The car behind me honked loudly, startling me. I pushed a limb out from the window and waved apologetically before I cornered the street to the restaurant. I still could not believe what I had agreed to. The whole day felt like a bad fever dream, One I wished I could wake up from quickly. Miles noticed me first when I walked in. One look at my face and his face fell. He then dragged into Dad’s office and left me to fetch our mum. I had less than five minutes to get my shit together. I had good news, I should be happy with the news I carried, I should look excited to deliver my news.
When my mother walked in looking worried, I had gained some form of comportment. A flurry of Italian left her lips as she flooded me with questions.
“It’s okay, mamma.” I told her, soothingly. I gave an account of my journey up to Ethan’s office and finding out there was a younger Ethan on seat, hiding the blush that came to my face when I told her I’d met him before . I sighed in relief when she did not push for more answers on that front.
“His grandfather came in for papers and then he saw the food I’d taken out, so I told him to eat it, it was meant for him anyway,” I was getting to the bad part. “His grandfather joked that I would make a great wife.” Urggh “And then Ethan said that I was his fiancée.” Mum’s face scrunched up and Miles raised a bushy brow.
“Did we miss some part of the story?” Miles asked,
“Not at all. I couldn’t focus for most of the conversation, but after his grandfather left, I asked him what he was on about and so he made a deal with me. He needs to convince his grandfather to retire as the official CEO and his condition was that he would do it, if Ethan had a wife. His deal with me is that I will pretend to be his fiancée for a month, and then get married to him for a year.” Mum swore, shocking I and Miles. She apologized immediately.
“He says, if I do it, he’ll leave Arroyo alone, it’ll still be his but there will be no demolition. What’s more, our restaurant would never have to pay rent here. And I get a hundred thousand at the end of the year we would spend married.“ I finished quickly, my heart rate speeding up. They looked at me, shock written on their faces.
“He must be playing a trick, why you in particular?” mum’s eyes sought mine.”And of course you told him no.”
“No mamma, I said I’d think about it, and I have made my decision. I will do it. It was pure luck that I was in the office when he came up with this plan, mamma we should be glad that it was me.
We can help everyone.”
“I refuse to sell my daughter to a –a-an egomaniac”
“You’re not selling me, it’ll be just a year. The restaurant is safe, Arroyo…we won’t ever have to pay rent!” I glanced at my brother for support. “They’d be enough money for dad’s meds, enough for Miles to go to college.” And me…I could actually do something else with my life. Ethan might have been the devil, but the benefits he was promising was worth making this bargain.
Mom shook her head. “I can’t approve of this, your father will never approve of it.” “Then we won’t tell him.” Miles added grimly.
“You can’t endorse your sister sleeping with this man for the benefits he could provide.” Oh shit, I hadn’t thought about that part.
“I’m not sleeping with him. It’s part of the contract. no …”-I looked at Miles awkwardly-”Sexual activities while in the relationship. Not outside or within.”
Then Ethan had insulted me by saying that he knew not sleeping around was going to be hard for me. He moved on before I could defend my honor. Who assumed someone was a prostitute from spending one night with a person? Ethan, that was who. He made it sound like I had lured him to the room above the club. Like he had not whispered all those dirty words in my ear as he clung to me. I was letting my thoughts run again and worse, in front of my mother.
I blushed and looked away.
“Are you certain?” my mother asked, unsure.
“Yes mamma, I am.” Ethan was a horrible person, I was sure of that. But I believed that I could take his word for it.
* * *
When I showed up to Ethan’s office the next day, I was ushered into his office by his secretary. He eyes flicked over my outfit, a bored expression in place. Today I had opted for wide leg pants with a color matched sweater, and sneakers. Nothing felt better than comfortable body amour, and I needed it if I was going to be dealing with Ethan.
I slipped into the chair opposite him and waited as he pulled out papers from his drawers and dropped them before me.
“Sign them.” He ordered. I did my best to ignore his ruthless stare and began reading through the contract. Everything was just as he had stated the day before, the living arrangements, a statement that he would provide a signed document after our sixth month being married, saying that my community would remain untouched for decades to come, and an NDA with the penalties for violating the NDA.
“Is it to your liking? He sneered.
“I already told my family.” I answered back. the NDA was pointless.
“Then they will all sign NDAs, I need my plan to be airtight.”
“I will not drag my family into this…I’ll sign on their behalf. If they tell, I’ll bear the brunt.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Leave the NDA, I’ll have it updated.”
I signed the papers and slid them across the table. While he crosschecked them, I busied myself with my purse. Satisfied, he put them back in his desk, and tossed a ring at me, which I barely caught. It was weighty and the diamonds around It sparkled as I spun it on my finger.
“Wear that.” I nodded but kept my head down. “And don’t fucking sell it.” Playing pretend with him was going to be near impossible.
