Chapter Three

Gwyneth’s POV

"Are your parents in here already?" I immediately asked Sean when he greeted me first thing, the time I stepped into the restaurant.

"Yeah, they just got here not long ago." he replied so I just step my pace up to somewhat regain my composure before meeting his parents.

"I'm sorry for making them wait. Something came up that's why I didn't make it on time." I reasoned out while we're heading to the VIP room of the resto.

"It's okay."

Together, we entered the room filled with dim lights and as I wander my eyes around, my very own eyes landed on an elderly couple I assume Sean's parents. They were now sitting in a luxurious seat and seemed to be waiting for our arrival.

"Hello, good evening." I greeted politely.

Sean's mom offered a smile making me feel a bit at ease. “Have a seat, sweetie." Motioning to the vacant seat near me.

"Thank you." I muttered when Sean pulled out a chair for me before he stride towards his own seat next to mine.

When I'm finally seated, I folded my sweaty hands on my lap feeling uneasy considering the fact that there are twain pairs of eyes who are currently observing my every move.

Sean is the one I've promised my time with. He emailed me yesterday after he found out that I'm the 'girlfriend for rent' other people we're talking about. He was forced to marry the daughter of his father's business partner and he can't afford to lose his freedom for a girl, so he hired me to act out as his girlfriend, thinking that this is the only way to stop the unwanted matrimony. Here I am now, fighting an urge not to pee on my dress.

"How are you doing, dear?" her mom asked me in a velvety tone. She's pretty nice.

"I'm doing great, ma'am" Showing the kindest smile I could master.

"Get yourself ready. They're going to skin you alive" Sean leaned a bit closer to my ear just to whisper those words. He's supposed to encourage me, not the other way around.

Hey! I'm used to this already. This is my job after all, I'm pretty sure I can handle them just fine.

"What do your parents do for a living?" his Dad suddenly spoke for the very first time since I got here.

After meeting tons of parents, I'm acquainted to this kind of question already and I can say that I ace in this part.

"My dad has been running a company for over eleven years now, while my Mom is managing my grandmother's estate. I would really love to invite them to meet you too but their schedule is quite hectic as of now. But don't worry I'll set a special dinner when they're unoccupied." That was one lengthy explanation but I still display a radiant smile despite all the lies I just spilt.

I could clearly see the delightful smile on Sean's mother's face, but his dad doesn't seem to care of what he just heard. 

“If you don't mind me asking, may I know which company your father owns?" he inquired with a frown.

"He owns Inline Corporation. It is one of the world’s largest technology infrastructure companies." I proudly attest.

"Inline Corporation? Never heard of that before." he envisage as he held his chin succumb in deep thought.

I'm a dead meat if he'll figure out the whole thing.

"That's why your parents are so busy." Sean's mom unexpectedly butted in.

"Yeah, Aside from that, my Dad ranked as the 22nd richest business affluent in the world way back 2013 up until now." I vauntingly added.

These lies are way too far from worse than my previous one.

"Really?" her mom asked fondly so I just nodded.

"You're the right girl for my son" ever so slowly, his dad's frowning face morphed into a welcoming one.

Huh! What's new? I wanna laugh my ass off at his sudden liking for me, but I don't wanna get caught so I'm fighting an urge not to mess the moment.

"Thanks, Mister Buenavista." I returned politely.

"Just call me uncle dear, you don't have to be formal anymore. You're like a family to us now."

Whoa! I believe I deserve an immense bonus after this.

"Okay, uncle." Saying what I ought to say.

An irking sound of moving chair boomed the room. "You're doing great". Sean whispered-sing to my left ear.

"I know right." I retorted smugly.

While we were in the middle of conversation, the door suddenly opened. "Oh, your aunt Natasha is finally here." His mom abruptly stood up and kiss the cheek of the women who had just arrived. I guess she's in her later 40's but her porcelain skin speaks the opposite. No sugarcoating, she's stunning as hell.

"I thought only the four of us will be sharing a dinner? Why are there other guests?" I couldn't help but ask Sean in a hush tone. He has to pay me good later. Meeting with other people other than his parents is not included in our agreed terms yesterday.

"I didn't expect this either.  Just go with the flow just like what you did earlier." He replied in a hush as well.

I adjusted myself before beaming brightly at the new comer. "Hello, a pleasure to meet you ma'am." Beaming at the stunning woman. I saw how delighted Mrs. Buenavista is, for my lovely gesture.

“I suppose you're my nephew's girlfriend?" The woman inquired.

“Indeed ma'am."

She sat on the vacant chair I just notice then turned to me with a smile. "You're such a beauty."

"Thank you, but not as appealing as you are ma'am."

"Oh, I like her already Sean, and please just call me aunt dear. Ma'am is way too formal." She cooed but ends up choking on her own saliva. The room was filled with laughter but was put to an end when another presence barge into the room.

"What the hell is your reason this time? Why do you keep on forcing me to do stuffs in your own accord?"

We all whipped our heads to the rude intruder.

“Damn! I told you this is not my thing, is it that hard to understand?" He snapped to the woman who had just seated.

"Kalex, stop cussing and lower down your voice. You’re acting like a kid. Don't be rude and just greet your aunt." the lady lectured him.

"And now you are mortified with my dreadful behavior? You're unbelievable!"

“Your uncle and aunt are in here, Kalex. Now, get yourself together if you still want me to unfreeze your card."

Shit! I thought I just mistakenly saw him but No! This can't be happening. I thought he was going to the party? What the hell is he doing here? 

I slowly bowed down my head, trying to cover my face using the length of my hair. I have this feeling that he might ruin my night, so as much as I can, I’ll try my luck to make him not to notice me.

"Fucking fine! But, I won't be here for too long because I'm still going to Denver's house." I heard him bargained and later pulled out a chair next to me. 

Bad luck is taking its toll on me today.

"Wait...” he whispered softly then without second though, he remove the hair that's blocking my face. "Hey?" he said.

I bowed my head even more, afraid that he'll figure out who I am.

"Do you know each other?" I heard Sean asked gesturing his index finger between me and the bastard.

"Of course not!" I shouted standing up in the process. When it dawned to me that I fucked up big time, I sunk down to my seat bowing my head like an effin' weirdo.

"Yeah. She's my fucking girlfriend." Kalex answered the opposite, so I hid my face even more wishing the floor would crack and swallow me whole. I'm extremely embarrassed right now. "Why are you denying me in front of them?" He barely whispered in my ears.

Why can't he just shut his effin' mouth? 

"What?" Sean stood up with a horrified look.

Shit! It looks like I'm doomed for real. Where's the air when I need it the most?