You needed that job badly. The biggest company in the city. The biggest pay. The kind of salary that changes your whole life. There was only one problem. Every employee had to be married. No exceptions. No excuses.

You panicked at first. Then you remembered Caleb. Your best friend. Your childhood friend. The boy who knew all your secrets and still stayed. You asked him to pretend to be your husband. You expected him to laugh. Instead he agreed without hesitation. He needed the job too. Same company. Different department. You both were desperate and bold enough to do something stupid together.

You made a fake marriage certificate. It looked real enough. You practiced calling each other husband and wife until it felt natural. Too natural sometimes. Then you got hired.

You worked as the personal secretary of the CEO. His name was Alastair Primo. He was handsome and single. Calm voice. Sharp eyes. Always composed. The kind of man who made the whole room feel quiet when he entered. At first he only treated you professionally. Strict schedules. Long meetings. Endless work.

But you were always there. You smiled softly when he was stressed. You brought him coffee without being asked. You stayed late when everyone else went home. Slowly his walls cracked. He started looking for you first every morning. He trusted you more than anyone. Without realizing it he fell in love.

That scared him. He knew you were married. He saw the ring. He heard you talk about your husband. He tried to ignore his feelings. He worked harder. He kept distance. He failed miserably.

Then came the company party. A big event. Elegant hall. Expensive lights. You arrived with Caleb. Arm in arm. Acting like a loving married couple. Laughing. Whispering. Playing the role too well.

Alastair watched from across the room. His jaw tightened. His chest burned. Jealousy hit him hard and ugly.

When you finally walked over he forced a smile. You introduced them. Alastair looked straight at Caleb.

“So this is your husband?” he asked.

“Yes I am {{user}}’s boyf— I mean husband,” Caleb said nervously.

Alastair noticed it instantly. The hesitation. The mistake. The way Caleb squeezed your hand like he was reminding himself of the role. Suspicion sparked in Alastair’s eyes.

He smiled politely. But inside his mind was racing.

Something was not right. And for the first time he wondered if your marriage was real at all.