Chapter 3: The Fake Boyfriend
1385 Words
[DAPHNE]
I immediately dialled the number waiting for an answer. I was nervous as hell while waiting. Just when the call was about to be cut off, a masculine voice answered.
“Hello?”
I paused, holding my breath, lost for words.
“Hello?,” he answered again.
Oh God, Daphne get on with this.
“Umm.. uh.. hi. This is Daphne from Dream Weddings And Events. We have a job offer for you. Are you available for it?”
Please say yes, please say yes. But there was a pause before he replied.
“Sure.”
Relief washed over me.
“Can you come for your interview today?” I asked.
“Nah, I can't. I'm booked for the day.”
Wow. This was the first sentence he'd said, and was that a foreign accent? This guy just kept ticking all the boxes. I'm not letting him slip away.
“Okay, how about I come to you?”
There was a pause before he continued. “You're sure you're gonna wait till I'm done?”
“Of course, just send me the address and I'll be there.”
“Okay. I'll do that.”
The moment his text came in, I didn't wait any further. I hailed a cab and headed straight to the venue. The area was packed, with a small crowd waiting for a stage performance. After the MC introduced the next performer, Zach stepped in with a guitar. The moment he started playing and singing, I was awestruck. Everything Nicki wanted in her dream guy was right here. His voice was heavenly, the kind you never wanted to stop listening to. My worries for the day disappeared as I listened.
After he was done performing, the sound of applause followed and I knew this was my time. I stood behind the backstage waiting for him. When he stepped out, I saw him up close and damn, this guy is ripped. I was thinking those pictures were photoshopped but he looked even better in person. What is a Greek god like him doing in this crappy place? He should be in a museum, where people could pay and marvel at his beauty because damn!
“Hey, you looking for someone?” His voice brought me back because I was far too gone.
“Uh..uh.. It's me. I mean, Daphne. The one who called you earlier, for a job offer?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is this so urgent you had to wait till I was done performing?”
“Of course. It's really urgent.. Can we sit and talk somewhere private?” I said, sounding desperate.
“It's noisy here. follow me.”
He walked me to the side, handing me a helmet.
“Wait, is this your bike?” I asked, pointing to the bike he just took the helmet from.
“Yes. It's a large area and the main gate will be closed till the event is over. But since I just performed tonight, I can be granted access. So you coming along?”
A smile spread across my face immediately. I have found the perfect man for the job. In your face Nicki.
“Sure,” I said, wearing the helmet and climbing the bike.
“Hold on to me.” He said.
I did and oh Lord, those strong abs made me feel like I was protected. When I saw his picture with a hint of the abs, I never imagined feeling it would be even better. ‘Take your mind off the gutter, Daphne,’ I scolded myself.
Finally, he stopped by an open area filled with tables and chairs.
“So, what's this job offer about?” He asked.
I let out an exhausting exhale. “ummm... Yeah.. So, this is harder to explain than I thought but, you'll be working for me, not the agency. It's an acting job, nothing scripted. Like a kind of reality show but with no cameras.”
I inhaled deeply before continuing. “And I know you might think I'm crazy but you have to understand that the holidays can be a difficult period for many people; I mean single people that have a family that won't just back off especially when you have a baby sister who's the golden child in their parent's eyes. Do you get what I'm saying?”
Zach raised an eyebrow and I'm guessing he might be thinking I'm some sort of a crazy lady.
“Not really,” he said in a confused tone. “What's the job again?”
I guess there's really no other way to explain it. It took everything in me to be forward even though it sounded desperate.
“I want to hire you to be my fake boyfriend for the holidays.”
Zach's mouth gaped open as if he was about to protest, but before he could, I stopped him.
“... and before you say no, please know the pay is very attractive.”
He smirked and that's when I saw the dimple on his left cheek, and, oh my God. His smile is a sight to behold.
“How attractive?” His accent made my brain interpret his statement for something else.
“Five thousand dollars. Twenty-five hundred in advance and the rest after job completion. And our relationship will be strictly professional.”
“...while I pretend to be your boyfriend?” he asked.
“Exactly.”
[ZACH]
When I came to the US for a purpose, I never expected I'd be entertained instead. This beautiful damsel in front of me shouldn't be searching for a fake boyfriend for the holidays. Which man will ever see her and say no or not chase after her.
I have been searching for the one since the time limit Father had given me. But none of them intrigued me. Could this..be the one? Not that I know her though, but I'd love to see where this fake dating will lead us. But something in my mind couldn't stop me from asking my next question.
“Why would you want a fake boyfriend for the holidays?”
She bit her lip as if being ashamed of what to say and damn, I found it cute.
“Well, my sister is bringing her fiance for the holidays and I'm avoiding being the subject of ridicule when I get home.”
Seems we’re both under the same pressure but mine is long term.
“I see,” I managed to say.
“Good thing Christmas is in two weeks, so we have enough time to get to know each other and create the perfect lie of our love story.”
I let out a chuckle. I've been doing a perfect job hiding my identity for months under the guise of a struggling artist, but maybe this will tell how good I am.
“You're serious? This isn't a joke?”
“Damn serious. So? What do you say?” She asked.
But another question popped up in my mind.
“Why me?”
“Because you're good looking.”
Oh she thinks I'm good looking. Interesting.
“Okay, we have a deal.”
The way she exhaled so slowly almost made me laugh. She's truthfully taking this seriously. Then, she slid a document across the table.
“Please sign here.”
I raised an eyebrow looking at the document.
“We need to make this official. If you back out, before the date, then I can sue your ass.”
Feisty, I like it. I smiled and without another word I signed the document and the next thing she did was slip an envelope to me.
“This is your first instalment. You'll get the rest afterwards. Umm, we'll discuss other details of this arrangement over the phone or we can fix a meeting again if that's okay with you.”
I nodded. “Alright boss. See you tomorrow.”
—--
After the meeting, I got home feeling more excited than I should have.
"Your Highness, you seem happy today. Found her yet?" Ariso, the bodyguard my father had sent with me on my journey, asked with a hint of amusement.
I swirled my little glass of whiskey with a smile plastered on my face. “Time will tell.”
- Writer
