Page 20 of Fake Fiancée for Dad's Best Friend
Her eyes brighten. “That’ll be fantastic!”
So, I sit back down and trim off the hem of the dress before turning it into frills.
In the end, I’m having so much fun I no longer remember I’m working on a designer dress. Karen is all smiles when she tries the dress on again. “Perfect! Perfect!” she says.
I let out a sigh of relief, feeling more accomplished than completing the final project in my fashion design class.
By the time we’re out of the boutique, it’s four in the afternoon. Karen orders Jack to stop at an ice cream parlor along the way, and she insists on treating me a large strawberry flavored cone. No one has spoiled me like this in my life, not even my parents. I always had to beg them to buy me sweets when I was little. I can only imagine what Karen would do to me if I were her daughter. I’m not even her real daughter-in-law, and she already treats me like a princess.
A pang of guilt hits me as I savor the ice cream. I can’t do this. I need to confess to her and come clean. But how am I going to do it?I’m really sorry, Karen, but you see, I needed the money?What would she do? She would be very disappointed for sure. What about the engagement party tomorrow? Isn’t it too late to cancel it? And the dresses Karen just bought? We could return mine, but not hers. Oh, God! What have I gotten myself into?
On our way home, I say to Karen in the car. “Thank you so much for everything.”
“My pleasure, honey,” Karen says. “I’m cooped up in the house most of the time. I love it there, but it’s good to get out once in a while and see how chaotic the world outside is, so I’ll return to my sanctuary with content.”
I laugh. True. Even though her home is a paradise to outsiders, it can feel like a prison if you stay there all your life.
Alex and Mike haven’t returned from their golf yet when we get home, and Karen says to me while we get into the house. “Oh, I had fun today. I wish you could stay longer so I could take you to other shops. We could also go to San Francisco together, on Mike’s boat. Wait, that’s a fantastic idea. Isn’t it? I’ll speak to Alex. I’m sure he can make the arrangement.”
Although I know Alex’s answer will be no, I say to her, “Yeah, that sounds great!”
Karen hugs me before we part on the top of the stairs. “I’m just glad Alex has finally found the right one,” she says, smiling.
I blush. “Thank you.” I feel bad deceiving the kind woman. Again I struggle with the urge to confess.
Chapter 10
Vivian
I woke with shouts and whistles outside the house. I grunt as I recall today is the engagement party. It must be the party-planning team.
I then glance at the room. Alex slept on the couch last night, and the pillow and the blanket are still there. I get up and move them back to the bed just in case. The pillow has his scent, and I find myself sniffing at it. Crazy. Knowing he must be playing golf with his dad again, I get up, wash and go down to the kitchen for breakfast.
“Good morning,” Rosie, the cook, says to me and brings a mug of coffee. “Would you like pancakes or toasts?”
“I love pancakes,” I say. “And Alex told me the almond pancake you made was the best.”
Rosie laughs. “He told you that? Good. I made some for him earlier. Still have some batter left. Why don’t you have a muffin first? It’ll be ready soon.”
“No thanks. I don’t have that much room and would rather wait for the pancakes,” I say.
It takes her less than five minutes to have them ready. While I eat, Rosie also makes me some sunny-side-up eggs and pours me a glass of milk.
“So, do you like them?” she asked me after I wolf down the pancakes.
I nod vigorously. “I do! Alex didn’t exaggerate. They’re the best I’ve ever had.”
The kind woman beams. “I can make more for you if you wish.”
“Oh, I’m fine for now, thanks.” I finish the coffee and ask, “So you’ve worked here for over forty years?”
“Yes,” Rosie nods. “Since Alex was a baby.”
“How was he like when he was a baby?” I ask, intrigued by the idea.
“Very sweet,” Rosie says with a smile. “He would come to the kitchen to help me with chores. Can you believe that?”
I blink for a moment. I used to help my parents in the kitchen, so it isn’t a big deal to me. But then, I guess things are different in a wealthy family.
