My Fake Girlfriend

“Athena, we need two salmon steaks.” The head chef said and I gave him a thumbs up. I quickly started to do my thing. I’m a chef in a really famous fine dining restaurant called Skye. It’s a western fine dining restaurant.

I always wanted to be a chef and now I’m 25 years old and getting my dream job. My dad is a famous chef too and he has his own restaurant in New York. My family are all in New York while I’m alone in LA.

Why? I want to have my own experience without leeching to my dad. I don’t want him to help me and I don’t want people to hire me because of my dad. My two brothers came here to LA every three months to check on me because my parents worried too much.

They always call every 3 days, just to check on me. I’m glad that I have a family who supports me in everything I do. My dad taught me all the basic things and I’m grateful for it. My mom is a fashion designer, she used to hope that I would be like her but she supports me one hundred percent. As for my brothers, the oldest Jayson is an architect and my second brother Jackson is a doctor.

“Athena, 3 carbonaras and another salmon steak!” The head chef said and I quickly do my thing. Orders kept coming and there’s no stopping.

“1 Lobster mac and cheese.”

“2 Lasagna.”

“1 Mushroom soup.”

“3 Fish and Chips.”

I bet I cooked all the food on the menu tonight. I’m not complaining at all, I love my job but sometimes I just need 5 minutes to breathe.

“Athena, come on!” I passed the plate and he gave me a nod. There are 5 professional chefs here and we all work well as a team. Orders kept coming and suddenly I was stopped by Minnie. She’s our manager and she gestured me to stop everything.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Please follow me.” She said in a serious tone. I gulped nervously because I’m pretty sure I didn’t make any mistake.

“But.. can it wait?” I asked.

“It’s the boss’ order.”

“Boss?” I asked.

“Yes, our boss.” Minnie gestured me to follow her fast. She led me out from the kitchen to the second floor.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“I don’t know, please keep up the pace..” I followed her up and she led me to the small meeting room. She knocked the door and gestured me to go in. I opened the door and my eyes widened.

“Anderson?” I looked at him in disbelief.

“Hello Athena.” He smirked as he got up from his seat.

“What are you doing here, Ares?” I asked.

Ares Anderson is my high school friend. We’re friends, nothing more. He was the most popular guy in school. He was a playboy and he always changed his girls like he changed his clothes. Now that he’s all grown up, girls are leeching to him for his money.

He’s still popular now, he’s all over the magazine and all over the celebrity news.

“Athena, how are you?” He asked as he pulled me into a hug. I looked at him suspiciously.

“Sit down, please.” He said.

“You’re my boss?” I asked and he nodded.

“Okay, that kinda makes sense.”

“You like your job?”

“Of course, or else I won’t work here.” I stated the obvious.

“Because you’re fired.” He said and my jaw dropped. I looked at him confused because I’m pretty sure that I didn’t do anything wrong.

“Did I do something wrong?” I asked.

“From now on, I want you to be my fake girlfriend.” He said like it’s nothing.

“Excuse me?” I looked at him in disbelief.

“My fake girlfriend.” He repeated and I looked at him coldly.

“I heard it, I’m not deaf.”

“Agree to it then..” He said proudly like I’m going to agree to it that easy.

“No.” I said and Ares’ face was priceless. He didn’t see it coming. I bet he never got any rejection before.

“No?”

“No, I’m not doing your stupid plan. Why would I be your fake girlfriend? You can pick another woman, they will do it in a heartbeat.” I said and he sighed.

“That’s the point, Athena. I don’t want those girls, I want you to be my fake girlfriend. I know you can keep a secret and I already checked your background. You have a clean and good background to begin with. Your father-”

“You’re looking into my background?” I cut him and I wanted to smack the shit out of him.

“Of course, I need a likable girlfriend to bring home to my family.”

“What if I can’t keep a secret and why me?”

“You can, I know you’re capable of this.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

“No.”

“You have to, I already fired you.”

“That’s not fair, Ares! You can’t just fire me and expect me to.. agree with you!” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

“You have to.”

“No. I’ll just look for another job.”

“You can’t, I bought a place for your new restaurant. Just take it as my payment for you to be my fake girlfriend.” My jaw dropped again and I sat down because I can’t believe that this is happening.

“No, I don’t need your money or that restaurant.”

“It won’t be hard, I promise. All you need to do is stand beside me and treat me like I’m your boyfriend. I’ll pay you too and give you this restaurant for free.” He said and I looked at him speechless.

“No.”

“How about I already told your dad that you have a new restaurant that you bought with your own money?” He smiled.

“You did not!”

“Call him..” He said and I sighed.

“How long do you need me for?”

“6 months.” He said as he sat down in front of me.

“That restaurant is mine by then?”

“Yes. It’s all yours.”

“Will there be a contract of something?” I asked. He took out a file from a bag behind him. He gave it to me.

“What is this?”

“Contract and some regulations for this.. relationship.” He pointed at the both of us. I opened the contract and he already wrote my name and that we will be dating for 6 months. I turned the page and there are rules too.

He doesn’t want to make this relationship public. He wants me to join him in all family-related events. He wants me not to contact him for personal matters. He doesn’t want me to tell anyone. He doesn’t want me to have a boyfriend by the time we’re dating. He wants me to act like a good girlfriend. There will be some skinship involved so I have to be ready.

“Any questions?” He asked.

“You’re basically just using me as your trophy?” I asked.

“Yes, something like that.” I scoffed.

“We won’t be a couple in public, you don’t need to worry.” He said.

“Okay.”

“So I sign this here?” I asked and he nodded. I signed the contract without thinking twice. I don’t know what was in my head a few seconds ago but I hope I don’t regret it.

“Good girl.” He smiled. I gave the file to him and he signed it too. I got up but he stopped me.

“I’ll text you about the restaurant.”

“You don’t even have my number.” I looked at him, raising my eyebrows.

“Give it to me then.”

“No.”

“That’s what I thought. I’ll text you tonight, girlfriend.” He smirked and I left the room.

No regrets, Athena. No regrets.