Chapter 3

For the past two days, Valentina has been preparing for his transfer.

Not everything could have flown slightly if not for another affair scandal, the star actor of the company. ‘Jacob Philips’.

She was looking at the different entertainment pages of the day, and the big headline ‘The popular actor Jacob Philips is photographed drunk in a club, next to a well-known model’ her photos occupied the entire page.

Valentina jumped out of anger; she really couldn’t help it; it was a fact. “Why are men so lustful?”

Immersed in her thoughts, I do not hear the slight steps behind her.

“What are you doing?” The soft male voice suddenly scared her.

“Ah!”

He was so surprised that he almost fell from the chair; he was ashamed of his pale face.

“Can you warn me? You scared me to death?”

Nathan raised an eyebrow and didn’t say a word. Of course, he wouldn’t follow his orders.

Valentina looked at him, feeling inexplicable that the air pressure throughout the room was much lower. She muttered cautiously.

“I’m sorry, I’m working. I didn’t hear. I’m sorry.”

She smiled in shame.

He looked at her momentarily, but the image on his computer screen caught his attention. I had already read about the news; Jacob was a pain in the ass. If it wasn’t because he’s the one who makes the company the most profits, I would have taken him off the acting staff. He pointed his finger at the screen and said carelessly, “It’s complicated, huh?”

Valentina realized she was talking about work and quickly responded.

“Well, it’s more problematic this time. I can only reduce the negative impact it would have on the company on a personal level. It’s just sinking deeper and deeper.”

“Do your best,” she said, encouraging.

“Can you cook?”

“Well… I…” Valentina whispered too low and complained a little, “The contract didn’t say I should cook”.

Nathan was out of breath. “Was she a fool whom he married?”

“She wasn’t like that in the company. Would she have been mistaken?”

“Haven’t you eaten yet?” Valentina asked, uncertain.

He shook his head from side to side without answering.

“Well, I haven’t eaten either. How about I buy something to eat?” The girl suggested.

“No!”

Valentina was startled by his attitude; suddenly, it occurred to him that the young heir, Nathan Mercer, had a stubborn temperament.

“So, I buy some ingredients and prepare them myself?” he asked, this time cautiously.

Nathan snorted and turned to leave for his room.

Valentina, public relations manager, knows how to solve difficult situations and would not be up to the task if she did not manage to mediate this.

Then he immediately gave a flattering expression.

“Wait a minute; I won’t be long, okay? Do you have any plates you want to eat?”

“Whatever,” he said lightly.

“Okay, I won’t be long, I promise” Valentina did everything quickly, changed her clothes and ran to the nearest supermarket.

Nathan saw her leave and decided that, he would take a shower to relax while returning.

Valentina entered the supermarket and complained incessantly.

When I mention buying ingredients, the only dish I can cook is spaghetti with vegetables, “how can this be good?”

It’s all because of President Mercer’s unjust treatment. She was so scared, she forgot she had no idea what cooking was.

She rambled for a long time, eventually taking some vegetables, pasta sauces, and cheese. He walked through the other corridors to buy more things he might need.

When he returned, Nathan was still bathing.

“Don’t you know about saving water?”

Hearing the sound of water inside the bathroom, I automatically imagine Nathan’s attractive figure, muscles evident to the naked eye, soap running through his body, and water covering his skin.

Before such an image, the heat seized his face, and a slight pulsation settled between his legs.

Reproaching, it was recalled that this was a fake marriage.

“Damn it, don’t look, don’t listen,” he muttered as he walked into the kitchen.

Peel, crush, boil…

Valentina prepared other dishes and waited for her fake husband to come out.

Nathan went out to the dining room. Looking at it this way, it felt like home.

Sitting at the table for two, Valentina looked at the London lights outside the window with warmth and peace.

“Is the food ready?” Nathan asked as he dried his hair with a towel.

“Yes, it’s almost ready” Valentina turned her head and hid the blush from her face.

The two people looked at each other. But she couldn’t stop her eyes from turning to the defined abs seen through the half-open bathrobe.

Too tempting and perfect. “How many hours would it take you to define your abdomen?”

Valentina controlled her thoughts and hastily said, “It’s time for dinner.”

Nathan sat down and saw the table full of vegetables, with a hint of disgust in his eyes.

“Is that what you cooked?”

“I thought you took care of your perfect body, I apologize for your health, so I bought some healthy ingredients. She regretted her screw-up. Why did her thoughts always embarrass her?”

Nathan said nothing and sat down. He started eating.

“Wasn’t the food really good? This pickled fish, this sweet and sour steak, aren’t they delicious?”

Two people ate together, but each one was submerged in their thoughts, only the sound of cutlery pounding.  Nathan tried the fish pieces, but didn’t tell him if he liked them.

Valentina’s food is simple but graceful.

“Your cooking is not bad,” he said as he ate.

“Thank you,” she felt polite and continued to eat.

He assumed he had probably eaten more prominent dishes and decided to be nice to her.

“Your appetite is evident,” he said as he took some salad.

“What?” Valentina looked up.

“Nothing” I swallow the words in his stomach.

“Oh…” She was momentarily silent, then said, “I want to ask you something.”

“Tell me.”

President Mercer always appreciates efficiency; Valentina cleared her throat and said bluntly, “Why did you buy a fake marriage? I think you should give me a reason.”

Nathan lifted his head, and his eyes filled with endless darkness.  It took him a long time to talk, but he finally decided to be honest with her halfway.

“Because if I’m married to you, I’ll have no problems.”

Valentina swallowed a piece of fish and took a sip of water. I look at him, confused.

 “Um, what do you mean?”

“You’re efficient, and you need money. Plus, it meets my standards,” Nathan replied casually.

The discomfort in her eyes did not go unnoticed; a cold sweat ran down her forehead; it was best not to ask more questions. “Thank you for the promotion, Mr. President.”

“You’re welcome” Nathan dried his mouth, stood up, and turned to leave, stopped for a moment to say, “When you clean all this, come to the studio.”

“Okay.” She nodded obediently, but secretly had another opinion about it. “It seems she’s not only his wife by name; she’s also his free maid.”

At the studio, Nathan read the documents without being able to concentrate.

‘Knock, knock, knock.’

Valentina knocked on the door.

“Pass” was a short and powerful order.

“I finished cleaning” I was a little tired and wanted to rest, so I asked impatiently, “Is there anything else?”

“Do you want us to go public with our marriage tomorrow? Do you have any comments?” He asked while still looking at the documents in his hand.

“No,” she had no say in all of this. It is within the contract; I must do whatever is asked.

“Then we will be husband and wife in the company. We will behave as such. Okay?”

Nathan extended his hand; Valentina was surprised and stretched out hers hastily.

The two shook hands amicably.

“"Happy cooperation," she said with a smile.