My Fake Girlfriend

ATHENA

At five o’clock in the morning, I was busy in the kitchen baking cookies and cupcakes. If I couldn’t be a good actor, at least I could impress with some fresh baked goods.

After two hours, I jumped into the shower, did my make-up, and curled my hair loosely, tying half of it up. Then I put on the dress and my white heels and checked myself in the mirror.

My blue eyes were wide as I fixed some blonde curls that weren’t right.

Don’t be nervous, Athena.

It’s just a family gathering.

You’re Ares’s fake girlfriend, not his real one.

My phone rang, and I answered the call.

“Hey, I’m outside the lobby. Are you ready?” Ares asked.

I took a deep breath. “Yes, I’m ready. See you in a minute.”

My feet led me to the kitchen where I picked up the boxes of treats, then I grabbed my Chanel handbag and slung it over my shoulder.

Ares’s black Audi was waiting just outside. He immediately got out when he saw me struggling to push the lobby door and helped me by grabbing one of the two plastic boxes.

“What are these?” he asked, looking at them confused.

“I was up early, baking,” I said.

He sighed. “Jesus…”

I stopped just before the car and looked at him in horror. “What? What’s wrong?”

“You’re going to make my grandmother fall in love with you.”

I smiled widely. “Really?”

He nodded and held the door open for me, and I couldn’t help but check him out as he did.

He’d chosen a white shirt to match the white flowers on my dress. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off that tattoo again. Now that I was closer, I could clearly see it was a phoenix with Roman numerals.

Instead of sitting down, I pulled open the door behind him and placed the cupcake box on the backseat. Then I grabbed the cookies from Ares and put them down too before strapping the seatbelt over them both.

Ares looked at me like I was insane. “They’re not going to fall, Athena.”

“You never know.”

He shook his head. “You’re so weird.”

I tsked. “You’re weirder.”

“Just get in. We’re going to be late.”

I did as he requested and put my seatbelt on as he got in the driver’s seat.

“You look good, by the way,” he said as he started driving.

“There’s nobody here, you don’t have to say—”

“Did you read the contract?” he asked. “I left a copy under the dress.”

Oh. Guess I missed that. “No, not yet. Why?”

“You should read it when you get home tonight.”

I looked at him suspiciously. “Why? Did you put something weird in there?”

He chuckled. “What a shame you already signed it.”

I glared at him, turning in my seat to ask, “What did you put in there, Ares?!”

He laughed harder. “I’m just teasing. But you should read it. Rule breaking might lead to…punishment.”

The way his voice lowered when he said the last part made my stomach flutter.

“What? Like a fine?” I don’t think he means a fine, Athena, I told myself.

He ignored my question. “Actually, what you should have read was the clause about how we met. We need to make sure our stories are straight.”

“Oh,” I said quietly, looking out the window. “Yeah. That makes sense.”

“So, we met in our junior year, which is not a lie. We met again four months ago at our high school reunion, and I asked you out on a date.”

“Okay, but I didn’t attend the reunion.” I’d received the invitation, but it had fallen on a work night I couldn’t miss.

“Neither did I. Too busy. But they don’t know that. Anyway, two months ago, I asked you to be my girlfriend on a short vacation in Vegas.”

“How romantic,” I said in a sarcastic tone, and he smiled proudly. “But haven’t you been hanging out with models and actresses over the last two months?”

He smirked. “You’ve been keeping tabs on me, huh?”

“It’s everywhere, Ares.”

“I’ve handled them. If anyone asks, it’s all been platonic. And you’re fine with it.”

“You paid them off, didn’t you?”

He put one hand on his chest to gasp like he was offended. Then he laughed and focused on the road. “Yes. Yes, I did.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, but won’t your family ask why they haven’t heard about me until now?”

“Easy. You wanted to be private, and I respected your decision. Plus, you’re busy opening your new restaurant.”

I sighed and watched the road in front of us. One thing I needed to remind myself was that Ares was a good actor and a sweet talker, so everything he said meant nothing.

It’s all business, Athena.

“You’re good at lying,” I said.

“I’m good at business and making things work to my benefit. I mean, you’re not hoping to date me for real, right?” he asked in a teasing tone.

“I think it’s the other way around,” I said confidently and smirked.

