The Alpha's Pretend-Boyfriend

The Lie (cont.)

“Okay, so how did we meet again?”

“I came to Hestia’s as a customer 5 months ago, and we’ve been dating since then,” Louie replied in all seriousness.

Dane nodded and checked the paper he was holding. “When do we usually go on dates?”

“On Saturday evenings until Monday mornings.”

“Where do we usually go on dates?” Dane raised an eyebrow.

“At our respective apartments because we like to stay in, and the park near that diner in midtown… uh, what was it called? Pancakes?”

“Waffles, but that was close enough,” Dane chuckled, handing the piece of paper back to Louie. “Here’s your copy, but you really don’t need to memorize all of them, you know? I’m already asking a lot from you by making you pretend to be something you’re not.”

Louie took the paper and neatly folded it. They had been sitting in the car for the past 5 minutes, parked right outside of Louie’s apartment. After Dane talked about his family, Louie urged him to jot the important specific details about his parents and sister on a piece of paper, just in case he forgets. Then, he persuaded Dane to also write down the details of their fake relationship, which included how, where and when they “met,” how they were “dating,” and how they were bound to “end.”

“Two months tops, right?” Louie clarified. “After two months, you’ll tell your parents we broke up amicably?”

“Yes, but Louie,” Dane said, “are you sure there’s nothing more I can do for you in return? Two months is still a pretty big deal.”

“We already agreed that you’d just give me a ride to and from work,” Louie pointed at that section in the paper—the part that Dane had earlier tried to contest. “Aside from that, you’re supposed to treat me like a normal employee, remember?”

“If that’s really what you want,” Dane sighed. “By the way, do you have anything to do tomorrow?”

“None,” Louie answered a bit too quickly. “Why do you ask?”

“I just realized we don’t have photos together, and my parents sometimes drop by my place. It would be weird if we’d been dating for 5 months and not have physical proof of it, right?” Dane asked. “I think you should also leave a few clothes in my apartment, just to show off.”

“I, uh, I can give you photos? I think I have some from my job applications,” Louie said as he began going through his backpack.

“Not like that,” Dane chuckled. “We should take some tomorrow, if you don’t mind. We can actually go to the Waffles diner to eat, and then walk along the park in midtown. Sunday’s the best day to go there, you know, since they often hold events,” he said, sounding embarrassed and a bit too desperate. “What do you say?”

“Sure,” Louie answered so easily. “That way we can get to know each other more as well—what we like and dislike, just in case your parents ever ask. But I should, um, get going now. It’s getting late.”

“Oh, right! Right!” Dane nodded. He was about to get out of the car to open Louie’s door when he remembered how the human didn’t like him doing such things. “Uh, good night, then. I’ll pick you up tomorrow around 3 in the afternoon. Does that sound good?” he settled on saying.

“Yeah, that sounds great,” Louie said as he opened the door and stepped out. “It’s a date, then—well, I mean, a non-date or like, a friendly date,” he stammered, until he gave up, just shook his head and chuckled at his own awkwardness. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dane. Good night,” he concluded, closing the door. From where he stood, he could see the werewolf smiling as well as he did a small wave with his hand before driving off. Louie sighed and watched as the car disappeared as it turned at the end of the road, then he went up to his apartment.

***

Louie had been on dates before in his 27 years of living. Only those dates were mostly with humans, and on the rare occasions he did get asked out by non-human folk, he would always figure out later on that they only did so out of curiosity. Humans are quite rare after all, even though they were said to be the “most fragile” and “plain” out of everyone else.

Louie had never been in a proper relationship, nor had he been on a real romantic date. “And,” he sadly thought, “even this is not a real romantic date.” He had long come to the conclusion that he just wasn’t destined to end up with anyone, and that was alright. At least this time, he was helping someone by giving them the opportunity to eventually find love and avoid getting arranged to be married—even if that meant he had to lie; an act which he found to be difficult to gloss over. What only consoled him was the fact that they agreed for this to be over after two months, and at least Dane wouldn’t have to force the ultimatum his father forced unto him.

Louie forced a smiled at his reflection in the mirror as he stood there in one of his 3 good shirts, and decided to place more product into his hair. Even if this technically wasn’t a real date, he still had to look good for the pictures they were about to take. He took a look at the clock in the living room just as he received a text message. It was Dane who sent him the message, saying that he was waiting outside. Right on time, Louie thought, taking a courageous deep breath before getting his bag and walking out the door.