We visited Ethan’s family home a week after the contract was signed and tucked away safely. His home was magnificent, it was unbelievable that he had been raised within these very walls.As the butler led my family and I, to where his family waited in the living room. I mentally prepared myself for the task ahead, ignoring my mother’s oohs and aahh’s as we walked. I had four people to deceive; my father, who had insisted on coming even though he needed to be resting, Ethan’s parents and his grandfather. My dad had somewhat accepted that I had been dating Ethan for almost two years with mum’s knowledge, and blessing. I could tell she did not like lying to dad but the situation called for it. Our whole lives were at stake.When we reached the living room, Ethan was the first person I noticed. His hand cradled a glass as he stared intently into the fireplace. My throat dried at the sight of him, he was simply the bestlooking man on earth. Too bad, he was also the most arrogant. His mothe
Dad held his peace until we went through the front door.“This is too much, “ He proclaimed as he marched to the living room, the rest of us following solemnly behind him. We waited in silence as he took his place on his recliner and began struggling with his shoes. Frustrated, He cursed when they remained unyielding. Before Miles could step in, mum was at his side, slipping them off.“A month?! “ He continued, “That is ... absurd -is this what I have been reduced to in my house? My daughter meets a man, dates him in MY restaurant, and I only learn about it a MONTH to her wedding?” his accent came out stronger when he was getting worked up . We needed to makesure he didn’t get more agitated, or a coughing fit would be next.“I didn’t think my relationship with Ethan was serious at first. That’s why I never mentioned it papa.” I looked to my mother for help.“Paolo, you need to calm down. See, this is why I didn’t mention anything about the dating. I know you’ll act like he’s trying t
I was over an hour late. I grabbed a ticket wristband from the main entrance of the theme floral garden, and hurried to the location he’d given me directions to. All around me, beautiful butterflies swarmed, flitting from flower to flower, their colorful wings catching the light from the sun. The garden provided a sense of serenity and comfort. If I knew about this garden when I was vulnerable after my dad’s health issues started, I bet I would have come here, instead of going to the club where I met Ethan. Speak of the devil and there he is, I thought as I meandered through the secluded parts of the Garden. The closer I got to him, the more the sound of activity faded. My heart skipped in my chest when I saw that he was watching me walk towards him. He was focused on every step I took, like he controlled it, I could barely hear the clacking of my shoes above the sound of my heart. He took one last drag of the cigar cradled in between two long dexterous fingers, and moved away from th
I made a mental note to call Grace later as I headed downstairs for coffee. The way our conversation ended felt stilted to say the least and I prayed she didn’t feel offended. It wasn’t a matter of not wanting to spend time with her, far from it. She seemed like a fun, caring person, but it felt off to go dress shopping or cake tasting with a woman I was practically scamming. I bet it would have been so much easier if the rest of Ethan’s family were total douches like him. Plus, this was a job of sorts. I had no intentions of leaving my responsibilities in the restaurant to play family with Ethan, whenever they demanded.Miles came into the living room just as I reached the landing. Together we trudged to the kitchen to begin our routine. Mornings for both of us went like this. I would be down the kitchen around the time he returned from his jog, and we’d seat and catchup, before he would leave to get ready for school, and me, for work. I was glad dad’s illness hadn’t taken that away
Grace Crowe was in my family restaurant.She laughed heartily while cameras clicked behind her. “Oh I got you good! You should see your face.” “Mrs Crowe what a...wonderful surprise.” What are you doing here and why do you have an army of photographers? I thought.“I know right!” she walked to me hands stretched and enveloped me in a hug while I stood, shocked. Cameras clicked again. Our customers wore several expressions of awe, discomfort or confusion. I needed to act before our restaurant was turned into a circus show.“I just thought I would pay you a little visit, since you said you were working, “ she spoke alternating her attention between me and the camera crew. “Her family owns this restaurant. They make one of the best foods in Cali. Absolutely delicious” She kissed her fingers and smiled at the crowd.What was happening?“Mae Ricci, how long have you been seeing Ethan Crowe?” a man with a microphone asked.“Were you having a secret affair with Ethan Crowe while he was datin
“I promise they wouldn’t dare trespass on our property,” Grace continued, when I remained mute.“Alright.” I said defeated. A look of triumph crossed her face.“Let me handle them when we go outside, okay? No need for you to say anything.” I nodded.When we exited the office, I led the way to the kitchen in search of Lisa. I found her kneading sourdough while chatting with Manuel, one of our servers. She stopped, focusing her attention on me when I stopped in front of her.“We’re leaving now. I can’t go home though, because...” I gestured wildly in the direction of the dining area. “I’ll be going with Grace instead. On the off chance that Miles calls the restaurant line before I call him, let him know my plans.”She nodded repeatedly. ”I understand. Please be safe.”That task completed, we headed out.A number of the reporters in the restaurant rushed to their feet when they spotted us. “Miss Ricci...Mrs Crowe!” they started. I forced their voices out of my head.“Sorry you guys.” Gra
I waited by the door of Grace’s walk-in closet while she rooted around for a dress for me. The room was huge, just as or even bigger than my own room. I imagined having all this space for clothes, what a luxury it was.“aha!” Grace exclaimed . In her hand was a collared cashmere dress with a dark spring green color. She dropped it into my hands.“I don’t know why I bought the dress-I guess I just liked it. But then I wore it and well…it wasn’t flattering on my figure -H-cup problems- but I think it’ll look great on you. Small sized girls are always so lucky. And now to your room.”The room we walked into was nothing like I expected, gray began where black ended, whoever designed the room, must have not wanted the joy of light filtering through. I hoped it would look better with the curtains pulled open, A little sunlight always made things better.That thought died in my head when Grace pulled the blinds away. It looked even worse in daylight.“This used to be my son’s room-he’s
I sucked in a sharp breath, his words stir fanning my desire for him. Oh, he had my full attention too.“From now on, I will be at the helm off all your actions. You are not to make move in respect to our arrangement without my explicit approval. I don’t want you having side missions like the one you pulled off today.”That was the kind of attention he meant. I felt a sting of disappointment, and then irritation at myself for feeing that way.“I’ve told you already Ethan I didn’t plan for this.” I answered curtly. To my indignation, he smirked. “Moving forward, what adjustments were you talking about?”God I wished he would back away from me He was so close I could feel the warmth of his body on my skin. I crossed my hands over my breasts, to put an extra barrier between us.“For one, you’re quitting your job. I can’t have my future wife waiting tables, it’s unseemly.”I blocked the word ‘future wife’ from my mind, and focused on the problem. “You can’t make me quit.”“and why