**Chapter 1: The Unconventional Arrangement**

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Alex Thornton had always been a man of control and strategy. As the CEO of Thornton Tech, a successful software development company, he had made his mark in the business world through calculated decisions and unwavering determination. However, there was one aspect of his life that refused to obey his precise plans: his family's incessant pressure for him to settle down.

At thirty-five, Alex had achieved great success, yet his family saw his bachelor status as a blemish on their impeccable reputation. His parents, especially his mother, had made it their mission to find him a suitable wife. They organized countless blind dates, charity galas, and social events, all with the ulterior motive of introducing him to eligible women.

One evening, as Alex endured another awkward dinner party filled with uncomfortable conversations and well-meaning matchmakers, he found himself yearning for a way out of this never-ending cycle of romantic pressure. It was during a particularly torturous conversation about the merits of arranged marriages that a peculiar idea began to form in his mind.

The idea was simple, albeit unconventional: What if he hired someone to pose as his girlfriend, someone who could satisfy his family's demands and allow him to focus on his business without the constant interference?

As the dinner party continued around him, Alex's thoughts wandered to this unconventional solution. He discreetly checked his phone under the table, researching discreet matchmaking services. A quick search led him to "Couples for Hire," a discreet agency specializing in contract relationships.

The idea of hiring a contract girlfriend intrigued him. It could be the perfect solution to appease his family, maintain his image, and avoid the messy entanglements of real romance. It would be a business arrangement, a contract like any other, with clearly defined terms and an end date.

Once the dinner party finally concluded, Alex returned to his luxurious apartment overlooking the city. He couldn't shake the thought of this unconventional arrangement. With a determined resolve, he picked up his phone and dialed the number for "Couples for Hire."

Little did he know that this decision would set in motion a chain of events that would forever change his life, leading him to someone he never expected and challenging everything he thought he knew about love and commitment.