The Billionaire’s Savior

Your face reminds me of a wrench because every time I think of it my nuts tighten up.

Robyn threw back her head and laughed. “Yeah, he mad.”

“Wow, that is some appalling, ungentlemanly behavior,” Chris said, shocked. “Is it usual for people to speak to you like that?”

“It’s not uncommon, especially in a game like this. And that isn’t the worst I’ve ever gotten,” Robyn replied. She heaved a sigh. “But it su*ks. It’s disrespectful and it just shows how far our society has to go, that anyone could spew bile and hate at another person over some pixels. But online, hiding behind a screen name—guys think they can get away with anything. All I know is if anyone ever talked to me like that to my face, I’d tell them exactly what I thought of them. In a game, I just kick their butts until they throw their little headsets on the ground, rage and quit.”

They sat for a moment in silence. Robyn sighed, wishing it were easier to school punks online about how to treat women with respect. She looked up and caught Chris watching her. He looked worried, or maybe sad. She wondered what he was thinking. She could imagine, though.

Robyn picked up the second controller and held it out to Chris. “Want to help me kick some butt?”

Chris took a deep breath. “Absolutely.”“Robyn! I can’t see where I am— Robyn I can’t get out from behind this wall. Oh dear, I’ve been shot. Robyn! Help!”

“Chris, you need a better nickname than ShutIn.101”

*****

Bored. CO

Aww I’m sorry. You know you can play Call of Duty without someone else in the room right? M

It’s not as much fun when I’m here by my lonesome. And I don’t know these online cats. My Masterclass wouldn’t be interested in doing such things. CO

You’ve been thinking about this a lot, haven’t you? M

Brooding. CO

Out of crap telly. CO

Bored. CO

Play with me. CO

I’m editing Bar Mitzvah footage and trying to pack at the same time…and texting you. M

Fine. M

What do you want to play?

No idea. CO

2 truths 1 lie? M

What? How do you play? CO

It’s simple. M

Elementary, really. M

Tell me 2 truths and 1 lie but don’t tell what’s true and what’s a lie. M

I can manage that. CO

I’ve broken my arm before. I’ve never gotten drunk before. I was once attacked by a dog. CO

Use your magical powers of deduction to figure out which is which. CO

Um… The arm’s the lie. You don’t have any marks or anything, so it has to be that one, right? M

PSYCH. CO

THEY’RE ALL TRUE. THAT’S THE LIE. CO

HA. CO

I win. CO

That’s not fair. You didn’t play by the rules. M

I never play by the rules. That’s why I win. Your turn. CO

I’ve had s*x on three continents. I’ve never eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before. I failed high school gym class. M

Gym class. CO

Dammit. How’d you know? M

S*x one was obviously true. You display knowledge of a certain *cough, cough* technique only known about in certain regions of Argentina. PB&J was just silly. CO

I’ve never played a sport before. I used to love animated films. I’m allergic to coconut. CO

Coconut is the lie. M

Ha. No. CO

You’re allergic to coconut? Something I should definitely know if I’m gonna be doing your shopping! M

I’m excited about that. Are you excited? CO

Excited. Scared. M

Mmm…Well, you know now. CO

Fine. I got a black eye once having s*x. My favorite pair of underwear is pink. I think your assistant is secretly double O seven. M

Underwear is a lie. CO

FYI. James Bond has nothing on Cleo. CO

So THAT’S why I was so scared of her. M

She’s an excellent assistant. CO

Anticipates my every need. CO

Moving on. CO

I wasn’t a virgin before I met you, that’s a fact. I either lost it to a man, a woman, or a woman and a man at the same time. Choose. CO

Wow. I’m suddenly very turned on. M

Both. M

Interesting choice. Why’d you pick it? CO

Hopeful dreaming. M

Huh. You’re right. CO

Seriously!?! M

No. CO

I had one serious relationship in the past. A few one night stands. My virginity was taken by one of my mother’s friends. CO

To be fair, I didn’t make a lot of good decisions back then. CO

Frankly still don’t. CO

Wow. I suddenly have this whole new respect for you. How was it? M

Awesome. CO

Cool. M

My turn. M

I accidentally summoned a ghost once. Dogs hate me. Cats love me. M

The ghost one. CO

Yes, I wish it was true though. M

My go. I cried while reading the last Harry Potter book. Spock is my favorite character on Star Trek. I have no idea how to shave without nearly decapitating myself. CO

Wait that was two lies. How do you play this game again?

*****

“So are you guys getting married or what?” Pamela asked as she watched Robyn pack.

Robyn shrugged, “Yeah I guess. He said I was the one he was the most comfortable with and once he hears back from the lawyers about legalities he’ll let me know when we can…you know.”

“And you’re okay with marrying a TOTAL STRANGER Robz?”

“Hey. I’ll have a roof over my head; I’ll have the freedom to work on my craft – develop my own projects – without having to worry about paying my rent or buying food. It’s a good deal.”

“Yeah well, don’t you have to sleep with the guy as well? You down with that?”

“I…we haven’t discussed that.”

“Don’t you think you’d better?”

Robyn had nothing to say to that.

*****

Hey. CO

Hey.

Wanna come over and play call of duty or something? CO

Or something. We should talk.

Okay. CO

*****

Robyn stepped up to Chris’ door feeling butterflies fluttering about in her stomach, and a slight shake in her hands. She was nervous as hell. Wished that this conversation didn’t have to happen but there they were.

“Welcome,” Chris said flinging the door open with a grin, “it’s just you and me so you don’t have to be scared.”

“Excellent. Did you get rid of Cleo or is she off doing James Bond stuff?”

Chris left the door open and started walking toward his living room. “The latter,” he threw over his shoulder. Robyn stepped into the house and closed the door behind her taking a deep breath as she turned to follow Chris.

“So. Talk,” he said as he sat down on the couch.

“Erm, well I have some questions. First thing, why do you need a wife when you have superwoman as your lackey?”

Chris shrugged, “Loneliness? A need for companionship?”

“I see how you wouldn’t get that from Ms. Cold Blooded but you’re a handsome man, you’re well off; why not just go to a dating site or something? Why craigslist?”

Chris shrugged, “It was a whim. I didn’t expect anything to come of it.”

“And now that it has?”

“Hey. We’re both officially down the rabbit hole here. If you want me to show you the master plan, I’m sorry. There isn’t one.”

Robyn nodded, swallowing audibly, “Okay but umm, after we er, get married…are we gonna have like a…normal marriage? You know with s*x and sh*t?”

“I should hope so; but I’m not going to strong arm you into anything. If you want to, I’m here. If you don’t, I totally get it.”

Robyn studied him, looking for the lie, “Well, like I said, you’re attractive, you’re smart, who wouldn’t want you? But I’d like for us to get to know each other a little first. Maybe work our way up to it? On the other hand, my living situation is pretty dire so the sooner we have resolution the better so it’s confusing.”

“Hey how about this? You move into my guest room until the wedding and then we’ll decide if you move into my room or not.”

“Huh…that’s extremely generous of you.”

Chris shrugged, “If you wanna view it like that, go ahead.”

“Would you kiss me now?”

“Why?”

“Because we’re going to be married dumbass and good kissing is actually a deal breaker for me.”

Chris laughed and then stopped when he saw she wasn’t laughing with him, “You’re serious?”

“As a heart attack.”