A Deal with a Windsor

5

"Stop fidgeting!" He said through gritted teeth and nudged my sides, but I couldn't help it.

The Windsors are a force to reckon with in this city, and I was just about to sit before the oldest of the family and lie to their faces.

"I know I owe you one, but is there no way else to..."

"They are here."

He stood to his feet, and I followed behind immediately. I could see where he got his outworldly beauty from the second I saw his parents walk in. They both looked like they were carved out of a magazine.

His mother hugged him and pressed kisses against his cheeks, his father gave him a firm handshake, then their attention was on me, and I felt like sinking into the floor and turning into a puddle

Maxwell must have sensed my thoughts because he pulled me to himself.

"This is Lilian Stanford, my girlfriend." To my surprise, he placed a kiss on my forehead.

The smile on his mother's face grew, and she immediately pulled me into a hug. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, I was starting to worry about him."

I chuckled nervously and signaled Maxwell for help, but instead of doing anything, he just stood there smiling at my discomfort.

"Likewise here, ma'am"

"Juse call me Monica," she said, beaming as she let go of me, and I could only hope the smile on my face looked okay.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too," I returned, and Richard Windsor had his hand stretched out to me, alongside a very lazy smile that stretched across his lips.

I immediately took his hand in a firm handshake, and then we all took our seats.

"You're an asshole, by the way." I whispered to Maxwell as we all took our seats. He looked at me for a moment, then laughed.

"Oh come on, you can tell her yourself." My eyes slowly widened, and I stared at him like he lost his mind, which in this case he probably did. "Mum, Lily here was just telling me how much she loves your necklace."

No, he did not.

I turned to Monica, wide-eyed, and she was grinning. "You do! Oh, thank you, dear. You've got the eye for good things, we should go shopping together."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to bother you with that."

"That's nonsense. Shopping is never a bother, and shopping with my daughter-in-law? We would have so much fun."

"No need to be so modest, my love" he grabbed my hand and placed a kiss on it shamelessly, and I felt myself turn red.

How could he be so casual and so open with the display of affection in front of his parents?

"She would love to, mum. I think Friday is a good time for her. Right?"

I was tongue-tied, and nothing felt like the appropriate response, so I just smiled.

"Excellent, I'll come pick you up."

Thankfully, a waiter came right on time to get our orders, and I took that as an opportunity to recall how to breathe.

"Do you want anything?"

I shook my head, "I'll have whatever you're having."

He nodded, and they continued to place their orders while I watched and prayed the dinner would come to an end soon.

"So, how's the company going?" Richard asked.

Maxwell shrugged and leaned back on his chair. "Same old, same old. Why?"

"I'm simply wondering how long you plan on keeping up the rebellion."

"Alright, that's it! No business talk during dinner," Monica piped in, and everywhere fell silent, "now tell me, how did you two meet, and how long has this been going on?"

My eyes widened silently, and we did not discuss that. When I looked at Maxwell, he didn't look the least bit bothered.

"We met at an event, and we've been dating for 6 months now. She was a hard one to please."

She looked at me and smiled, "I can see that much. She's a very beautiful one." My cheeks flamed hot for a moment, "tell me, what finally sold you off to him?"

"I uh..." Maxwell grabbed my hand under the table and squeezed, I glanced at him, and he had a tight smile on his face, his eyebrows slightly raised.

Finally, a sign of nervousness from him.

"I liked his persistence and personality. He just seems to know when and how exactly to show up. That's not very common these days."

"That sounds like Maxwell. He's a tough one, you know." Her voice seemed to crack just a bit at that, but then she quickly cleared her throat and stood up. "Excuse me, I have to use the restroom."

We all nodded, but then she fixed her gaze on me.

"Come with me, Lily" came out like a request, but there was an underlying tone of command that had me standing to my feet instantly.

We walked quietly to the bathroom, me behind her, hoping she wouldn't ask me questions that would expose the charade we had going on.

I didn't need to be told to know that Maxwell would kill me if I blew our cover.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're bad at lying?"

My heart dropped to my stomach, and I wished the ground would open up and swallow me. But instead of falling into what looked like a trap, I chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

She smiled and faced the mirror. "I could tell at a glance that you two had nothing going on, but it was fun to see you both try to keep up that act."

My mouth went dry, and I couldn't figure out what to say. How was I supposed to deny it when she had me cornered like this? Was this the time for me to go down on my knees and cry?

"Don't give yourself a heart attack, I have nothing against you two putting up with this act, but I have an offer or rather a condition. I'll settle you handsomely

Whatever her condition was, I knew it was going to be an impossible task, but I was already cornered.

"Okay."

"This is to stay between you and I, Maxwell must not hear of it. The second he does, the deal is off"

My stomach churned, and the rational part of my mind kicked hard against the idea, but instead of backing out, I nodded, and her lips curled up into a bone-chilling smile.