The Proposal

Trisha stared at the very serious actor.

No laugh lines, nothing but that sparkling smile and his serious blue eyes that stared straight into her soul.

Was this some sort of trick? Were there cameras hidden somewhere, and once she said yes they would spring out and laugh at her foolishness?

She peeked over her shoulder to see if she could spot one.

The waitress was scrambling to pick up the mess of chicken strips that had scattered everywhere her cheeks glowed beet red.

Trisha turned back to Ryan Rosewood who was still sitting there waiting for her answer. “What kind of joke is this?” she managed to sputter.

“No joke, Trisha. I know this is sudden, but that call I ignored earlier, was a reminder of my deadline. I’m afraid I didn’t take into consideration the timing. I have important people coming to my residence tonight. People that believe I am married, and I need a wife to present to them. There is no getting out of it for me”

“Aren’t you rich? Can’t you get some actress or model to do this? You don’t even know me!”

“It’s true, I didn’t know you before this turn of events, but you’re someone that needs help, and I am someone that is in a problematic position. Be my wife for the night, that is all it should take. You do that and I’ll pay you handsomely for it, you won’t need to worry about a job for at least a year.”

Trisha fiddled with her fingers in her lap as she stared at the movie star. He was smiling nice enough and no warning bells were going off but this sounded way too good to be true.

“One night?”

Ryan nodded. “Just the one. If you agree we’ll leave here get you the type of attire they’ll expect, and I’ll accompany you to my house.”

“If you weren’t a really famous actor you would sound like a serial killer setting up his mark.” She muttered.

His eyes widened. “A serial killer?”

“Helping out random women and leading them back to your house? That’s kind of classic serial killer moves, you’re a movie star you have to know that.”

A blush stole across his cheeks and he looked away from her his messy black hair falling into his eyes. “Actually I don’t watch those types of movies. I don’t like to be scared.”

Trisha’s heart thumped at the reaction, so unguarded, so cute.

“So we go shopping, and then back to your house where hopefully you don’t kill me, and then what? What would be expected of me?”

“You’ll attend the party for the people I need to impress. They’ll see you there as my bride, be satisfied with my choice and leave.”

“Are they your family?” Trisha was curious at how cold and calculated his lines were.

“Something like that.” Ryan nodded.

“They won’t be the only ones there. It will be quite the event. You’re free to do whatever you wish, as long as you don’t do anything that will break the wife illusion.”

“I won’t know how to act.”

Trisha tried not to hyperventilate at the idea of being at such a fancy party. She didn’t do parties at all and now she was being invited to one of the richest ones.

Ryan Rosewood was a renowned billionaire after all. “What if I mess up?”

He smiled at her a dimple appearing in his chin.

“You’re not going to mess up, Trisha. You’ll be exactly the kind of woman you are now. You don’t have to hide who you are, just our relationship’s validity. You being an average everyday woman instead of a superstar will be even better to convince them. They would never trust an actress or a model.”

Trisha thought hard she could really use the money and this guy was obviously who he said he was. Wouldn’t the police have caught him if he was some sort of killer? They usually pieced together anyone that dead people had in common.

“Just one night, I pretend to be your wife?” She repeated again.

Ryan smiled as if noticing her softening to the idea. “That’s all I’m asking for. So, will you do it, Trisha?”

Trisha nodded. It sounded a lot better than trying to find an entry-level job or worse a customer-service job since her ex-boss would have likely blacklisted her everywhere by now.

“I’ll help you, but I do have one request.”

“Oh?” His smile never left but his eyebrow went up. “I hope it’s not something that’s going to make me regret giving you this offer.” There was almost an ice to his words now.

“I just want my mouse back,” Trisha announced with a smirk.

“Your mouse?” Ryan’s mouth fell open as he stared at her. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“My old boss, he took my custom gaming mouse I got from a gaming show, and I want it back. Is that something you could help with?”

Ryan laughed as he stared at her. “You’re very unique, Trisha. I could just buy you this mouse if you want it so bad.”

She nodded. “I’m positive you can, but I want to see his face when someone famous demands it back, and maybe a few other people’s faces when you walk in too.”

Ryan closed his mouth and chuckled.

“You have yourself a deal, Trisha, I can’t guarantee they’ll hand over this mouse of yours, but we’ll see if I can persuade them. Now, you’ll have to tell my driver where to go to get to this job of yours. Are you finished eating so we can go?”

“Wait, your driver?” Trisha hadn’t thought about leaving in his car. “Can’t I just take mine and meet you there? What’ll happen to my car if I leave it here?”

“I’ll have someone pick it up and take it back to your residence. It should be fine for just one night. Now, are you ready?”