He laughed and nodded. “You’ve got that right, love.”

I froze when he said that and then slapped myself internally. I’d just told myself that he’s a freaking sweet talker!

He continued, “You’re fiery, hot, independent, and have big dreams. It would be weird if I didn’t want to date you. But you won’t get married, and that’s a deal breaker for me.”

I turned to him. “I don’t know what made you hate marriage, but I personally think it would be fun to conquer the world with someone.”

He shook his head. “Some worlds are meant to be conquered alone. I’d rather have all my assets alone than a wife who’ll eventually steal them away from me. I’ll never be enough.”

The car was silent for a second. I noticed Ares’s hands grip the steering wheel tighter, like he’d said something he shouldn’t have. Like someone had hurt him once before.

He cleared his throat. “Why don’t you have a boyfriend? I’m pretty sure you have a set of admirers, but you’ve been single for years now.”

“What? How do you know that?”

He tapped the steering wheel. “Background checks, Athena. Keep up.”

I glared at him, though he wasn’t looking at me. “Well…I still have a lot of things I want to do with my life, so I haven’t really thought about it. But if the right man does come along, I’d date him, sure.”

Ares hummed thoughtfully. “Too bad you can’t date anyone while we’re in a relationship.”

“Fake relationship,” I corrected.

“Rule number twenty-three,” he argued.

I raised my brows. “You memorized it?”

“Yes.”

“What if I end up finding my soulmate? What if my future husband is one of your cousins? Do you have cute cousins?”

He didn’t laugh at my joke. “Rule number twelve, you can’t end the contract before it’s over.”

I scoffed and folded my arms. “You’re so annoying.”

“No, you are.”

He stopped the car in front of a big gate, and as it opened, I turned in awe.

I’d never seen a house so big. The mansion was three stories high, with columns and a marble fountain that trickled water in the middle of the circular driveway. It even looked like there was an underground parking garage.

I was speechless as Ares drove onto the property, and I reminded myself that he and his family were billionaires, so it wasn’t a surprise that they had a mansion to begin with.

When I got out of the car, I looked around. Balloons and flowers decorated the front door in shades of pink, and a man there waited with a tray of champagne glasses. Ares handed me the cupcake box, and he brought the cookies.

Before I could say anything, he slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I flinched against his touch, tempted to push him away, but he stopped me with a glare.

“Rule number twenty, we have to show affection in front of everyone.” He smiled before giving me a peck on my cheek, making me blush instantly. “Rule number twenty-five, I get to kiss you anytime I want.”

“That’s not fair, I won’t want to kiss you!” I hissed as he led us to the front door. A butler told us to go straight to the garden, where everyone was already gathered.

“Granny! Happy birthday!” Ares slipped away from me and went to hug his grandmother and kiss her on the cheek.

She was petite and beautiful, with short brunette hair and brown eyes like Ares’s. Everything about her screamed elegancy and old money. She also didn’t look anywhere near seventy-five.

She turned to me. “Who is this beautiful lady, Ares?”

“Granny, I want you to meet Athena. My girlfriend.”

“Hi, I’m Athena. Happy birthday, Mrs. Anderson. I hope you like cupcakes and cookies. I baked you some this morning.” I smiled sweetly.

She clasped her hands together. “Oh, that’s so sweet of you, Athena! Thank you so much—and please call me Lily. I’ve been asking Ares to bring you here for weeks, but he kept making excuses.”

“Weeks, Ares?” I turned to him with raised eyebrows, but he just smirked. ~He really was confident that I would agree!~

“I’m so sorry, Lily,” I said. “I’ve been very busy preparing my restaurant.”

“It’s okay, dear.” She patted my arm. “I thought this boy was lying to me, since he’s been nothing but a…as the youth would say…manwhore.”

He quickly wrapped his arm around my waist, giving me a kiss on my cheek, and Lily opened the box of cupcakes to take one.

“I do love cupcakes, Athena. Thank you so much,” she said and took a bite. I watched nervously.

“Don’t worry, Granny, I’ll take you to the hospital if they’re—”

I smacked Ares’s arm. “Ares!”

“He’s a menace, isn’t he?” Lily smiled.

“He can be annoying sometimes…,” I muttered.

“Well, these are absolutely lovely, Athena.” She motioned for a butler to take both boxes, telling them to put them in her room.

