FAKE DATING MR ARROGANT

CHAPTER 2

SEBASTIAN

I walked into the Rowe estate, but it felt empty without him. My grandfather. He was the only one that mattered here and now I felt like I was a stranger.

I walked into the waiting room where the rest of the family were. My mother sat rigidly on one of the velvet sofas, dressed in black suit. Her posture was perfect and her eyes were blurry. Pretence. That was all she was good at. My father sat near her, comforting her it may seem. I silently snorted.

My uncle and Adrian leaned against the fireplace, glass of whisky in their hands. Adrian gave me a nod that I ignored.

My brother turned when he sensed my presence,his expression was solemn and respectful. Practiced.

I met his gaze and felt nothing which was weird because years ago, I would have felt anger, and then sadness. But I felt nothing, because now, he meant nothing more than a shared surname to me.

I looked around, checking for Matilda for a reason I don't know. Maybe she wouldn't come.

“Sebastian ,” I turned to the voice and saw Matilda, expecting a feeling but I didn't. Her face didn't move me anymore and it made me happy. I was over the betrayal.

She stopped by my side. “I’m glad you came seb.”

The audacity to call me that.

“He was my grandfather Matilda, I would have come regardless. And it's Sebastian to you,” I deadpanned.

John waved to her, and she went over.

“Did you not see your Father Sebastian?” my father asked angrily. “Or at least your mother, the woman who birthed you.”

“We are here because an important man died, greeting irrelevant people isn't what I'm here for.” I replied sternly without looking at him.

“Are you calling your parents irrelevant people?” My father asked, his voice rising.

“You said that yourself,” I shrugged.

My mother shook her head sadly.

“You're…..,” he continued but the attorney cut him short.

“If everyone is present,” he said, adjusting his glasses. “We can begin.”

He brought out the will from his briefcase and laid it on the table between us. I recognised Alastair's handwriting on the envelope.

The attorney cleared his throat and began. There were donations, money distributed to distant relatives whose names meant nothing to me. The estate would be managed by my Uncle. My Father will take care of the Family farm, I snorted at that. My Mother will be in charge of the Hospitals and schools.

“The rest of the family shall work at the Rowe Enterprises, they shall retain their position at the office.”

“Who gets the company then?” my Father asked. He had always wanted the company , which is laughable, because my grandfather never liked him. I sat up, ready to see his face when my name was mentioned.

“Sebastian will resume as the CEO of Rowe Enterprises,” the attorney said immediately. “He has been managing it for two years now.”

“That's impossible,” My father said standing. “John is the oldest grandson, it's supposed to be him.”

“Alastair wants it that way,” the attorney said. I smiled as I looked at them. The rejected stone was about to be the head now, I looked at Matilda. Did she marry my brother because she thought he was going to be the CEO of the company? How does she feel now that she's been disappointed?

“However,” the attorney continued. “There is a condition.”

My Father and my Mother sat up then. The attorney continued.

“The heir must be in a healthy committed relationship or partnership. Said relationship or partnership must be verifiable and stable. The relationship must be verified for 6 months by the attorney and the family. If considered real, he can go ahead and regain his position but if not, the position will be given to the son with a solid partnership.”

John, my brother turned to look at me, something hopeful and pitiful flickering behind his eyes.

I said nothing. But then, I wanted to resuscitate Alastair so I could kill him once more. Bastard. He knew I wasn't one for a relationship and decided this was the best way to make me enter one?

“The condition,” the attorney continued, “exists to ensure the continuation of the Rowe legacy through stability, reputation and family.”

I snorted. Family indeed.

“Well, we all know Seb doesn't have a love life, at least not one we are aware of,” Adrian finally talked.

“Exactly!” my father said excitedly. “If he can't keep a relationship, how can he keep Alastair’s legacy?”

The attorney looked at me, silently begging me to say something.

“I do have a girlfriend.” I blurted out.

Everyone looked at me, shocked .The lie surprised me too.

“What?” Matilda asked.

“I happen to be in a healthy relationship,” I repeated firmer this time.

“Since when?” John asked.

“Since I fell in love, John. Real love.”

“A relationship we don't know of?” my father asked. “Please.”

“My relationship is for me, not for the family.”

The attorney cleared his throat, relieved.

“Well, that is good then. You will have to bring her for the family to see then.”

“Okay,” I said standing, ready to leave.

John walked up to me.

“Thank you for coming,” He said to me.

“My grandfather died, John. Of course I would be present. Some of us know what loyalty is.” I walked out before he could say any other thing. My chauffeur started the car and drove off immediately I entered my car.

The drive back to the city was silent.

A relationship.

Stable and Convincing.

I needed to get a contract girlfriend immediately.

I called Vanessa then, my assistant. She would have been a great person for it but she was married. She will help me find someone then. Someone who understands what a contract is.

“Vanessa,” I said as the call went through.

“I need you to find a lady for me.”

“A date?” She asked lightly.

“No,” I replied. “A contract girlfriend.”

“What?” she asked, surprised.

“A contract girlfriend. You have a week.” I said as I dropped the phone.

I stared at myself through the car mirror, the mirror reflecting a man who had learned too early how easily hearts could be broken.

This time, I wouldn't risk mine.

Not even if pretending felt dangerously close to the real thing.

__________________________________

It's been over one week ever since I told Vanessa to get me a contract girlfriend. She hasn't sent any, at least none I preferred. Time was going and I was certain I would have to tell the attorney the truth.

A knock distracted me.

“Come in,” I said coldly.

Vanessa walked in. Tablet in hands, completely unfazed.

“You have rejected all of them,” she stated the obvious.

“They are not what I want.”

Vanessa watched me closely, like she had a lot of unsaid words.

“There's one more,” she finally said.

I exhaled slowly. Annoyance suddenly builds.

“I hope, for your own good, she's different,” I warned her.

She doesn't respond.

“Send her in,” I finally said.

Vanessa nodded and walked off.

The door opened and she walked in. I recognised her immediately, it was hard not to.

The lady at the fashion house. The one who had the audacity to talk back to me. The one I had fired.

She looked at me and stopped immediately. Of course she recognised me. Surprise written all over her face. It changed to anger within seconds that I wondered if I saw it right.

Of all people Vanessa could have brought. Her?