Corrupted Getaway

I sat in Richard’s office, twisting my fingers in my lap, trying to ignore the weight of his gaze. His office was as polished and intimidating as he was—plush leather chairs, a sleek glass desk, and a panoramic view of the city skyline that whispered success and power.

Richard leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. His tailored charcoal suit fit him perfectly, his tie a precise Windsor knot that somehow made him look both professional and predatory. His dark hair was combed immaculately, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine with a mix of expectation and amusement.

“I’ve got a special request,” he began, his voice low and deliberate, the kind of tone that made it impossible to ignore him. “I need you to accompany me to a high-profile conference. It’s on a private island—a perfect opportunity to network and seal deals that will put us ahead for years. But there’s a catch.”

I felt a flicker of unease, but I managed to keep my expression neutral. “What kind of catch?”

A smile curved his lips, slow and deliberate, and I had to fight the instinct to shift under his scrutiny. “You’ll need to act as my wife for the duration of the trip. Strictly appearances—nothing complicated.”

The words sank in, and I froze. “Pretend to be your wife?”

“Yes,” he said easily, as though he were suggesting a minor favor. “Some of the guests at this conference are… conservative. They expect a polished power couple, not a solo act. I need someone I can trust. Someone capable. That’s you.”

His tone left no room for doubt—he wasn’t just asking; he was expecting. My heart hammered in protest. I’d worked for Richard long enough to know he was demanding, but this was different. This was personal.

“I… I’ll need time to think about it,” I said carefully, trying to keep my voice steady.

Richard didn’t push. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, the smirk still playing on his lips. “Of course. Take your time. Just don’t take too long.”

By the time my lunch break rolled around, my thoughts were a whirlwind. I couldn’t focus on my work, couldn’t shake the weight of Richard’s proposition. I slipped into the breakroom, phone in hand, and called Jake.

“Hey,” I began, my voice tight. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Jake’s voice was warm but curious. “What’s up?”

I hesitated, unsure of how to frame it. “Richard asked me to go to this conference with him. It’s… important for the company.”

“Why you?” Jake asked, a note of skepticism creeping in.

“It’s complicated,” I admitted, biting my lip. “He wants me to… pretend to be his wife while we’re there. Just for appearances.”

The line went silent for a moment. “Pretend to be his wife?”

“It’s not like that,” I rushed to say. “It’s all business. But he’s offering a bonus. A big one.”

“How big?” Jake’s tone shifted slightly, his hesitation giving way to cautious curiosity.

“Enough to cover the next few months. Maybe even help us pay off the credit cards,” I said, the words spilling out quickly.

Jake sighed. I could picture him running a hand through his hair, his brow furrowed in thought. “I don’t know, Lori. It just feels weird. What if he’s trying something?”

“He’s not,” I said firmly, though I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it myself. “It’s strictly professional. I promise.”

Jake was quiet again before he finally relented. “If you think it’s worth it… I trust you. Just… be careful, okay?”

“I will,” I promised, the knot in my stomach tightening.

When I returned to the office, I squared my shoulders and stepped back into Richard’s sleek domain. He looked up from his laptop as I entered, the same smug expression on his face, as if he already knew my answer.

“I’ll do it,” I said, forcing my voice to stay even. “When do we leave?”

Richard’s smile widened, a glint of triumph in his eyes. “Tomorrow. Pack something elegant—we’ll need to look the part.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as I turned to leave.