Chapter 2

"I'm sorry?" I asked. "Surely, this must be a joke. He did not just ask me to be his fake wife, right?" I say to myself. I keep waiting for him to burst out laughing and yell," Got ya!" But it doesn't happen, so I start to get nervous "You want me... to be your wife?" "Fake wife" He quickly replied, "Right. You're going to have to elaborate on that". Elliot sighs like he can't believe he's having this conversation right now. "But how could I understand what's going on in that ridiculously handsome head of his? One minute ago, I was so sure he was going to fire me...but instead, he wants me to be his fake wife?!" I thought to myself. He crosses his arms and looks at me. "Something happened in Las Vegas..." "What happened?" "I got married." I say to myself "Elliot got married in Las Vegas?" "How much did you have to drink? I didn't take you for a heavy drinker," I asked. "Apparently, I got very drunk, even though I only remember having two glasses of champagne. Everything about that night is kind of fuzzy...but I do remember being wed by an ordained fake Elvis in a pink, fluffy suit. And now, my new wife is suing me for everything I own." He explains this to me with a sickening tone. Igape at him. Regret is plastered all over Elliot's face, and I can't help but feel a bit sorry for him." This must have been a huge mistake on his part," I thought to myself. Elliot closes his eyes, sighs, and slumps back into his chair. A realization dawns on me. "This has to be the reason why he was so grumpy yesterday! If I got married drunk in vegas and got sued for everything I owned, I'd probably be in a bad mood too," I think to myself. I realize there's still a piece of information that he hasn't given me yet. "So... what does this have to do with me?" "A lot, actually. To make the marriage invalid I need to prove that I'm already married." "Woah, wait a minute!" I yelled. I take a step back and glare at him. "I can't do that! Isn't that illegal?" I continue to yell at him. Elliot shrugs like he doesn't have a care in the world. "I'm serious, Elliot" "I'm serious, too." Elliot places a piece of paper on the desk and slides it over to me. "I have prepared a contract which states that we got secretly married three weeks ago." "You did WHAT?" I said shockingly. I look at the contract, and my breath gets caught in my throat. "It's already signed by people who have agreed to falsify the document. Your signature is the only one missing." "Who signed it?" "paul, our best man, and Thea, your maid of honor." I think to myself "I can't believe him. He got my best friend to sign it before even asking me." "This won't affect you much, I promise. We'll just have to keep up this charade for about a week and then we'll divorce quietly. It will be like it never happened." he comforted me and smiles at me. "I don't want to stay in this room a second more." I say to myself. I get up from my chair, turn on my heels, and walk toward the door. "Evie, where are you going?" "Away from you!" He stops me before I can leave.  "Evie, I know you're upset, but–" "Damn right I'm upset! You have no right to do this! Just because I'm your office assistant, it doesn't mean that I'll do whatever you want!" 'Evie, sit down, please. I have a proposition for you." I eye him suspiciously. "A proposition?" I question. If you sit down, I will explain it to you. I think you'd be interested in what I have to offer." I think it over for a second before I decide to hear him out. "Fine, I will listen to you. But I'm still very upset!" "That's fine" I take my seat in front of him again and scrutinize his face." This better be good," I say to myself. "Evie... If you agree to do this for me, I'll promote you from Office Assistant to Music Production Assistant under my mentorship." My head shoots up at that. "It usually takes years to get there... And even if you play your cards right, there's no guarantee that you'll get the job" I thought to myself. Elliot gives me a suggestive smile, knowing he has me right where he wants me. "Do we have a deal?" He asked. "Wait a minute. I need to think about this," I responded "there's no time. You have to make your decision now. If you reject my proposal, I'll simply ask someone else." The wheels start spinning in my head. "I really want that position...And Elliot said this fake marriage wouldn't affect me that much, didn't he?" I think to myself. "I will accept"  "Great!" "But don't think that I'm okay with what you did. I'm still very upset with you!" I shouted at him, hoping that he would care. He shrugs. "That's fine. And now, onto the other matters. You'll have the day off to find something nice to wear."  He pleaded. "What?" "Since I'm a big shot in the music industry, we need to make a public appearance tonight. I"m sure the media wants to know all about the woman who made me settle down." He snickers. "Woah, hold your horses. You never said anything about making a public appearance." "I just did. Here's my card, buy whatever you want." Elliot hands a shiny metal credit card over to me, and I reach out to take it.  