Perfect, not so perfect husband
1155 Words
“So, let me get this straight,” Sarah said, leaning forward“Your grandmother is giving you an ultimatum:, To get married in six months or lose your inheritance?” she asked after Emma had recounted the conversation with her grandmother
Emma nodded, taking a long sip of her cocktail “Yep. Can you believe it? It feels like something crazy out of a bad rom-com”
She took a sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving Emma's face “You know, you should really stand up to her. It's your life not hers”
She sighed, swirling the ice in her glass. “I know but it's not that simple. The inheritance is tied to my future and it could help me achieve so many of my goals”
Sarah nodded “True, but at what cost? You can't let her control every aspect of your life. You're already doing so much on your own”
Emma glanced around the bar, watching the other customers laughing and enjoying their evening, wishing she could feel the same way too “I just wish she could see that I'm doing fine. I'm working hard, I'm successful. Isn't that enough? I don't need a dumb man to validate my success”
Sarah reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on Emma's. “You are more than enough and you're doing amazing but maybe it's time to show Maggie that you can make your own decisions”
Emma squeezed Sarah's hand, grateful for her support. “Thanks, babes. I really appreciate it but you know how stubborn Maggie is. She won't back down easily”
Sarah frowned drumming her fingers on the table. “What are you going to do? You can't just find a husband out of thin air.”
Emma sighed, rubbing her temples. “I don't know.The whole thing is ridiculous but if I don’t get the inheritance, it could seriously impact my plans. I was counting on that money to invest in my own firm one day.”
Sarah leaned back, a thoughtful look on her face “Then maybe you need to beat her at her own game. If she's demanding that you get married, maybe you should play along. On your terms”
She raised an eyebrow looking confused “What do you mean?”
Sarah's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint “I'm saying, why not consider a contract marriage idea? You get married, you fulfill Maggie's requirement, and you still get to control your life”
“Hmm, I don't know,” She said, finding the idea absurd
“C’mon, this is a perfect idea you know, find someone who’s willing to get married for a short period. It doesn’t have to be real, just enough to meet the conditions of the trust fund.”
Emma shook her head, laughing despite herself. “Sarah, this isn’t a movie. Where am I supposed to find someone who would agree to that?”
Sarah leaned back smiling “You’d be surprised. People do all sorts of things for money. And think about it– there might be someone out there who needs a favor just as much as you do.”
She stared at her friend, considering the idea. It was crazy, but maybe, just maybe, it could work “Okay, let’s say I entertain this idea. How would I even start?”
Sarah grinned. “Leave it to me. I’ll ask around discreetly. There are always people looking for bizarre solutions to their problems... and I think I do have the right person for this job”
“You do?”
“Yeah, do you remember that my artist friend, Jake?”
She tried recollecting “Not really”
“Don’t worry about it, he's in a tough spot financially. Maybe you two could help each other out, I will talk to him about it and get back to you”
Emma sighed, partially giving into the idea “Alright we have to be careful. The last thing I need is for this to blow up in my face.”
Sarah raised her glass. “To bizarre solutions and to finding your perfect-not-so-perfect- husband,” she said giggling
She clinked her glass with Sarah's, a hesitant smile on her face “To finding my not-so-perfect husband.”
A week later, Emma was sitting in her corner office, going over some case files, when Sarah call came in
“Guess what?!” Sarah squealed on the phone before Emma could say anything
“What is it?” she asked impatiently, she had a ton of work to do and Sarah’s guessing games weren't what she needed at the moment
“I said you should guess miss,” she said clicking her tongue “Anyway, Jake said he is down if you are”
“Down? Jake? I'm so lost”
“Jake Donovan, my artistic friend I told you about that would be interested in the marriage, remember?”
Shit! She had totally forgotten about the arrangement she and Sarah had discussed “Oh yes, yes. So he agreed?”
“Yeah! I’ve set up a meeting for you two tomorrow night”
“Oh– ok...” she said going through her planner to see if she had anything scheduled for tomorrow night
“No, you have nothing going on tomorrow,” Sarah said as if she could see what Emma was doing “so no excuses not to meet up”
She gave a defeated sigh “Fine, where?”
“He said he would be more comfortable at his studio”
“His studio? That's so unprofessional, who does their first meeting in a studio?!”
“Oh please, Emma. Cut the crap about professionalism. You are not going to meet a business client here but your future hubby. You guys need a cozy place” she said mockingly
She laughed, shaking her head “This is truly insane”
“Insanity is needed in life” she chucked “but it might be the solution you need, just meet him and see what you think”
Emma nodded slowly “ok, I'll meet him up”
“Alright I will text you his address now”
“Thanks babes, I really do appreciate”
She giggled “silly, what are you thanking me for? Go get your pretend hubby and present him to your grandma” we both laughed “Do keep me updated, we will talk later”
“Alright, take care” As soon as she dropped the call, Sarah’s text came in with Jake’s address. Emma looked at her phone screen, wondering if she was really going to do this. There was no harm in trying. She breathed in deeply, bracing herself up for the task ahead as she entered his address into google maps
It was time to meet Jake Donovan.
- Writer
