The Billionaire’s Fake Marriage

Chapter 6

“He is late,” Janet said checking her watch.

“He is not late, we are early,” Kitty corrected her, but Janet was in no mood to listen to anybody’s argument today. This morning she came prepared to dominate the playing field. For her, this was the moment when she would tell Brian Watson that she was the boss and he was just an employee.

“I don’t care. When somebody gives you an appointment, you are supposed to show early,” Janet argued.

“Let it be.” Rebecca said going through a magazine. “He must be feeling so weird in this city. New York has that effect on outsiders.”

“These two have no idea who he really is,” Kitty thought.

“I think this venue is not right,” Janet said looking around.

“What is wrong with this place?” Kitty was surprised for Janet had always loved this fancy restaurant. This was one of the best and most expensive places in New York.

“Well, I am afraid this might be too much for him. I have been to London and no restaurant there could match this one.”

“What is your point?” Kitty asked.

“He might feel a little out of place here,” Janet chuckled.

Kitty could see her friends behaving like bi*chy high school girls who had no clue about how things actually work in the real world. But by now she had given up, leaving it all to fate. Now she just wanted all this to pass as soon as possible.

“Wait, is that him?” Rebecca looked at the door.

Kitty and Janet looked in Rebecca’s direction and there he was. A tall blonde man with an impressive built and gait, walking elegantly like a proud lion towards them.

A waitress escorted Brian to the table where the three ladies were sitting.

“Good morning!” Brian said in a cheerful British accent. “I am Brian, Brian Watson.”

Rebecca was the first one to offer her hand. She shook his hand with a weird smile. Kitty could see she was under Brian’s charm, but she could not blame her. Brian was one hell of a guy.

“So which one of you is Janet?” Brian asked while sitting down.

“It’s me.” Janet said in a cold voice. “And I prefer we call each other by our last names.”

“Gosh! Why is she being such a bi*ch?” Kitty said to herself.

“I am sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. It’s just that in our arrangement…” Brian looked around making sure nobody heard him, and then lowered his voice, “It would seem a bit odd if we will call each other Mr Watson and Miss Crane.”

Kitty could see that this man came prepared. He knew more about this arrangement than Janet and Rebecca. And now Kitty was feeling bad for her friends.

“I guess you have a point.” Janet agreed to Brian. “So how do we begin?”

“I was hoping you could tell me that.” Brian smiled. “I guess we all are aware of what both of us are expected to do in this arrangement.”

“Yes, we are.” Rebecca cut in. “You are to be paid 1.5 million US dollars for one year until the termination of this arrangement. During which you will have to pose as Janet’s lover. You cannot talk about this to anybody other than your lawyer, me and Janet. Understood?”

“Yup. Where do I sign?” Brian said excitedly.

Janet and Rebecca were surprised to see how calm and excited this man was. They were expecting him to get nervous and ask a lot of questions, but he was doing just the opposite.

“Have you done this before?” Janet asked looking at Brian suspiciously.

“What? Getting in fake relationships with rich women?” Brian asked with a smile. “I am afraid this is my first time. I hope my lack of experience will not disqualify me from this job.”

Kitty wanted to laugh, but she remained quiet. She was having more fun by just being a mute spectator. Janet and Rebecca’s faces were worth all the hassle — the two of them were not able to understand how to deal with this man. Janet was all set to dominate this man, but he was playing with her and Rebecca like they were little children.

“Well, are we going to eat something, or just discuss business? I don’t know about you but I have grown quite an appetite since I arrived in this city.”

Before any of the ladies were able to say anything, Brian raised his hand and voice. “Excuse me!” he said in a soft yet commanding voice.

A waitress appeared at the table within seconds, “Yes sir.”

Brian picked up the menu and started browsing. “I would have a Sauerkraut Tart to begin with and then we can come to the main course.” He then looked at his female companions. “Pardon me ladies, where are my manners.” Looking at the waitress, he signaled her to go to the ladies, “Please take their order first, you now know what I want.”

The waitress waited for the ladies as they gaped at Brian.

“It’s bad manners to keep your waiter waiting.” Brian reminded them in a friendly tone.

Coming out of the trance, the women ordered for themselves and the waitress left with a smile.

“So with that out of our way, what else do we need to discuss today?”

“Well there is all that paperwork that we need you to sign,” Rebecca said.

“I understand. But I also want to know what you expect from me? It would be very helpful to know what duties I will be fulfilling as your fake lover.”

“I guess the basic requirements are self implied,” Rebecca explained. “Like public appearances, public display of affection…”

Janet cleared her throat loudly, interrupting Rebecca.

“Within a limit, you know.. just remember you are fake lovers and not real ones.”

“I get it.” Brian nodded.

“Also, you might need to appear on TV or radio shows with her. She is a pretty big deal here.” Rebecca was now boasting.

“Oh yes, I read a bit about you,” Brian looked at Janet. “Your work is both wonderful and inspiring. Young women could learn so much from you.”

Janet was filled with a sudden joy. This stranger was complimenting her for doing what she does — something usually nobody did. Most of the people would talk about how much money she had earned or how many companies Janet had created and sold, but rarely somebody told her how important her work was. And suddenly, Brian did not seem that bad anymore to Janet.

“Now, pardon me if I offend anybody here. But I would like to know about my living and sleeping arrangements.”

This time Janet decided to answer and she did not sound cold like before. Instead, her voice had the warmth of a friend. “Starting from today, you will move in with me in my penthouse. We will be sleeping in different rooms. This will continue until the end of this arrangement.”

“Wonderful!” Brian cheered. “So when do we sign the papers?”

“After lunch,” Janet smiled.

Brian replied with an equally warm smile and together they waited for their meal to arrive. Meanwhile, Brian kept them busy with his trivia of the places he had been to. To her surprise, Kitty could see a sudden change in Janet’s behavior. Where she wanted to show Brian who is the real boss, she was now talking to him like a friend. And Rebecca; well she seemed like a fangirl who had just met her celebrity crush. Kitty could see how Rebecca stared at Brian without even blinking.

The lunch arrived and Brian kept the ladies entertained. Everybody enjoyed the food and Brian’s conversation. Janet even laughed at his jokes. All this time, Brian did not seem like he was making an effort to please Janet and her friends — he was a natural charmer.

“That was a delicious meal. Please pay our compliments to the chef,” Brian said placing his credit card in the bill folder.

“Hey, you don’t need to pay for this meal.” Janet tried to stop Brian, but he had already handed the bill into the waitress’ hands.

“Please!” he turned to Janet. “You are going to pay me 1.5 million for this. The least I could do is pay this bill. Consider it a token of our friendship.”

Janet could tell this man was trouble.