Chapter Six

~Veronica Beckham

A few tears escaped from my eyes, not because of the sweet words that came out of his mouth but because of the fairytale dreams I had about love that just went down for money. A lot of people approached us to say their congratulations. I felt so used.

"Can we go?", I mumbled, putting my things into my bag.

"Yeah", he signaled the waitress to bring the bill. Mrs. Greta came instead, "It's on the house dear, it's not every time we get a proposal here", she chuckled. "Why aren't you happy?" She looked at me.

"I am, I'm just overwhelmed", I giggled. Arthur offered me his hand and I took it, plastering a fake smile at him. "We'll see you next time, we have to continue our celebration at home."

We said our goodbyes and left the shop. I couldn't stand him, so I walked ahead.

Immediately we got inside the car Arthur spoke, " Why do you always ask questions? You almost ruined my proposal?" He yelled.

"You caught me off guard, a little heads up would have been nice instead of springing things up on me", I responded.

"I wasn't sure you'd act surprised, the act had to be believable"

"Next time, I'd prefer a hint and I'll practice my lines ahead of time", I retorted.

"Why were you crying?" He glanced at me.

"Let's just say I'm a good actress who takes her job seriously"

"You sure?"

Why was he acting like he cared now?

"No need to act like you care, nobody or a camera is watching us, you can drop the act now"

His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. His nose flaring in anger, jaw ticking like he wanted to say something but decided not to.

"I don't think you should go back to the office, I'll just take you home"

"Why?" I mean I should be happy for a free day even if it's a half-free day but I'm not. I could really use the distraction.

"The proposal would be all over the internet by now."

As if on cue my phone started to ring, I pulled it out, checking the caller Id only to see it was my sister. Shit! How do I explain this to my family?

"You'll just have to keep up the facade, no one has to know it's a contract marriage, a secret between us only".

Of course, I wouldn't tell anyone, it would be so embarrassing. My parents would be so disappointed in me. My phone started to ring and this time it was Reese, I cut the call, I would call her later when I got home.

"We have an engagement dinner on Friday, it's going to be a public one, you'll get ready at my place, and from there we'll go together", he continued.

"Friday is in 6 days," I muttered.

That was too soon, I haven't even gotten used to the idea of the contract not to talk of being engaged to you! This was moving too fast. 

"Yes I know, that's why I'm telling you now, so you can be prepared, I need to get my father's company soon"

"I have to find a dress then, can't believe I have to wear heels"

"You don't have to, your outfit will be selected by my designer to match mine"

"Alright".

"Now what's your house address, I've been driving in circles"

I gave him my address and we moved in that direction. My life changed in just two days. Would we have to be intimate at the dinner? Romantic touch should be enough right? 

"Arthur, would we have to kiss publicly? I stuttered, fidgeting with my bag.

"Probably, to make it more authentic? Any problem?"He looked at me briefly before looking back at the road.

"We can keep the kissing to a minimum", I stated.

"Why?"

"I just don't want all my firsts to be fake, if I'm kissing someone, I wanna be doing it for real intentionally", I chewed the inside of my mouth nervously.

"If that's what you want."

I was pretty sure girls would kiss his feet if they were in this kinda position I was in but I didn't want to get too intimate with him like that. Kissing was a norm for some people but not for me. I wanted to kiss someone I really liked but I guess I couldn't now. Well luckily for me Arthur was drop-dead gorgeous so that was a plus.

I mentally got ready to face my parents silently in the car. We got there faster than I expected. I opened the door about to step out when he touched my arm. I turned towards him.

"If you don't feel comfortable coming to work tomorrow, You can have the day off", he said. “I’ll send your car to you.”

I didn't see myself going to work tomorrow. The number of stares and gossip I would hear from my co-workers. I didn't even think I had the guts to talk to Reese. 

"Alright", I hopped off, walking towards my home.

Time to face the music.