Some secrets hide right in front of you, waiting for the perfect moment to wreck everything. I never thought I’d get caught up in one until I walked into a plan that flipped my life upside down.
Work’s always been my number one. Growing up, I watched my parents fight like cats and dogs, and I swore I’d never end up like them.
So I picked a different road. I picked my career. I picked myself. And everything was going great until one moment caught me off guard.
Our company got bought out, and we had a new boss. Nobody had met her yet. Nobody even knew her name.
Then one day, her assistant showed up. She stood in the middle of the office and cleared her throat loud enough to get everyone’s attention.
“Hi, I’m Sigrid,” she said. “I’ve got a message from the top. Our new boss puts family first, even over business. She thinks that’s what made her successful. She’s looking for a deputy who feels the same way, someone who’s all about family first.”
Everyone started whispering. Most of us were single or not married, and honestly, it was a weird thing to care about for a job.
“So tomorrow’s Family Day at the office,” Sigrid went on. “She wants to meet everyone’s families. That’ll help her pick the deputy. Thanks for listening.” Then she walked off.
“What was that about?” I muttered to my coworker Thora.
“No clue. Guess I better find someone to pretend to be my husband, quick,” Thora joked.
I laughed. It sounded like a joke. But then I thought… why not? Why not actually hire someone to play my husband?
I could really use that promotion, and it’s not like the new boss was gonna show up at my house to check.
The plan could work, so I went for it. After work, I headed to the local theater, hoping to find an actor.
But the door was locked. I knocked like crazy, hoping someone would hear me. I needed to hire someone, and I needed it done fast.
“Theater’s closed today,” a guy’s voice said. He was walking by, holding a little girl’s hand.
“You work here?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m a composer,” he said.
“No, you’re my lifesaver,” I blurted, and he raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.
“I need a guy to pretend to be my husband. Just for one day,” I explained.
“I’m not an actor. I write music,” he said.
“Close enough. You’re around actors all the time, right?” I pushed. “Is that your daughter?” I nodded toward the girl.
She stepped closer to him. “Yeah, she’s my daughter,” he said.
“Perfect! Please, just for a day, pretend to be my family. I’ll pay you,” I begged.
“How much?” he asked.
“Name your price,” I said.
“Ten grand,” he replied.
“Deal,” I said, sticking out my hand.
“You serious?” he asked.
“Dead serious. I need this,” I insisted.
“Alright then,” he said, shaking my hand.
His name was Gideon. His daughter’s name was Eira. I took them to a nearby coffee shop so we could get to know each other a bit.
It felt like a first date. We threw out random questions to break the ice.
Eira was sharp for her age. She caught on quick. She even called me Mom when we said goodbye.
I could only hope the plan would work. I couldn’t afford to screw this up.
The next morning, I picked up Gideon and Eira and drove them to my office. Before we got out of the car, I turned to them.
“You guys remember everything we talked about, right?” I asked. “We’re a happy family, live together, spend lots of time as a team.”
“Yeah, we got it,” Gideon nodded.
I looked at Eira for confirmation.
“Will you buy me ice cream?” she asked sweetly.
“If this goes well, I’ll get you all the ice cream you want,” I promised.
“Yay!” Eira squealed. “Thanks, Mom!”
“It’s kinda wild how fast she got into character,” I whispered to Gideon.
“She grew up around actors. Not a shock,” he shrugged.
“And her real mom?” I asked quietly.
“She passed giving birth. It’s just been me and Eira since,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured.
“It’s okay,” Gideon said softly.
We got out and headed inside. The office looked like a party explosion—balloons, flowers, posters, even a kids’ play area, though there were only three kids total, including Eira.
Thora ran up to me. “Who’s that? Where’d you find that good-looking guy?”
“That’s my husband, Gideon. And that’s our daughter, Eira,” I said, pointing at her playing with the other kids.
“You sneaky thing,” Thora grinned.
A bit later, Eira asked me to show her around the office. I was happy to. I could talk about work all day.
We walked around as I explained each department, skipping the boring stuff when she started zoning out. Eventually, she said she was too tired to keep walking and reached her arms up.
“Really? We’re just walking around the office, not running a marathon,” I teased.
“Mom! Carry me!” Eira yelled.
“Alright, alright,” I gave in and picked her up.
Then I heard something from the main hall and went to check. A woman in her sixties stood on the stage. Stylish, confident. Had to be the new boss.
“Oh, crap,” Gideon muttered.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing. All good,” he said, smiling when he saw Eira in my arms.
Her name was Isolde. She gave a quick speech about how happy she was to meet us and how nice everyone’s families looked, though she’d hoped to see more people with actual families.
Then Isolde started walking right toward me. I realized it too late.
“Gideon. Didn’t expect you here today,” she said.
“Yeah. I’m here with my wife, Calista, and our daughter, Eira,” Gideon replied, putting his arm around my waist.
