Chapter 3

Their Terms of Endangerment

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There were five critical rules written into my contract as Robert's fake lover:

(1) No one can know about our agreement or fake relationship. This means both of us must keep the entire arrangement strictly confidential. We cannot tell anyone, such as friends, family, coworkers, or most especially his son, Eric.

(2) We can only act affectionately toward each other when we're in front of Grandma Vale. This means that any displays of affection, such as holding hands, smiling sweetly at each other, or acting like a real couple, should only occur when she is present. Outside of her sight, we must behave normally and professionally, without pretending to be romantically involved.

(3) No advances shall be made without prior consent, such as, but not limited to, hugging, holding hands, kissing, or any similar kind of intimate gesture. Unless such actions become absolutely necessary to make the fake relationship look believable in front of Grandma Vale.

(4) Neither of us is allowed to interfere in the other's personal life. This includes asking personal, unnecessary questions or influencing each other's decisions, relationships, or activities in any way beyond what's required for maintaining the fake relationship.

And the fifth, and most important rule of all...

(5) Emil Weiss is strictly prohibited from developing romantic feelings for Robert Vale. This includes forming emotional attachments or engaging in behavior that suggests genuine romantic interest beyond what is required for the staged relationship. The relationship must remain purely professional and limited to the boundaries of the agreement.

"Wait, is this serious?" I blinked while pushing my reading glasses up the bridge of my nose as I leaned closer, making sure I was seeing it right. "I'm...not allowed to fall in love with him?"

I can tell already without looking at the mirror that my face was already scrunching in confusion. I reread the line once, then twice, just to confirm it wasn't something my blurry eyes invented. But okay, I get it. It's only natural in arrangements like this to set boundaries so no one gets carried away by the act. But...did it really have to be written down on paper? Does he seriously not trust me enough to believe I wouldn't fall in love with him?

Wait—

I already fell in love with him. He just doesn't know it.

So...does that technically count as breaking the rule?

It's not like I can just ask him that, right? Because I'm sure that the moment he finds out I like him, I'd lose my job on the spot. And worse...he might never talk to me again. But now that I really think about it (while sipping a cup of hot cocoa to calm my nerves), what exactly went through Robert's mind when he wrote that rule?

Why that rule?

Is he really that worried I might actually fall for him?

But before I could even try to answer that question, my phone buzzed with a message from Robert's newly-hired assistant. I quickly grabbed it and read what she sent:

Anya S.

Please, Mr. Weiss, come to the office. I need your help now.

Wed 10:53 am

Oh no, I said to myself. It looked like we were officially entering the chaotic part of the day.

It was only my first day as Robert's temporary "lover." Technically, my only responsibility now was to act as his fake partner—though I still had no idea when we were supposed to officially start that role. That's why I was staying here at the mansion, drinking hot cocoa, and trying to actually relax. But for some reason, I still felt like I was stuck in full work mode. My head even started to ache the moment I read the new secretary's message. It looked like she was already becoming a prime example of what happens to anyone assigned to work directly under Robert.

To start, I replied to the secretary and attempted to determine what was happening.

Emil Weiss:

What happened?

Wed 11:05am

Anya S.:

He asked me to make a report, but I don't understand what he actually wants to see in it. I already included everything he told me, but he still isn't satisfied! I don't even want to go back to his office because his voice keeps getting louder and he's rolling his eyes at me—huhuhu! What should I do, Mr. Weiss?!

Wed 11:07am

I sighed and rubbed my temples. Yep, those were classic Robert tantrums. Either he genuinely wanted to make his new secretary suffer, or he simply didn't like her from day one and decided to start tormenting her early so she'd quit on her own. He's done that so many times to the secretaries before me. Yes, you read it right. That's how my job as the Vale family's butler somehow doubled, and eventually became Robert's personal assistant as well. Because you see, nothing ever lasts long with him, except me.

So I typed back and said:

Emil Weiss:

Okay, calm down first.

Take a deep breath.

What exactly did he say when he got mad?

Wed 11:10

Anya S.:

He said, "This isn't what I asked for," and then he stared at me as if I had committed a crime against humanity. Mr. Weiss, I swear, Mr. Vale is going to kill me! I think I actually stopped breathing for five whole seconds when he said, "Please get out."

Wed 11:12 am

Then she sent a flood of long crying emojis—so many that I actually started to feel sorry for her.

So I typed out a reply, trying to give her at least a little bit of comfort, and said:

Emil Weiss:

Don't worry. He always looks like that. Even when he's happy.

Wed 11:15 am

Anya S.:

HE HAS A HAPPY FACE???

