LIORA

The bell above the coffee shop door jingles as I enter, the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans enveloping me. Zoey isn't around to make me my usual cup, so I decide to grab a coffee on my own.

As I take the coffee and thank the person, my eyes immediately land on Dexter Martinez, my boss, sitting at a table with a coffee in one hand and an iPad in the other. Typical Dexter, I think; always buried in work even during his coffee breaks. I take a deep breath, knowing that now is the best time to confess to him about the incident a few days back at the bar.

Approaching him, I barely notice the waiter in my path, and a collision sends me slipping toward Dexter, who is just standing up from his seat. Fate has other plans and the contents of the coffee I'm carrying splash all over him.

In a desperate attempt to save myself from a fall, I grab onto the nearest thing, which happens to be Dexter's hand, dragging him to the floor with me. He puts one of his hands back on my head and the other on the floor to avoid crushing me with his weight. To my shock, our lips meet in the chaos. Sparks fly, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. We stare into each other's eyes, both equally surprised by the unexpected turn of events, and the atmosphere crackles with undeniable tension. My heart races. Only one thought seems to be on my mind.

I am kissing Dexter Martinez!

Just as things are getting intense, Dexter's grandpa walks in, catching us in this compromising position. The spell is broken, and we quickly untangle ourselves. I feel a rush of embarrassment and awkwardness, realizing I have just kissed the CEO's grandson, and the CEO himself is witnessing it.

Unsure of how to face the situation, I remember the spilled coffee and immediately take a tissue from the nearest table, starting to wipe the coffee that spilled on Dexter's suit.

"I am so sorry. I was clumsy, I didn't notice the waiter, and we bumped-"

Before I can fully complete my sentence, Dexter's grandpa bluntly asks, "Are you both dating? Why didn't you tell me before? I wouldn't have set up a blind date for you today."

Dexter's body becomes tense beside me. My hand, which is still wiping Dexter's ruined suit, pauses. Alarm bells start ringing in my head. I am about to correct him when Dexter interjects, "We both are dating."

My eyes widen, confused by his sudden declaration.

Is this a joke?

I am left speechless. I am shocked, confused, and can't comprehend why he lied to his grandpa.

Dexter takes my hand, and my heart races as I try to comprehend the situation.

I feel speechless, caught in the middle of a lie that seems to be unfolding without my consent. I try to shake my hand off his hold, but Dexter's grip on my hand tightens, leaving me wondering what is wrong with him and why he has chosen to lie to his grandpa.

Looking at me, Mr. Martinez frowns, seemingly deep in thought. He knows me too well. I have been working for him for the past 6 years.

"Don't you think dating your employee would look good for you in front of the board members?" He voices his concerns.

My heart skips a beat, and I tense. I haven't revealed my identity as Dexter's employee or the fact that I am the one who has ruined his car, his suit, and gave his secretary the wrong number. Anxiety floods my mind.

Shit shit, I didn't confess to him yet.

I want to bring it out slowly and apologize to him. I don't want him to find it out from his grandfather.

Dexter, however, seems unfazed by his grandpa's concerns. He confidently replies, "I don't care about that, Grandpa. Liora does her job perfectly as the marketing head, and I'm doing my job too. No one can question us."

I shoot Dexter a bewildered look. I am dumbfounded. How does Dexter know about my position as the marketing head? Did he recognize me from the bar incident? Am I about to be fired? My mind is a whirlwind of questions.

Mr. Martinez gives a small smile and nods his head. "Well then, I am happy that you finally found someone. I don't have to worry about setting blind dates anymore." He looks at both of us laughing, a satisfied look on his face. "I want to invite you both to dinner this weekend at my house. I want to know all the details- how you both started dating." He turns towards Dexter and says," About the business, we want to discuss, we can meet in the office and discuss it there. Have fun with your girlfriend." Saying this, he leaves with his secretary.

What the fuck just happened?

My heart is still racing from the unexpected events that have unfolded – the coffee spill, the embarrassing slip, the accidental kiss with Dexter, Mr. Martinez catching us, Dexter lying that I am his girlfriend, Him finding out that I am his employee, and dinner with Mr. Martinez.

This is a lot to process.

Dexter's rage reverberates through his words, and the weight of his anger presses heavily on me. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Why do you keep ruining my things?" he spats, his frustration palpable.

"I am so sorry, sir. I don't mean to spill the coffee. I just bump into the waiter-" I attempt to explain, but Dexter cuts me off with a raised hand.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want your apology? Just stop being clumsy. Is it that hard?" His scoff resonates with disappointment.

