Playing the Heroine

The Walter Enterprises CEO ran hand through his now disheveled hair. Michael had agreeably took his routine nap a few minutes ago, tucked safely in the private rooms connected to his office. The man was tempted to simply join his son and sleep his problems away and would've likely done so if his afternoon schedule wasn't so packed.

Which admittedly was his own doing, seeing as his son insisted on joining him to the office today. Considering how his son was wary at even the sight of strangers the raven haired man had decided it would be best to ensure that he was able to accompany the boy.

Now, without the distraction his son or work provided him, the words his grandmother had uttered in the morning had began to plague his thoughts once more.

"In order to remain as the CEO you will need to be wed in 6 months time."

'How the hell am I supposed to do that? In 6 months no less?' The raven haired man grumbled internally, fingers tapping insistently at the polished wood of his desk. 'Hell, how is anyone supposed to do that unless they're already in a relationship?'

He was startled out of his brooding when the door to his office opened with a bang. Boisterous laughter following the sight of a grinning brunette man who greeted him with a cheery, "I heard congratulations are in order huh?"

"How did you get in?"

"You should know by now that it's useless to keep me out of your office. I even greeted your assistant on my way in."

"You're lucky that I made sure the private room was soundproofed," the raven haired man sighed. "I'm guessing you've heard the news I received this morning as well?"

"You bet I did," the man replied, still chuckling slightly. "Best news I've heard all year!"

Blue eyes narrowed in annoyance, "This isn't funny you asshole,"

"You're right. It's not funny," Theo complied his voice somewhat serious, before a wide grin split his face. "It's fuckin' hilarious!"

The Walter CEO crossed his arms, staring emotionlessly as his friend coughed. "Are you done laughing now?"

"For now," Theo agreed, "but you can you blame me? Your grandmother is practically forcing you to get a love life! Literally nothing beats this!" He argued indignantly, the underlying tone of amusement still present in his voice.

The raven haired man sighed, "You try having your grandmother force you to get married and see how well you do."

Theo snorted, pointing a finger at himself. "The day my grandmother interferes with my love life is the day you actually decide to go through with this whole marriage deal," he paused briefly as if to drive the point home. "It's damn near impossible."

Conrad huffed out a tired breath, slumping in his seat, "With how things are going, I think that occurring might be a bigger possibility."

"...You're joking right?" The other man responded slowly, disbelief coating his every word, pacing forwards so that he could lean his hands on the desk. "You can't be serious about this? I mean are you really going to try get married in 6 months? Can you even hold a steady relationship?"

The Walter CEO shrugged, "I dunno, after what happened with that woman I never tried. Never wanted to either."

"Then tell me exactly how you plan to get married? You probably can't even get a steady girlfriend," his friend stated, voice heavily laced with skepticism.

"By getting fake married, of course,"

There was a long pause as Theo's jaw drop. The brunette staring at his nonchalant friend with wide eyes, "...What?"

"Well, what else am I supposed to do? If I don't get married in 6 months I'll lose my position and I've worked too much on this company to have to go through that."

"Uh, then get actually married? Duh!"

Conrad rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Theo, I don't need to get an actual wife. Just someone who can pretend to be one so that the condition is fulfilled. That reminds me, I should check on when that condition becomes null and void."

"I can see that failing in so many ways," Theo deadpanned, how his friend had thought that it would be a great idea is beyond him. "Have you hit your head recently? Drank suspicious alcohol? Smoked strange weed maybe? Because your plan sounds absolutely crazy and even I know it."

Conrad moved to retort when his office phone rang. He shot his friend a look that spoke of how this entire thing isn't over before reaching over to press the blinking button.

"Yes?"

"Your mid-day appointment is here sir."

"Let them know that I will be there shortly Emily, and while I'm away make sure that no one enters or exits my office."

After hearing a confirmation from his secretary the man swiftly ended the call, rising to his feet as he did.

"Oh?" Conrad glanced as his friend fell into step next to him.

"I'd love to laze around in your office, sadly the firm's taking a new hire so I need to be there."

The raven haired man scoffed good-naturedly, lips pulling into a smirk. "Excuses, you just want to see if the new hire is someone your type."

Theo simply grinned back unrepentantly.

