You're Crazy

I froze, my eyes wide as I processed what Joaquin had just said. His father’s stern gaze flickered with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Your fiancée?” His father’s voice dripped with skepticism.

Joaquin tightened his grip around my waist, his posture relaxed but his eyes intense. “Yes, Haven and I have been keeping it private, but I suppose the secret's out now.”

My heart pounded in my chest, my mind racing to keep up. Why is he dragging me into this? What does he mean by fiancée?

His father’s eyes narrowed. “I see. Then perhaps you won’t mind if we have a private discussion, Joaquin.”

Joaquin’s expression hardened slightly, but he nodded. “Of course, Father. We’ll schedule it at another time.”

His father gave me one last scrutinizing look before turning and leaving the room, closing the door behind him with a decisive thud. Joaquin looked at me, too, making me conscious on the borrowed clothes that I am wearing at this party.

Yeah, yeah… I look ordinary, a girl with long, wavy hair with brown eyes… what’s so special? Please just stop staring at me!

The silence in the room was deafening. I pulled away from Joaquin, my mind still reeling. “What the hell was that about?” I demanded, my voice shaking.

Joaquin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fuck… I need your help.”

“Help?” I echoed, incredulous. “With what? Pretending to be your fiancée? I didn’t even get a single apology from you with what you did!”

Joaquin arched a brow at me. “I could report you for your constant reaching out to me with your swamp of emails and you ringing my doorbell before, but I didn’t. Isn’t that enough?”

I blew out an air of frustration. I opened my mouth to say something, but what he said had a point—I do sound like a creepy stalker… ugh! I just want this opportunity to be a one-time thing only. Yet, why am I pulled in this situation?

Is this karma working its magic?

“Well? Don’t you want me to teach you on how to become a better writer?” He asked as he sat back down on the chair, taking a sip of his whiskey.

What he said snapped me out of my thoughts. I narrowed my eyes at him as I realized that he’s now taking advantage of what I want, making sure he gets what he wants, too!

“Well, yeah! But this—” I gestured at us, indicating our fake engagement. “—is out of the question!”

Joaquin shook his head and then let out a playful smile. “I won’t teach you, then.”

The thought of losing the opportunity to be taught by a famous author who is now willing to teach me made me panic.

"Please teach me to become a better writer!"

"Oh?"

Joaquin got his glass and sipped his whiskey as he looked at me in a condescending manner.

"I need something in return," he teased as he put his glass down on the table, making me nod excitingly.

"Yes, yes! I would do anything you ask for!"

Hearing her feedback, he stood up from his chair then walked towards me, chuckling.

"Erm..."

I stepped away from him, now bumping my back on the wall behind me. Surprised, I gasped as he did a breathtakingly hot “kabe-don”. He then spoke near my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

"What if I ask... for a collaboration?"

I stared blankly at his eyes. I don’t even know what I’d feel! He’s such a roller coaster! From him looking down on me, from acting mean, from being a flirt, to now being playful… how could I even process everything that’s happening?

“You’re crazy,” was all that I could say, Joaquin now stepping back as he let out a sigh, walking back towards the bottle of whiskey to get himself another glass. He seemed serious now compared to before.

“You were almost willing to agree to this setup so I could teach you. What makes you hesitate now?”

I groaned and threw my hands up in the air as I stomped my feet, approaching him. “I admit I was stupid… but any person would hesitate given this situation of suddenly becoming your fiancée!”

He grinned. “A woman who’s dreaming to be with me wouldn’t,” he said confidently, making me scoff at his statement.

“You know what, I look up to you to the point that I had to go this far to talk to you. Now I’m questioning my actions.”

He got another glass and poured whiskey. He then offered it to me in which I took immediately. This conversation is getting out of hand, and I just want this one shot to knock me out!

“My father is trying to force me to take over his business, but he promised he’d back off if I got married. If I can convince him that we’re engaged, he’ll leave me alone and I can continue my writing career. In return, I’ll mentor you and help you become the writer you want to be.”

I stared at him, my mind racing. This was insane. “Well, thank you for sharing something personal to me, but what makes you think I’d agree to this?”

“Because you want to learn from me, and I want to keep my freedom,” he said simply. “It’s mutually beneficial. Plus, I’ll make sure you’re well-compensated for your trouble.”

I hesitated, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. This was supposed to be a simple meeting to get advice from a famous author, not a fake engagement. But the opportunity to learn from Joaquin and possibly boost my writing career was tempting…

“How long would this charade last?” I asked cautiously.

“Just until my father is convinced,” he replied. “A few months at most... or a year if it will take long. Once he’s satisfied, we can ‘break up’ amicably, and you’ll have my mentorship and connections to help you with your writing.”

I bit my lip, considering his offer. It was risky, but the potential benefits were huge. And despite the madness of it all, something about Joaquin made me want to believe in his plan.

“Alright,” I said finally, my voice firm. “I’ll do it. But you’d better make this worth my while, Joaquin.”

A genuine smile spread across his face, and he nodded. “You won’t regret this, Haven. I promise.”

I let out a sigh, giving up. “Since I crashed your damn party just to be in this situation, can I just go out and enjoy?”

“Please,” he said, gesturing at the door. “This is karma working in my favor. I’ll have a contract for this soon. For now, keep this situation a secret. I’ll tell you everything about my situation soon.”

“Bah, whatever.”

Without saying another word, I walked away, making sure that I find the bar immediately so I could drink it all away.