Chapter 5-Forming a love backstory
Jonathan's POV…
"I won't live in your house with you" She said and folded her hands across her chest.
Why wouldn't you?" I asked in frustration. Richard had called her back when she left.
He must have seen that my pride wanted to get in the way of my reasoning, now he took the hint to call her back. Now, here we are discussing rules and don'ts and she's being such a nut job and hard person.
"That's the point of this entire deal” I sighed. “We have to appear as a couple in public"
"We have to live together under the same roof, if that makes sense to you" I concluded.
"I'm not letting you...
"I'm not arguing with you. Listen, if we want this to work, then we have to be compatible. We should learn to accommodate each other. Look past each other's flaws and not argue at the slightest provocation"
“That sounds strange and ironic coming from you, considering the fact that you were acting like a total jerk earlier. Asking me to get out, acting like this don't matter to you and now you're telling me to look past your flaws and not to argue”
She looked at me with raised brows. “You're indeed as Lena described”
I didn't say anything to her. I wasn't ready for another fit of arguing. She was good at it and besides, I had a board meeting very soon.
Richard gave me the contract and I handed it over to her. She signed the papers after scrutinizing and reading everything clearly. She was a model who signed contracts and deals all the time. She obviously should ensure there are no loopholes in contracts.
"With that done, the next thing should be an engagement party right?" I asked Richard.
We had drafted how this plan would go. The step by step actions to be taken until our names were cleared.
Richard looked at the book and then back at me.
"Yes....Um...But before that, you need to plan a story. A backstory of how you both met because you'll be pressed with such questions by the paparazzi” Richard said.
“That won't be a problem, since I already got one,” I offered.
“If that story of yours has to do with me falling for you and chasing after you, then you'd better change it” Audrey said as she looked blankly at me.
I ignored her.
“We can say that I met her at the…”
“We met at a gala in France,” she interrupted. “Let's start with that”
I swallowed the fact that she rudely interrupted me. “Why France?” I frowned.
“That's the country I visit the most, mainly for galas and vacations” she explained.
“Okay, we met at a gala in France. We ran into each other and she was awed and excited to have met me, Jonathan Ryder. Knowing it was rare to meet me, she introduced herself and asked me out…”
“You're an idiot and you're crazy. I, Audrey Willows, awed and excited to have met you and asked you out. Who exactly do you think you are that I'll throw myself at you?”
“You know what, I'm going to paint this story my own way. A way it favours both parties” she said.
“Let's just skip this backstory part and head on to the next thing. When we're posed with such a question, we'd sort ourselves and figure out what to say” I said.
“That doesn't seem like a good idea, but okay,” the other guy said.
“What if we say different things, we would give ourselves away? It's really important we form that backstory and I have the perfect idea” Audrey suggested.
“I met him at a gala in France. I was admiring a painting.
I didn't know he was admiring the painting as well from behind me.
I turned to go and I nearly tripped. He broke my fall as I looked into his eyes, I felt myself enter a wonderland.
His eyes drew me in. I apologised and he asked me if I was alright.
What really made me admire him the most was the fact that regardless of his wealth and everything he's built, he was caring and loving. Instantly, I fell for him and on our subsequent dates, I fell harder”
She looked at Richard and I. “That's a good backstory and this is how I'll respond if I'm asked”
“From your story, I'd be able to form mine” I replied.
“Now, according to the contract, although you must have gone through it, I'd take the pleasure to say it” I picked the paper and read to her.
“Party A and party B are to appear as a loving and sweet couple in public. They are to share intimate moments in public…”
“Intimate just like holding hands and hugging, nothing more” Audrey asked just to be sure.
“Yes, just that. Nothing extreme” I said with gritted teeth.
“But you can kiss in public, that's if it is required” Richard said.
I looked at Audrey but she didn't look back.
“What kind of required?” I asked Richard. I knew already, but didn't want to admit it.
“On some occasions, it could be necessary for you both to kiss once in a while in public to make them believe you're actually in love and also, they could ask you two to kiss”
“I hope it doesn't get to that,” Audrey said.
“But no intimacy behind closed doors,” I added. “The paparazzi wouldn't be watching us, so there'd be no need for an intimacy”
“Huh,” she scoffed. “Don't flatter yourself. You're not my type”
I blinked twice and heard Richard cough awkwardly. I felt embarrassed. I'm every ladies’ type. She said that in a mocking way.
“Well, you're not my type as well” I wanted to make a comeback.
"That's childish. Using my exact words as backup and comeback. You can do better” she snapped and looked away.
“There wouldn't be any need for unnecessary intimacy. You'll both live separate lives once you're indoors. You'll live in the same house, but the house will have two compartments. One for each of you. It'll be just like living in your own house without anyone intruding” Richard explained.
“That's good, but this particular house, whose is it?” Audrey asked.
“It belongs to you two. Mr Ryder bought the house for you two”
“No. I don't live in a house rented free.
I will give you half of the money used in purchasing it even though I do not like the idea that you bought a house for this intended deal without informing me earlier.
You don't know the type of house I fancy and the style I want.
But like I said, it's no problem. It's only for a few months but I'm paying half of the price”
“No problem. I'll be expecting 15 million dollars from you then” I said in a prideful way. She should do the maths and know how much the house cost.
“Ok. Just send me your details” she simply said.
I thought the price would throw her off, but it didn't. She must be very wealthy.
“If there's nothing left to be done, I'll like to take my leave. I'm sick of sitting here” she complained.
I scoffed. I was the one who usually dismissed people and not people dismiss me or get bored of me.
“We're almost done with the basic things except for one thing,” Richard said.
“What's that?” I asked
"You need to pick your names"
"What names are you talking about?" Audrey fired back. She was too impatient.
"You should pick pet names for each other, " he finally said.
"WHAT!"
Ok, you guys should suggest cute pet names for them. Don't forget to vote ? and drop down your thoughts.