Who He Really Is
1384 Words
Beck;
I sat with my legs crossed, and my lower lip between my teeth as I tried to explain the outrageous plan I had concocted with Leonardo. Saying it out loud made it sound very absurd, and Natalie’s current expression didn’t help me feel any less silly.
Her eyebrows were practically glued to her hairline as she listened to me with her arms crossed.
“So, let me get this straight. You’re planning to show up at your family house for Christmas with a total stranger, claiming he’s your boyfriend? ”She questioned, and I swallowed.
“Yes…? “I replied, and she raised a brow.
“Rebecca! “She scolded, and I immediately dropped my cup of tea on the coffee table, and stood up.
“Well. He’s not a total stranger. “I said and held up Leonardo’s business card like it was some golden ticket.
“I know his name, his job, and… he’s nice. He seems like a responsible guy. ”I said, and Natalie snorted.
“Seriously? Is that all it takes to fool you? Becky, come on. The card could be fake. How do you know he’s not some scam artist? You’ve known this guy for what, a day? ”She questioned, and I looked away.
“Less than,” I admitted, looking at the card again. Its sleek design and embossed letters seemed legit. I mean, how would he have known that I was going to demand some sort of ID?
“Nat, he doesn’t seem like someone who’d lie about something like this. He’s… too polished for that.” I said, and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Polished? You’re defending a man you just met because he’s polished? Sweetheart, Ted Bundy was polished too. ”She says, and I frown.
“He is no Ted Bundy. Leo is not a serial killer. I got no icks around him! “I defended, and Natalie sighed.
“So, now you have an inbuilt serial killer sensor? Becky, I just want you to be safe. There are so many monsters in the world and a lot of them are attractive mother fuckers! “She said, and I sighed.
“Okay, fine! We’ll look him up. Will that make you feel better? ”I said, and Natalie grabbed her laptop with a triumphant grin.
“Yes. Let’s see who your not Ted Bundy really is. ”She said as she powered it on. I sat beside her when she opened her browser, and Becky leaned over, staring at the screen.
I clutched my cup of tea nervously, as her finger hovered the search button. I hoped to see normal things. A LinkedIn profile, or maybe a work portfolio at best. But nothing that will throw me off. I know it’s silly, but I kind of like him, and want us to do this. He’s fun to be with. A perfect distraction from all the pain I feel inside.
However, when Natalie clicked on the search button, I froze. An avalanche of articles, interviews, and professional headshots came pouring onto the screen. Her jaw dropped as she stared at the screen, but mine was on the ground long before hers.
“Oh. My. God. ”She muttered, and I leaned closer to read the headlines.
"Leonardo Ashford: The Billionaire CEO Revolutionizing New York Real Estate"
"Inside the Life of Real Estate Mogul Leonardo Ashford"
"Ashford Dynasty: How This Family Built an Empire"
“Wait a minute,” I stammered, before clicking one of the links.
The article that came up sang praises of how Leonardo — THE CEO- of the one and only Ashford Empire was a remarkable businessman. It spoke about his string of successful investments, his jaw-dropping net worth, and the legacy of his powerful family name.
My heart began to pound as I stared at his picture, and perfect smile in the article. How could he not tell me this??
“Becky, you bagged a billionaire. A ridiculously hot billionaire! ”Natalie squealed, giddy with excitement, but I was panicking.
“This… this can’t be right. He never said anything about this. I thought he was just some guy! ”I spoke as I looked at Natalie in fear, but she rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, some guy who probably owns half of New York. ”She replied, and I gulped.
My hands shook as I ran them through her hair.
“How am I supposed to pull this off now? Pretending to be his girlfriend? No one’s going to buy that! ”
“Why not?” Natalie asked, frowning.
“Because look at him!” I cried, pointing to his photo on the screen.
“And look at me! I’m not glamorous or rich or… whatever men like him date. I’m just… ”I began, and Natalie’s face softened.
“You’re just what, Becky?”
“I’m just me.” I whispered, with my voice cracking.
“My exes all left because I wasn’t pretty enough or normal enough or… anything enough. How is someone like Leonardo supposed to act like I’m his girlfriend? I don’t fit into that life. I can’t do it. Everyone will read through us in a snap of their fingers. I don’t even belong in the same room as him, Nat.
Oh, I’m so foolish. I spent the night with him and had coffee with him. What was I thinking asking an absolute stranger to do this? I’m sure in his mind, he was laughing at me the whole time. He probably thought I was insane and was playing along for a good laugh. ”I rambled as I got up and started pacing.
“Stop,” Natalie said firmly, putting her laptop aside and walking over to me.
“You’re smart, funny, and gorgeous in your own quirky, adorable way. If he didn’t think you could pull this off, he wouldn’t have agreed. ”She said, and I shook my head in disagreement.
“You don’t get it. Even if he actually plans to do this, I don’t fit into such a glamorous life. His world is different. I’ll never be enough for someone like him, even if this is all pretend. ”I complained, and Before Natalie could respond, my phone started buzzing on the coffee table.
We both turned to it, and my heart sank as Leonardo’s name flashed on the screen.
“Are you going to answer that?” Natalie asked gently, and I hesitated but finally picked up the phone.
“Hello? ”I called with a shaky voice, and Leonardo’s voice replied as warm as always.
“Hey, Becky, ”He began, and I swallowed.
“Listen, I need to talk to you about tomorrow… I’m not sure I’ll be able to… ”He began, and my heart painfully skipped a beat.
“It’s okay. I understand. ”I cut him off, her voice trembling.
“What? ”He asked, and I swallowed.
“No, really I do… This whole thing… Was silly, and I don’t blame you for backing out. Someone like you doesn’t need to waste time with someone like me. ”I replied to his confusion with my words coming out in a rush.
“Becky, you didn’t let me… ”He began, but at this point, tears were already pooling in my eyes.
“You don’t have to. I understand. Thanks for not laughing in my face yesterday. ”I said, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“Merry Christmas in advance, Leonardo. I had fun yesterday. Thank you. ”
“Becky, I didn’t… ”He began, but I didn’t have the strength to hear it.
I ended the call before he could finish, and without thinking it through, I blocked his number.
“What happened?” Natalie asked, her voice full of concern, and I sniffed, blinking back tears.
“He canceled. ”I said, and Natalie pulled me into a hug.
“I’m so sorry, Becs. What are you going to do now? ”She questioned, and I wiped my eyes and took a shaky breath.
“I’ll go alone. Face whatever happens. I’ll survive… I always do. ”I replied, and Natalie hugged me tighter.
I closed my eyes, trying my best not to cry.
- Writer
