Alexis's POV

"Just bring that beautiful chick. It will be easy to convince your mother. Didn't you tell me she likes her and thinks there is something between you two?!" He winked at me and smirked wickedly.

"Are you crazy? Never in a billion times." I refused hotly and shook my head.

Introducing Charlotte as my girlfriend? No, it is out of the question.

"Are you afraid of her?" Markos asked mockingly and burst out laughing.

I narrowed my eyes. "Of course not! Why should I afraid of that woman?!" I replied angrily, giving Markos a dirty look.

He gave me a sly smirk and said mischievously. "Then why not? Ask her to pretend to be your girlfriend." He winked at me and shrugged his shoulders, still smirking.

"She wouldn't accept it, and she is a pain in the ass." I explained and heaved a loud sigh.

She won't break up with her boyfriend to help me. She looks crazy for that idiot who doesn't love her, just uses her for his needs. On the other hand, I understand Nathan. Who wouldn't want to date Charlotte? She is a beautiful and intelligent girl. Even if there are no romantic feelings, you can't resist her for a long time.

Moreover, even if she accepts to help me, she will ask me something big in return which I will not accept. However, if she falls in my hands....

"The type of woman you like." Markos commented, giving me a teasing smirk, and winked at me playfully.

"Markos!" I warned him. He grinned mischievously.

***

I took off my suit jacket and placed it on the couch as I arrived in the mansion. After pouring a glass of whiskey, I sat down on the couch and noticed the magazine, where was my photo with Charlotte, on the coffee table. I breathed deeply, grabbing it, and looked at our photos while thinking about what Markos told me.

Actually, it wasn't a bad idea; when my grandfather changed his mind, I could end this game without any trouble. Compared to someone else, she wouldn't give me trouble and try to blackmail or seduce me to get more money. Despite the fact, I didn't trust women, excluding my mother, I was sure Charlotte wouldn't do such things. I didn't know why, but I trusted her.

I rubbed my forehead, heaving a loud sigh, and threw the magazine onto the coffee table. Then I leaned against the couch and sipped my whiskey while thinking how I could convince Charlotte to be my fake girlfriend. And if my plan took longer, I had to convince her to be my fake fiancée. I was sure as soon as I brought home a girl who my grandpa would approve of, he would ask us to get engaged or even marry right away. Hopefully, I would manage to convince him before he insisted on us to marry. Otherwise, I would be in trouble.

Charlotte's POV

I was pacing back and forth nervously in the living room while waiting for Nathan. He called me about thirty minutes ago and told me he wanted to talk about something serious.

"What happened?" I asked anxiously after greeting him with a kiss.

"Let's sit down." He suggested with a serious expression, making me feel more nervous.

"Will you tell me? You are scaring me. Did they do something bad or threaten you again?" I asked impatiently.

He took a deep breath and entwined his hands, leaning his elbows on his thighs. "No, it isn't about them, but us."

I raised my eyebrow in confusion, giving him a questioning look. He leaned towards me and held my hands in his hands.

"I have thought about us a lot the last few days, and I made a decision." I looked at him, puzzled. "It will be better for both of us if we stop this... I should let you go; we can't continue like this anymore. It is wrong. You deserve better." He stated sadly and caressed my cheek tenderly.

I pulled my hands instantly and got up. "Are you kidding me?" I asked angrily and ruffled my hair with my trembling hand.

"It is the best decision for us, Lottie." Nathan resumed sadly as he stood up. "You are so dear to me. I really like you, but..." He sighed, averting gaze, pausing.

"But you don't love me." I stated bitterly.

He looked at me without saying anything as sadness crossed his features. I shook my head and forced a smile.

"You didn't complain about our relationship when you spent your nights in my bed. What was I for you? A booty call?" I snapped, frustrated, trying to hold my tears.

"No, of course not." Nathan protested, shaking his head, and tried to hold my hand, but I pulled it back. He sighed sadly and ran his hand through his hair. "You are my safe place. No one knows me better than you, excluding my parents. I enjoyed every second of the time I spent with you, Lottie. You are a beautiful, caring and smart woman. Believe me, I tried, but..." He heaved a loud sigh without finishing his sentence. "It isn't right to waste your time when I know I can't give you what you deserve, Lottie. It is just lust between us, not love." He added, giving me an apologetic look.

"Leave." I mumbled while trying to hold my tears.

"Lottie..."

"Leave!" I shouted as tears ran down my cheeks uncontrollably. He looked at me sadly and left. I collapsed onto the couch and burst out crying, wrapping my arms around myself.

***

I was sipping wine in my office while watching the stars through the window, sitting on the couch. Everyone left the agency a few hours ago, but I didn't want to go home.

I hadn't heard from Nathan since he broke up with me. I wanted to call him a few times, but I gave up. It would be better if I gave him some time. I hoped he would change his mind after thinking with a clear mind. It had been so hard for him the last few weeks; so he wasn't in the state to make a right decision.

As I finished my bottle, I stood up barely and approached the bar cabinet to grab another bottle of wine.

When I poured a glass of wine for myself, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in." I shouted, giggling, and sipped my drink.

The door opened and Alexis walked in. As he saw me, he frowned and approached me.

"You should not drink this much." He commented, annoyed as he gestured to the empty bottles on the coffee table.

"I am a grown woman. I can drink as much as I want." I stated and drank my wine in a sip.

When I wanted to pour some wine into my glass, Alexis snatched it from my hand.

"Hey! Give it back! It is mine!" I scowled in irritation and tried to take the bottle.

"No. You are barely standing. It is enough." He stated bossily and raised the bottle up.

"Give it to me now, asshole!" I exclaimed in frustration and jumped, trying to grab the bottle.

"Watch your language, koula mou! Or I will punish you." He commented, looking into my eyes while there was a strange glint in his eyes and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me away from the bottle.

Suddenly, I burst out crying. I felt overwhelmed. I pushed him back and walked towards the window while the tears were running down my cheeks uncontrollably.

"Charlotte? Why are you crying?" Alexis asked, confused as I heard his footsteps. "Charlotte?" He rested his hands on my arms and turned me around forcefully.

I pursed my lips together and averted my gaze. He sighed, grabbing my chin, and lifted my head up, letting our eyes meet.

"Tell me. Why are you crying?" He asked, concerned.

"All men are insensitive jerks! Nathan dumped me, saying I make him feel happy, but he doesn't love me. And you stole my wine." I mumbled, sobbing.

He pursed his lips together, trying to hold his smile. I narrowed my eyes angrily and pushed his arm away.

"Now you are laughing!" I snapped in frustration.

"Sorry. You look adorable when you are drunk, excluding when you call me asshole." He said huskily and winked at me playfully.

I gave him a dirty look, placing my hands on my hips.

"I am always adorable." I pouted. He chuckled in amusement. I pushed him back angrily and walked towards the bottle which Alexis placed on the coffee table.

"Hey, don't even think about it." He shook his head as he rushed towards the bottle and grabbed it before me.

"You Greek bastard! Give it to me! You are annoying me again!" I shouted furiously and gave him a death glare, clenching my fist.

"Didn't I tell you to watch your language?!" He frowned.

I took a deep breath and ordered. "Give me my bottle!"

"Calm down and tell me what happened." He said calmly and sat down on the couch, still holding the bottle.

"Will we talk like you are my bff?" I asked mockingly.