Wed 11:15am

I had to put my cup down because I was about to spill it. Okay, that one was indeed unbelievable, but only because it was true. Robert rarely smiled, but he still knew how to be happy.

But with everything happening right now, he was definitely not happy.

I was about to type a reply to her when another message suddenly popped up. It was from Robert, and I could practically feel his bad mood through the all-caps explosion popping on my screen.

Robert V.:

CAN YOU COME HERE NOW BEFORE THIS USELESS SECRETARY DRIVES ME CRAZY?!

Wed 11:16 am

I couldn't help but laugh a little when I read Robert's message. I really had no choice but to obey, right? So I immediately grabbed the car keys, headed out, and drove straight to the office. The moment I arrived, I was greeted by Robert's new secretary, who was practically vibrating with panic and crying.

Robert was right. This one was definitely still a newbie.

"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Weiss..." she sniffled, apologizing as if her life depended on it.

"No problem. I'll take care of it," I assured the secretary.

I straightened my necktie as I mentally prepared myself. Then I knocked on Robert's office door and said, "My lord, it's me. Emil."

I didn't wait for a reply and immediately opened the door. Inside, I found Robert leaning back in his office chair with a folder covering his face. He only did this when he was done dealing with someone and didn't want to be bothered.

That's when I decided to approach him slowly and said, "How can I serve you, my lord?"

Robert lowered the folder just enough to glance at me.

"Why did you take so long to come?"

"My apologies, my lord," I replied, keeping it simple. There was no need to explain further. He only wanted a brief acknowledgment.

"Please, find me a real secretary," he muttered. "I'm stressed out because of that one..."

"As you wish, my lord."

Robert finally settled properly into his chair and began to gently massage his right shoulder.

"Damn it, my shoulder hurts even more..." he muttered, wincing slightly from the pain coming from his shoulder.

"Would you like me to book you a massage later after work?" I offered.

"No." He sighed heavily. "I still have a lot of work to finish."

That's when a small thought crossed my mind. Maybe this was a good chance to practice my new "role" as his lover. Just a little. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to try...

"Then..." I cautiously asked, just enough for me to observe how he would react. "May I give you a shoulder massage, my lord?"

He shot me a slight glare, as expected. But I'm used to it, and usually I'd take it as my cue to back off and not push him any further.

But then I was a little surprised when he said...

"Okay. After all, it's good practice, just in case. If Grandma sees you massaging me, she'll think we're close—just enough for her to believe we're into each other. So...yeah. A light massage is fine with me."

I swallowed hard as I felt my heart pounding hard in my chest. Was this really happening? Did he actually agree to let me touch him? And the scary part was that we were thinking the same thing!

Thank goodness, I remembered Rule No. 3 in our contract: No advances shall be made without prior consent, such as, but not limited to, hugging, holding hands, kissing, or any similar intimate gesture—unless it's absolutely necessary to make the fake relationship believable in front of Grandma Vale.

I'm starting to like that rule. It gave me enough excuse...like an actual, contract-approved reason to touch Robert, even if just a little. All I had to do was tell him it was for the pretense, and voila! He'd surely agree.

Grandma Vale, I wish you'd asked Robert for this sooner! I wouldn't have had to wait twenty years just to touch your grandson!

I didn't hesitate any longer and immediately approached Robert. I went behind him and placed both my hands on his shoulders. I hoped he wouldn't notice how nervous I was as I gave him a gentle squeeze on those stiff, stressful muscles.

"God, you're so hard..." I muttered without thinking. I didn't realize I had said that to him, and it was too late when I realized it.

"What did you say?" he asked. Thank goodness! His attention was on my massage, so what I had said didn't really register with him. Okay...I still had a chance to recover.

"I mean...your shoulder muscles are tense, my lord."

"Ah, yes..." he agreed. "The way you massage it? It feels good. I didn't know you were so skilled at this..."

"Thank you, my lord." I was relieved that he didn't get angry or trigger any of his homophobic tendencies. "Shall I continue?" I asked.

"Yes...just keep going. It feels...good...ugh..." Robert moaned.

I froze for a moment when I heard his moans. My hands were still on his shoulders, but I could sense how my face turned red enough to rival a ripe tomato.

Okay, Emil, I thought desperately, remember Rule No. 3.

It's only for Grandma's sake...

Only for Grandma's sake...

My breathing suddenly felt tight...

My heart was racing...

And my pants...?

They felt conspicuously tight.

So, this was it.

I think...my first day as Robert's pretend lover had officially begun.

I just hope to survive moments like this without completely losing my mind.