Fake Boyfriend

6

When Mark picked it up the following Tuesday, Janet breathed a sigh of relief.

She was waiting for him on the sidewalk of the house and was holding a suitcase in each of her hands. Not that Mark was late. It was she who was extremely nervous. Today was the first day of celebration planned by her sister and she would introduce Mark as her boyfriend. She hoped that both she and Mark would make it through the week without incident.

Mark stopped the car and it looked like he was about to get out of her when she opened the passenger door and tossed her luggage and her briefcase on the back seats.

- Good morning- he said, keeping his hand still on the handle.

- Hurry up- she urged him. Janet slammed the door and dropped into the seat.

- Hurry up?- Mark stared at her. Do you realize that the wedding will only take place in five days?}

- I know. I just don't want them to see you.

She glanced at the sidewalk.

- Who is it?

- My mother and my aunt- She leaned even lower and gestured impatiently toward the wheel- Damn, can't you talk and drive at the same time?

He bit back a smile, trying not to look amused by the eager blonde sitting next to her.

- You're the boss- he said and went out into the street.

Janet turned to look at her house and breathed a sigh of relief.

- It was close.

- I'm confused, I thought you hired me as an escort for the wedding, so people could see that you have a boyfriend.

- Well yes, of course, but I don't want everyone to bombard you with more questions than they should. I said that we've been dating for six months, that we can't repeat the other night with my mother. Although we now know more than before, we still have six months of information to store. And by the way ... you're going too fast- she added, pointing at the board.

Mark rolled his eyes but had the decency to take his foot off the gas pedal.

- I think I already know you quite well.

- Oh yeah? What do you think you know?

- I know you are a perfectionist and a critical passenger. As I go?

She stared at him.

- You can't do better.

She chuckled.

- Okay, why don't you tell me about the witness, your ex?

- Gabe? Why do you want to know about him?

He shrugged.

- I need to know the competitor. It's like watching images of the opposing soccer team before a match. After all, I guess that's why you hired an escort for the wedding. You want to show him that you have moved on with your life, right?

Janet bit her lip.

- Of course, for that ... and for other reasons- she murmured.

How to save my pride and refute the family curse.

The last thing she needed was for people to speak up and feel sorry for her on Emily's special day. The pitying looks were the worst. Thus, she had convinced everyone that she was involved in a serious relationship and that she would worry about the future later.

She could still use the Couple of Hearts agency after the wedding and hire Mark for a couple of birthdays, or around the holidays. All she had to do was maintain the tactic until she met someone. Yes, she could work.

Maybe.

Her nerves made her sweat, so she opened the glove compartment in hopes of finding some tissues. Instead, she pulled out a bag of doggie snacks.

- Are these to eat while traveling?

- Those are for Kira- he replied, smiling.

- Then your girlfriend must have fresh breath.

- Kira is my dog. I do not have a girlfriend.

So he was an animal lover. He took in the information, along with the fact that he didn't have a girlfriend, as he replaced the bag in the compartment. She didn't know why, but that he didn't have a girlfriend from hers didn't convince her, especially with the reputation she had for her in high school. Although for an unknown reason, she was not completely dissatisfied with knowing. Also, she thought it was nice to have snacks in the car for her dog. But only cute in a purely innocent sense.

- So what is she like? She - She asked again.

- Who?

- Gabe. Your notorious ex- he sighed.

- Oh- she threw her head back and thought for a couple of seconds of Gabe's beautiful face in her mind. For starters, Gabe is extremely attractive. He is passionate about his work, he loves jazz, skiing, expensive red wine, and is always on time.

Mark made a face.

- Are there men like that? How did you let a guy like that getaway?

It happened like with everyone else, she wanted to answer. The dreaded curse.

- He is the chef at the Tamarindo Nero restaurant here in Chicago and he cheated on me with one of the waitresses.

- Oh!

Sigh.

- The situation is even worse, I also worked there as a pastry chef. After learning of his infidelity, she spoke ill of me to the owner. What she told him must have worked, because I was fired later.

- Traitorous bastard.

- Exactly. And believe me, jobs as a pastry chef are few and far between. I have had no luck with the interviews so far. I'm still searching but will have to search other cities soon.

- So he's a traitorous double bastard.

She couldn't help but smile when Mark seemed outraged by her. The breakup happened months ago and although she had been very angry with Gabe, she had recovered from the pain of her broken heart, much faster than getting fired from her. Perhaps because she was used to their relationships breaking down sooner or later.

- I learned a hard lesson- she murmured.

- What lesson have you learned?

- Never have an affair with someone at work. You should take my advice- She pointed at him and added- Especially with your type of work.

He smiled.

- I'll keep it in mind.

She leaned back and sighed.

- Needless to say, it will be a great satisfaction to appear with you on my arm and strike my victory in your face. But to do this, we have to look happy and in love. In short, you must look really in love. As if I were the world to you.

- That's why you pay me a lot of money.

- You can say it out loud- she murmured. Her bank account had been greatly reduced due to this. But it would be worth it to see the shock on Gabe's face and not suffer the pitying looks from her family.

He looked at her with a frown.

- You know, out of curiosity ... since I didn't have time to look at the contract, how much are you paying for my ... services?

- Three thousand dollars.

- Three thousand dollars? You are crazy?

Janet narrowed her eyes.

- What are you talking about? Steffy told me it was a special price.

- Uh, I mean .... Yes, he must have paid you a reduced fee. Usually, I get a lot more.

Janet looked at him for a moment. Not that she wanted to know how much the other women were willing to pay for Mark Robbins' services, but she still wanted to know more.

- I guess they often hire you for weddings like this.

She stopped at a red light, her hands clenched around the wheel.