I glance at it, and my jaw drops. "I'm holding a platinum credit card in my hands!" I  wanted to scream. "Buy a dress, shoes, a matching bag, whatever it is you like to wear. Then meet me here in two hours." "Okay, sure." I stand up and walk toward the door, his platinum card now safely tucked in my bag. "I can't believe that I'm doing this. I just got fake married to my boss." I sighed and glance at Elliot one more time before I leave through the doorway. I see him smirk. "Why do I feel like I just sold my soul to the devil?" I thought to myself, but I shrug the feeling off. I call Thea and ask her to meet me at the mall. As soon I see Thea, I begin talking. "Thea, How could you not tell me about the document? You could have at least warned me!" I shout in frustration. She blinks a few times. "What document?" "Oh, I don't know. The one you signed this morning, maybe?" z'I have no idea what you're talking about." She looks sincere, but I still can't let it go. "Does the name Elliot Anderson ring any bells?" "Oh! Yeah, he showed up on my doorstep this morning and asked me for my autograph! He looked amazing, I'll tell you! I don't know why he wanted it, now that I think about it... Dang it, I should have asked him for his! Did he get mad because I didn't?" She asked in curiosity. It doesn't take me long to realize what actually happened. "So, you just signed a random document without knowing what it was about?" I sighed and shake my head. "To be fair, it was really early, and he looked like a god." "Seriously!, Thea! You signed a contract saying that Elliot and I are married." I cried in pain saying that. "I DID?" "Yes, He accidentally got married in Vegas, and now his new wife is suing him for everything he owns," I explained. "Woah, what a witch! What's he going to do?" she questioned. "More like what am I going to do." "Huh?" "To prevent it from happening, I need to pretend to be his fake wife." "Oh my gosh. No freaking way... I'm going to faint! Thea throws her arm around me and squeals. "I'm so happy for you!" She screams happily. I gently push her away and narrow my eyes at her. "Woah, Thea. Its FAKE! We don't even have feelings for each other." "Maybe not right now." She laughs. Thea wiggles her eyebrows at me. "This woman" I shake my head at her comment. "You're going to be such a great fake wife that he'll want to marry you for real."  "Well, I'm not going to lie- that would be a dream come true. I hope you're right." 'Me too! I mean, let's be real. Everyone heterosexual woman would kill to be his wife, fake or not. You should enjoy it while it lasts." She nagged. 'I guess you have a point." "Naturally. Now, let's do some shopping! So, what do you need, exactly? I have to say, this was out of the blue. I thought you'd be working now," She puzzled. "I was supposed to, but...Elliot and I are making an appearance as husband and wife tonight," I explained to Thea. I flash her the platinum card, and her eyes go wide. "I need to wear something amazing! It's the red carpet, after all!" I  specified. "Say no more. I know just the right outfit for you!" she announced.  Thea disappears for a while, then comes back with a handful of dresses in her arms."I thought you said you had ONE perfect outfit?" I said to her. "I found several more!" "Okay then. I" ll be right back. Wow... I look amazing!"  I could only have tears of joy for this dress. "Elliot will die when he sees you in this.  Actually, scratch that- everyone will!" "Thanks, then." I glance at my phone to check the time. "Shoot. I have to pay for this and run. I have to meet Elliot in 20 minutes," I stated. "Are you ready?" Thea asks. "As ready as I'll ever be."  I rush into the office, already dressed in the newly bought outfit. Everyone's looking at me I approach Elliot. "Hey, am I late?" I asked while out of breath. "No, you're just on time. Wow, you look..." "Good?" "Definitely" He scans me from head to toe and I give him a small twirl. He grins. "Very good." He compliments. "Thanks!" He offers me his arms, and I link them with mine."Are you ready to make an entrance on the red carpet?" He asked.  "I'm definitely ready! I can't wait to be seen there with you." I answered. "Great, let's go then, my love." Elliot stresses the last word and gives me a peck on the cheek. Everyone's eyes are on us as we leave the office. When we walk through the door into a cafe I've never seen before, my mouth gapes open. "What is this place? And weren't we supposed to go to the red carpet event?" I asked. "Soon - we have to make an appearance here first. And to answer your first question, it's called Love Cafe."  "This place is so cute!" "At least one of us likes it. I bought it a month ago when my financial advisor suggested it might be a good investment." He explains with an attitude.  "You own this place?!" 