The CEO's Rented Wife

At Lina's home…

It was late at night. Bob and Olivia had gone to sleep already. Grandma could not sleep because of all the anxiety that Lina's job had developed in her. She sat in the lobby, near the window, as she waited for Lina to come home. She was desperate to have a discussion with her.

A little time later, grandma saw Lina walking towards the house. She immediately sat up from the chair and ran towards the main door.

As soon as Lina walked near to the main door, grandma opened it suddenly and yelled out. "What the hell is happening? You are going to kill your grandmother with all this anxiety."

Lina got scared from grandma's sudden reaction. "G.. grandma, please calm down," she stammered as she walked inside the main door. "I will tell you everything that you wish to know," assured Lina as she removed her sandals.

"Oh my God! What happened to your foot?" cried grandmother as soon as she saw Lina's foot wrapped with the crepe bandage.

"I am perfectly fine, grandma. The company's team had gone for some work at the beach. I got myself injured there. The foot is going to be fine by tomorrow morning," assured Lina.

"Lina, please tell me that you are not doing anything that will spoil your image. Everything about your job is so weird. You are not doing anything illegal, right?" asked grandmother.

"Of course not! Do you think I am a fool.. like my brother? I am working with a reputed company. It is one of the biggest fashion companies of the world. My boss is a multi-billionaire," shared Lina.

Grandma helped Lina in walking towards her room. Lina felt relaxed as soon as she removed the sandals. She removed her makeup, washed her face and changed her dress. Grandmother waited in Lina's bedroom for Lina to come out from the washroom. She was not going to sleep without having detailed discussions about Lina's job.

As soon as Lina stepped out of the washroom, grandmother spoke again. "Bob and Olivia think that you lied about your love affair. Lina, tell me the truth. What is happening? I don't want to see any of my children get into trouble," sighed grandmother.

While Lina had already shared details about the company and her boss, she knew that she could never share the real motive behind joining the company – that is to make her boss fall in love with her. Lina continued to share her 'normal job duties' with her grandmother to calm her down. And, the trick worked to some extent.

"So.. you work as a personal assistant. Are you sure that you are not hiding anything from me?" asked grandmother.

While Lina was about to answer grandmother's question, their conversation was interrupted by Lina's mobile's ringtone. It was a call from aunt Ning.

Aunt Ning was under stress too. She tried her best to fall asleep, but couldn't. She wanted to talk to Lina as well, and so, she decided to give Lina a phone call.

Lina picked up her mobile and had a look on its screen. "Err.. it's a call from my boss," hesitated Lina.

"What? Why is he calling you so late at night?" asked grandmother. "Lina, let me talk to your boss. Give me your mobile!" insisted grandmother.

"No, grandma! This can make the things very weird. I might lose my job. Maybe, there is something important to discuss," sighed Lina.

"Lina, tell me.. what are you hiding from me?" asked grandma again.

"Grandma, I need to pick up the call. Can we have a talk about this tomorrow? I don't want to lose this job. Our family needs money.. and you know this. I am not doing anything wrong," assured Lina.

Grandma had no other choice but to walk out of the room. "I will come to your room tomorrow morning.. before you go to your workplace. And, tell your stupid boss to call you only during your work hours. Does he not know anything about work ethics?" yelled Grandma as she continued to walk out of the Lina's bedroom.

"Don't think about anything, grandma. Please take some rest. It is already very late," smiled Lina as she shut her room's door. The phone had already stopped ringing. Lina tried to call back aunt Ning, but her mobile could not be reached because of network problem.

She was too tired to think anything at the moment. She gently opened her crepe bandage, heaved a sigh of relief as soon as the cool air hit her foot's skin that was covered by the bandage for the entire day. Her foot had turned red. She reapplied the cream on the injured part and decided to leave it as it is.

Lina was in a deep sleep within a few minutes.