A one night stand?

'This is disappointing.'

Ayana said as she looked at the shore through glass window while sitting on the bed. As predicted, he had booked a single room in this expensive resort, which suspiciously lied at the distant side of Elmont beach. Seeing so many luxurious facilities and fragrant aura all over the place, it was clear this place was for VIPs on their honeymoon package.

She glanced at the other side of the room, where Eric had gone for the restroom. Should she run away now that she has the chance? But that's pointless since they would meet in office soon anyway. Besides, it's still too early to make a decision.

She repeatedly suppressed her whirlpool of doubts with each time the sound of waves hitting the shore reached her ears.

Eric finally came out on the dot as Ayana was just on the verge to blurt out her anxiety. Seeing his sudden appearance, she jolted at her place from surprise.

He was still wearing that loose off-white shirt along with a pair of navy blue pants. A white towel resting around his neck as he wiped the remaining water dripping down his chin.

"S..so tell me what's your wish now." Holding her breath to suppress her emotions, she surprisingly stuttered.

Seeing him making such a sexy appearance, her mind began to give her warning signals. But since the little trust she still possessed wouldn't let her dash right away, she chosed to get done with this deal as fast as possible.

"Ah I will, but I think you need to calm down first since it may be quite hard to grasp." There was this concern on his face.

"I am calm. Just tell me already." She managed to say it out aloud this time. She already had enough as it is, and just wanted to go home now.

"...well, if you say so. The thing is..." He said hesitantly while fidgeting his fingers near his chest like a small kid.

Ayana was surprised upon seeing the same innocent look back on his face, almost to the point she started reconsidering her judgement.

'No! I must remain strong! This could be one of his traps to allure me.' she suddenly self-warned and embraced herself to face his upcoming words.

"I want you to be my girlfriend."

The drum-rolling was finally put to a halt when some nonsensical words just knocked at Ayana's eardrum.

"What?" She was so shocked that this was the only question that escaped her mouth.

'Me? His girlfriend? Has he gone mad? We had just met three times in our entire life for heaven's sake! Is he using some kind of tricks on me?' a monsterous load of questions had dumped into Ayana's mind just now. She couldn't figure out from where to start and what to ask?! The only thing she could focus on was his response and expressions.

"Sigh.. that's exactly why I first told you to calm down right at the beginning. I'll explain every single question of yours later, but please atleast listen to my explanation first." He insisted to which she nodded in agreement without any effort.

Eric exhaled a deep breath of relief upon seeing her focused and sat down on the bed as well, making sure to keep a distance for her comfort.

"Right, so the thing is I don't want you to ACTUALLY date me. Infact, you don't even have to pretend to be my girlfriend in front of everyone, except this one person." He finally started his explanation.

"And who that might be?" Ayana calmly interjected.

"Do you remember that woman who came along with me this evening?"

"Yes?"

"That's the person I want to show you off to. You see, my parents are forcing me to marry that girl just to earn some petty money, and they won't accept my disagreement until that girl declines this offer too."

'Oh... Is that's the reason why even his boss cooperated while he brought me here in private. But even so, why only one room?' Ayana remained silent as the pieces started to fit in this puzzle of doubts.

"But why me? That woman looked way more richer than I am. Wouldn't choosing even more richer girl be beneficial for you in that case?" She exclaimed nicely.

"It's not like there's a market open for such kind of things. Besides, the economic status is not the issue here." He explained briefly but brought Ayana to embarrassment on her previous statement.

"R.. right." She said with a wavering smile to hide her awkwardness.

'Ofcourse he would choose me since I am a cheaper and easier option to opt, you dork! Atleast think carefully before you speak!!' she scolded herself to bring shame upon her own.

"But, why should I help you? I mean, I know I granted you a wish n' all, but still that isn't enough of a reason for me to help you. It exceeds my limits as it might affect my career in future, not to mentioning my family as well.

We've only met three times till now, so how can you put so much trust on me just on the whim of a drunk woman's audio recording? That is unless you have another important thing to mention in this deal..." Ayana finally bombarded the last question on him.

Seeing the unexpected end in her sentence, Eric chuckled from amusement. "You are right. Surprisingly, you're more smart that I had thought."

"Is that a compliment?" She inquired with squinted eyes and raised brow, as she felt slightly at unease from his remark.

"Yes ofcourse!" He continued.

"Your guessed is right about that latter part. Certainly, I was aware that this wouldn't be enough to ask you for the favour. But the fact that it still motivated you to come all the way here, proved that it didn't all go to a waste. You realised late but still it's better late than never right?"

He innocently smiled as he speaks, which to be honest made Ayana really cheesed off at the moment. She was now irritated from constantly waiting and the suspense he created with the delay in speech.

"So yeah, here's the deal I propose. You'll be my girlfriend until my parents finally cancel this engagement plan and in return, I'll help you in getting promotion. I'll also arrange a contract on legal basis so that we both stay at fair ends. What do you think?" He smiled confidently.

His explanation seemed to have finally ended, but all of this sounded so stupid to accept in real life.

A contract? Fake girlfriend? Getting promotions through such deals? Ayana never thought something like this would happen in her life. Should she accept the offer? Even the question sounded so ridiculous at first glance.

She can deny it right away when it's time to sign the contract, right? She haven't given any statement yet. The offer is good since all she has to do is 'pretend' to be his girlfriend that too only in front of a specific person.

Not only that, he seems to have good connection with the CEO. So it is possible for her to get an upranking because she really need it in her life.

But the fact that she still doesn't know completely that lady's identity and her own security risks, was still a main concern that lingered in her heart.

So it all comes to square one. Should she accept it? Or should she not?

The pressure of this dilemma was intense.