-NORA-"A d-date?" I repeated with a stunned tone. Vaughn nodded. "Of course. Not a real one, actually. For show. I've decided to go along with the ridiculous idea of fake dating you." Vaughn explained.My jaw hung open. Did he just say those words to me? And with a warm look in his eyes? I must be imagining things in a state of delirium. Vaughn Keller would never go along with whatever he didn't want to, and with a kind tone at that.There was something seriously wrong somewhere."I don't understand, sir. Why...?" I found myself saying. Before Vaughn got a chance to reply, the elevator doors opened with a ding sound. He gestured for me to step out first, and I did. He took a step to stand beside me, still wearing a warm expression.I was scared."As everyone said, it is the best option for the company right now and we could also put a pause on the unexplained actions of the anonymous stalker. What do you say?" Vaughn explained to me.I blinked twice, reminding myself that this was r
-NORA-Like he heard my thoughts, Vaughn glanced at me with a sharp gaze. I flinched with surprise. His brows furrowed."What?" he asked with a gruff tone.I shook my head dismissively. "Nothing."He threw me a skeptical look before he turned to focus his attention on the road in front of us. He sighed through his mouth after a few seconds."Victoria and Ben will be joining us for dinner," he mentioned.My heart did something that I didn't know it could. It deflated. I blinked twice and squeezed both of my fists tight to control myself. I drew in a deep breath through my nose."Of course, sir," I said automatically, like a remote control doll."I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable because of any of this, that's why I invited them." I knew Vaughn was talking to me, but I felt like I wasn't the person seated next to him in the car. I felt like I was just a passing breeze."Of course, sir," I said again.Vaughn nodded. No one said anything till we got to the restaurant. Vaughn and I
-NORA-I have never felt this awkward in my entire life. The artistes who touched up on my features and styled my hair all had their lips drawn in a thin, firm line at my expense. They didn't actually need to say anything because their looks said it all.They were probably asking themselves in their minds what Vaughn saw in me. Where I came from. My worth. I knew. By the time they were done and had to leave the dressing room, I found peace. Alone in the room, I stared at my reflection from the mirror.Since they were told to give me a more natural look, I didn't look as amazing as I did the other night with Georgia. But I didn't look horrible either. I just looked natural. But on another level. My lips looked so soft and they managed to make my face look all smooth.I was putting on a bright red, floral sundress, and my hair was packed in a messy top bun to give me a carefree look. I picked up the script written in front of me. It was only three lines that I had to repeat, no biggie.
-NORA-It has been a very hectic week. Who knew fake dating a famous billionaire would be so much work?"When next are the two of you going on a date?" Holt asked with a mischievous tone while wiggling his brows suggestively at me.I gave him a pointed look. "You've asked me that question every day this week, and what answer have I given you each time?" He made a thinking face before speaking. "You still don't know? Hah, does Vaughn not know how to date a girl? Even if it's fake? You two should be going on dates all the time! Watching movies, visiting art museums, going shopping together, and spending lots of money on the most stupidest things!" Holt said with an outrageous tone.A person would think that he was actually gaining or losing something from Vaughn and I, but nope. He was just looking for gossip and drama from the two of us."You seem to know a lot about fake dating. Why don't you take my place and be with the man?" I suggested with a flippant tone.Holt features contorte
-VAUGHN-The drive to my duplex after dropping Nora off was short and discomforting. I was used to feeling that all the time—discomfort. People and things irritated me. I didn't like being outside my home but I had to push through every day because it was what was expected of me.The gates to my house opened and the driver went in to park the car under the parking shed, next to my other cars. I got down from the car and bid him a good night before I went straight into my house.On entering inside, I frowned. The lights were on and there was a useless person sitting on my longest couch while sipping one of my most expensive wines. I took off my suit jacket and marched straight into the house."Get out," I told my younger sister, cutting straight to the chase.She lifted her head to look at me and settled the wine glass on the center table, slowly. "Welcome back, Vaughn. How was work today?" she asked with a feigned kind tone and a smile. "I said, get out." I repeated with a hostile to
-NORA-I didn't wait to be summoned before I blew Georgia a goodbye kiss and jogged downstairs to meet up with Vaughn. Vaughn was leaning by his car when I walked outside the building, wearing a dark purple shirt with black pants. His hair was perfectly slicked back and his shoes were polished to shine.I suddenly felt underdressed in my gray turtleneck and long peach skirt. But I didn't think Vaughn cared about how I looked at all."Good evening," I greeted him when I got closer. He nodded his head and hummed in response before he open the passenger seat for me.I noticed that his driver didn't accompany him today. Meaning that Vaughn and I were going to be seating at the front together today. I grimaced as I settled inside his car and closed the door.Vaughn occupied the driver's seat the next second and quickly began the drive to his parents' place. They lived in an estate not too far from here. I began mentally preparing myself for the rest of the night."You seem tense," I heard
