The Millionaire’s Fake Wedding

*****

When Belle walked through the revolving door, it was dark, but the rain had already stopped, leaving the asphalt wet. Warm wind blew Belle’s hair to one side, and she welcomed it. She tried hard to understand what it was she’d agreed to, and couldn’t. The more she thought about it the more bizarre it was getting again. Now that the real world was around her, the proposition sounded like something out of a movie. Playing an athlete’s wife? That was unreal. But she did need the money and she just couldn’t stand, as she’d come to realize, being unemployed. And this was a great opportunity to network and…

Belle was about to call a cab, when her phone rang. It was Natalie ‘Kristen’ Arnolds. Belle answered.

“Ms. Jameson?”

“Yes?”

“You’re hired. I hope you haven’t changed your mind about this.”

“I…” She hesitated, but there was no real reason for that. “I haven’t changed my mind. Thank you so much! Shall I come up? I’m downstairs.”

“Not today, dear. We’ll see you tomorrow. There’s a game on Sunday, and we’d like you to be there. Don’t make any plans.”

“I’m all yours!”

“A car will pick you up at eleven, Belle. Have a good night.”

“Thank you, Natalie, you too!”

She ended the call and almost screamed! She got it! True, she didn’t fully understand what it was that she got, but overall the interview was a success, and that was enough for the time being.

Belle walked down the street to release the energy, and, while at it, she called her mother. Of course she would call da as well, but first she had to consult with ma about how to approach the subject best and how to explain her new position.

“Oh, hey, ma!”

“Hello Belle. Is our meeting still on?”

“Yes it is!” Belle couldn’t hold back a smile. “And I have fantastic news! Although I’m not sure how you’ll take it…”

“I’ll be at your place in about an hour and you’ll tell me everything, all right? Don’t you worry, will figure it out.”

Belle called a cab and it took her straight home. By the time ma came over, Belle had changed clothes and made some food for them both. She was a good cook, something her father had taught her how to do, and ma could never resist it. The table was set, and a bottle of white was open when ma rang the bell.

“Hey, honey!” Ma stepped in and took her shoes off. She was all business, as always. “Tell me, what the news?”

With a deep breath (she resist the superhero pose) Belle told ma first about the accident with her former boss, Mr. Fogerty. Ma fully supported Belle in this, and told her not to worry about that. Then came up the new job, and this one was a tougher nut to crack.

“So let me get this straight,” Ma said when Belle was done explaining. “You’re going to be a pretend-wife to this asshole?”

“Well, I’ll be a glorified roommate, but yes, essentially I’ll be his fake wife. I’ll pose for pictures and give interviews, but nothing beyond that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. The way Natalie, it’s his manager, explained it, I’ll be there just to be there. They’ll do the rest.”

“And it’s that di*khead they’ve been babbling about on TV all year?”

“That’s the one. Coke and hookers.”

Ma was looking at Belle silently, no clear emotion on her face, for better or for worse. Finally, she said: “Honey, I’ll tell you this, when I imagined you getting married, I never thought it’d be this way!” There was a thin smile on her lips, a rather unusual sight. “What do they pay?”

“Times more than Fogerty.”

“Times? As in twice as much or ten times as much?”

“I’ll ask the next time I meet them. Tomorrow.”

“Things are going fast with this boy, huh?” Again – that smile.

Belle was confused. Was Ma pleased or mocking? It was literally impossible to understand.

“It’s a nice swindle you kids have come up with, I’ll tell you that much. Do you think it’s worth it?”

“For a year or two, why not? It’s good money and good exposure. I’ll meet new people, useful people. What can be the harm?”

“Right. Listen, don’t tell your father about all this, okay? He won’t approve, as you surely understand.”

“What do I tell him?”

“That you’re the guy’s assistant. That maybe there’s something between you to, but you’re not sure. Overact a bit; give the impression that it’s complicated. Men, even your father, won’t want to deal with that kind of drama.”

Belle considered this. She had never lied to Da, and starting with this seemed crazy, but… But. If there was a concept of white lies, this was it. She wouldn’t lie, she’d just… twist the truth just the right amount for it to be harmless. Right.

“Okay, ma, if you say so. But I won’t lie to him.”

“Neither will I, I’d never ask you that. Just… you know your father, he can be sensitive to those things. He doesn’t always get how business works these days, especially for women.”

“Don’t I know it…”

“You’ll be fine, honey, you’ve done well.”

They ate and drank, Ma only tasting the wine, and talked some more. Ma was extremely supportive, but Belle had a sense that this was because Ma was looking at the situation strictly from the business standpoint, and that could end poorly. Ma, however, had a way of speaking very convincingly, and Belle believed her when she said all would be just fine.