The Facade
Two days afterward, Anne Kennedy stood outside the headquarters of Saint Clair Industries with a racing heart, waiting. She had already made up her mind, and now she was ready to accept Julian's proposal.
When she stepped into the lobby, Julian's assistant approached her and escorted her to Julian's office. As soon as she entered, Julian rose from behind his desk, wearing a smile and his secretary quietly lefr.
"Anne," he replied, his voice low and even. "I'm glad you agreed to my offer."
Anne nodded, a feeling of unease. "I did," she replied. "But I have to say, I'm a little apprehensive about what this is all about."
Julian grinned more widely. "Don't worry, Anne," he replied. "I'll walk you through it step by step. Let's sit down and review the contract."
As they sat, Julian placed a thick pile of papers in front of Anne. She scanned them rapidly, her eyes widening at the extent of the agreement.
"Okay, so let me understand this," she said, looking up at Julian. "We'll be holding hands, kissing in public if need be. but that's it?"
Julian smiled. "Yes, that's the idea," he said. "We'll pretend to be a couple but not go beyond that."
Anne sighed with relief as she nodded her head. "Okay, fine, I can do that," she said.
Julian smiled. "Good," he said. "And as for the rest of it, you'll have to accompany me to business meetings and parties. You'll be my partner, in every sense of the word."
Anne nodded, a determination rising up within her. "I can do that," she said.
Julian's eyes blazed into hers, his gaze burning with intensity. "I knew you could," he said. "Now, let's sign the contract and make it official."
When Anne signed the contract, she was apprehensive. What had she just done?
No sooner had Anne finished signing the contract than Julian grinned and leaned over and grasped her hand, his touch causing a jolt of electricity through her system.
"Welcome to the family, Anne," he said, his deep smooth voice.
Anne flinched at the words, but waved it off and put on a smile, fake.
"Thanks, Julian," she replied with an affected air of nonchalance.
Julian's gaze fixed on hers, blazing fiercely. "I'm glad we were able to come to terms, Anne," he said. "I think we're going to be a fantastic team."
Anne nodded, determination in her. She was doing this, no matter what.
As they stood up from the seats, Julian placed a small box in her hand. "What's this?" Anne asked, holding the box.
"A little something to sign on the dotted line," Julian said with a smile. "Open it."
Anne opened the box, and saw a beautiful diamond ring inside. She gasped, shock running through her.
"It's beautiful," she said, attempting to calm down.
Julian smiled. "I'm glad you approve," he said. "It's a symbol of our alliance, Anne. A reminder of what we're fighting for" Julian slid the ring onto Anne's finger, his touch making her shiver.
"There, that should convince everyone we're married," he said, smiling.
Anne nodded uncomfortably. She wasn't accustomed to having a ring on her finger, and the feeling of it was unfamiliar.
Julian pulled her hand away again, his gaze sweeping the area. "We'll have to make a few public appearances to create our cover," he said. "Beginning with a charity gala this evening."
Anne's eyes widened in surprise. "Tonight?" she echoed.
Julian nodded. "Yes, tonight. I'll have a car bring you home at 5pm. Be ready."
Anne nodded, a sense of unease. She had never attended a charity gala, and the idea of acting as Julian's wife for the evening in front of all those people was daunting.
"And then after the gala, we'll be going to my parents' estate for the weekend," Julian continued.
Anne's eyes grew wide with shock. "Your parents' house?" she echoed.
Julian nodded. "Yes, they want to meet my new wife. We will have to put on a good convincing act in front of them."
Anne's nerves stretched at the idea of meeting Julian's parents. What were they like? And how was she ever going to pretend to be Julian's wife in front of them?
Anne breathed deeply, attempting to compose herself. "Okay, I'll be ready". She replied.
Julian nodded, his gaze fixed on hers.
"Good", He replied. "I'll arrange for a car to pick you up at 7pm. And Anne?"
"Yes?" She answered.
"Ensure that you pack some clothes for the weekend, my parents are conservative and they will expect you to be thoroughly proper in your dressing." He said.
"Julian? What do your parents like?" Anne asked in the hope of impressing them positively.
Julian's expression turned serious.
"They're....old-fashioned, and they tend to expect alot from everyone if you know what I mean?
*****************
Anne spent the whole evening preparing for the charity gala. She needed to be flawless, not only for Julian, but for his parents and the other guests.
Rachel came over to assist her as she dressed.
"Wow, Anne, you are gorgeous," Rachel told her, looking at Anne's dress.
Anne smiled, relieved. "Thanks, Rach. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to pull it off."
Rachel styled Anne's hair and did her makeup, and by the time they were done, Anne felt like a different person.
The doorbell rang, and Anne's heart skipped a beat. "That will be the car Julian sent," she said.
Rachel nodded. "You go get 'em, girl."
Anne took a deep breath, picked up her purse, and headed out the door.
The drive to the gala was harrowing, but when Anne arrived, Julian was waiting, looking handsome in his tuxedo.
"Anne, you're beautiful," he said, taking her hand.
Anne smiled, thanking Rachel in her mind for making her look beautiful.
As they walked into the gala, Anne was struck by a blizzard of camera flashes and inquiring gazes. She felt like she was dreaming, playing make-believe as a wife to one of the city's most influential men.
Yet with Julian holding her arm, she was filled with a confidence that had been so elusive for so long.
As the evening progressed, Anne was surprised to find that she was having a good time. It was not as hard as she thought it would be, pretending to be Julian's wife, and she found herself smiling and laughing as if she meant it.
Anne and Julian mingled with the other visitors, greeting them with smiles and handshakes and small talk. They acted the role of happy married couples so well, smiling and laughing together as if they were very much in love.
At one point, Julian reached out and took Anne's hand, his fingers meshing with hers in a gentle yet possessive hold. Anne felt a jolt of electricity course through her body, but she ignored it, concentrating on the part she was playing.
As they made their way through the crowds, people started to notice them, and before long they were ringed by a circle of interested spectators.
"Julian, congratulations!" one of them cried. "We didn't know you were getting married at all!"
Julian grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor. "We wanted to keep things simple," he replied, squeezing Anne's hand. "We're just two people who are very much in love, and we didn't want to do anything to draw a lot of attention to ourselves."
Anne nodded, humoring him. "We just wanted to get married and begin our life together," she told them, smiling up at Julian. "We're so happy, and that's all that matters."
The crowd of bystanders smiled and nodded, apparently taking their explanation at face value. But Anne detected a trace of doubt behind their smiles. She was aware that she and Julian would need to continue this act for some time to come, at least until they could make everyone believe that their marriage was genuine.
As they left the gala, Julian turned to her and grinned. "You were fantastic tonight," he said, his eyes shining with approval. "I knew you could do it."
Anne grinned back, feeling a surge of relief. "Thanks," she said. "I'm just glad it's over."
But when midnight came, Anne knew that the true test of endurance had only just started. She would have to maintain this charade for the remainder of the weekend, in front of Julian's family and his parents.
And she had a sneaking suspicion that it was not going to be easy.