-NORA-White top. Black skirt. Black suit jacket. Short heels. Neat high ponytail. Boxy, thin-framed glasses. Black handbag. I was ready for the day. As I swung my front door open and stepped out of my apartment, I felt my phone vibrate from inside my bag. I pulled it out and read the caller's ID to be Chris with a heart."Hello," I held the phone to my ear, locking my door and shoving the key inside my bag."Nora! How could you? I thought we told each other everything! How could you keep this kind of thing from me?" My younger brother yelled from the other end of the phone.I internally facepalmed myself as I started to jog down the stairs of the building. "What are you talking about, Chris? Keep what from you?""You're dating your boss!""What!?" People on the busy sidewalk shot me curious and offended glances after my sudden outburst. I made an apologetic face before I hailed a cab. Entering inside the yellow vehicle, I said, "What do you mean 'dating my boss'? What boss are you
-NORA-"What!?" Everyone said at the same time, including Vaughn and I. "Mother, it will be better if you leave your fantasies out of this room." Vaughn finally spoke up, and with a tone that said he was not in the mood for one of his mother's 'crazy ideas.'"Vaughn, I'm being totally serious here. Do you seriously think there's a way to convince the public that you're not having an affair with your secretary? Once people get one idea inside their head, it's impossible to convince them otherwise. Which is why I'm suggesting you let this ride out. Also, it'll be good for the resort." Louise explained."This has nothing to do with the resort." Vaughn prompted.Louise rolled her eyes. "It has everything to do with the resort. This is going to be good publicity for it. You know how the public views the idea of the resort.""I think I understand what you're trying to say, Louise," Francis Bourgeois—the biggest investor in the resort project—spoke up. "If we can spin this story to make it
-NORA-I didn't wait to be summoned before I blew Georgia a goodbye kiss and jogged downstairs to meet up with Vaughn. Vaughn was leaning by his car when I walked outside the building, wearing a dark purple shirt with black pants. His hair was perfectly slicked back and his shoes were polished to shine.I suddenly felt underdressed in my gray turtleneck and long peach skirt. But I didn't think Vaughn cared about how I looked at all."Good evening," I greeted him when I got closer. He nodded his head and hummed in response before he open the passenger seat for me.I noticed that his driver didn't accompany him today. Meaning that Vaughn and I were going to be seating at the front together today. I grimaced as I settled inside his car and closed the door.Vaughn occupied the driver's seat the next second and quickly began the drive to his parents' place. They lived in an estate not too far from here. I began mentally preparing myself for the rest of the night."You seem tense," I heard
-VAUGHN-The drive to my duplex after dropping Nora off was short and discomforting. I was used to feeling that all the time—discomfort. People and things irritated me. I didn't like being outside my home but I had to push through every day because it was what was expected of me.The gates to my house opened and the driver went in to park the car under the parking shed, next to my other cars. I got down from the car and bid him a good night before I went straight into my house.On entering inside, I frowned. The lights were on and there was a useless person sitting on my longest couch while sipping one of my most expensive wines. I took off my suit jacket and marched straight into the house."Get out," I told my younger sister, cutting straight to the chase.She lifted her head to look at me and settled the wine glass on the center table, slowly. "Welcome back, Vaughn. How was work today?" she asked with a feigned kind tone and a smile. "I said, get out." I repeated with a hostile to
-NORA-It has been a very hectic week. Who knew fake dating a famous billionaire would be so much work?"When next are the two of you going on a date?" Holt asked with a mischievous tone while wiggling his brows suggestively at me.I gave him a pointed look. "You've asked me that question every day this week, and what answer have I given you each time?" He made a thinking face before speaking. "You still don't know? Hah, does Vaughn not know how to date a girl? Even if it's fake? You two should be going on dates all the time! Watching movies, visiting art museums, going shopping together, and spending lots of money on the most stupidest things!" Holt said with an outrageous tone.A person would think that he was actually gaining or losing something from Vaughn and I, but nope. He was just looking for gossip and drama from the two of us."You seem to know a lot about fake dating. Why don't you take my place and be with the man?" I suggested with a flippant tone.Holt features contorte
-NORA-I have never felt this awkward in my entire life. The artistes who touched up on my features and styled my hair all had their lips drawn in a thin, firm line at my expense. They didn't actually need to say anything because their looks said it all.They were probably asking themselves in their minds what Vaughn saw in me. Where I came from. My worth. I knew. By the time they were done and had to leave the dressing room, I found peace. Alone in the room, I stared at my reflection from the mirror.Since they were told to give me a more natural look, I didn't look as amazing as I did the other night with Georgia. But I didn't look horrible either. I just looked natural. But on another level. My lips looked so soft and they managed to make my face look all smooth.I was putting on a bright red, floral sundress, and my hair was packed in a messy top bun to give me a carefree look. I picked up the script written in front of me. It was only three lines that I had to repeat, no biggie.
