Page 13 of Fake Fiancée for Dad's Best Friend
“Right,” I mumble. What difference does it make? Except I’m about to lie to twenty more people. Shit.
But I don’t have the time to dwell on the matter because a maid comes up and tells us dinner is ready.
Chapter 6
Alex
We have dinner in the newly innovated dining hall. My mom has become interested in mosaic art, which explains Monet’s Water Lily in tiles on the wall, and the entire dining table top in colorful ceramic pieces. The fountain in the form of a meditating Hindu goddess right next to the dining table is also new. All the fancy settings plus the garden view improve my appetite. Soon I finish my favorite beef tenderloin cooked by Rosie, our family chef, for thirty years, and I savor the Merlot from my dad’s vineyard. Over dinner, my mom’s eyes seldom leave Vivian, and she keeps asking how she likes the food. Damn. I can tell she’s smitten by the girl. I’m glad, but I’m also worried and guilty, considering the whole thing is a sham. What if Mom likes Vivian too much? I only want to humor her, not to hurt her. I don’t want any negative consequences.
Honestly, I didn’t foresee this. I didn’t expect Vivian would impress my mom so much. I thought Karen would be critical because she always was that way toward the women I brought home, including Trisha, my last fiancée.
Could it be that Mom sees through our pretense and acts along? No way. Her happiness looks genuine.
Well, I convince myself. Vivian is a very likable, good girl, not to mention beautiful and smart. It’s only natural that people fall for her the first time they meet. I’ve fallen for her, too, haven’t I? Damn. Just imagining we spending the night together in the same bed drags my mind to the gutters.
“So, how did the two of you meet?” my mom asks when Vivian, too, finishes her food.
“Oh,” Vivian blushes right away and dabs her lips with the table napkin. She isn’t a good liar despite her apparent confidence.
I help her out without delay. “Vivian is my intern.” This is not precisely a lie, and it’s the best next to truth. Telling my mom she’s my best friend’s daughter is out of the question because we are concealing the fact from John.
“Intern?” My mom looks taken aback, and I understand her surprise. I’ve owned my company for over fifteen years and have never dated my employees. Trisha worked for me but mainly was a business partner.
“Yes,” I say, trying to make it sound more than just a physical attraction between us. “Vivian graduated from FIT recently and is going to get a graduate degree in fashion design soon.”
“Oh!” my mom smiles. “That makes sense. That’s wonderful!”
“What school are you going to?” my dad asks.
“Academic of Fashion Arts in Paris,” Vivian says with a shy smile, but I know she’s proud of the fact. Hell, that’s the sole reason she joins me in the current adventure.
“You’re going to Paris?” my mom asks, frowning a little.
I know what she’s thinking, so I make up another lie. “I know, Mom, and I’m trying to talk her out of it,” I say with a sad face.
Vivian plays along quickly. She puts her hand on my arm and stares into my eyes. “Please, honey. We’ve talked about this. It’s something I really want to do. I promise I’ll never leave you again once I’m done with school.” Damn. She’s a good actor, after all. She even strokes my arm and makes me shiver.
That works. My mom immediately helps my fake fiancée. “I suppose you can go with her, Alex? At least go see her once in a while.”
My dad also chimes in. “Yeah, Alex, go with her. You can take care of your business remotely nowadays, can’t you?”
Unbelievable. What’s happening? What has this little girl done to my family? I gaze into her eyes and smile. And then, I take the opportunity to kiss her lips, right in front of my parents. “Whatever you say, princess!” I whisper into her ear and make her blush deeper.
When we pull apart from each other, I see my parents exchange a knowing look. Hell, I’m in trouble, but I’ll worry about how to clean up the mess later.
“Vivian, I’ll take you downtown to shop for a dress for Sunday’s party,” Karen says to Vivian.
“Oh, thanks,” Vivian’s voice trembles a bit. Obviously, she’s still recovering from my earlier “fake” affection. “But is it necessary? I’ve brought some dresses.”
I saw the dresses she hung in the closet earlier. They were pretty and cute, but not for the formal occasion. So I say, “Please, Vivi, give Mom the chance to indulge her future daughter-in-law.”
Her eyes widen at the termdaughter-in-law, but she quickly composes. “S-sure, if it won’t cause too much trouble.”
“Not at all!” my mom says with a smile, her eyes filled with adoration. “Let’s do it first thing in the morning.”
“Mom!” I protest. “There’s no hurry. I promised Vivian I would teach her how to ride in the morning.”
“Okay. We’ll go in the afternoon then. I’ll take you to my favorite restaurant in town for lunch,” my mom says to Vivian enthusiastically.
