there were at least five sheets of paper bound together. "Make it quick. I am a rather busy man and have to be at the office soon." Axel noted, checking his watch.

I scanned the documents quickly and then kept them safely in my purse, having to fold them for them to fit. I then grabbed the pen and began answering all the questions that were stated on the paper. Full name, address, favourite colour, favourite movie, favourite food, a favourite show, what I do in my free timeline, my birthday, my blood type... The notebook was practically begging for every single piece of information about me and my entire identity. I answered all of them. After that, I wrote a few interesting facts that even my acquaintances did not know and then handed the notebook back to the black-haired male. Axel took the notebook, kept it away in the same manner that I did, and then finished his coffee before bowing and leaving the venue. I watched him leave in silence and only when I was sure that he was out of sight then I began screaming internally, my head burrowed deep in my hands as I questioned my idiotic brain and processed all that had happened. After a bit of time to myself only then was I able to accept the reality. This was not going to be like a typical love story. This is fully work-related and there is no true romance going on between me and him. I nodded to myself before getting up and leaving the area, looking for Abigail. I found her talking to another male, both of them laughing genuinely as they conversed.

Abigail and the male were experiencing young love. Something that might never happen to me ever again. I forced a weak smile as I watched the happy pair before me and decided to give them a little more time to themselves before I drag Abigail away.

"The matchmaking event was so fun! I met so many potential lovers and friends! Oh sorry, I was only talking about myself and not asking about your experience. So, how was it? What do you think about this matchmaking event? Was it as fun? Did you meet someone who you fancy?" Abigail smirked as we made our way out of the room and into the main hall that Abigail and I first witnessed when we entered the infrastructure.

I sweatdropped. How was I supposed to tell my best friend that instead of finding love, I ended up signing a business-related contract where I have to be a pretend fiancee to my boss? There was no other way around it, I had to tell a white lie.

"It was absolutely lovely! I found a man who loved me for who I was, he was so much better than David!" The last part was true. Abigail beamed, seemingly happy for her best friend who had finally gotten over her ex with someone new.

"Who is he?" Abigail asked excitedly. I forgot to ask my boss whether it was alright for me to use his first name. "Axel Draven." I smiled. Abigail nodded in approval before pausing and then screeching at me. "AXEL DRAVEN. THE. AXEL. DRAVEN. THE ONE THAT OWNS DRAVEN CORPORATION AND IS YOUR BOSS?" Regret filled me as I struggled to come up with a valid response to her bombardment. I only moved my head up and down slowly in agreement. Abigail covered her mouth and then started jumping in place, how I miss being young.

"Isn't that amazing? Imagine dating your boss and more importantly, if he shows affection to you in public, won't David witness them all considering that he works in the same department as you at Draven Corporation? I envy you, you're finally experiencing your own unique love story."

How could I tell her about my contract when she was this giddy and glad due to my half-told truth? Abigail instantly clutched both my hands and looked at me as if I was her child and that I had finally accomplished something worth celebrating. "I'll help you prepare for your next date." Abigail declared proudly. I just simply nodded and allowed her to have her way. Abigail was on cloud nine.

The day went by quickly and before I knew it, it was already time for lunch. Abigail sadly announced that she needed to go back to her mother's house and babysit her younger siblings. I only assured her that I will have a proper lunch before we parted.