-NORA-
I was wrong.Vaughn and I acted like a couple even without being aware of it. I came to this conclusion by observing our interactions for three days. Unlike everyone whom Vaughn referred to formally, he always called me by my first name.He always ensured to invite me to dinner with him in a fancy restaurant whenever I worked late, which he didn't do for anyone else. He was sponsoring my brother's sports career. He was always so charitable when I was involved.It scared me.As I handed a cup of coffee to him, he muttered a thank you to me."You're welcome," I said in return.He took a sip of the beverage while reading through a document I dropped off on his desk earlier. A few minutes passed before he set the cup down on his desk and lifted his head to match my gaze. He raised a brow."Sir?""Is there anything you want to discuss with me?" he asked with an impatient tone.My mouth formed an O, and I mentally facepalmed myself. "No, sir. I'll be leaving now," I said. He hummed in response.I muttered a curse at myself as I walked out of his office. He probably thought I was an idiot with the way I stood by his side, shamelessly staring at him."Stupid girl. Stupid girl. Stupid girl." I said to myself repeatedly after I shut Vaughn's office door closed."I never knew you liked to insult yourself," I bumped into someone, causing me to briefly choke on my words and totter a little.I looked up to see Bennett with an amused look on his face. Christ, he must've heard me insulting myself."No. It's not what you think," I waved my hands in front of him, making an X.He chuckled briefly. "Did Vaughn say something to you?"It was obvious he thought Vaughn must've said something mean to me which was why I was insulting myself. I shook my head negatively , debunking his line of thinking."No. Of course, not. I just remembered that I forgot to put my underwear in the dryer before I left my house." I mentally facepalmed myself the second those words flew out of my mouth.I could see how Bennett was trying hard not to burst into a fit of laughter at my expense. "If you like, I could help you talk to Vaughn and make him spare you a few minutes so that you can—""No!" My voice went an octave higher. Bennett clutched his stomach. "I mean, don't worry. No need to do that. Besides, I have..." I trailed off as my eyes darted towards my desk. "Work to do." I completed with a sad tone.He nodded his head. "Of course. I'll leave you to it."I put on a polite smile and took a step to the side, making room for him to enter Vaughn's office. He mirrored my expression before he disappeared into the office. I let out a sigh in his absence, ashamed of myself."Get it together, Nora," I told myself, walking towards my desk and settling down on the my chair.When the time for lunch rolled in, Vaughn stepped out his office. "Lunch?" he offered. I blinked twice. My brain marked this action as one that shouldn't be so normal.I should reject his offer. The only reason why people believed what was on the tabloids was because Vaughn and I were so cordial with each other. I should break the spell."I still have a few emails to reply and I don't want to be a bother to you," I said with an apologetic grimace on my face.Vaughn stared at me blankly. "The emails aren't going anywhere. Come with me."He left no room for argument after that. I put down everything I was doing and chased after him. We got into the elevator together and since I started working for him, I noticed that his cologne had a strong hint of lemon in it.I loved lemons."Excuse me?" Vaughn said.I yelped. Did I just say that out loud? "Um... Nothing. I was just thinking about something."Vaughn threw me a skeptical look but didn't ask any further questions since the elevator made a ding sound and the doors opened. I was the first to step out, not being able to bear being too close with Vaughn. If he noticed that I was acting weird, he didn't say anything.Everyone on the floor greeted Vaughn as he and I strolled towards the exit doors and outside the building to get to the café across the road. It was one of the company's investments so Vaughn had no problem frequenting it.We both settled on a table deep inside. Without telling, one of the waitresses came to attend to us."The usual," Vaughn said, pulling out his phone. The teenager turned to me. I opened my mouth to speak but Vaughn's voice was what came out."She's getting the same thing," he said, then turned to face me. "Aren't you?""Yes," I nodded my head.The girl left after that. Only one move and my legs would be touching Vaughn's. His legs were long and spread out under the round table. I felt awkward. We usually had lunch together three out of five days, so why did I feel out of place today?"What are you doing?" Vaughn asked with a frown. I gasped, realizing that I rubbing the tip of my shoes against one of his legs. I quickly withdrew my legs."I'm sorry. I've just been distracted recently." I excused."Hmm. Better get your head in place before tomorrow because we're meeting with the Russians and I need you focused to translate for the other board members." Vaughn said, sounding bitter at the fact that I was the one who was going to be translating.Vaughn could only understand the language a bit but I was fluent in it. Anytime he spoke about the Russians, there was always a bit of spite in his tone towards me.I cleared my throat, then sat up straight. "Of course."The waitress returned with a tray and put down six vanilla muffins with two mugs of black coffee. I started stuffing my mouth, deciding that if my mouth was busy, we wouldn't get into a conversation.That plan went down the drain after a minute when Vaughn began asking me questions concerning his schedule and I had to stuff down my awkwardness to reply him.The conversation went on until the sound of a camera flash interfered. Vaughn and I looked around the café, searching for anyone close by. I stood up, wanting to go round the block but Vaughn stopped me, gesturing for me to sit back down. I did as he said."He's already gone by now," Vaughn pointed through the transparent glass wall of the café to a suspicious car that drove really fast. I sighed, running my hand down my face."Why do they keep doing this?" I asked myself, angry at the fact that I was even asking myself."Well, isn't it obvious?" A new voice said. I turned around to see Vaughn's younger sister walking towards us. "They obviously believe that the two of you are together." She said with a proud smile."Victoria, what are you doing here?" Vaughn asked, massaging the sides of his temples."I was just in the block and I saw you two around so I decided to come here." She smiled brightly, dropping down on our table."Did you see who took a picture of us?" I was quick to ask.Victoria's brows furrowed. "Nah, I must've missed him."I slouched my shoulders."But I hope it was a good one. You know, I honestly believed that you two were in a relationship." She winked at me.I shook my head in disagreement. "I would never—""Save it. You're too good for my brother." She laughed, rubbing elbows with a seething Vaughn."Victoria, leave us. We're in the middle of something." Vaughn told his sister. She made a 'psh' sound and waved him off."No way! Now that I've got you two here, we can begin planning!" Victoria exclaimed, grabbing one of my muffins and stuffing it inside her mouth."Planning?" Both Vaughn and I said with a question-like tone.She nodded. "Planning the commercial to show that you and Vaughn are really couples and the faces of the new lovers' resort!""What!?"-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
-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-"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-"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