Six

Sienna's POV

"Rule number two, Absolutely no kissing unless I approve it and I would only do so, if we really have to do it for an audience probably as proof or something but nothing more" I started, my heart beat picking up as he stared at me with a look I couldn't quite explain in his eyes.

"That's easy, Blake" He whispered but his eyes held something more, something I don't think I want to know.

"Three, no touching me unless there is an audience and I am sure you know how to touch a lady appropriately" I continued.

"Well in less than 24 hours we will officially be the couple of the town, and that technically makes you mine" He shrugged.

"You seem to be forgetting this is all supposed to be fake right" I rolled my eyes.

"You tell me"

"Four, No getting jealous, or all that overly possessive shit, if a guy tries to flirt with me, let him. Who knows I may just find the one for me in all of this"  I joked watching his face for any reaction but sadly I didn't get it.

"Is that all Blake? I am yet to hear something that I actually need to be careful about" He said his face and voice blank. I guess calling me by my last name is here to stay then.

"Five, this one is very important. Stay out of my personal life, Julian" I said dead serious.

"That means keeping it classy in public and staying out of anything that concerns me in private. We only text for appearances, no late-night conversations unless it is urgent or about the plan, and if you ever notice or see anything you don't like or you think is off, don't try to do anything or fix me" I explained. His face morphed into one of confusion as I said the last part, just as expected.

"What do you mean?" He asked adjusting himself.

"Nothing that concerns you, Julian, just respect my rules," I said in a straight voice. This is the only way to make sure everything stays hidden just like it has always been since it happened.

"I don't think I like this one so much" He murmured.

"Doesn't change the fact that you have to keep to it" 

"That should be all right?" He breathed, his facial expression was enough to know his hesitation about the last rule but it just has to be.

"Six, If either of us ever catches feelings, we end it, immediately" I concluded.

"That won't be happening Blake, except you don't trust yourself" He chuckled staring at me with raised eyebrows like he was waiting for me to flop in some way.

"It is you I don't trust"

"If that is the case, I guess we have no problems then cause there is no way it is happening," He said with so much certainty.

" I am done now, you can state your rules," I said with an air quote leaning back on the sofa. 

"Unlike you, I just have one rule which I take very seriously"

"One rule? Really" I chuckled, here I was thinking he was about to come up with a long list of outrageous things.

"Let's hear it then" I encouraged.

"I take this very seriously, no matter who it may be, or what the issue is, never lie to me, Blake. I don't care if this whole thing is fake but I won't be made a fool" He stated his voice low and firm.

"If you ever want out, say it. If you hate me so much you can't keep going, say it but don't lie, don't pretend, not with me" He added, his no-nonsense tone making me more nervous than I thought I was.

"Are we clear, Blake?" He asked when it was clear he wasn't going to get an answer from me.

"Yes...we are" I murmured. Everything just keeps giving me more reasons why this is a bad idea.  

"Good, now I will draft the contract and send it to you before the end of tomorrow," He said shooting up from where he sat.

"Wait tomorrow? Like we are starting this tomorrow?"

"No, Blake" He answered dryly staring at me like I just asked a dumb question.

" Oh thank goodness" I breathed out in relief.

"We start now" He added killing my joy that was yet to fully establish.

"Now? No way" I quickly opposed.

"Why not now? What's the difference between now and tomorrow?" He asked actually looking confused.   

"I need time, at least a day"

"Well, I am sorry but I can only give this night off because we have to make an appearance tomorrow night at the charity gala my company is holding" He stated. Charity Gala?

"What charity gala? We haven't even signed the contract yet and you are already planning to carry me around like some doll?" I spat.

"And before then, we need to be seen together so it doesn't look suspicious meaning we have to have lunch together, somewhere people can easily see us" He continued ignoring my outburst.

"Didn't you hear what I said?"

"Look Blake, you can assume whatever it is you want to assume, but to make this as believable as possible we need to do all of this. I can't go to the charity gala with someone else and then claim to be dating you and neither can I go alone, our plan will flop before it can even start" He sighed watching me like I was some child.

"But can't we just go for the other ones that are yet to come, we don't have to start immediately"

"The walls have ears, we have been in here for quite some time, we have to start from now to give them something or things might just not work out. Picture how it will be if we go our separate ways tonight and then appear tomorrow night together, it wouldn't seem off to you?" He reasoned.

"I just knew this was a bad idea" I murmured.

"What are you saying then?" I asked with a loud sigh. Sienna and always making terrible decisions she can't back out on.

" I am saying you let me take you home tonight, tomorrow I come pick you up for lunch, and then take you to the gala" He answered shrugging his shoulders like it is totally normal for him to just start dating someone they barely know out of the blue.

" I can just meet you at the restaurant for lunch no need to come get me yourself, I could also do so for the Gala too" I tried to reason.

"Blake, I understand your hesitation, and trust me I feel the same way too. In fact, I am here asking myself over and over again why I came up with but we both want something out of this so we just have to "

"Speaking of wanting something out of this, what's your aim? What are you getting from this?". I have been too focused on the idea of all of this I forgot to ask.

"Do you think you are the only one tired of random blind dates?" He shot, his tone picking up.

" I just asked a question, why the tone?'' l asked taken aback by his sudden tone. Why did he sound so defensive? Like he was trying to cover up something.  

"Well..." He drifted off.

"You should know I wouldn't do this for nothing"

"It wouldn't have cost you anything to say so rather than answering me the way you did," I said offended.

"It is getting late already, we better get going tomorrow is going to be a long day" He spoke up, his eyes fixed on the expensive watch on his lifted wrist. What a way to change the topic without even bothering to apologize, he has a lot coming his way if this is the attitude he is going to be giving me.