Jack Nickelson's POV:

   I was supposed to ask her soon, but how could I? She is so pretty, and I am so lame.  I  sighed.

   I know I only have a few months left to convince her to agree to the agreement. Otherwise, I would have to find some way to explain to my mom why I am not bringing anyone home for Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas or some other holiday. The matter was one I had made myself, by exaggerating the situation.  I had panicked and told one huge lie. 

   What was I to do?  What if the lady refused to agree to go with me?  I would have to think of a backup plan if my first idea did not succeed. That is all there was to it, I tried to reason. Not that my heart was on the line or anything. Not that my mother would be disappointed in me again.

    I watched her enter the office and smiled. She was good at her job. She had gotten my coffee right for almost a month now and picked up coffee for everyone else. The coffee maker had been fixed, but what she didn't know could not hurt her right?

   I sent her some flowers, hoping to impress her before asking her something. I observed her reaction and was amazed when she gave away all the flowers except one. It showed that she had a kind heart. She put the remaining flower in a small vase with water and then returned to organizing the files on my desk. The phone rang, and she promptly answered it as usual and took notes. "I see, she said," She appeared to be shocked. "Yes, I will make sure he knows to bring something to contribute to the meal, and yes, I will, okay," She said. She hung up and saw this huge smirk on her face. What was that all about, I wondered. It did not take long for me to find out.

 She left a note on my desk at the end of the day. My expression soured as I read it. "Is something wrong, Mr. Jack Nickelson?" she inquired. "Yes, everything is just fine, Miss Barbara Laws," I replied.

  Time skip!

   Time was almost up, and I must ask her soon. I saw her enter the room and blushed. Why should I react this way? She is my assistant, my secretary for crying out loud. She means nothing to me. I handed her a small package and she thanked me. I knew it was her birthday.

    I watched as she opened it to reveal the necklace. She looked surprised and said, "Mr. Nickelson, isn't this a bit much? I mean, you're my boss. Wouldn't someone get the wrong idea if they saw me wearing jewelry you gave me?" 

"Tsk, tsk, woman, who cares what they think? Let their tails wag for all I care. It's your birthday, and I aim to please you. Besides, it's normal to reward someone who does such a splendid job here," I stated. I whispered in her ear, "I need a favor from you and it would look bad if you refused my gift." She did not blush, or flinch. She looked at me with a scowl. "What kind of favor? Surely, it does not involve my need for such an expensive present, sir," She protested.

        I was ashamed, I chickened out. I did not tell her. Not a single thing.

      I tried to sound convincing, but I could tell she was unsure. I fastened the necklace around her neck before she could protest.

    Lunchtime, I sat beside her. I whispered, "Barbara, I need your help. You have to help me, no one else can as well as you can." She looked at me as if I had grown a wort overnight or something. She laughed. "It is a bad joke, right?" She inquired. "No, I assure you this is no joke," I said.

   "Oh, what is it then?" She asked. I slipped her a note that read, "I need you to be my Fake Fiance." Yes, I know it is lame that I did not just come out and say it. She read the note, rolled her eyes, and stuffed it into her purse. "What?" She asked. "You read the note, did not you?" I asked. "yes, but..." She said. "But, what? I need a fake fiance, and you are perfect for the job. It is for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. I may have told my mom I was bringing the love of my life home for the holidays." I explained. "What does this have to do with me? I am not even dating you let alone engaged to you," She said. "I know, but it would be a favor to me. I can't call my mom and tell her I made the whole thing, up." I said. "Oh, and why not? That would be more honest than having me pose as your fake finance," She spat out the last word as if it brought a bad taste to her mouth.

       "She wants me to settle down, if she thinks I found someone perhaps, she will stop trying to set me up with the daughters of her friends, or others she finds appropriate for me to date," I explained the best I knew how to. "Well, then I suppose it is a deal," She said.

       "Oh, thank you,"  I said. "You are welcome," She said. "I am missing something though," She stated. "what is it?" I asked. "An engagement ring, how else will your mother believe we are engaged without one?" She asked. "Oh, I will take care of it, I promise," I said. "You better, or the deal is off," She said. "Fine, I will get one," I said.

          Barbara Laws went back to work, and I did the same. The whole time, wondering what sort of mess I had just gotten myself into. Well, it was too late to back out now.

  Find out more in Chapter 4

Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!