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I feel the tightness in my chest, and my throat constricts. I can't let myself cry in front of him, but the mere thought brings tears to my eyes. I shift my gaze away, hoping he won't notice, though I know I'm already too late.

"Look at me," Dexter commands. Reluctantly, I meet his gaze which softens immediately. His intense green eyes have a way of making me forget everything else. "That was a little harsh, and I didn't mean that. I was angry and... but still, I shouldn't have said that."

It's the closest thing to an apology I'll get from Dexter. Dexter, being himself, can't even say the word 'sorry.'

I nod silently, accepting the half-hearted acknowledgment.

As the tension lingers, I muster the courage to ask the burning question. "From when did you know that I am your employee?" The anxiety inside me flares up.

Dexter smirks in response. "Do you think that by wearing that stupid mask, you can hide from me? I recognized you the moment I saw you."

My breath catches as I whisper, "How?" I thought I was managing well, but it turned out wrong.

"Your eyes," he replies, locking me in with his intense stare. "They have a unique color. Your hazel eyes seem to contain specks of amber."

I take a sharp breath. No one has ever described my eyes like that. I want to say that I like his eyes too, but I stop myself.

This isn't the time. Now that everything is out, he might fire me. No more excuses, no more lying, no more hiding.

"Am I going to get fired? I think I am. Maybe I'll save you from the trouble and hand over the resignation letter to you," I say, a defeated tone in my voice.

The years of hard work I did for nothing. I'll just go home and cry in Zoey's arms. Maybe apply for a new job after a few days.

Dexter's body tenses for a moment. "I am not gonna fire you," he declares, catching me off guard.

Relief washes over me. "Then, are you going to forgive me?" I ask, desperately hoping this all will end now.

His smirk returns. "No, I am not that kind too," he replies, making me scoff.

As if I don't already know that.

As I brace myself for the next blow, he surprises me with a different proposal. "We can make a deal."

"A deal?" I narrow my eyes at him, my mind racing to comprehend his intentions.

Dexter confirms my suspicions with a proposition that hangs in the air like a heavy cloud.

"Be my girlfriend for two months."

His words linger in the air, creating a thick atmosphere that weighs down the room. I feel a mix of emotions rushing through me, leaving me feeling scattered. I'm confused and can't believe what he's suggesting, even though I have an idea. I'm taken by surprise and his words leave me stunned.

"What? Why do you want me to be your girlfriend? Ask someone else who is interested," I protest, dismissing the idea as absurd. "You shouldn't have lied to Mr. Martinez. I will talk with him today and clear all this misunderstanding," I declare, grabbing my handbag from the ground, ready to leave this place.

Dexter, however, says, "There is no misunderstanding, and you are not talking to him."

Anger surges within me. "Who the hell are you to say who I can talk to or not?"

"Your boss. The only person whose suits, car, and iPad you destroyed, and to escape the consequences, you gave a wrong phone number," he reveals with a smirk. I avoid his gaze, realizing that Dexter has uncovered more than just my clumsiness.

I thought dealing with this would be easy, but he's making it hard for me. But what did I expect? He is Dexter Martinez, he and 'easy' don't go in a sentence.

"What do you think?" he taunts.

"I can see your car outside, which looks damn fine, and your iPad is back and working well. About the suits, I think there are hundreds of them in your closet," I retort, my confidence masking the turmoil inside.

I know I am acting like a bitch, but he's bringing it out. The audacity of him to blackmail me. I can't stand it.

Dexter isn't swayed. "You know, for all these new and working things which I had to buy because of you, there were expenses that I spent. Do you want to pay me back?"

The reality hits me, and a sinking feeling takes hold. I don't even want to know the payment. I know how expensive these are. Now I really want to cry. I never felt this helpless in my whole life.

I look at him, and he knows what I am thinking, and he is enjoying this. "I think we will make an amazing boyfriend and girlfriend. We already shared a kiss," he says, grinning.

The memory of our delicate peck replays in my mind, warming my cheeks. Dexter's eyes hold amusement, but I can't let myself be swayed.

"I- I need some time to think about it," I plead.

Dexter hesitates before agreeing, "Fine, but I want an answer by the end of the day."

He walks out of the coffee shop, and I'm left feeling all mixed up inside. In my head, I silently curse him, trying to make sense of the surprising offer that's messed up my life. I don't know how I ended up in this situation, and as it hits me, I worry about what might happen because of the choice I have to make.

⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩⬩

If you like this chapter, please vote !!

With love,
flwenzi ♡