-NORA-Like he heard my thoughts, Vaughn glanced at me with a sharp gaze. I flinched with surprise. His brows furrowed."What?" he asked with a gruff tone.I shook my head dismissively. "Nothing."He threw me a skeptical look before he turned to focus his attention on the road in front of us. He sighed through his mouth after a few seconds."Victoria and Ben will be joining us for dinner," he mentioned.My heart did something that I didn't know it could. It deflated. I blinked twice and squeezed both of my fists tight to control myself. I drew in a deep breath through my nose."Of course, sir," I said automatically, like a remote control doll."I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable because of any of this, that's why I invited them." I knew Vaughn was talking to me, but I felt like I wasn't the person seated next to him in the car. I felt like I was just a passing breeze."Of course, sir," I said again.Vaughn nodded. No one said anything till we got to the restaurant. Vaughn and I
-NORA-"A d-date?" I repeated with a stunned tone. Vaughn nodded. "Of course. Not a real one, actually. For show. I've decided to go along with the ridiculous idea of fake dating you." Vaughn explained.My jaw hung open. Did he just say those words to me? And with a warm look in his eyes? I must be imagining things in a state of delirium. Vaughn Keller would never go along with whatever he didn't want to, and with a kind tone at that.There was something seriously wrong somewhere."I don't understand, sir. Why...?" I found myself saying. Before Vaughn got a chance to reply, the elevator doors opened with a ding sound. He gestured for me to step out first, and I did. He took a step to stand beside me, still wearing a warm expression.I was scared."As everyone said, it is the best option for the company right now and we could also put a pause on the unexplained actions of the anonymous stalker. What do you say?" Vaughn explained to me.I blinked twice, reminding myself that this was r
-NORA-"While the other guests of the charity event were inside the hall mingling, Vaughn Keller and his lover, Nora Brooks, were having a bit of a rendezvous for themselves outside in the garden."I personally heard the two talking about not being able to stay away from each other for too long no matter how hard they tried. It was clear they were madly in love with each other. So why lie to the public about it?" Victor read out loud from the magazine in his hand, then went ahead to shut the book and throw it down to the table, so that everyone could get a look at the cover.It was a picture of Vaughn and I from last night when I tried to get him to stop smoking. My gown was hiked up and it appeared that one of Vaughn's hands was on my waist.Since the picture was taken from a back view, it looked like Vaughn and I were in the middle of a steamy make out session as opposed to what we were actually doing. This was bad. Everyone on the board had a frown on their face. Except for Andrew
-NORA-Everyone was taking pictures of Vaughn and I, asking questions like if we were really together and all that. Vaughn answered for the two of us while I stood next to him, trying to look as professional as I could, which explained the frown on my lips.After a few minutes, Vaughn had the road in front of us cleared and we both walked into the hall where the ball was already taking place. I mentally prepared myself for what I was going to face inside. You would think I was overreacting but people of high society were wild animals. Literally.The second we stepped into the hall, Vaughn and I got swept into a pool of endless questions and theories."Mr. Keller, is what they say true? I mean if it wasn't, you would have brought her here. You've finally gotten yourself a lover.""Brooks? What family name is that? I've never heard of it before.""Is she still working as your secretary or have you already proposed?""I heard you were poor, Miss Brooks. Is that true?""You're not very pr
-NORA-Vaughn looked like he had had enough of his sister as she went on about the two of us posing for different pictures and designs of clothing we would be wearing and how we would look so cute matching. One more word and he was going to explode."And then you guys can go for an entire wardrobe change into bikinis, you know? Nora, I bet you would look amazing in—""Enough!" Vaughn banged his hand against the table, causing both Victoria and I to flinch with surprise. "Victoria, for one second, could you just think about what's coming out of your mouth? If you did, I doubt you would say half the things that you do.""But Vaughn—""Nora, let's go back to the office. Lunch is over." Vaughn stood up after he said those words. I had no choice but to follow his footsteps."You guys can't leave me here!" Victoria said with a pout. I gave her an apologetic look but I left the café altogether.That put Vaughn in a bad mood for the rest of the day which only I had to bear. At the end of the