Chapter 5

The ride to the restaurant was silent. Which was to be expected. We were two strangers, and with how we met, it was normal that we didn’t have anything to say to each other. The thought of dropping Reine off had crossed my mind several times. I could just tell her it has been a stupid prank. But the idea has dropped itself in my mind and I knew it would be impossible for me to ignore it. So, I decided to go through with it.

Finally, we reached the restaurant. I got out and opened the door for Reine, watching her keenly as she got out of the car. It was weird how I found her movements hypnotic. She was delicate and everything she did looked like it had a purpose. I shook my head and led her into the restaurant. I was a regular patron so there was no need for a reservation. And not to brag, but I was Jax Coleman. People tripped over their feet to serve me and it would be nothing different here.

I went over to the maître d’ and asked him to show us to one of the private rooms. I noticed Reine look at me sharply, but she did not say anything. I didn’t think she would anyway. I had dangled the bait in front of her; money, and she had taken it. I doubted she would be able to deny me anything I asked.

We followed the maître d’ to the room, and he left us, telling us a server would be with us shortly. As soon as he left, I felt Reine’s eyes on me. I looked around lazily before finally glancing at her. Her brows were raised. I wished I could guess what she was thinking.

“So?”

“So what?” I asked, pretending like I didn’t know what exactly she was asking for.

“So, what did you want us to talk about? We’re here, the best time to tell me would be now,” Reine said. She was eloquent. It was a shame that she was probably a gold digger.

“We should order first. It’s no fun talking on a hungry stomach. Or are you not hungry?”

She purses her lips, watching me, then she finally sighed and said, “I mean, I could eat something,” with a shrug.

I smiled and as if her words had conjured the waiter, one walked in. We gave our orders then we were all alone again. The silence was awkward and every time I met her eyes, Reine turned away. There was something about her I couldn’t put my finger on...

I wondered what exactly she had done… what had put her into debt. From the way she had been talking when we were in the elevator, $20,000 was just a part of whatever amount she had to pay. So, there was probably more. Was she just the type who wanted expensive clothes, shoes, jewelry and was trying to live a lifestyle she could not afford?

“Did you bring me here so you could ask me to be your whore? Because I am not that kind of person,” she blurted out suddenly, her cheeks taking on a becoming rosy hue.

I chuckled. I had been expecting the question. And I was actually surprised she had refrained from asking it all this while.

“The last thing I want you to be is my whore, Reine,” I drawled out, watching as the blush on her cheeks deepened.

“Good,” she bit out, but for some reason, she sounded put out.

Before I could say anything though, the waiter brought our lunch. It wasn’t supposed to be silent or awkward. But from all indications, after her last comment, Reine wasn’t interested in making any further conversation. I could respect that. At least until I wanted to say whatever I had on my mind.

“We’re done now,” Reine said with a hopeful expression on her face.

“Do you want to be rid of me so bad?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.

I watched different expressions parade on her face. And I laughed. “What do you need money so bad for?” I asked. I don’t why but I already knew that she was going to be defensive about it and not tell me a thing.

“That’s none of your business,” Reine said just like I had predicted.

“What if I said I wanted to help you?”

She looked at me with a suspicious look on her face. “And why would you want to help me? You don’t even know me.”

“Let’s say I’m a Good Samaritan.” I was anything but that. I knew what I wanted and most times, I didn’t care about the methods I used so long as I got it. And this time was no different.

“For some reason, I have a hard time believing that.” The skepticism in her voice was obvious. I leaned forward towards her, making sure that she was staring into my eyes as I spoke.

“What if I told you that I had a proposal for you, one so ludicrous that it could make you think I’m a mad man for even thinking it?”

Reine’s eyes wavered and she looked down before staring back at me again. “You said you didn’t want me to be your whore.”

“And I don’t.”

“So, what do you want from me? What is this proposal you have in mind?”

“Before I say anything, promise me you won’t bolt and that you’ll think about it.”

“You said you’d let me leave if I felt uncomfortable.”

“And I meant it.”

It almost seemed like we were having the same monotonous conversation over and over again. “Do you agree to listen to me, Reine? Without interrupting? And do you agree to actually think about what I’m about to say?”

After what seemed like an hour, Reine finally nodded.

“Good,” I said, then I took in a deep breath. I had planned everything I wanted to say on our way to the restaurant. And for the first time in years, I felt weirdly nervous. “I need someone to pretend to be engaged to me.”

I had planned to say it in so many other words than that, and in a more sophisticated way rather than just blurt it out.

“And how do I come into the whole story?” Reine asked.

I noticed how her hands were crossed over each other, the fingernails digging into the former with how hard she was clenching them. I felt like unclenching them and soothing away the crescent marks. But I didn’t want to think I was even more of a weirdo.

“I want you to be the one to pretend to be engaged to me.”

Silence.

My eyes didn’t leave her face. She was extremely expressive, everything she felt could be seen in her expressions. Reine looked up at me with wide eyes that were clearly confused, with one million and one questions swimming in them.

“What? Why? Why would you even think of asking me to do something like that?”

“Reine—” I started but her indignant words stopped me in my tracks.

“Look, I don’t know what kind of women you’re acquainted with, but where I’m from you don’t just tell women you want them to pretend to be engaged to you. Especially ones you don’t know from Eve.”

I had expected this kind of reaction, so I leaned back and waited for her to finish ranting. I had a good feeling, something told me she was going to accept whatever I had in mind.

