Less is more?

My relationship with Clarissa ended on my stepbrother’s wedding day. It was a shock to me when the bride was revealed and Clarissa was unveiled.

We had been dating for two years, and we were still in a relationship when she appeared as my brother’s bride.

Lumbar Leonardo, my older brother- jealous, greedy, self-centered, always wanted everything I had.

Maybe it was because I was born from an affair my father had with my mother that he constantly hated me.

Everyone, including my father and stepmother knew about this marriage, except me.

My father came up to me and said,

“You’ll always find love, don’t create a scene. The whole Italia is watching.”

There at the aisle, I cut ties with my family and relocated from Italy to Washington and rebuilt my life away from those toxic people I called family, avoiding women like a plague.

Five years later and a message from my father chimed through the phone;

Not that this was the first, but this time, it was dire.

“If you don’t come home for the FAMILY THANKSGIVING, I won’t include your name in the will, mark my words, Navy, I won’t. This will be the last time I call you.”

My father’s words sounded more like a threat than an invite, I could tell that he was tired of giving excuses to the Italian public about my absence in the family Thanksgiving pictures every year.

As Mayor, Leonardo Alessandro had a lot of work keeping his family image clean and he couldn’t possibly let his citizens find out that his youngest son had cut ties with the family.

The mere thought of seeing Clarissa and Lumbar together made me sick.

Worst still, the part of the message that said;

“You can’t possibly still be mad that your brother got your girlfriend. It’s been five years…” made me more upset than I expected.

“I just can’t go home” I raged.

I was pacing restlessly in my office when a knock echoed on my door, I opened the door and the blogger appeared in front of me, messing up my mind with her elegant 80s outfit.

She looked nothing like Clarissa, effortlessly beautiful, graceful even in her speech.

And I realized just then, the right way to get back at them.

Someone more beautiful and younger than Clarissa introduced to the family would make my brother’s stomach churn, and of course, drive Clarissa to insanity and jealousy. I knew them too well.

The mere imagination of their jealous faces blurred the lines between my sanity and dignity and before I could think properly about my revenge, the words were already out of my mouth.

“You’re going to act like my girlfriend, just for tonight.”

“I’ll pay you, you look like you need the money anyway.”

The room hung in silence for what seemed like an eternity. I suddenly seemed crazy for suggesting something like that.

Fake relationships only existed in the movies, and in imaginations.

What was I thinking?!

My heart trembled as the blogger’s mouth opened agape, and I could feel my face burning up in embarrassment.

“Is this part of my job?” She finally managed to mutter.

“Fuck!” I cussed under my breath, feeling humiliated by my own words. I opened my mouth to apologize for my inappropriate behavior,

“Consider it as a privilege, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be my girlfriend and get paid for it.” I heard myself say.

“What is wrong with me?!” I mentally scolded myself.

“How much?” The blogger replied.

My eyes nearly popped out in surprise.

By asking how much, was she willing to work with me? I wondered.

“Any amount you want… we will talk about it when you have completed your task successfully.” I replied, regaining my composure.

The blogger had a look of contemplation on her face for a moment, I unconsciously crossed my fingers and prayed silently for a positive response.

Rosé’s POV

Our gazes locked on each other and our desperation connected us in a sizzling moment of impulsive decisions that we would probably regret after, but the offer was juicy.

“What do I have to lose?” I thought to myself.

“One day of pretense in exchange for an open cheque that would clear off my debts once and for all.”

I contemplated for a moment, taking a deep breath,

“I’ll do it…” I sighed.

Mr Leonardo adjusted on his seat, extending a hand to me. I instinctively took the hand.

As I shook Mr Leonardo’s hand, a smirk crept across his face and I instantly realized, I had just signed a contract with the devil.

“Again, no one must know about this.” He said,

“That is the only condition for payment at the end of the night.”

No one had to know about my desperate effort to make money, being a fake girlfriend didn’t make an interesting conversation with anyone, not even Paula, so I nodded in agreement and finally made my way out of his office.

My first day with Mr Leonardo ended and I couldn’t be happier. Even though I had agreed to be his fake girlfriend, we didn’t suddenly become friends.

“7pm, tonight.” He said as working hours came to an end.

“I’ll pick you up at the Washington International Airport.”

“Okay sir.” I replied, the anticipation of our evening plans filled me with apprehension and I struggled even to hold his gaze.

“Your article, by the way… I liked it” he remarked.

My eyes dilated at his compliment, astonished that he liked the sample article, even when I clearly had written against his idea.

“Oh, thank God!” I exclaimed.

“But your dress… not so much. Ever heard of “less is more”? You’re coming to work, not a wedding.” He quipped, his tone filled with subtle hints of disapproval.

And just like that, he managed to remind me, how much of a jerk he is.

“It’s worth it, Rosé. The salary is worth it.” I encouraged myself.

He swiped his card and we stepped out of the Office. I was surprised to see a basket of roses waiting by the doorway.

Navy walked over to the flower basket with a frown on his face, pulling out the card attached to it. It was addressed to me.

“Can you keep your goddamn crushes away from my door?”

“If you’re going to be indiscreet, do it outside my office.”

Mr Leonardo bellowed angrily, but I can swear…

I saw jealousy flicker in his eyes.