'Why the surprise?" "It's not really your... style." Elliot sighs. "I was planning on renovating it and giving it a more elegant theme but... It comes in handy now." He raises his hand and brushes it against my cheek. "I am so... beyond happy that found some time to go on this date, Evie. Every moment with you feels like a dream." He expressed. I widen my eyes,  not sure what's happening with Elliot. " Did he hit his head today or something?" I thought to myself. But then I catch a movement in the corner of my eye, and I several cameras flashing. The realization dawns on me. "He's already playing the part! But, surprisingly, he doesn't seem to have much experience with romantic phrases. I guess he's much more used to bedding women instead of wedding them. " I say to myself. We sit down at a table for two, opposite each other. We both check out our respective drink menus, and I'm surprised at the selection. "Order whatever you'd like." Elliots says out loud with passion in his tone. There is one drink that stands out from the others: Love Milkshake for Couples. I glance at the paparazzi preying on us through the window. "If we order this and act all lovey-dovey, our date will be more convincing... And I'd love to see Elliot's face when it arrives. But I didn't want a milkshake. "I don't think I want anything. I'm too nervous." I responded to his question. Elliot's face softens. "How about you order some water? If anyone asks us about it, we'll just say you're steering clear of coffee and alcohol. They'll think you're either pregnant or on a diet." Elliots whispers in my ear. I laugh. "That sounds acceptable" I order a glass of water while Elliot goes for some Irish coffee. A whole hour passes before we leave, and Elliot leaves a huge tip on our way out. Elliot and I step out on the red carpet, and I am instantly blinded by camera flashes. There are journalists everywhere, screaming our names. "Wow, is this how it feels to be a star?" I think to myself. Sensing my hesitation, Elliot smiles at me and takes my hand. "Are you ready?" he asks. I nod shyly. Just as I start to say something a journalist yells, "Elliot, over here!" and gets his full attention. When Elliot points his chin toward him, the journalist instantly attacks with his question. "For how long did you and miss Myers have a secret relationship?" The journalist asks quickly. "We dated for about four months before we got married. "How did you two meet?" "She used to deliver pizza for a living, and the first time she knocked on my door, I couldn't take my eyes off her. I found myself ordering pizza almost every day, which really wasn't good for my figure." Elliot explains to journalists. Some journalists chuckle at that, and Elliot smiles at the cameras. "So instead, I offered her a job, thinking it'd pass. It only made it worse. Until one day I finally talked myself into asking her out... and she said yes." Elliots says and laughs. Elliot turns his head and looks at me. His eyes burn with passion and desire as he takes me in. "She's the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on." His gaze drops to my lips, and my heart starts to beat faster. "Did he really mean that? If not,  he is one good actor." I say to myself. Right at that moment, a journalist yells, "Gives us a kiss!" My eyes go wide, unsure of what Elliot is going to do. He accepts his challenge. He places his hand around my waist, and he gently pulls me closer to him. He is so close to me now that I can feel his minty breath on my face. He raises his hand and cups my cheeks, running his thumb over my soft skin. Then he leans in for a kiss. I close my eyes as I feel his lips touch mine, gently at first, then a bit more daring. I always asked myself what it would feel like to kiss him, but I don't have to wonder anymore.  His tongue easily slips into my mouth, and I find out that Elliot Anderson tastes like heaven. He pulls me back a bit... but I don't want the kiss to end. I wrap my arms around his neck and drag him back in for another kiss. This time, he is no longer gentle. He kisses me hard and rough, just the way I want him to.  I bite his lower lip, and he groans a little. The journalists keep yelling and taking pictures, but I barely noticed them. Instead, I focus on Elliot, The feeling of his mouth on mine... One journalist screams "I GOT IT," kindly reminding us where we are. The magic of our chemistry quickly dissolves in the air. We pull away, Elliot doesn't look sorry or sheepish at all instead, he gives me a boyish smile... I laugh, and he takes my hand. "I think we're done here. Let's leave." Elliots states. All of a sudden, Elliot squeezes my hand. I look up to see that he has a worried look in his eyes. I follow his gaze and recognize the waitress from Vegas pushing through the crowd. When she reaches the red carpet, she throws me a nasty look before she turns to the paparazzi.  "This marriage is fake!"  the waitress yells. Everyone gasps and Elliots pulls me closer to him. Someone pushes a microphone toward the waitress, and she gives the journalists a big, fake smile. "Elliot Anderson is a fraud, and you shouldn't believe his lies. I'm his real wife, and I want what's mine!" the waitress shouts to the crowd.