Chapter 5 Fake Boyfriend

"Excuse me, Mr. Leo. Are you serious about that request?" Vyora widened her eyes in shock. Her breath almost caught.

"I'm not playing games with you, Darling." Leo gave his trademark smile.

Vyora shook her head slowly, completely bewildered. She couldn't even think straight. "But why are you asking me? You should be able to choose another woman who's more perfect for you."

"There's no particular reason. I just think you're the only one who can do it."

Vyora furrowed her brow, her hands gripping her skirt tightly. "If I refuse, will you... fire me?"

Leo didn't answer right away. He stood up and walked towards Vyora. He stopped a step in front of her. Then he put both hands in his pants pockets.

The man's smile was still on his lips. "That's pretty obvious, isn't it?"

Vyora flinched slightly. She instinctively took a step back. "You're so cruel."

Leo nodded, as if confirming that statement. He then took another step forward, causing Vyora to back away again. Then Leo kept moving forward deliberately. Vyora was getting annoyed and anxious.

"P–please stop," Vyora pleaded, but it was in vain because her back was already against the wall.

Leo smirked slightly, enjoying Vyora's expression. Leo's hand, without hesitation, stroked her hair. Gently and slowly.

"Think about it carefully, Vyora. This is the first step to making Noah regret it. He'll surely be surprised to see his ex-girlfriend has a new partner. He'll think he doesn't mean anything to you."

Vyora lowered her head, wiping her sweaty fingertips. "I know, but being your fake girlfriend... it's too risky."

Leo smiled sweetly. Then he moved away. He stood with his arms crossed next to his desk. "Remember that Noah forgot about you even before you broke up. Get out of the circle that always makes you regret, Vyora."

Feeling excessive anxiety and her throat dry, Vyora struggled to swallow. "Sorry, Sir. Can I think about it a little longer? My work hours have already passed a few minutes. I think you like disciplined employees."

"Alright. I look forward to your answer soon, darling." Leo's expression looked calm, but his gaze had an implicit meaning.

"I'll excuse myself, Mr. Leo." Vyora bowed and then turned to leave the room.

After walking a few steps, she stopped in the corridor. Vyora leaned her shoulder against the corridor wall.

"What was that? A fake girlfriend? With my own boss?" Vyora mumbled softly, holding her cheeks.

"It sounds horrible. How could our conversation go this far?" Vyora closed her eyes, feeling frustrated.

***

At lunchtime, Vyora had prepared herself to meet Leo again. She adjusted her glasses for a moment before knocking on Leo's door. Vyora immediately entered after hearing Leo's voice from inside.

"So, how is it, Vyora?" Leo spoke first. He looked away from his laptop and looked at Vyora.

Her heart was pounding, but Vyora showed a calm expression. She cleared her throat lightly. "Before I answer, I want you to explain in more detail what you mean by asking me to be a fake girlfriend. I feel like it's not a light request."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "You're starting to get brave, but it's okay. I'll answer that."

"Actually, I have to get married soon because there's a problem. Almost every day I'm forced to go on blind dates. But for now, I don't want to get married soon. And I don't know when I'll do it. I can't be in a serious relationship."

Leo watched Vyora's expression intently. "Since you're also in a bad situation, why don't we just work together? You've been in a relationship before, so I think you can teach me how to act naturally."

Leo smiled, a smile he only gave to Vyora. "Besides, I can't forget that night. You've given me something valuable. If you date me, then everything you want, I'll make sure it happens."

Vyora was shocked. It was an explanation beyond her imagination. She never thought a man like Leo would have relationship problems.

Vyora then smiled, forming a very thin line. "It seems pointless for me to think about it. You seem like you won't let me refuse."

Leo bit his lower lip, holding back a chuckle. "You're smart, Darling."

Vyora didn't respond to the compliment. She looked at Leo seriously. "I hope you keep your promise. I need your help with our cooperation going forward."

Leo smiled very widely, as if he had just gotten lucky. "Welcome to my life, darling. You'll be happy with me."

"And I might not be able to let you go," Leo continued in his heart.

"Um, but can you stop calling me 'Darling'? I feel uncomfortable with that."

Leo nodded casually while looking at his laptop screen. "I can stop. But you have to pay."

"With what?"

Leo smirked slightly. "Like what we did that night."

***

Vyora was about to go to the kitchen to make coffee. At first, she was lost in thought about her cooperation with Leo, but her steps stopped when she heard some people mentioning her name. Vyora immediately stopped walking and hid behind the wall.

"Hey, do you guys realize Vyora has been called to Mr. Leo's office a lot lately? It's suspicious."

"That's right. I saw it myself. My goodness. I didn't think she was good at seducing men."

"She is a hypocrite. She just broke up with Noah, but suddenly she's trying to get on Mr. Leo's good side. She looks innocent, but she's actually poisonous."

"Maybe she got into the company using a dirty method? Goodness. That's scary. We have to be careful with women like her."

"I feel sorry for Grace. She's stuck with Vyora's naive attitude. Hopefully Grace will realize soon that Vyora is not a good friend."

Vyora, hearing their whispers, felt her chest tighten and her eyes get hot. She bit her lip, holding back her anger and sadness.

"Why don't they ever think good things about me? Did I do something wrong to them? No, right?" Vyora said to herself. She clenched her fist, holding back her emotions.

From another direction, Leo accidentally saw Vyora. He quietly approached and stood behind her. He slowly touched her shoulder.

Vyora was startled and turned quickly. "M–Mr. Leo?"

"Quiet and don't scream."

Leo pulled Vyora's hand to a different corner. He enclosed her body. Vyora didn't blink because she was too shocked. They looked at each other with different gazes. Then Leo suddenly pulled Vyora's hips and forcefully kissed her lips.

Vyora was shocked. She tried to refuse and push him away, but Leo was too strong. His hand went up to the back of Vyora's neck.

"If you want to get rid of those rumors, then you have to make them a reality," Leo whispered in Vyora's ear after releasing his kiss.

On the other side of the room, Grace, Vyora's best friend, secretly took a picture of the incident with her phone. Her facial expression was unreadable. But her lips were smirking.

"You don't deserve to live in peace, Vyora," Grace hissed. Then she put her phone in her pocket.