Page 65 of My Fake Fiancé

“Coffee tomorrow? 9?” Tatyana looks over at me practically glaring at me. I laugh, “Yeah, you’re right. Noon or one?” She gives me thumbs up then shushes me and pulls a blanket over herself. I curl up into a ball and fall asleep quickly.

Chapter 56

Kurt

My alarm blares too early in the morning and the sunlight streams into the room because I forgot to close the blinds. As soon as I open my eyes, the light jolts my system and I’m fully awake. Climbing out of bed, I switch on the TV in the living room before going to the kitchen and making a pot of coffee. A few files from work sit on the kitchen counter and I look over them while I drink my first cup of coffee, the news quietly on in the background. I finish my first cup of coffee and then take a quick shower. I hear my phone go off while I’m in the shower and wonder who else would be up this early. After my shower I sit down on the couch, spread the files out on the coffee table in front of me, and settle in on my second cup of coffee, forgetting to check my phone.

I wanted to get to work before 8 but I let the files distract me and only notice the time when the neighbor’s dog starts barking. And he always starts barking at 7:30 in the morning. I check my watch just to make sure and it says 7:30 a.m. Shit, I’m going to be late. I quickly pack my briefcase and put a third cup of coffee into a travel mug before heading out the door a few minutes later to get to work. I get to work around 8:15 only a few of my co-workers have arrived before me.

“Good morning, Kelley.” I go into my office and Kelley follows and leans against the doorframe of my office.

“Good morning, Kurt. Have you taken a look at the Penski file yet? I have a few ideas I’d like to run by you.”

“Sure, let me get settled in first. Katy said we could use the conference room this week, can you bring all the paperwork in there to set up?”

“Sure, boss, sounds good.” She says cheerily and makes fun of me for bossing her around. She laughs as she turns to get the papers.

“Thank you!” I call after her then unpack my briefcase and grab my phone remembering to check it. I see a text from an unknown number with an attached picture but I don’t bother to open it so I grab the Penski files that I brought home and my cup of coffee then make my way to the conference room.

“Okay,” I say as I set down the files and take a seat around the table, “Kelley, what ideas did you have?”

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“You’re going to join us tonight, right Kurt?”

I look up from my work and see Kelley standing at the reception desk, packing up to leave for the day. Looking at the clock on the wall, I can’t believe how late it is. I start packing up my desk and shove some work into my back to bring back to my apartment to work on.

“I’m not sure. I have a lot to work on. I might just go back to my apartment…” I drift off hoping she’ll drop it or continue asking, I’m not sure which I want right now. Maybe I should go out with them.

“Come on, you’ve bailed the last few nights.” Another one of my co-worker’s comments as he finishes putting his jacket on. He and Kelley head to the door and then look back at me. I wave them on.

“Sure,” I say. “I’ll be right behind you guys.” I finish packing as they leave.

Making my way to my car, I take my time, knowing I should go out tonight but not really wanting to. I check my phone once I’m in the car. Still no messages from Juliana, but plenty of messages from Ashley. I sigh then put my phone away. Yeah, I need a night out.

Pulling into the parking lot, I stay in my car leaning my head back and squeezing my eyes shut tight before opening my eyes and making my way into the bar.

“Hey! You made it.” I’m instantly surrounded by a couple of my co-workers and a drink is placed in my hand. I accept it willingly, needing to relax. “We’ve got a booth in the corner.” Kelley points in a direction and I see some of our other co-workers gathered around a giant booth in the back. I nod and take a sip of my drink before we make our way back to the booth. I pull a chair up to the edge of the table while Kelley slides into the booth.

“Hey, you had some great points on that case today,” I start to say but Kelley waves her hand, cutting me off.

“Please, no work talk. We are here to forget about work.” She holds up her glass gesturing for me to do the same then looking to everyone else to follow suit. “To relaxing after work and the annoying coworkers we drink with!” She raises her glass higher and yells “Cheers!”

Kelley is the cheerleader of our office so we all indulge her and cheer with her then go back to our separate conversations.

I check my phone again and finally open the text from the unknown number. I click on the picture and it’s a little blurry but it looks like a picture of Juliana and Callum out on a date. The text reads;

Unknown:Do you know where your fiancé is?

I look around the room a little confused, wondering if the text is a joke. I look at the picture and zoom in on it. I can’t even tell when this picture was taken, it might have been a long time ago. I text the number back with a quick response,

Kurt: Who is this?

Then I slide my phone into my pocket and try to relax and enjoy the company of my co-workers.

Chapter 57

Juliana

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