“You’re not going to share?” Ares protested.

“No.” She grinned cheekily as a beautiful woman with dark-brown hair approached us. I could tell easily that this was Ares’s mom. He had all of her looks except for her forest-green eyes.

“Who is this lovely girl?” she asked.

“Hi, I’m Athena—”

“She’s my girlfriend,” Ares cut in, and her eyebrows raised slightly. She looked at me and Ares, back and forth, before she pulled me into a hug.

“It’s nice to meet you, Athena. I honestly thought Ares had been lying.”

I smiled. “It’s my fault. I’ve been so busy with work, Mrs. And—”

“Please call me Rachel. I’m Ares’s mother, and it’s so nice to finally meet you. We’ve heard many good things.”

Again, I looked at Ares who kissed me on the top of my head to hide another smirk.

“You have?” I asked. “What, er…what kinds of things?”

Rachel laughed. “Don’t be so worried. We hear you’re a wonderful chef.”

“Oh.” I relaxed, thankful he hadn’t created any lies I would have to live up to. “Yes, I’m a chef. I worked at Skye in the city and recently acquired my own restaurant.”

“She baked me cupcakes!” Lily added excitedly.

“Well, we would love to come by your restaurant when you open,” Rachel said.

I nodded graciously. “It would be a pleasure to cook for you, Rachel.”

“Well, now that Ares has arrived, we can take some photos!” Lily said and turned to the hired photographer, giving them a nod.

“Everyone, please step over to the grass!” the photographer called as he waved for people to follow him.

Ares looked at me. “Will you be okay for a moment?”

“Sure. Go.” I pushed him, and he followed Lily and Rachel away.

A butler offered me a glass of champagne, so I stood and sipped it while I waited. But I started to hear whispers around me.

“Check out his latest piece,” one woman said. “So plain. What does he even see in her?”

When I glanced over, I saw her eyes quickly move away from me.

“I mean, I can’t blame a woman for leeching,” she said more quietly. “He’s hot and rich.”

My cheeks heated. Is that what people think of me?

“He screwed my friend last summer, then acted like he didn’t know her.”

“What an asshole,” someone else said. “Did you know he was sleeping with the President’s granddaughter last year? Probably did it to manipulate himself into insider deals and political favors.”

There was a gasp. “Is that even legal?”

Then behind me, someone whispered, “I hear his dad’s had enough of him.”

“Who hasn’t?” a woman replied.

Someone scoffed. “He’s a mess. Nothing but a playboy.”

I found myself glaring at the floor. Sure, our relationship was fake, but they thought it was real. If they wanted to talk shit about him, they should stop being cowards and say it to his face.

“Hi.”

I jumped and turned to see a man standing next to me. He was wearing sunglasses that reflected the garden and holding a glass of champagne.

He smiled. “I heard you’re Ares’s new girlfriend. I’m Ben.” He put his hand out, and I took it. “Nice to meet you Ms.…”

“Matthews. Athena Matthews,” I said. “Please just call me Athena. Are you a friend of the Andersons?”

“More of a colleague.” He smiled widely as he took his sunglasses off. His green eyes were shining, like he was way too happy to see me. Odd. “So, how did you two meet?” he asked.

“We were friends in high school.”

He sipped his champagne and nodded. “Have you been dating long? Ares isn’t usually such a private guy.”

I frowned, confused about where this was going. “I was the one who wanted to keep things private. I don’t like the attention.”

“I’m surprised. Usually women want the whole world to know they’re dating Ares Anderson.” He laughed, and I laughed awkwardly with him.

“No…not me.”

“He’s a wild horse, that man. How did you manage to tame him?”

I hesitated. “I, um…I don’t really—”

“Aren’t you bothered by all of his scandals?” He put his champagne down when a butler passed by and turned his attention to me fully.

“I’m sure that you’re aware that he was sleeping with Reina Hills to get in the President’s good graces. Well, Ms. Hills claims she contracted an STD from Ares. Have you had any problems in that area?”

My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?!”

“And how do you feel about his history of disloyalty? Do you trust—”

Suddenly, someone was standing next to me. Ares blocked the sun as he grabbed Ben by his shirt collar, shoving him away from me. “What the fuck are you doing here?!”