Trisha pulled away from the table and nodded as she got to her feet. “As ready as I can be.” She started to turn to leave then paused. “I need to pay for my food.”

“Already done.” He nodded to the shop owner who was huddled close with the waitress.

“I gave them a nice tip for humoring me, now let’s go get this mouse of yours. I’m curious to see what’s so important about it.”

Trisha didn’t answer as she followed him out. She hadn’t noticed the car when she had entered the building, but seeing the black fancy town car that waited patiently outside sent a shiver through her.

This whole fiasco, this whole deal thing he was talking about was real. She was really going to pretend to be this famous actor’s wife for one day and even possibly get her mouse back as well. 

Well if all else failed, she’d at least wreck Chloe’s day and that was enough to put a huge smile on her face as she slipped into the door Ryan held open for her.

The car was more spacious than she had expected then again she hadn’t really ridden in fancy vehicles before. She slid over to the opposite seat and looked around at the plush interior as Ryan himself entered.

He nodded to the driver and smiled. “Where did you say you worked, Trisha?”

Trisha rattled off the directions like she was in auto-pilot. Her brain was still having problems comprehending just what was going on around her.

She noticed Ryan watching her with a tiny smirk and frowned at him. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing really, I’m just grateful that you’ve agreed. I really didn’t have the time to search for another, they’ll be at the party tonight and they’re never late.”

Trisha swallowed. She didn’t like this ominous they that he was talking about. “I hope you’re still so thankful but the time this is over.”

He tilted his head back, leaning into the plush leather. “I have no doubts about any of this. You’re going to do just fine, Trisha.” He flashed her a bright perfect smile and her knees went weak.

“Sir?” The driver looked at the two of them from his mirror. “We’re here, did I need to pay for parking?”

“No,” Ryan shook his head. “This will be over soon. We will be right back, just wait in this spot.”

The driver nodded and Ryan exited his door and walked over to the side offering Trisha a hand. “Shall we?”

Trisha nodded and the two of them walked back into her former job.

It didn’t take long for Mr. Leo to notice she was there and he exited his office with a huff.

“What are you doing here, Ms. Ford? You’re not allowed on this property, I thought I made that clear earlier.”

Ryan flashed one of those super smiles and even her former boss paused.

“Trisha tells me that she left something quite precious here. As she’s now my employee, I promised that I would take her back to get it personally. Perhaps you’ve seen it? A gaming mouse I believe is what she referred to it as.”

Leo scowled as he looked to the side. Chloe was standing mouth agape a finger pointed at Trisha’s companion. She wasn’t able to form words just random sounds.

“I’ll check the box but I’m positive nothing of hers was left behind. Everything in there was my property, and you should know some things about your new hire there-”

Ryan held up a hand. “Please, I don’t care what you’re going to say or what happened with her employment here. Nothing you say or do is going to make me revoke my offer to her. Would you be so kind as to check the box? It’s something rather dear to her.”

“I’ve got it!” Chloe has apparently gained use of her verbal functions again.

She ran over teetering because of her tall high heels and held it up in the air. “Is this one it, Ryan?” she gushed her eyes were practically stars at this point.

Ryan grinned at her. “I do believe that’s the one, right Trisha?”

Trisha snatched her mouse from Chloe's hand and looked it over. The artwork was still crisp, no marring, and no strain on the cord.

They hadn’t hurt her baby. “Yes, this is it.”

“Great.” 

Ryan turned to leave when Chloe rushed forward and grabbed his arm, making sure to squeeze it between her generous cleavage.

“You can’t go yet, you just got here. Can’t you sign something for a fan first?”

Trisha fought to not roll her eyes but failed. Of course, she’d be all over him.

Chloe caught Trisha's action and scowled at her.

If Ryan noticed their staring daggers at each other he pretended not to. He took a pen and scrawled his name down on a blank sheet of paper.

“Here you go, all yours, now we really must be going.”

Chloe held the paper to her chest like a lifeboat but still pouted at him. “You really have to leave already? You just got here.”

“We only came for Trisha’s possession, which we now have. I have a very important dinner to attend tonight, and Trisha is my guest of honor. I’m afraid we really must leave. It was nice meeting you, Miss.”

He gave her a friendly wave and Trisha had to hide her laughter behind a hand. Chloe’s cheeks could not be any redder than she was at the moment.

She was positively livid about Trisha's turn of fortunes. Ryan turned to Trisha. “Was that everything?”

Trisha nodded holding the mouse to her chest. She couldn’t wait for this fiasco to be over so she could go home and enjoy it.

As they left the building leaving behind the still very stunned ex-coworkers she realized that next would be the whole shopping thing.

Trisha had to wonder just what she had signed herself into.