- No, not really. Steffy knows I don't go to weddings.

- Don't you do it or don't you like to do it?

- Both.

- Really? So you never go to weddings?

- No- her gaze traveled to her and something in hers changed her eyes. I made an exception in your case.

Janet swallowed as she continued to stare at her. The air around her began to heat up, clouding her mind even more. It was stupid of the part of her to feel special because she was doing something that she normally didn't do. After all, she was shelling out a good few bucks and this was an easy job for him. 

Nothing more.

She turned her head and looked out the window.

- Then I'm lucky- she said dryly. And I didn't even jump for joy when you took the job.

- You know, I don't remember you being so cynical in high school.

She snorted.

- Maybe because you don't remember me at all.

The light turned green and he pressed the gas pedal. The car ride continued in silence. Janet decided it was probably for the best. They had to be close for most of the week, so a break from the conversation was good. Also, the more she talked to Mark, the more she confused her. A man who kept snacks in her car for her dog could not be completely heartless. He recalled how he had opened up to her for dinner a few days ago and was surprised to learn that her family life had been as turbulent as hers, albeit for different reasons. The rich, self-centered boy the size of Nebraska had been just as miserable as she was in her teens.

Appearances were downright deceptive. But at this point, what mattered was getting out of her sister's marriage unscathed. She just had to remember to keep everything in perspective. A girl, even if she was cursed and in a fake relationship, had to have her standards. She would never really date someone like Mark, a man so full of himself that he "hired" women for money. Looking back at what she was like in high school, it wasn't very surprising that she chose to do such a thing. Mark might still have that high school charm, but she had no intention of falling under her spell again.

After thirty minutes of listening to the radio without speaking, Mark finally reached out and turned it off.

- Okay, then tell me more about yourself.

- Like what?

- Why should I be so in love with you? So far I have only known your critical skills as a passenger and care for silence.

She lifted her chin.

- Hey, if I want I can be very charming.

- That hasn't been proven yet- she replied with a half-smile.

- Well, animals and children love me.

Yawn.

- I'm also a fantastic cook.

Mark took a curve along the bay, where the groom's parents owned his property. Janet felt a bit of nervousness started to creep up her back. She hadn't had much time to create her story or to meet and show everyone that they had been dating for months.

- I can make a chocolate ganache for her," she snapped. It is delicious and very spreadable.

Her attention seemed to light up.

- Chocolate cream?- he said with a clear smile- Now let's think. And what are you doing with this spread ganache?

- The lid of the cupcakes.

He shrugged.

- I'm losing interest fast, Janet. I can act, but you better give me something better to work on or we'll both be in trouble. Use a little imagination.

Hell, he was right. He couldn't come up with an interesting relationship even if her life depended on it. Was it any wonder that men didn't last long? She would also be bored with herself.

- I, uh ... I've never worn braces and my teeth are perfectly straight.

Straight teeth? Was this the best she could say? she bowed her head in defeat.

Mark let out a long breath.

- Okay, okay, relax. I think I can work with what you gave me.

He raised his head.

- What do you mean?

Mark pulled the car to the side of the road and cut the engine. He stared straight ahead for a full minute and then finally looked at her. He took her hand, not stopping to look at her. Her eyes burned into hers with intense heat.

While she waited for him to say something, she had to remember to breathe.

Mark spoke softly as he leaned toward her.

- Maybe Janet, I am so in love with you because of your passion for animals and your kindness to children. I like that you are the type of woman who loves to cook, so we can organize romantic dinners at home. You are a strong woman, but not to the point of dominating in a relationship. You are funny and you like to laugh, but you do not lie down with others. Injustice makes you angry and you would fight to the death if someone threatened your sister or someone you love. Yes, your teeth are straight, except for the left incisor, which tends slightly to the right. Your eyes are blue, but when you get angry or excited they take on a sea-green hue. And when I take you in my arms, I wonder how the hell I have lived until now without knowing what I was missing before I met you.

She fought back tears at those beautiful words and wondered how she could assume that she knew her so well. Somehow, he had managed to grasp so many things about her that were true. She felt her lungs empty of air.

- Yes, this version is good- she managed to say in a weak voice.

Mark smiled at her and kissed her knuckles.

- I like to think that I know women.

Her words crashed into her like a cell phone ringing in the middle of a funeral. She then realized that what she had created was made up and completely unreal. He knew women well and what they wanted to hear. She should have known that Mark Robbins was still the same high school boy who spoke well.

She should have thanked him for the memo. He'd been a fool to think for those brief moments that he liked her or that he understood everything about her. Even though they were no longer in high school, sadly there were still the remnants of that old crush that she had for him and that had not yet faded.

She had to step on those feelings quickly. Mark had never had any interest in her then and of course, he had less of it now. The only reason he told her those romantic things was because she paid him for it.

She withdrew her hand and got out of the car. As soon as he did, he saw Emily leave the villa, smiling and excited to meet her sister's boyfriend. Or rather, her sister's fake boyfriend.

She raised a hand and waved it in greeting. He prayed Emily didn't guess her ruse. Biting her lip, she glanced nervously at Mark, who had gotten out of the car. His expression was calm and focused. His gaze was the same as she had every time she walked onto a soccer field. He nodded, rubbing his hands together as if he had a game in mind and was sizing up the opponent.

At least someone believed in what they were doing, Janet thought, crossing her fingers.

So let the charade begin.

Mark looked at Janet's annoying demeanor and wondered if her soccer dreams weren't the only thing he'd lost years ago. Her charm with women along with her sanity had gone out the window.

Janet was cold to him and not that he blamed her. Although she had erased the angry compliments from her, she felt compelled to do them.