"About the whole marriage thing," he began, aiming a look at Conrad when the raven haired man shot him an exasperated look. "Look, hear me out, if you decide to go through with it then I'll try to help you out in whatever way I can."

"But," the brunette stressed, noticing how the brief look of relief on Conrad's face shifted into wariness.

"I reserve the right to say 'I told you so' when this all blows up on your face. And I get to plan the bachelor party."

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"How are doing sweetheart?"

Lilian smiled to her mother, carefully arranging the bouquet of purple irises in the vase on her hospital nightstand. "I'm doing fine Mom; you don't need to worry so much about me. You should concentrate on getting better first."

"How's the hospital fee? And the apartment rent? Are you eating alright?"

The woman sighed, tightly grasping at her mother's frail hand. "I'm eating just fine Mom and this month's rent has been paid, don't worry. The hospital bills are a bit harder to handle, but I'll manage just fine."

The older woman smiled sadly, her body limp and unmoving. Her hands alike a pin cushion with the dozens of IV needles stuck to it, the beeping of the heart rate monitor a constant background noise.

"I'm really sorry, Lily. Because of me, you need to stress out over everything when it's my job to take care of you." Her eyes were teary as she clasped her daughter's hand in a tight grip.

Lily smiled at her mother, returning the desperate grip with one of her own. "Mom, it's fine. I'd rather go through this with you then go through a better life alone."

Her mother's lip quivered, the edges quirking up slightly in a teary smile. "I'm so lucky to have such a caring daughter. Now how is your writing is going?"

"It's going okay I guess," The brunette replied slumping. "I've gotten into a block a couple of times but I've managed to push through. My newest deadline is tonight, so I'm planning to finish up the manuscript once I'm back at home."

The elder woman's brow furrowed, "Aren't you cutting it too close to your deadline?"

Lily waved a hand dismissively, "I'll be fine mom, it's mostly finished anyways, I stayed up a couple nights before when I got inspiration and now all I need to do is finish up the last couple paragraphs before I send it over to Mae."

"You really should stop pulling all nighters, especially since you still have to work in the morning." Her mother replied frowning disapprovingly at Lilian who winced minutely before simply shrugging her shoulders.

"It doesn't happen everyday so I think it'll be fine. Besides, I sneak in naps as often as I can so I won't lack too much sleep on the weekdays."

Lilian shifted her attention towards the windows, trying to ignore her mother's probing gaze despite the older woman's silence. Not that there was much to say on that matter. They both knew that they needed the money. With how her mother's illness had been worsening, the hospital bills had also increased, and while her previous successes in writing had left her with some funds it really isn't enough to keep up with the rapidly increasing expenses.

The sudden sound of her ringtone quickly snapped the brunette out of her thoughts, fumbling she reached into her bag to fish out her ringing phone. Glancing briefly at the name, she quickly answered, "Hello? Is something wrong Mae?"

"Hey Lils, I'm really sorry for the sudden call but the higher ups called for an emergency meeting earlier and they plan to push for an early release on several books. Yours included."

Lilian paled, eyes widening with dread, "You mean..."

"Yeah, I'll need you to send in you're manuscript before 6 PM," Her editor confirmed, voice apologetic.

The brunette let out a tired groan, a hand reaching to rub at her temples. "Alright, I'll have it emailed to you before then, but you might need to do a lot more editing than usual. I can still have a revision period after though right?"

"Yeah, you'll still have time to revise after I get back to you with the edits, but it might be shortened to only a couple days."

"That's better than nothing I suppose," Lily sighed, "alright, thanks Mae, I'll send over the manuscript in a bit."

Once goodbyes were exchanged, the brunette turned to smile apologetically at her mother, rising to her feet as she did. "Sorry mom, I'm going to have to leave early today."

Her mother shook her head, "It's fine honey, you go finish up your manuscript, I'll still be here in a few days. Remember to get some dinner as you head back alright?"

Gathering her bag, Lily briefly bent down to press a kiss to the older woman's cheek. "Will do mom, take care alright? I'll be back soon."

Waving a final goodbye, the brunette slipped out of the room and hurriedly made her way towards the elevators. Managing to slip into one before the door closed. Fortunately it was empty, Lily hurriedly pressed at the button marked 'Lobby' and settled to wait, staring up at the changing numbers. She was glancing at her watch for what it seemed to be the millionth time when the elevator dinged and the doors flew open. Rushing out she was greeted with a loud cry that echoed through the large space.

