Chapter 7

Taina POV

I know that Nek would have wanted me to wear the dress, it feels like Nek had taken personal time to get this dress. But deep down I know it’s not true, as Nek would be too busy  running an entire conglomerate. But it’d be nice to think so, I slip into the dress, wear a little make up and head downstairs.

I can hear Nek from the dining room, seems like he got into an heated argument with someone, I’m sure it must be about business

“Good afternoon”

“Good afternoon” I haven’t seen this maid before, but Nek probably has more than 9 maids; I’ll do better with learning their names, I don’t want them to think of me as snobbish.

Unfortunately it hasn't been up to two days before I moved here that I have  to meet my parents-in-law, I’m not saying I don’t want to meet them but meeting them at short notice is not the way I imagined it. I always thought that the first time I officially meet my in-laws I’d like to impress them.

Nek looks happy that I wore the dress, I can tell from the little smile he has on his face; if that doesn't make blush what will.

"I’m glad you wore the dress, you look beautiful"

"Thank you for the dress”I smile sheepishly at Nek

"Are you ready to meet my parents?, I’m sure they’d love you, they’d love anyone I love I assure you”

I can’t help but give him this crazy look” you don’t love me, what do you mean by you love me” 

“Yes I don’t love you, but my parents don’t know that; they think I’m in love with you. We need to get our story right, my mother is very inquisitive and I can assure you that she’s going to be asking a series of questions, like when did we meet, when did I propose to you. We have some time to practice before they arrive; they are set to arrive at 2pm just in time for lunch”

“2pm is enough time to practice, your parents can definitely not find out about our fake marriage; especially not the first time they meet us” I say jokingly, 

Nek doesn’t smile; "looks like someone can’t take a joke. Okay so where do we start; I feel like the basis of every marriage, would be where we met. I’d say a bar; but those who know me know that I wouldn’t be caught dead there, what do you suggest”

“What about the office, I mean that’s where we really met, and that makes the most sense. You were employed as my new secretary and I noticed how beautiful you were so I decided to ask you out after a few months had passed” Nek says

I can’t help but blush, does Nek really think me to be beautiful, other men have called me beautiful; but hearing him say it feels different, “yeah meeting you at the office makes the most sense, I guess you're the logical thinker in this relationship. Not that we are in an actual relationship” I awkwardly say, “umm so for how many years have we been dating? I think 2 years will suffice since I’ve been working with you for 3 years”

“Yeah 2 years would suffice, seems like you can also be a logical thinker in our relationship” Nek says making a reference to what I said earlier.

We discuss other issues, like how we fell in love, what our favorite color is, our favorite food and others; and I’ve discovered that the only thing we have in common is work. I mean the man likes the color black, I’m sure he thinks it makes him look all business like.

Nekstands up “I think we’ve gotten all the information we need about each other. What should I call you when I’m around other people; I think calling each other Love sounds nice and respectable”

I nod to that, if this conversation continues, I might get awkward and Nek might get the wrong idea and think that I like him.

“I’m going to check in on the dining room arrangements” I say, “if you need me you know where to find me”

“Alright, I’ll be in my office” Nek says as he heads towards the door 

The dining room looks magnificent, from the way it’s arranged you’d think that we were hosting the prime minister or a royal. I guess Neks parents are high class, that wouldn’t be surprising seeing how rich they are.

“Has the table been laid out properly”

“Yes ma'am" one of the maids reply

“And the food is ready, wine glasses have been brought out”

“All is ready, we are just waiting for the guests to arrive” she replies

“Okay then, I wouldn’t want to disturb you; carry on". It's 1:45pm, 15 mins till Neks Parents arrive. I head towards my bedroom fix my make up and head towards Nek's office.

He is always hiding out in his office, I don’t know if this is his normal routine or he’s just hiding from me.

I knock on the door “ it’s Taina, can I come in”

“Come in” Nek has his face in a book, I guess I just discovered something new about him. Nek is a book fanatic, cool.

“I wanted us to be together when your parents arrive, carry on reading; I’ll just look around your office”

Nek just nods, I doubt he heard me. After looking around I end up lounging on the sofa, it’s absolutely boring being around Nek, he hasn’t even looked up from his book to acknowledge my presence.

************

“Taina wake up, they’re here”

“Who’s here” I mumble, “Let me sleep, I woke up so early today, thanks to that boss of mine; please let me sleep a little more”

“My parents are here” I hear Nek say

I instantly sit up startling Nek “oh no, I slept off, why didn’t you wake me up”

“Well according to you your grumpy boss woke you up too early; and you looked tired” 

“Where are they, do I look presentable? Can you keep them busy while I freshen up?”

“They are downstairs and you look your beautiful self, now let’s head downstairs” Nek says as he helps me up “you know it’s rude to keep your guests waiting”

I can tell he’s joking, “I wouldn't be late, if a certain someone woke me up” i mutter under my breath 

“You should do a better job at muttering, I can hear you clearly; now can we head downstairs” Nek says as he links our arms.

“Sure, time to meet your parents”