THE PERFECT LIE

CHAPTER 2: Their Lies

Zia was so surprised, that the fan girl in her came out, "Mom, Athena Lorenzana is here!"

Women, either family or guest, approached them and crowded around Jeanne. She knew then that Ace was not really fooling her about his sister and his mother being her fans. And it only seemed that they were not the only two person in that place who were fans or avid followers of her. Almost all the women crowded on them. 

Ace had to protect her from her fans, "Ladies, please behave. We just had a long drive just to be here. Can we just rest for a while before we join all of you?" 

The rest of her fans agreed. She looked at him I the eyes and mouthed a silent – Thank you. 

Jeanne then looked and smiled to his family’s relatives and guests, "Thanks, everyone." 

He kissed her mother's cheek and hugged her tightly upon her arrival. 

Ace introduced Jeanne to his mother and sister. "Jeanne, meet my Mom, Fatima, and my sister, Zia." 

Jeanne paid respect to his mother and his sister, "Good evening." She put her forehead the back of the right palm of his mother and then extended her hand for a handshake to his sister. She was both acknowledged by the two. 

A few housemaids had already gotten their luggage which Ace had already put down. 

Ace and Jeanne were escorted by his mother and sister inside the big manor located at the heart of the ranch. 

Zia asked him again, "How will you stop my pending engagement now? I don't want to marry that guy, Kuya Ace. We will just be introduced to each other tonight." 

Ace said, "I got the money to pay the bank loan." 

Mommy Fatima said, "I still do not think your father will accept your help. You disobeyed his wishes and left, remember?" 

Jeanne then decided to make up a lie to help out, "But we are actually here to tell the family about our engagement. We plan to get married this coming year. Is it allowed in the family to have two weddings in a year?" It was the first time in her life to do such thing. She really felt the need of helping out especially when she felt how desperate his sister was. 

Ace was surprised about the lie Jeanne had come up with. And his father just entered the manor in time to hear about it. 

His father said calmly yet surprisingly happy, "So, you've returned with a fiancée after eleven years." 

Jeanne approached his father and paid him respect by putting her forehead on the back of his right hand, "Good evening, sir." She also did the same with his grandparents who had joined them. 

Lolo Antonio asked as Jeanne returned beside Ace, "Is it true? You are engaged to this beauty queen, hijo." 

He noticed that everyone seemed to be happy about it. He went on with the lie, "Yes, Lolo. Athena Jeanne Lorenzana is my fiancée," he confirmed her lie approaching his grandparents to kiss their forehead.  He still felt awkward around his father so he returned beside Jeanne, put his arm around her waist, and introduced her to them, "Jeanne, meet Dad and Dad's parents, Lolo Antonio and Lola Esmeralda." 

His grandmother said, "Lola Ada will do, hija." 

He informed everyone with pride, "Jeanne is not just a beauty queen. She has a degree in Management Economics from Athenaeum just like me. She also finished culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and owns a restaurant." He even added more for the pretense to work out, "We have not formally announced about our engagement yet because we wanted to keep things private. She also wanted to know my family first before making any announcement. We are not aware that tonight is the engagement announcement of Zia." He addressed his father then, "I also come home to settle the bank loan and save the ranch, Dad. Mom and Zia told me about it. I may not have pursued veterinary medicine but I did train horses and riders privately for competition in order to become a lawyer. My investments in stock exchange made me earn a lot too. I already have my own law office. I got corporate clients and I do earn a lot. You do not have to marry off Zia to a man she doesn't love just to save the ranch. Dad, I am here now. We are family, so please allow  me to help."

"We will talk about those things later. You and your fiancée should clean up and be ready for the dinner outside first," Daddy Elijah replied. 

Mommy Fatima told them, "I already ordered the maids to unpack your luggage in your old bedroom, hijo,” and then told Jeanne, “Hija, your things are in the same bedroom as well. We do not have anymore guestroom available. And since you are already engaged..." 

"It's okay, madam," Jeanne replied but in her mind – Oh, it seems that they believe our lies! Will we really be sharing just one bedroom? This will be very awkward. 

"Feel free to call me Mom, you are basically a member of the family already," his mother was so happy. She even gave Jeanne a very warm hug. 

When they reached the privacy of his bedroom, he asked her calmly, "Why did you lie about our relationship?" 

"Your sister seemed to be so desperate. I can feel her agony.  I am  genuinely sorry if I come up with that lie. I just want to help," she answered apologetically. 

"I know but what will happen once they found out it was not real? I do not want you to be in an awkward situation,” he told her, but also bounced back because he really kind of wanted to tell that her he liked the lie she came up with, “Anyway they seemed to be very happy about that lie you came up with." 

