Mr. Rich Boy's Pretend Girlfriend

Prologue "Mom," I whined into the phone, gently placing it at my left ear and holding it with my shoulder. I continued to sweep, stealthily looking around to see if my boss wasn't watching. He had a strict no-phone rule during work, and if he caught me, I was so doomed. Since the coast was clear, I spoke into the phone. "What is it mom? If it's about the mon-" "The letter arrived today, honey." My mom spoke over me. "It's here. Right in my hands." Instantly, I tensed. My task completely forgotten, I stuttered. "I-It is?" "Yes, dear. It is." Oh my God. I couldn't believe it. The fact that Silverstone Academy had graced me with a reply. But it was so soon. That letter was due four days. Why was it here so early? Oh my God, what if they didn't accept me? What if- "Honey," My mom's voice broke through the phone. I had forgot that I was still talking to her. "Are you still there?" She asked. "Yes, yes I'm." I replied shakily. "Mom, why is it so early? Its arrival was due four days away." "In all honesty, I can't say. I too, was completely surprised when I found it in the mail." "Do you think it’s because I was rejected? Is that why it arrived so early?" "I don't know dear." my mom replied. She wasn't showing it, but I could tell she was anxious as I was. "Do you want me to open it?" "No." I said, a bit too loud and hurriedly. In a calmer voice, I spoke into the phone again. "No, it's much better if we open the letter together, when I get home." "Are you sure?" "Yes. I'm sure." "Fine, honey. I'll leave you to your work. See you at home." "Bye mom." The phone clicked. Taking in a deep breath and then letting it out, I tucked the phone back into the back pockets of my jeans, then continued to work. Whatever was in the letter, I had to prepare myself, and accept the outcomes as they were. 〰 "Thank you so much, Ellie. I really do owe you one." Dolores thanked me as she hurriedly tied her apron around herself, taking over into her shift. It was thirty minutes past nine, and even though my shift had already ended, Dolores had asked me to fill in for her. I didn't want to because of the letter, but she was a single mother, and if I didn't fill in for her, she could lose her job. So I had agreed. What was thirty minutes more anyway? Turns out, it was a half an hour of weariness as the orders kept on coming in. It was all worth it though with how grateful she looked. "I truly understand. There's nothing to thank me for." I smiled back at her, untying my apron and getting ready to leave. "You sure are such an angel, Ellie." She praised, making me flush blissfully. "Thank you, Dolores." "I'll be sure to return the favor. Please say hi to your mom for me when you get home. And please, do get there safely." "I will." I assured her. "Alright. Gotta catch up on work." With that, she whisked away, tray perfectly balanced in the air. Grabbing my purse, I aimed for the door. It was time to go home. 〰 "Ellie" My baby brother Elliot yelled, getting off his chair and running into my arms. Setting down the pox of pizza I had come with, I spread my arms, then caught him as he flew into my arms. "Hello, munchkin." I greeted him, wrapping my arms around him his did the same, wrapping his five old arms around my neck. Sitting down by the door, I placed him on my lap. "How was your day?" "Today, Ms. April took us outside. I saw a squirrel, an egret and a sparrow." He spoke with eagerness, his blue eyes, the same color as mine, widening as he named off each animal and bird. "Really? That's cool. Which animal did you like the most?" "I liked the squirrel." Elliot said, but then he was frowning as he finished. "But then I don't think he liked me back because as soon as he saw me, he run away." "Do you think he didn't like me?" He turned his big blue eyes on me. They were glassy with tears, and I knew I had to tread carefully. "Well, let's see." I made a thinking face, rubbing my chin with my thumb and forefinger. Acting as if an idea had struck me, I said to him. "Well, I think that was a spy squirrel." "Spy squirrel?" He asked his eyes widening some more. I could see his pupils twirling with excitement. I chuckled inwardly. "Yes. A spy squirrel.” I continued with my made up story. He was searching for the best place and tree to build a nest for his family. " I looked at him, noticing that he was hanging onto each word. I continued with my made story. "So when he saw you, he had to run away and hide. Do you want to know why?" Elliot shook his head eagerly. "It's because his family has to feel protected. If his family finds out that somebody saw him, they'll leave him. And we don't want the squirrel's family to leave him. Do we?" He shook his head no. I nodded too, inwardly satisfied. "But what if I what to see the squirrel?" Elliot suddenly asked. I was momentarily caught off guard, but then I replied. "You have to watch him secretly. So he doesn't feel afraid and run away. " "Really?" he asked, those big eyes filled with hope. I felt my smile soften. "Yes. So next time, be careful not to scare him. Just watch the squirrel secretly." "Okay." He nodded, satisfied. I sighed out in relief. "Good boy. Now, let's go have dinner. I brought pizza." He rose from my lap, and ran back to our mother. "Mom, Ellie brought some pizza. I don't have to eat those disgusting peas." "Peas are not disgusting, Elliot." My mom retorted. I couldn't help laugh at this. Elliot hated peas and when I realized mom had cooked them for dinner, I had decided to bring pizza as a backup. I know, I was supposed to encourage him to eat the peas, but the little guy was my weakness. Deciding to go join my mom and help her for dinner, I walked deeper into the house. An hour later, I was stuffed full with food and the dishes were done. Mom hand already put Elliot to sleep, and we both were pretending to watch the news, but our anxiety and nervousness hung in the air. Suddenly wheeling herself away, my mom can to a stop in her wheel chair before me. "We can't wait any longer Ellie. It's the inevitable." "I'm just scared. I don't know if I got accepted. What if. . ." I did not let that thought happen. Taking my hand in hers, she said, "Whatever happens, I'm with you. I'll be here to support you every step of the way. Okay?" "Okay." Taking in a deep breath, I asked my mom to pass me the envelope. She wheeled away, picking it from one of the shelves. "Here. Now open it." My anxiety levels spiked up, making my hands shake a little. Nevertheless, I still clutched onto the envelope, cutting through the seal. I reached in for the neatly folded sheet of paper, one that was to decide my fate. My eyes skimmed through every word, soaking up the dried ink printed on the paper. With disbelief, I let the paper slide through my fingers. My eyes watered, and I gazed at my mom in shock. "What's wrong honey?" When I only stared at her, she urged on, gripping my hands in hers. They were shaking. "Ellie, say something?" "I got in, mom." I sobbed. "I actually got in." "I got in." I whispered the words again, hardly believing it.