Raul

Isabella Barrios's big brown eyes seem to fill the enormous flatscreen in front of me. My index finger unconsciously taps my knee as I watch her intently.

"Sometimes, I wonder why I chose this profession," she says, laughing a little as if to herself.

"Oh?" Katelin says. She's off-screen, but the microphones pick up her voice clearly. I can also hear the faint chirp of birds in the trees, as they are conducting the interviews in the garden outside. I wanted to see each candidate in natural light.

"I'm very private," Isabella says. "Even my instagram is mostly photos of my cat."

I look down at the tablet in my hand. Sure enough, the grid of photos on Isabella's social media account is full of photos of a snow-white Persian with soft gold eyes.

"So why did you get into acting?"

"I love it. I love theater. Being able to evoke emotions in the audience is a thrill for me."

"So you don't mind being seen, being in the public eye."

A dimple appears on when Isabella smiles. To my surprise, I find it oddly sexy. She is of course a beautiful woman — curly black hair, a generous chest, a wide mouth, and dark skin that glowed with youth. But the role we're screening her for requires more than just beauty.

"If I'm playing a part, no, not at all. I'd like to think that when the audience looks at me, they see only the character I'm playing."

Hope flutters in my chest.

She's perfect: a not-too-young actress who is largely unknown and still struggling in her career. She likes performing but not necessarily attention. Any fake wife of mine needs to keep her head down until the necessary period of marital harmony is over, not attracting any excess attention that might expose the fraud underneath.

Katelin is still asking questions, getting Isabella to talk to give me a better sense of her personality. I don't see her, although a camera is trained on her as well as Isabella and the other candidates for the position. A few taps of my fingers and Katelin's face replaces Isabella's on the screen.

I've often wondered why my smart and efficient assistant hasn't been in a serious relationship in the two years I've known her. She is quite attractive. I can't imagine it's because of work. I give her plenty of vacation leave and her weekends are mostly free. Although I might occasionally make her work odd hours, I only do it when I have to work myself and I manage to have an active social life. Maybe a bad breakup? Maybe some idiot broken her heart and made her swear off men, at least for the time being. From her dedication to the company and the people who work there, I can imagine she's capable of strong feelings of attachment. In fact, everyone at the office loves her — more than they do me, if I'm honest — and she's genuinely warm towards everyone. Her boyfriend would be a lucky man. Her husband, too. I wonder if she'll make me padrino at her wedding. I'll probably be married by then...

Suddenly, I very much want all this to be over.

Send her in.

I type the words into the chat that Katelin would see on the tablet she has open. She can read my messages and reply to them under the guise of taking notes. Isabella doesn't know what exactly she's auditioning for. None of the women do. Confidentiality was of the highest importance.

I see only the slightest change in Katelin's expression as she reads my message.

Are you sure? Katelin replies. You haven't liked any of the five other candidates. And we have three more to see today.

Yes. We can schedule the other three for tomorrow if Isabella doesn't work out.

Tomorrow is Tuesday, Raul. You're cutting this really close.

It will be fine. Don't worry.

***

"You're Raul Marin," Isabella says.

I sigh. I would have preferred she didn't know who I am, but then my notoriety was what put me in this situation, wasn't it?

She's standing just outside the balcony where I waited for her, as though afraid to come closer. So I make my way toward her.

"Yes," I say, holding out my hand. "It's very nice to meet you."

"I'm Isabella Barrios." She flushes delicately as she shakes my hand. "Of course you know that. I had no idea, I'd be meeting with you."

I lead her to the table on which sat a spread of wine, coffee, and some food spread out. "Please have a seat. Would you like a drink?"

"All right." She smiles up at me.

After pouring out my favorite French pinot noir into two glasses, I set one in front of her. I may have downed a few sips too quickly, because it is then that I realize I'm nervous.

I can't even make myself sit down.

She takes a sip and smiles up at me. "Is something wrong?"

Fuck, I must have looked like I was scowling down at her. The truth is, I'm thinking too hard— something I try to avoid doing when I'm with a woman. But this isn't a date. It's a business meeting that will determine my future in the company.

"I need a wife."

This isn't in the script. Good thing Katelin isn't here or she'd get a stroke. Although as she is perfectly healthy, she would probably just glare at me. But I always thought that while planning ahead is always good, one needs to be able to improvise when the situation calls for it.

She blinks a few times, then opens her mouth but closes it again. It's a long moment before she finally speaks. "Okay?"

I smile to put her at ease. "It's a five-year business arrangement. The ... position pays quite well."

"I see." She fingers the stem of her wine glass then looks back at me. "Is that what I was auditioning for?"

"Yes."

She brightened. "I guess I passed the first round, then?"

"That was actually the third round." I smiled apologetically. "But from your reaction, can I assume you're not entirely opposed to the idea?"

"Not entirely, no." She bites her lower lip and her gaze lowers before she meets my eyes again. "Will this ... position require, uhm..."

"No. We — I decided that to keep this entirely a business matter, it will be best if we don't ... consummate."

"Oh."

Does she look disappointed? Because I am, too. Katelin insisted on this condition. And while I think it does make sense, it doesn't mean I can't help thinking I wouldn't mind having Isabella in my bed.

"Five years," she says, frowning slightly.

"We each get one lover a year." This is also Katelin's idea.

"Only one?" Isabella's eyes twinkle.

I smile. "We have to seem like a happily married couple. That means any indiscretions has to be kept absolutely secret. That means we can't have too many people knowing what we're doing behind closed doors."

"That's a lot." She cocks her head. "Why are you telling me all this?"

"I want to know what you think of the arrangement."

"Is this the final test?"

"Yes."

"You could have asked someone else to have this conversation with me."

"I could have. But you know I can't make the final decision until I met ... the candidates."

"The arrangement seems fair," she says. "But of course I'll need to know how much the remuneration will be."

"Of course. It will be on the contract."

"So, how are my chances?" Her dimples appear again as she smiles.

I can't help grinning at her cheekiness. "Pretty good."

***

Katelin

"Are you sure you don't want to offer the job to Ms. Barrios?" I say.

It's five in the afternoon. A wine bottle stands empty on the table beside another bottle that is half-empty. I examine Raul's face as I make my way to him from the doors of the balcony. Is he drunk?

"No," he says. "Sit with me. Wine?"

"No, thank you." I sit across him. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Not enough." The corner of his mouth quirked in a grin. "Look at you, being all wifey. Are you sure you don't want the job?"

"What's wrong?" I fold my arms and rest them on the table. "I thought we had a plan. Did you change your mind?"

"I don't know." He narrows his eyes at me, looking curious. "Have you ever been in love, Kate?"

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