Elena stepped into the office Monday morning feeling unusually exhausted. Between drawing deadlines, secret house chores, and acting like a totally unmarried woman while living with the CEO, she was starting to feel like a superhero… without the cool outfit.
She was settling into her desk when she heard small feet running.
"Mommyyyyy!"
Every head turned.
Elena froze.
Alex sprinted straight into her arms, giggling. She crouched to catch him just in time.
"Wh-What are you doing here?" she whispered in a panic.
Alex beamed. "I told Daddy I wanted to see you! He said five minutes!"
Zoya appeared instantly. "Wait. Mommy?"
Elena laughed awkwardly. "Oh! It's a little game we play! Right, Alex?"
Alex blinked. "Game?"
Elena squeezed him. "Yes! Like pretend family!"
"Ohhh," Zoya said slowly. "Like house play. So cute."
Elena sighed in relief. That was close.
Just then, Ethan walked in.
Wearing casual jeans and a hoodie.
Everyone stared.
Mr. CEO Casual? That was illegal.
Zoya gasped. "Oh my god. Did he just... smile?"
Elena turned to look.
Yup. Ethan had smiled.
At her.
Or rather, at Alex—but still, her heart did a flip.
"Ms.Elena ," he said casually, "I hope you don't mind. He missed you."
Zoya nearly dropped her coffee. "He called you by name?! Your name?!"
Elena played it cool. "Y-Yeah… must be Monday magic."
Alex waved to everyone like a little celebrity. "Hi, I'm Alex Knight!"
Elena nearly fainted.
Zoya's eyebrow twitched. "Knight?"
Elena jumped in. "He's a... distant relative! Adopted by Ethan. Yeah. Really distant. Like... galaxy-far-away distant."
Zoya narrowed her eyes. "Hmm…"
---
Meanwhile, in the CEO's office:
Ethan gave Alex a juice box.
"You cannot yell 'Mommy' in the office," he said.
"But she is my mommy," Alex pouted. "Even if she doesn't like broccoli."
Ethan chuckled. "Still. We have to pretend."
Alex looked at him seriously. "Then you have to pretend to love her too."
Ethan choked on his coffee.
"I—I beg your pardon?"
Alex grinned. "Pretend love is fun, right?"
Ethan looked out the window. "This is what I get for adopting a drama-loving child."
---
Later that day, at lunch:
Alex was drawing on Elena's tablet in the art room.
Zoya came by and watched. "He's got talent! So, what's your mommy's name?"
"Mommy is—Elena!" Alex chirped. "And Daddy is—"
Elena threw a muffin in his mouth.
"Eat. Now. No talking," she whispered fiercely.
Alex munched happily, completely unaware he almost blew their cover.
Zoya watched suspiciously. "You two are really close, huh?"
Elena smiled nervously. "Just... pretend family, remember?"
Zoya didn't look convinced. "Right."