“Evelyn, thank you. You brought my son home sooner than I expected.” He patted Bruce’s shoulder with pride. “If I hadn’t pulled that prank, he wouldn’t have shown up.”
I forced a smile. “I’m glad it worked out.”
I was partly ashamed I was tricked by those two but what do I do? I needed money and to get that I had to play along till I got it and make my walk out of the mansion easier.
Resting the burdens on myself made me realize it was better. I couldn't let my mum get married to someone else, and I wouldn't be comfortable in my own house or rather the new house. I was going to let her marry someone else, but I was glad I got a good deal to clear it off and she'll cancel the dinner she was thinking of, or even cancel the god forsaken marriage that wouldn't do me any good.
I took a glance at Mr Roccaforte as he looked so proud of Bruce, he gestured toward the dining room. “Come, let’s have a meal. It’s been too long since I had company I actually enjoy.”
Bruce's cold eyes met mine. He aggressively pulled me back and whispered, “You got what you wanted,” he muttered. “You can leave now. If you stay too long, my father would find something to pull again. And I wouldn't have you on my neck, you know that.”
My blood boiled. “Really? You’re going to act like this now? And I'm definitely not on your neck Mister.” I stepped closer, keeping my voice low. “I begged you to show up. I even swallowed my pride for this and you're what? Making it seem like I'm doing it all wrong? If you do that, at least stop pretending you don’t recognize me.”
He went silent. His jaw tightened. “Didn’t know you still had that feisty side,” he muttered. “I thought you lost all that the minute money came into the picture.”
I stared at him, stunned. “You think I’m here for the money?”
“You tell me.”
I scoffed. “Why didn’t you ever use your real name in Canada? Why pretend to be someone else? It would have been easier if I knew it was you. I wouldn't accept the offer to bring you here in the first place. What kind of a son are you, for your dad to pull such a prank and offer a quarter of his riches?”
“What? Quarter? You know, that’s none of your business,” he snapped. “Take whatever my father promised and leave. He knows already we're pretending to date.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but my phone buzzed. A message from Mom.
“Two more days. Hope you’re getting ready to meet your new father.”
New father. The irony would’ve made me laugh if I wasn’t seconds away from screaming.
“You both should come in. My legs are sore.” Mr Roccaforte complained. Bruce had no choice but to let go.
I shoved my phone back in my bag and followed Bruce into the dining room. Mr. Roccaforte sat at the head of the table, beaming at both of us.
“You’re his girlfriend,” he said to me. “I haven't seen him with any lady before, not even close enough to bring them home and he just decided to bring you home? It's a shame I've met you before. He probably saw the same thing I did.”
I didn't know how to feel, smile? Or feel haunted?
You should prepare him something. Show me you can be part of the family.” he added.
I hesitated. “It’s… it’s not real,” I said carefully. “This girlfriend thing, it’s just pretend. I'm sure you know that now.”
Bruce shot me a glare, but I raised my hands. “Don’t look at me like that. Your dad knows we’re both lying. He’s the king of manipulation, you think he can’t spot one of his own tricks?”
My Roccaforte chuckled.
Bruce leaned closer. “If I don’t find a real girlfriend soon,” he whispered, “he’ll set me up with someone I can’t stand. Again.”
“Then go find one,” I hissed. “Stop hiding like you’re some mystery novel character.”
“Fine. Find me one. If you're so concerned about my family’s business.” he shot back.
I blinked. “Me?”
“You just seem to enjoy meddling.”
I laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
Before we could go any further, Mr. Roccaforte cleared his throat. “Are you two done flirting?”
Bruce groaned. “We’re not flirting.”
His father leaned forward. “My son needs a strong woman beside him. One who’ll help keep the Roccaforte legacy alive. Someone who can give him an heir and not just let him waste his life playing hockey.”
I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. The heir talk, the business empire, it was like being in a live soap opera. Bruce’s glare burned into my skin again.
“Relax,” I muttered. “Your dad’s got jokes.”
Before he could reply, the double doors opened.
A woman walked in, all grace and expensive perfume. She rushed to Mr. Roccaforte and hugged him with familiarity. I barely glanced her way, until she turned around.
My breath stopped as my gaze fell on her. “Mum?” I whispered.
She blinked. “Evelyn?”
We both stared at each other like ghosts. “What… what are you doing here?” she asked, stepping back. “How did you meet Richard already? We were supposed to all have dinner together on Saturday. Why are you here?”
“I…” My voice broke. “You’re marrying… him?”
Her eyes softened. “He told me a girl's coming. I didn’t know you were the girl he hired.”
I felt the air choke out of my lungs. Bruce looked between us, realization dawning in his eyes. He rubbed a hand over his face. He was probably out of it too and didn't realize I had so much to take in. Mr Roccaforte only stared and never had an ounce of disbelief on his face.
I couldn’t take it. I turned, bolted out the door, and didn’t stop running until I hit the cold air outside.
Tears dropped down my thin choke
How did my life turn into this kind of chaos?