“Are you just going to sit there and watch me talk?” I was already getting used to her indignant tone.

“I was waiting for you to finish talking, Reine.”

“Please explain yourself then.”

“I want you to pretend to be engaged to me for one million dollars.”

Reine looked up at me in shock. “W-what?”

“Pretend to be engaged to me for six months, just long enough to get the board off my back. And I will take care of all the debt you’re in.”

“I mean, Mr. Coleman—” she started saying but I stopped her.

“Jax. Call me Jax,” I interrupted. She swallowed, looked up at me, and nodded.

“Jax, why me? I’m sure you know many other women who would be fit for this role you want me to play. I mean you met me just today. You don’t know if I’m a criminal or not.”

“Are you a criminal?” I teased.

“That’s not the point, Jax. The point is—”

“Are you a criminal?” I insisted.

“I’m not!” Reine exclaimed. “But that’s not the point. The point is you have no idea who I am. And why I am in debt in the first place.”

“Reine, I could know everything about you if I truly wanted to. I want you to tell me everything about yourself. And your debt, do you want to tell me why you’re in debt? College loans? Excessive spending?”

Reine’s cheeks colored as she looked down. “Not college loans,” she mumbled, then looked up at me with a defiant look on her face. “You know it’s none of your business!”

I noticed how she had mentioned college loans but not excessive spending. But I was not going to ask. I lifted my hands. “I’m not forcing you to tell me anything. It’s fine.”

I watched the movement of her chest as she took in a deep breath. “The point is, Jax, you could be trusting the wrong person here.”

“Why are you trying to convince me you’re the wrong person?” I asked, a little intrigued. Was she one of those types who got off putting herself down?

“Because I know nothing about marriage, or relationships even! It’s going to be a disaster because they are going to see right through me and know I am nothing but a liar.”

I stared at Reine after her outburst. I couldn’t explain to her why I absolutely needed her to be the one who would be my pretend fiancée. I definitely had a fascination for her that I couldn’t even explain to myself. And her debt situation had given me an idea, one that would help both of us.

Her words made me happy in an unusual way. The fact that she had basically confessed that she was inexperienced sent a jolt of excitement through me. It had been a long while since something like this had happened, it had been a long while since I had been genuinely excited over any woman. This was new.

“You know Reine, there is something you call learning. I can teach you all you need to know, and it definitely would be fun for the both of us.” I laced my words with innuendo and was pleased to see her blush.

“I… I don’t know Jax.”

I grimaced a little. The last thing I wanted was to force or coerce her. If she was getting into this, then it should be because she wanted to get into it. Not because I had insisted so much.

“Like you said Reine, there are plenty of other women out there who will accept one million to be my pretend fiancée, and I’m sure it won’t be much of a hardship for them. So—”

“Wait,” Reine interrupted quietly. I raised a brow at her. “Are you going to give me all the money at once?”

I narrowed my eyes a little. She sounded a little desperate and it made me wonder just what exactly she needed the money for. Was she addicted to something, and had she gone overboard on that addiction and put herself into debt? Maybe she was not quite as innocent as I thought.

“We’ll sign a contract, and I’ll release some part of the money monthly until our six months are up,” I explained.

“And then we go our separate ways and I owe you nothing, right?”

“Yes, Reine. We go our separate ways, and you owe me nothing. So, you agree to be my pretend fiancée?” I asked with a smirk.

“Y-yes,” she stuttered, then she looked up at me and repeated, “Yes.”

“Good. I am going to need your address so I can send you the contract once it is drafted. I would also need you to sign an NDA. You’ll speak to this about no one, I don’t care who they are to you,” I underlined, needing her to know I was serious.

If the board got hold of this pretend engagement, it would be no hassle for them not to vote me as CEO because of misconduct. It would be too easy. And that was why I needed Reine’s cooperation.

“Understood,” she said softly. “Am I allowed to leave now?”

“You make it sound like my presence is torture to you,” I said seriously.

“It’s not… I just need time to process all of this,” she laughed awkwardly.

“I’ll drive you to wherever you stay,” I proposed.

“No, it’s fine. I need… I need a breather.” From you were the unspoken words. But truly, I didn’t mind. It was normal to be overwhelmed after accepting a proposal like the one I had given her.

I flagged the waiter, settled the bill. Then I stood. Reine stood immediately, and looked up at me, blushing when our eyes met. I offered her my hand, and she took it, then she let go as soon as we were out of the restaurant, almost like I had the plague.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you home?” I asked again.

“Yes, yes. I’ll be fine Mr. Cole— Jax. I’ll be fine.”

“How are you going to get home then?”

“My friend called me an Uber,” she explained.

“Then I’ll wait for her until the Uber comes,” I said, my voice firm with no room for arguments. Reine sensed it because she said nothing, just leaned against my car just as I was doing while we waited for her Uber to arrive.

“Give me your number,” I said, then I slid my phone to her. I watched as her delicate fingers pressed on the numbers, and I almost missed it when she passed the phone back to me.

I saved her contact then called her, watching with satisfaction as my number popped up on her screen.

“If you have any questions, call me. I’ll make myself available.”

The only thing Reine did in response was tilt her head to the side. Then she looked at me and bit her lip.

“My Uber is here,” she said.

“I’ll walk you to it.”

We walked to the car, a foreign protective urge surging me as she got in. Reine waved at me and I stood there, watching the car until it went out of sight completely. And it was only then I walked back to my car and started home.