The CEO's Pretend Lover

Eight: "Call me Jéan"

Elizabeth felt she was doing too much, but she only wanted a moment where Jéan would enjoy life other than being a busy CEO.

During their lunch date, as they went back and forth with their questions, Elizabeth learned that, unlike her fun-filled life, Jéan seemed to have had a quiet one.

She thought that, at least, Jules and Jéan had gone to clubs, but Jéan said that they only sat in a bar and talked till one or both of them got drunk.

But Elizabeth was glad that there were things she had to find out; Jéan bites her nails like it's a snack, and the longest she's gone without a shower is one day.

Elizabeth took it upon herself to make this night a memorable one and when she dragged her to the photo booth to take pictures, she could feel her plan working.

But she went too far.

Elizabeth always avoided the rides because she was scared of them. The last time she went on one when she was a kid, she almost felt her body flying through the air.

It was a funny but scary memory. The buckle of the ride didn't fit and it came right off as soon as they were flung into the air. Elizabeth remembered screaming because her 8-year-old self thought she was going to die, as she held onto the rail with her tiny fingers.

But tonight, she didn't want her fear to ruin her plan of making Jéan have fun tonight. She wanted to seem strong if Jéan was a bit frightened of heights, to be there for her.

When they got to the Giant Pendulum ride, Elizabeth told herself she had to wear her big girl panties, that whatever happened when she was a child was in the past.

But as soon as they were lifted off the floor, she let a scream escape her lips because of her fear. The spinning was not helping either. She felt sick. Jéan seemed okay beside her, she was enjoying it so much.

"Please don't come loose." She chanted to herself. Her mind was playing tricks with her, making it seem like she was going to fall off to her death.

Elizabeth felt a warm hand grab hold of hers and she opened her eyes to see it was Jéan's. The warmth of her hand somehow made Elizabeth calm down as their eyes locked.

They stared at each other until the ride was over and Jéan assisted her off the seat and to a nearby bench.

"Are you okay?" Jéan was worried. She heard Elizabeth scream and she knew it wasn't a gleeful one. She had heard the chants and knew something was wrong.

"I'm sorry. I only wanted to do something for you, I didn't mean to ruin it."

"Don't say such nonsense." Jéan patted her shoulder, "Since we're doing this together, we have to be honest with each other."

Elizabeth wiped her cheek of the stray tear that escaped her eyes. "When I was little, I almost died because the buckle was loose. I'm scared of rides now."

Jéan shook her head. She wondered why someone would jeopardize their mental state just to make another person comfortable.

"You didn't have to. I'm sorry if you felt the urge to go out of your way."

Elizabeth shook her head, "You don't have to be sorry, Ms. Jéan, I wasn't thinking at all."

"Jéan."

"What?"

Jean ruffled the female's strawberry blonde hair. "Call me Jéan. I like how it sounds." Standing up and pulling Elizabeth by her hand, she let out. "Let's go get snacks and do what else you want to do."

------------------------------------

Elizabeth smiled at the memory of the events that happened after Jéan took her to buy cotton candy and corn dogs. It was funny and embarrassing watching Jéan scuffle with the vendor because she brought a card out for payment and he didn't accept it.

It was a good thing Elizabeth had enough change in her purse to pay for them and she apologized on behalf of Jéan and led her away.

They played games and Jéan won her a big stuffed bear amongst multiple smaller ones.

"Are you sure you haven't played these before?" Elizabeth asked, but Jéan refused, saying it was just her being a talented person.

"Don't you know who I am? I'm Jéan Romano."

They had escaped two people who had recognized Jéan as the biggest CEO and wanted to beg for either a job for them or a relative or disturb her with job ideas, which made Jéan and Elizabeth end up in another photo booth but smaller than the first.

Their bodies were squeezed together and Elizabeth could feel Jéan's breath on her forehead and her hand on her lower back. Elizabeth's hands were equally on Jéan's chest and one of Jéan's legs found its way in between Elizabeth's.

This close proximity made her cheeks flush and she hoped the pests were gone so her and Jéan could leave or her racing heart would be heard.

Once the coast was clear, they stepped out and Elizabeth led Jéan to the souvenir shop she had spotted earlier and grabbed two sunglasses and a baseball cap.

"I should have thought twice about bringing you to a public place." Elizabeth had handed her sunglasses and a hat she had bought. "This disguise would hold for now."

"The thrill from running, I enjoyed it." Jéan beamed like a child on Christmas morning. She never felt like a celebrity until that moment.

And now, they're on their way home after the rain dropped a surprise on them. Jéan and Elizabeth had run to the car after Jéan draped her jacket over Elizabeth's head.

They were having fun and were bummed about the abrupt pause in their evening.

"We can do this next weekend before your father's birthday." Jéan had consoled Elizabeth, who had a pout on her face for a while.

When Jéan got to Elizabeth's apartment, she escorted her to the door in an attempt to see her get in safely. But when Elizabeth seemed to be shuffling her purse violently, she asked what was wrong.

"I can't find my key!" Elizabeth wailed and grabbed her hair in both her hands.

It was just 8pm. Jéan wasn't sure if someone would be able to come and help out with the door, especially in the pouring rain, so she did what she thought best.

"Get in the car, you can sleep at my place."

Elizabeth was surprised. Her plan was to call Elena and ask if she could sleep over for the night. She didn't expect Jéan to surprise her with this offer.

"You don't have to do that. I can call a friend-"

"Get in the car, Elizabeth." And Jéan turned around and walked back to the car, waiting for the female to follow her. "I'm not going to repeat myself, Beth."

Elizabeth's eyes widened at the sudden nickname and quietly nodded as she walked back to the car. She felt Jéan used that name to show she wasn't joking and she had no choice but to comply.

"Thank you." She said as Jéan started the car and turned on the heater. They were both still slightly drenched and Jéan didn't want her assistant to catch a cold as her skin was exposed slightly at the shoulders and the slit around her leg.

"Anything for my pretend girlfriend, don't you think so?"