“I didn’t know you’d met someone. Or had a daughter,” Isolde said.
“You didn’t know much about me in general,” Gideon replied.
“You made that choice when you walked away from your family,” she snapped.
“You know who she is?” I whispered to Eira, who shook her head.
“My family walked away from me the moment I didn’t follow their plan,” Gideon said calmly.
“Let’s not fight. I’m glad you have a family now. A lovely one too,” Isolde said with a tight smile.
“Actually, I’ve got an idea. My new house isn’t ready, and I hate hotels. How about I stay with you guys for a week? It’ll be a great chance for Calista to show she’s promotion material.”
Gideon and I stood there, jaws dropped. Before he could answer, I jumped in.
“Sure! We’d love to have you,” I said.
“Great. Send me the address. I’ll come by tonight,” Isolde said and walked off.
“We didn’t sign up for this. How are you gonna make this work?” Gideon asked quietly.
“Who is she?” I asked.
“My grandmother,” he muttered.
“You’re… like, rich?” I blinked.
“My family’s rich. I’m a theater composer. Guess what I make. But that’s not the point. How are we gonna live together for a whole week?”
“I don’t know, okay? My place is a one-bedroom. We’re not all fitting there. I’ll rent a house,” I said.
“We were supposed to fake this for one day, not move in together!” Gideon protested.
“I know! I’ll pay you more. Name your price,” I begged.
“Alright,” he agreed reluctantly.
I asked Thora to cover for me at work while I got everything set. Thank goodness I knew a real estate agent who found a fully furnished house, with a kid’s room, in just a few hours.
Gideon and I spent the day photoshopping fake family pictures and printing them to decorate the place.
That evening, Isolde’s driver dropped her off at “our” house, and the act began.
That week was intense. Sleeping in the same bed with a stranger was weird at first. But honestly, I got used to Gideon and Eira.
We made breakfast together. Gideon would meet me at the door after work. I read Eira bedtime stories every night. It felt like… a real family. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care about them. I did. A lot.
One night, Gideon grabbed his guitar and played for me. The melody was gorgeous. We sat on the porch, and I was completely swept away.
“You wrote that yourself?” I asked, and he nodded.
“I haven’t been with anyone since Eira’s mom passed,” Gideon said out of the blue.
That caught me off guard. “Why tell me now?” I asked softly.
“Because I think I’m starting to feel something for you. And I can tell you do too,” he said.
“But we’re just pretending to be a family,” I reminded him.
“We don’t have to pretend anymore,” Gideon whispered.
“I haven’t dated anyone in four years. Work’s always come first,” I admitted.
“Because you’re scared of getting hurt,” Gideon said.
“Yeah. And I’m scared I’ll hurt someone I love. My parents fought all the time growing up. I never want to put anyone through that, especially not Eira. She deserves the best,” I said.
“I’m willing to take that risk,” Gideon said, then pulled me in and kissed me.
It was so unexpected… but it felt so right.
But the good stuff didn’t last. The next morning, as I was getting ready for work, I saw Isolde in the kitchen. She looked pissed.
“Don’t bother getting ready for work,” she snapped.
“What? Why?” I asked, confused.
“You’re fired,” she said coldly.
“For what?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“I don’t tolerate liars in my company. I heard you and Gideon last night. I know you’re not his wife. This whole thing’s fake,” she said.
“But—” I started, but Isolde cut me off with a wave.
“I value family above everything. What you did was low,” she snapped. “And this house? It’s not even yours, is it?”
“No,” I admitted quietly.
“Exactly. That’s why you’re fired,” Isolde said.
“What’s going on?” Gideon asked, walking into the kitchen.
“She knows everything,” I whispered.
“Thought you could fool me?” Isolde sneered. “You two don’t respect what family means.”
“Funny how family didn’t matter when my parents kicked me out and you stayed quiet,” Gideon shot back.
“You just had to be a good son, and everything would’ve been fine,” Isolde retorted.
“You’re just like them. You only care about how things look. You don’t care about real family,” Gideon snapped.
“How dare you!” Isolde yelled.
“Get out,” Gideon said sharply.
“You… how dare…” Isolde stammered.
“Now!” Gideon barked, and Isolde stormed out.
I leaned against the table, tears streaming down my face. “I got fired,” I whispered.
“I’m sorry,” Gideon murmured, rubbing my back gently. “My family’s great at making people miserable.”
“It’s okay. I’ll find another job. I was due for a promotion anyway,” I said.
Eira wandered into the kitchen, still sleepy. “What’s for breakfast?” she mumbled, hugging my legs.
“Whatever you want,” I told her, and she smiled.
“You sure you’re okay?” Gideon asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be alright. I’ve got you guys now.” I looked up at him. “You’re not leaving… are you?”
“Nope. You’re stuck with us now,” Gideon said, then leaned in and kissed me.