"I am really sorry, I did not mean to complicate the situation," she had genuinely expressed her apology. “I just felt your sister’s agony. Anyway, we can just stage a breakup perhaps.”

But in his mind – No way! I feel so much attracted to you. So no to breakup! Perhaps, I should pursue you for real. I feel so comfortable around you. I have never felt this kind of feeling before with any other ladies that I had been with. I think that I have finally found the one I want to share my entire life with. 

"I know that you mean well. Anyway, your lie seemed to have softened my Dad's heart. Let us just sort  things out when we get back to Maunni," he tried to assure her. "You can use the bathroom now and get ready for dinner. I assume you have a cocktail dress with you."

"Yes," she said. She recalled that she had packed one cocktail dress – a Vera Wang red lace fit and flare dress, just in case she had to need one. She also packed a pair of Prada red high heeled shoes with black bow detail along with a Prada red satin clutch. Most of the clothes she packed were casual ones. The only jewelry she wore was her diamond stud earrings.

He came out of the bedroom with his grey dinner suit and boxers just as Jeanne entered the bathroom in his bedroom.

He went to his grandparents' bedroom. "Can I use your bathroom, Lolo, Lola?"

His grandmother by his father replied, "Yeah, by all means, hijo. By the way, I like your fiancée so much. Other than being beautiful and smart, she is also very sweet and courteous."

His grandfather agreed, "You made a great choice, hijo," and then also asked him,  "But why is  she not wearing an engagement ring yet?"

He made up another lie, "We did not want the media to know about our relationship. We want to keep it private. We agreed that she will just wear an engagement ring once we announced it formally. For now, she wanted to get to know the family first." 

His grandmother handed him an heirloom ring, "Genevieve's engagement ring came from your Lola Zeny. I want Jeanne to have mine." 

He tried to argue, "Lola, I can personally buy her a ring." 

His Lola Esmeralda stood her ground, "I know you can, but I insist!" 

So he had accepted it. He took a quick shower and dressed up for dinner. 

When he returned to his bedroom wearing his Giorgio Armani grey dinner suit, Jeanne was already wearing a red cocktail dress with matching red high heeled shoes and red clutch.

He was really mesmerized by her beauty  –    Before, I could just see you on TV and from afar. You are even more beautiful in person. You are not even wearing any make up right now. I like your natural beauty even more. How can I be so lucky meeting you on my way home? Now, I even have an instant fiancée who is beautiful, educated, respectful and sweet. I really cannot let you go. I will definitely woo you to make our lies turn into realities. 

He could not help but express, "No wonder you won a beauty title! You are very pretty even without makeup. And red suits you very well." 

Her cheeks blushed. She smiled at him and said, "Thanks. So, shall we join the others now?" 

He told her, "Well, we need first to get our stories straight. My grandparents had asked me why you are still not wearing an engagement ring. So, I told them we wanted to keep our relationship very private from the media and that we just agreed that you will wear a ring when we already announce our wedding engagement formally. My Lola Ada insisted you to have this heirloom ring as an engagement ring," he showed her the ring.

"I cannot wear that, Ace," she stated. 

"I know but she insisted. I refused telling her that I can buy you one, but then she really wanted you to have it. My sister-in-law had my Lola Zeny's engagement ring as hers apparently," he explained. 

She suggested then, "Then just keep it. It might come handy anytime,” and reverted their topic to getting their stories straight, “Well, as for our stories, what shall we tell them if they asked when, where, and how did we meet?" 

"The truth! You had a car problem. I helped you out," he offered an answer. 

"But we should make it appear that we met a few years back. We can say we meet prior to me joining the beauty pageant. So that was December 19, 2012, during the opening of my restaurant," she added. 

He was curious and so he inquired, "What is the name of your restaurant?" 

"Restau Lorenzana. I attended its third anniversary celebration this afternoon before I left for Trista City," she imparted. 

"I see. Well I have been to your restaurant oftentimes for client meetings. I did not know that you are its owner  until now. I love the place," he replied truthfully. 

She retorted, "Well, now you know," and then asked him, "So, what about the exact date when we became official boyfriend-girlfriend?" 

"After your reign, perhaps" he suggested. 

She agreed, "Fine. I finished my reign on December 14, 2014. I signed my MGA contract on the 15th. My mom died on the 16th. We can say we become official boyfriend-girlfriend after that. Choose the date." 

He said a random number, "18" 

She stated, "Then December 18, 2014 it is!" And then she asked, "And when did you actually propose?" 

