9. Elizabeth
Putting together the snacks I had gotten on my way home into a bowl, I picked out a movie for us to watch, and right at that moment, I heard the bell ring, indicating that Lydia had arrived.
I rushed over to the door to let Lydia in. Don’t blame my excitement; it had been a while since we had one of our nights together, and considering the kind of day I’d had with her brother, I sure needed this night more than ever.
“Come on in!”
“I was going to break in if I didn’t get any response in the next minute,” Lydia teased as she walked in, carrying a bag of snacks, I presumed.
Of course, Lydia would show up with the expensive snacks. I had told her not to worry about bringing anything, but I knew she was never going to listen.
“I thought we agreed you won’t buy anything.”
“Girl, these chocolates and cookies are to die for! You just have to have them.”
“All right, if you say so,” I said, accepting what she said. There was no point arguing over chocolates. They were here already.
“So, what are we watching?”
“I felt we could do a rerun of Pretty Little Liars. What do you think?”
“Sounds okay with me.”
On that note, we set out Lydia’s snacks on a tray before settling into the warm padded nest I had made in the center of my living room.
“So before we start the movie, how did it go at Will’s place?” Lydia asked, steering the conversation toward Will.
“Oh, I was getting to that! Your brother, oh my god, he is so infuriating! I’m sorry. I know he is your brother, but I just have to be honest—he has to be the most annoying person I have ever met. How are you even related again?”
“I ask myself the same question all the time, but tell me what happened? I thought you were there for the loan. How come you got to meet him?” Lydia asked, curious as to how she got into his office in the first place—of course, while still feigning ignorance and hiding the fact that Will had called her.
“Well, I might have missed directions and ended up in the wrong office. It just so happens it was his office, and you would not even believe what he did the moment I got in.”
“What?”
“He introduced me as his fiancée! Can you imagine? His fiancée! To a client, in order to seal a deal they were working on.”
“Well? What did you do?”
“Of course, I remained mute. I didn’t want to ruin his chances at sealing a contract, but that’s not even the problem. The issue is he asked me to be in a fake relationship—or rather a fake marriage—with him.”
“What was his offer?” Lydia asked.
“His offer was . . . hold on, wait a second . . .” I paused in my story as I realized something wasn’t right. “How come you aren’t surprised at Will asking me to marry him for pretense?”
Lydia let out an awkward cough, realizing she had just blown cover. “Well, he sorta might have called me and told me about the situation you both had.”
“I have no words.” I shook my head, not even the least surprised. I mean, they were siblings, after all. No matter how much siblings annoy each other, one can never separate the bond they share.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to hear your own side of the story.”
“And then what? Convince me to agree to his plans?” I said sarcastically, knowing Lydia would never ask me to agree to his bizarre ideas.
Well, not until I looked her in the face and realized I was wrong. Her facial expression told me all that I needed to know.
“No, you must be joking, Lydia. You can’t possibly be in support of him!”
“Just hold on a second, Liz. How about we look at the positive sides of this?”
“And the negatives!” I added almost immediately.
“Would you just give me a moment, please? Just listen to what I have to say.”
I looked at Lydia and decided to give her an open ear—at least to consider what offer she might have. Besides, it was Lydia. There was no way I could refuse her. “All right, I’m all ears.”
“Look, I know, and I agree that my brother could be difficult sometimes, but I would like for you to consider what you stand to benefit here.”
“Which is?” I asked.
“He is offering to sponsor your business with huge funds and assign certain business professionals to help you manage the brand. Also, being his fiancée—or rather fake fiancée—means you would get to meet lots of rich people. Your target market. You would also gain the right exposure as well. If you ask me, it is a good deal. All for pretending to be his fiancée, and you don’t have to do much. All you have to do is pretend you’re engaged.”
I mulled over everything Lydia said, and she did have a point, but then, at the same time, what would happen after the charade was over?
“What if word gets out that it was all a charade.”
“Never. Remember that it’s just between the three of us.”
I let out a sigh, still not fully convinced. While the benefits seemed enticing, the idea of lying to many people gave me pause, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.
“I don’t know, Lydia. This is your brother. You know how he is.”
“Would I ask you to do something that would harm you?” Lydia asked, and I nodded no.
“I always have your best interest at heart, and to be honest, Will does need your help. The rumors going around about him are not suiting, and it is gradually taking a toll on his business and our family business as well. Please, Liz, just do this for me.”
“Now, when you say it like that, you leave me with no choice,” I responded as I looked at her.
Lydia had always been there for me through thick and thin! If this was something I could do to repay, then I would. Despite my reservations, I knew I had to help my girl out.
“All right, I’ll do it, and only because you asked. Not because I want to help Will.”
“Oh my! Thank you very much! I promise you, you won’t regret it.”
“I better not!” I said as I allowed her to embrace me. Seeing the smile on her face was enough to fill me up, but I could not shake the feeling of uncertainty about whether I was making the right choice.
“I’ll inform Will right away, and you both can schedule a meeting to talk about your individual terms and conditions. Is that okay?”
“Of course,” I responded plainly as I helped myself to one of the treats Lydia had brought over.
