When the Delivery Boy Walked Out

THE FAKE BOYFRIEND

“No. I am not accepting your offer. Never.”

Alex’s words hung in the air. The whole room froze.

The woman who had offered him the job stared at him like she could not believe her ears. Her name was Victoria. She was used to people saying yes to her. No one had ever turned her down like this, especially not a man who looked like he had nothing.

Sarah’s mouth was open. Grandma’s eyes were wide, but a small smile pulled at her lips. She was happy Alex had refused. It made him look even more stupid in front of everyone.

Victoria forced a smile so she would not look weak. “Fine. Since this man rejected my kind offer, I stand with Mrs. Anderson. No company I control will ever hire him.”

Grandma nodded, pleased.

Alex suddenly laughed. It was a short, sharp laugh that made people jump.

Victoria frowned. “What is funny?”

Alex stopped laughing and looked at her. “How can you speak for all those companies when you are only a vice CEO?”

Victoria blinked. She had not expected him to know that.

She lifted her chin. “I can say it because my boyfriend is the real boss. He is the only heir and the CEO of the Brooks family — the most powerful family in this city. He is my boyfriend.”

Alex almost laughed again. He had to force his face to stay calm. The Brooks family was his family. He was the only heir. He was the CEO she was talking about. This woman was standing in front of him claiming to date him, and she had no idea who he was.

Victoria kept talking, happy that everyone was listening.

“My boyfriend is the richest man in the city. Do you know how he asked me to marry him? He took me on his yacht to a beautiful island. He gave me a diamond ring made by the best maker in America. Then he got on his knees and proposed.”

She held up her hand so the ring would catch the light. The women in the room stared with envy. Some of the men sighed quietly. They had been hoping she was single.

Alex watched her carefully. The story was completely fake. He had never met this woman before tonight. He had never owned a yacht trip like that or given her a ring. She was making it all up and the whole room believed her.

“I only told you this so you would know,” Victoria added. “Please don’t spread it. My boyfriend likes to stay private. He doesn’t want people talking about his money.”

Alex stared at her. He could not believe how easily she lied. The same way Sarah lied. The same way half the people in this house lied when it helped them.

Mia, Sarah’s cousin, looked jealous. The men looked disappointed. Ethan the manager looked the most upset. He had been planning to talk to Victoria after the party. Now he thought she already belonged to a billionaire.

Just then Ethan’s phone rang. Everyone turned to look at him. He smiled in a nervous way and pulled the phone from his jacket. He glanced at the screen. The name on it was the caretaker of the delivery company — the same man who had given him his manager job.

Ethan’s smile grew bigger. He thought the call was about extending his contract. He had no idea the truth was about to hit him just as hard as it had hit everyone else tonight.

Alex saw the name on the phone too. He stayed quiet, but inside he knew exactly what that call would say. The pieces were starting to fall into place. Victoria’s fake story, Ethan’s coming fall, Sarah’s lies — all of it was building toward one big moment.

Alex stood still and waited. The night was far from over.