The CEO's Pretend Lover

Six: "Private love affair"

Jéan sat in her car right in front of Elizabeth's studio apartment, trying to gather the courage to face this date head-on.

She had sent the driver home as she decided she'd do most of the driving today. Well, it was her brother that suggested it because it would seem awkward if the driver was escorting them on personal affairs.

"But James always drives us to meetings. What's the difference?" Jean stared at her brother and he shook his head.

"Those were meetings. This is a private love affair that needs no third party."

Jéan can only see she'd be tired from driving all day, considering whatever Elizabeth picks as an activity after their lunch isn't too demanding.

Staring at the bouquet on the passenger seat, she sent a text to Elizabeth, notifying her that she was downstairs. Grabbing the flowers, she stepped out of the car and stood in front of the door as she waited for the female to come out.

"Bring her flowers. Girls love when their love interest does that."

After a minute of waiting, Elizabeth opened her door and stepped out, making sure to lock the door before turning around and smiling at her boss.

Jéan had to admit, Elizabeth looked different today. She didn't know what it was that was different, but it definitely wasn't the make-up. Was it the way she styled her hair that exposed her neck? Was it the flower-print cotton frilled gown that exposed her shoulders, but just enough to grace her cleavage? Was it the slit on the dress that exposed her lap as the wind moved?

Jéan had never seen Elizabeth this way, she was more in office wear and always looked professional, seeing this female was like a dream.

Was it safe to say that she was drawn in to her fair skin? Did she need to see this woman in more casual clothes?

Elizabeth watched how her boss scanned her like a mystery. She wanted to look good for this date and hoped what she wore was just enough. She didn't want to over-dress and, at the same time, didn't want to be under-dressed.

After minutes of indecisiveness, she pulled out the gown she was gifted on her 23rd birthday from Derek and decided to pair it with kitten heels.

She expected Jéan to dress like the way she was the day she waited for her at the airport but she was very satisfied with what Jéan wore. Jéan looked so good in her black, loose-fitting slacks and black shirt which exposed the tattoos she grew to love. It seemed she was holding her suit jacket in one hand and...was that flowers she saw?

"Hi. Did I keep you waiting?" Elizabeth smiled at Jéan, who still stared at the female like she was caught in a trance.

"Jéan?" Elizabeth clapped slightly and Jéan's eyes left her chest and trailed up her face. Coughing slightly, she handed the female the flowers in her hand.

"Uhm, these are for you."

Elizabeth's smile grew bigger and she inhaled the yellow petals. "They're pretty. How did you know I loved daffodils?"

"I saw some at your desk back at the office." Jéan replied, then gestured towards the car parked. "Shall we?"

"Wait, let me put these in a vase. I'll be right back." The female spun on her feet and unlocked her door once again before running inside.

After putting the flowers in an empty vase by her window and filling it with water, she went back outside and Jéan grabbed her hands before pulling her towards the car.

Just as Elizabeth expected, Jéan opened the door for her and told her to go in. It seemed her plans of teaching Jéan how to be romantic weren't needed today. Jéan seemed to be doing a good job. It made Elizabeth wonder if Jéan had actually been in love with someone before.

Once Jéan got into the driver's seat and pulled away from the curb, Elizabeth glanced over at her boss and watched as her hands moved freely on the steering wheel. She had never seen Jéan drive because James was always taking them to places. This was new to see and she wished she could take a picture.

"You're staring so much Elizabeth, we see each other everyday." Jéan interrupted her thoughts and she quickly looked away with flushed cheeks. She couldn't believe she was caught staring.

"Ah, you just look different. Pardon me if I was rude."

Jéan let out a chuckle as she shook her head. "I understand. I felt the same way when you walked out of your house."

The ride was quiet, both women didn't know what to say. As for Elizabeth, she was tense considering she brought up the idea of going on a date. What should she say? How could she act?

Jéan finally pulled up in front of the restaurant she reserved and Elizabeth quickly jumped out without waiting for Jéan to open the door for her.

It was then she realized Jéan had taken them to her brother's restaurant, the famous I Tuoi Gusti, which had great reviews and plenty of customers.

"Wow, I've never eaten here before. I have only heard about it from the internet." Elizabeth gushed in amazement.

"And to not make you uncomfortable, my brother reserved the entire first floor specifically for us." Jéan said behind her before placing a hand on Elizabeth's lower back and guiding her inside.

Of course, people recognized the CEO of Romano and Romano Corp and began to whisper as one of the attendants guided them to their privately reserved space.

"Was coming here a good idea?" Elizabeth cowered under the gaze of the people present. She'd always been seen by the CEO as a personal assistant, but right now, she didn't know how people saw her.

And the funniest part is that she was concerned about the reputation of Jéan and what news would spread by the end of the day.

"Sit, Elizabeth. Today is just for us two." Jéan pulled the empty seat for the woman who stood perplexed at the words she had just heard.

Blushing as she took a seat, Elizabeth felt she wasn't going to get used to this new aura of Jéan. As Jéan settled in and the waiter brought them a menu, Elizabeth gaped at the prices.

Chuckling to herself, Jéan scanned the menu for something she hadn't tried since she'd been coming here. "I will have the grilled fish and artichoke caponata. Also, add a Hartford Family Winery to that."

Elizabeth was still having difficulty choosing what to eat. Her eyes scanned the menu and re-scanned. She looked up to Jéan for help and her boss nodded.

"She'll have pasta carbonara." Jean handed the menus to the waiter and he bowed before walking off with their requests.

The duo sat in silence, Jéan stared right at Elizabeth as the woman kept glancing around.

"Do you know that waiting for the waiter makes us waiters too?" Elizabeth blurted out suddenly and laughed slightly. When she saw that Jéan didn't show any reaction, her lips glued together and she fiddled with her fingers.

Jéan, whose mind was deciphering the statement her assistant made so slowly, suddenly got the idea. "That was a smart joke."

And there was silence again. Jéan felt she had to try and break the ice like Elizabeth tried to do. She remembered her brother telling her to ask simple questions and keep a conversation between them.

"Elizabeth?" Jéan called out. She remembered most of the questions she searched for online but she felt strange. She wasn't meant to be this way, she'd been with Elizabeth for years.

"Yes Jéan?"

"Let's get to know each other, shall we?" Jéan flashed her whites at the female in front of her. This was going to be a long day, she might as well get on with it.