If I was sacrificing this much, then at least I could treat myself to a nice chocolate bar. As I munched on the very satisfying bar, I kept hoping within myself that I was taking the right step.
Oh God.
***
As I walked into the restaurant to meet Will, a part of me began mentally calculating the amount in my bank account, just in case I needed to pay for anything.
It was clear that I could not afford a meal in this place. The exterior alone was intimidating for those who were broke. They obviously achieved their aim with that one.
Just don’t order anything, Elizabeth! I spoke to myself, giving myself the very much-needed pep talk before proceeding inside.
As I spoke with the receptionist, providing my name and Will’s name for the reservation, her demeanor immediately changed upon hearing his name. In less than a second, she called for a waiter to escort me to his table.
I guess they really were particular about wealth and class.
As we approached his table, I noticed him sitting confidently, engrossed in his phone with an air of elegance, not even caring about his surroundings.
“Here we are, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” I said to the waiter before dismissing him politely.
I stood near the table, hoping that he was going to notice that I was there. But nothing.
Really? Is this the guy I would have to do all this with? It could have been anybody! Anybody but Will!
Taking in a deep breath, I let out a loud cough, enough for him to know I had arrived.
“What? Oh, it’s you.” Will immediately corrected himself the moment he saw who it was. “Glad to have you join me. Please, have a seat.”
“I thought you would never have to ask,” Elizabeth responded, making sure to highlight her displeasure. She wanted him to know she wasn’t pleased to be with him.
“Thank you for agreeing to do this.” I could tell Will was just saying it out of courtesy, but at least he was grateful.
I remained silent as I stylishly looked through the menu to prepare myself ahead in case we were going to have to order something.
“I already informed my finance manager to double the loan offered to your business as a gift rather than a loan. So you don’t have to worry about paying me back. I have also spoken to a few professionals in the fashion industry, and they will be reaching out to you soon to schedule a meeting.”
I paused with the menu as I listened to all Will was saying, impressed at every step.
“Wow, I don’t . . . I don’t know what to say. Thank you,” I said, short of words for how to express my gratitude.
“Of course. So what would you like to eat? Before we go straight into business for tonight.”
I looked at the menu properly now, and I knew it was a no-go area for me.
“Umm, I think I’m fine. Not sure I can even afford anything here,” I whispered the last part to myself, but of course, he heard me.
How embarrassing.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of the bill,” Will said, raising his hand to signal for a waiter.
I watched as he said a few words to the waiter, placing an order for both of us. I checked the meal he ordered from the menu, and it was the most expensive one listed. In shock, I swallowed the lump that seemed to have formed in my throat.
“You didn’t have to.”
“Of course I do. Their signature meal is the only good thing in this restaurant.”
Of course, he frequents here, I said to myself as I smiled.
This must be what it is like to be a billionaire. Spending a few thousand on a meal is nothing to him. Give me that amount, and my house will be filled with groceries for two months.
“All right, let’s get right to it. I will start with my own rules.”
“Okay.” I was curious to know what his terms were and what he wanted out of this charade we were about to play.
“My rules are simple. One, you are to come with me to every social gathering and public event that requires your attention. That means there is never room for no unless you’re sick, of course, or in a case of emergency. Two, wherever you go, remember your new identity as my fiancée. That means you can’t be found somewhere acting out of line or character. Three, of course, you can’t be seen dating any other person. That would be bad for both of us, but especially you. Four, you can’t tell a single soul that it is all a charade. Have I made myself clear?”
I nodded in affirmation, not like I had anything to counter his requests. Besides, it seemed as though he had already made up his mind on what he wanted.
“All right then, you can proceed,” he said.
“Well, um . . .” I hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I would appreciate it if we refrain from any public display of affection.”
“Of course. You don’t have to worry about that. I don’t have intentions of going that lane with you, so we are good,” Will said in a manner that got me offended.
Don’t get me wrong—I like the fact that he agreed to my request, but the manner in which he put it made it seem like he could never go that route with me—as if I were beneath his class for him to engage in such activities with me.
Just ignore him, I told myself as I faced the plate of food that had been placed in front of me a moment ago.
“Also, we might have to work on your appearance. I can’t have my fiancée dressed in some . . . you know, that.” Will motioned his hands toward my outfit with his nose scrunched up.
“Excuse you?”
“My apologies. No offense, Elizabeth, but you’re going to be mingling with people who are celebrities and stinking rich. Trust me, you do not want to be found wearing a plain dress while they brag about their designer outfits. Don’t worry, I’ll speak with Lydia. She knows what to do.”
I felt heat rise to my face out of embarrassment. God knows the only reason I was doing this was because of Lydia. Who cares about all his money and his offers? I have always believed that money without character is useless. Clearly, Will lacked character.
Ignoring everything else he said, I focused on the meal in front of me and began to dig into what Will called their signature meal. To be honest, even I could have made a better meal.
I made little or no contribution as Will kept talking about things that made no sense to me.
Once we were done with dinner, I was eager to leave. Well, not before he insisted on exchanging contacts.
At least, I was glad he did not comment on my phone, considering his plan was to completely transform me into a woman I was not, just to fit his taste.
Oh, Elizabeth, are you sure this is not a mistake?