THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE FIANCÉE

I’m really excited… Today my boyfriend is taking me to meet his family, although I’m also feeling a bit nervous because I know they’re well-off and I’m just a university student about to graduate. I have a part-time job at a hospital that only covers the basics, but my boyfriend is really sweet and took me to buy a beautiful red dress; I thought it was a bit daring. But he told me he loved how it looked on me. I hope his family will like me because I’ve been told they’re quite strict; I’ve been dating him for about five months and everything has been wonderful. My boyfriend Javier is studying architecture and I’m studying nursing. We’re both about to graduate. We’re 23. We met at university and we’ve been together ever since, although I won’t deny that we’ve had a few problems because he tends to be a bit of a flirt with other girls. —Today is Grandad’s birthday, and I’m delighted because he’s handing over his position to me—something I’ve been waiting for for years. It’s a relief to know that no one else in the family is interested in the role. That way, we don’t have to compete; they’re happy just to receive their monthly cheque, although this also brings a lot of responsibility, as I must ensure the business doesn’t go bankrupt. I picked up my phone and sent Kiara a message with the address; she’s the one who’ll take me there because my grandfather made it a condition that I introduce my future wife to him today. The good thing is that she knows exactly what’s in store for her; I slept with her just once, but then I proposed a deal that she didn’t hesitate to accept, and I know she’s up to the task of being my wife. I’m nervous because I don’t know if my grandfather will accept my girlfriend. He’s a bit strict when it comes to the people we associate with; I also don’t know if she’ll like high society, as she’s very humble and down-to-earth. The good thing is that I’m the youngest and I don’t have to take on any responsibility. It’s my older brother who’s supposed to take over, but at some point I’ll have to get involved. I don’t dream of marrying her or anything like that, but today I had to come along no matter what; those were our grandfather’s demands. The good thing is that I’m young and have the chance to find a new girlfriend, but my brother has to introduce his future wife today; I hope he’s been lucky with that because he’s never been the type to have girlfriends – he usually takes whoever’s around to bed and then dumps her. We arrived at my grandfather’s house; everything looked fantastic, although he didn’t seem very pleased that I’d come on my own. I’ve been trying to get hold of Kiara for a while now, but she hasn’t answered. I’ve no idea where that bloody woman has got to! —Mate, why are you on your own? Things are going to get ugly if your girl doesn’t turn up! —I’ve no idea what the hell happened to her. This morning she told me she’d got everything sorted, I sent her the address and she confirmed she’d be coming; I just don’t understand what could have happened to her. —Grandad won’t accept any excuses, and you know it. —I know full well I’m in big trouble, but what do you want me to do? And remember, if Kiara doesn’t come, I won’t be the only one affected by this… He might decide to hand the job over to you, or worse still, leave us with nothing. —Bloody hell, if he decides to do that, I won’t be able to graduate. We’ve got to find a solution right now! My phone rings and it’s my girlfriend. Princess! Where are you? —I’ll be there soon, darling. —I’ll be right out to meet you… Bro, I’ve got to go—I’ve got to go and meet my girlfriend. —Is your girlfriend coming? —Yes, Grandad asked me to bring her along because you were bringing a date. —I rang Kiara and the phone went straight to voicemail. That bloody woman isn’t coming! So we’re screwed… Forget about your graduation and all the wonderful plans you had for the rest of your life. No more trips, holidays or unlimited credit cards. "You can't do this to me, Ivan! You've got to sort this mess out right now!" —What do you want me to do? Go out onto the street, take the first woman I come across by the hand, and force her to introduce herself as my fiancée? Remember, Grandad doesn’t want a mere courtship; the woman I introduce today is the one I have to marry and the one who has to give me an heir before the old man dies. You say that because it’s so easy for you: today you introduce one and tomorrow you can introduce another; but not me, and you know how hard it is for me to imagine myself with a woman for the rest of my life, when all I’ve ever done is take them to bed for a couple of hours. —Come with me to the entrance; I’ve got an idea. —I’m going out with my brother to see what he comes up with. Don’t tell me you’re going to ask one of the cleaning ladies—that won’t work; Grandad isn’t stupid, he’ll find us out straight away. —Ha, ha, ha, I’m not an i***t, Ivan! A taxi pulls up and a girl gets out—I reckon she’s his girlfriend. —Hi, Javi, sorry I’m late. —Don’t worry… Please don’t hug me; I need you to help us with something. —What’s up? —I need you to pretend to be my brother’s fiancée. —Are you mad? How can you ask me to do that? —I wouldn’t ask you if it weren’t a matter of life and death. My grandfather is turning 65 and will only hand over the business to my brother if he brings his fiancée along, but she’s left him high and dry. If my grandfather finds out, he’ll throw us out onto the street; I won’t be able to graduate and I won’t have any money for anything. This is my brother Ivan; he’s 29, a head of company and the family heir. It’ll only be for today; then we’ll find a solution. —I understand why you’re worried, but I can’t go in and pretend to be someone else. What will happen after that? —That’s the least of it, darling. Or do you actually want me to end up on the streets? Don’t you care what happens to my future? You know better than anyone the sacrifices I’ve made to get through this degree, and now I might not be able to graduate.