"During our first year anniversary," he smiled. "So that was just yesterday." 

She smiled back, "Perfect!" 

They still ironed out some details regarding their stories. 

"Are you nervous," he asked her when they felt it was already time to come out and join the others. 

"Just a little," she replied truthfully and then decided to ask him, "Do you think your father will cancel Zia's wedding engagement?" 

He said honestly, "I have no idea. I have not met the guy that Dad wants Zia to marry. I have not met his family as well." 

She commented, "Well, let us not judge the guy and his family without knowing them first." 

He agreed, "Yeah, let us just hope for the best. I wouldn't want my sister marrying a man she does not love. I will not mind having a misunderstanding with Dad again just to save her from a loveless marriage." 

"How I wish I also have a protective brother," she remarked. "I am the eldest among Dad's offspring. Pete is few months younger than me while Faye is two years younger than me. I am just close to Pete. Faye and I are not close. I think she even sees me as an adversary that is why she tried to be close to Joshua Madrigal. What she did not know is that nothing is going on between Joshua Madrigal and me. We are just onscreen partners. No more, no less. I definitely do not like the guy. He is very arrogant."

In his mind – That is perfect! Good thing I will not  be breaking any relationship in my decision to pursue you

He then reverted to their topic by asking her, "How old are you, by the way?" 

She answered, "I will be 26 years old this coming Valentine's Day. What about you?"

He replied, "I just turned 30 last November 2." 

She asked, "So how old were you when you won the Olympics?" 

His answer was, "Eighteen. That was in August 2004. After one semester of Management Economics in Athenaeum, I had to file for a leave of absence for two consecutive semesters in preparation for the Olympics. After the Olympics, Dad asked me to transfer to a university in Australia for veterinary medicine. I didn't agree, so I packed my things with my winnings and savings, went back to Athenaeum for the second semester and enrolled the courses I was supposed to enroll the previous year. After finishing Management Economics in 2008, I pursued the Juris Doctor Program for another four years. It already included review classes and track electives on International Corporate and Business Law which is equivalent to one semester of their LL.M. Program. I graduated in March 2012, bought my SUV afterwards, took the bar in October 2012, and then the results came out in March 2013. At the same time, I also finished my masters. I established ACEE Stock Trading and Law Office in April 2013." 

She felt very curious so she asked, "How were you able to support yourself? Where did you live?" 

He modestly narrated, "I became a millionaire when I won a gold medal in the Olympics. After I ran away from home, I rented a small room in a not so cozy boarding house near Athenaeum. After finishing Management Economics, I engaged myself on online stock trading. I earned more. I also started training young riders and their horses. I did them while pursuing law. I saved my money on several bank accounts in different large banking companies. I also had some portfolio investments. I also have preferred stocks on some of the largest multinational corporations in the world which earn annual dividends. And up to now, I am still engaged in online stock trading. I only left that small room I was renting and moved into my condo unit when I started my law practice. I opted for a not so cozy life. It just changed when I already become a lawyer. I did stay often in my law office. I slept, bathed, and worked there most of the time." 

She reacted, "Stock exchange was the field I never tried to enter even if I acquired knowledge about it in our courses in Management Economics. Well, we really need to know each other better if we want to live up with this lie while we are here." 

He asked straight forward, "Any ex-boyfriend before?" 

She answered with blushing cheeks, "None." 

He was surprised, "Really?! But you are so pretty! How come?" 

"Perhaps I just have not met the right man," she stated then asked, "And you, how many ex-girlfriends?" 

"I did not enter in any serious relationship but I did have quite a number of flings, one-night stands, and friendship-with-benefits affairs. Some of them were with showbiz personalities," he told her in all honesty. "So are you ready now?" 

"I think so," she replied thriftily. But in her mind – I really appreciated your honesty. You seem to be an open book, not hiding anything. Back when I was still studying at Athenaeum, I had heard so many rumors of you being a playboy. But I am not the type of person who easily judges someone just based on the stories that could be read on the papers or in the internet. 

He offered his right arm for her to hold on to as they walked toward the door. 

She then silently told herself – This is it, Jeanne. You agreed to come here as his friend and then you ended up lying to his family as his fiancée just to help out his sister. You should put your acting skills into use. It is difficult fooling these people, who all seem to be very good to you but just think of it as helping Ace, or more so helping her sister, who really seems to be so dear to him. But you must admit. You really like him, Jeanne. Right? You felt his sincerity when he offered his help. He is not just handsome, well-educated and perfectly fit but also a perfect gentleman to you. So, you were not able to say to his very charming personality anymore.