Surprised and slightly concerned at the sudden scream, Lily couldn't help but make her way towards one side of the lobby where the cries seemed to emanate from. The sound tugging at her heart with how miserable it sounded.

Upon reaching the crowd of nurses blocking her view she lightly tapped at a nurse standing in front of her. "What's going on?"

The woman turned, worry etched on her face. "A child was brought in a few minutes ago, nothing serious," she reassured upon noticing how concern bled to Lily's expression. "He only has some scrapes on his knees and elbows, probably from a fall. But the problem is that he won't let anyone near him-"

Her words died down when the cries shifted into heart-wrenching wails, the boy sounded absolutely terrified. Moving on instinct, Lily pushed her way towards the front, mumbling a few "sorry's" and "excuse me's" as she shoved at the crowding people and nurses.

What greeted her was the sight of a frightened child. The boy seemed especially tiny, pressed to the corner of the wall. His blue eyes were large with fear, darting around wildly as if to find an escape. An older nurse towered in front of him, her aged face pinched with annoyance as she made an attempt to reach for the boy which only caused the boy to flinch, whimpering slightly. Irritated at the lack of consideration for the child's clear show of fear, Lily hurriedly strode forwards, moving to block the child's view of the nurse.

"Back off." She snapped, glaring at the startled nurse, "Can't you see that you're scaring him?!"

A murmur befell the crowd around them, causing the brunette to turn her ire towards them as well. "That goes for all of you! You're supposed to be professionals, and yet none of you stepped in!"

Her words caused the gathered crowd to fall silent, shame colouring most of their faces. Turning to face the older nurse the woman lifted her head, arms crossed defensively, "Now, back off please. It's quite clear that you're scaring him."

The elder woman gaped at the brunette before her face seemed to reddened, "Wha- And who are you to make orders in the hospital?!"

"Someone who's, apparently, more competent at caring for a child than you."

Lily stared back impassively at the now screaming woman, as she was held back by her colleagues and the security staff. A tugging on her blouse prompted her to look down at the tiny hand closed around the fabric. Cold brown eyes softened as they stared back into teary blue. Crouching down so that they were face to face she spoke, careful to keep her tone soothing.

"Hi there, I'm Lily, what's your name?"

"...Michael," The boy stared back at her, one hand still curled on her blouse while the other was curled into a fist held closely to his chest.

"How old are you Michael?"

The child raised up his hand, with three his fingers splayed out. "Wow!" Lily gasped excitedly, "That's big!"

Michael nodded his chest puffed up with pride. Lily fought the urge to coo at how adorable the boy looked.

"Well then Michael, I see that you've got quite the scratch there. Would it be okay if the nurses patched you up?" Lily asked. When Michael hesitated, clearly glancing at the fuming nurse behind her, she hurried to divert his attention back to her. "I promise I won't let her near you. Another nurse can patch you up, or if you want I can also do it for you?"

The raven haired child stared at her for a while as if gauging her words. Finally he nodded decisively and pressed closer to the woman who had shooed away the screaming old lady and promised to keep him safe.

"Do you want to walk by yourself or would you prefer to be carried?" The brunette asked patiently, letting out a light laugh when the boy made grabby hands at her. Obliging, she slipped one hand under the boy and the other on his back as he in turn looped his arms around her neck. Making sure that she had a secure hold on him she stood back up slowly, "Alright then, let's get you patched up yeah?"

"Mkay,"

The brunette glanced around before she spotted a nearby nurse, "Is there a room I can use to treat his wounds?"

When the nurse continued to gawk at her Lily arched an eyebrow, prompting, "Well? Is there a room or should I just ask for a first-aid kit?"

Flushing, the nurse hurriedly stammered out an affirmative, beckoning the brunette woman to follow after her. That seemed to have brought the screaming nurse's ire to her once more, since the older woman began to shout at her once more, yelling angry profanities which she easily ignored. But then the woman switched her aim to the child in her arms. Screaming how he was simply a spoiled brat and that he was only pretending to be afraid. Feeling how Michael began to quiver in her arms Lily felt rage bubble inside her. She ran a soothing hand over his back even as she swiveled around sharply, a retort on her tongue when another voice spoke, low and dangerous with rage.

"What did you just call my son?"