by Lara Hunter
“Thank you for coming in today, Kaye,” Amir grinned. “We would very much like to offer you this job.”
Kaye stared at them in disbelief.
“Just like that? Are you sure this has nothing to do with the fact that every other girl walked out on you and I’m all that’s left?”
Merle snorted, and it was an extremely unpleasant sound.
“Amateurs. We need a seasoned actress that hasn’t yet been discovered. You are the perfect fit.”
“And the reason you asked about my family and relationship status is…”
She allowed the question to dangle. Merle didn’t take the bait.
“To be answered, all in good time. Yes, we’ve offered this position to several other women, but once they found out the details of the job, it became clear that they weren’t qualified to handle it.”
Kaye felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. How many other actresses had turned down this ominous position? What were they trying to pull here? Pressing down her uneasy feelings, she thought about her empty refrigerator back in her apartment, and nodded.
“I understand. I accept your offer.”
Merle and Amir both smiled at her response, and Merle turned around, pulling out a stack of papers.
“Fantastic! You’ll be the perfect counterpart to our leading man here,” Merle said, slapping Amir on the back.
“You’re going to be in the show?” Kaye asked, surprised.
Amir lifted an eyebrow.
“Wasn’t that obvious?”
“Merle said you’re here as executive producer.”
“Ah, yes. I am also starring in the show. You’ll learn more about it once you sign the contract and the non-disclosure agreement.”
Merle handed her the pile of papers, then, followed by a pen. Kaye stared down at the document, which was quite lengthy, before she looked back up at them.
“You expect me to sign this right now?”
“If you could, yes. We would like to get started right away,” the Sheikh explained.
“I hope you have some time, then, gentlemen, because I’m not signing anything before reading it.”
“Smart girl,” Amir said, and Merle glared at him.
Crossing his arms, he huffed impatiently as Kaye began to read the document. As her eyes scanned the words, they began to register, and she nearly choked.
“This is a prenuptial agreement!” she gasped, looking up with wide eyes at the producers.
Merle’s expression remained bored.
“Are you done yet? We have work to do here.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not signing anything until someone tells me what’s going on here!”
The entire experience had been beyond sketchy, and Kaye was kicking herself for not bailing sooner. Of all the women there, she had clearly been the densest.
Merle glared at her, entirely unsympathetic.
“This is the deal, Miss Kearney. You don’t like it? There’s the door.”
Heat rose up Kaye’s face, and she could just imagine how red her cheeks were. She felt like a complete and utter fool! How had she allowed her situation to get so desperate that she would ignore every red flag that had brought her to that moment, where she was about to sign a shady marriage contract instead of a legitimate job offer?
Kaye stood, preparing to make her grand exit. If she had to wait tables, she had to wait tables; nothing was worth the degradation she had experienced that day.
She felt a hand on her forearm and was surprised to see Amir standing too, his gaze beseeching.
“Kaye, wait.”
Unable to resist, she hesitated, staring up at him, waiting for an explanation.
“This document…it’s not for a real marriage. We just need it to make sure that the show will be believable.”
“Then why are you being so shady about all of this? You do realize what kind of world this is for a woman, right? Why should anyone trust what you say when you won’t even tell people what the job is?”
Amir nodded.
“You’re right. It isn’t fair. Allow me to take you out to lunch and explain the premise of the show properly. I’m sorry about this whole experience. We’re still learning the best methods, as well.”
“Well, I can tell you this one sucks,” she replied, not moving.
His hand hadn’t moved from her arm, and the skin his fingers touched tingled a little. Kaye kept her concentration up, ignoring the sensation.
“You’re right,” he agreed.
“Ahem? You’re taking her out to lunch? We have a deal to get signed here!”
“Honey over vinegar, Merle. I’m taking her out to give her the details. If she’s still on board by the end of it, we’ll be in good shape. If she isn’t, we’ll find better methods of casting after this.”
“That would be my recommendation,” Kaye said, enjoying the puce color staining Merle’s cheeks.
“Shall we?” Amir asked, holding out his arm for her to take.
Kaye glanced back at Merle.
“I’ll let you know my decision,” she said, placing her hand over Amir’s arm.
Beneath her fingertips, she could feel toned muscle. She thought about what that muscle might look like beneath the smooth fabric of his suit, and shook the thought from her mind.
They left Merle in the dust, Amir bringing her toward the back of the warehouse. When he opened a door, she saw a sleek yellow sports car waiting in a bay.
“Hid this one out back, did you?”
Amir gave her a sideways glance.
“One gets used to hiding when the paparazzi are around—which is always.”
Kaye felt a pang of sympathy for the man. He opened her door for her, and she slid in, the seat cushy and comfortable. As he slid in next to her, he turned the key in the ignition, meeting her gaze.
“Now, where to?”
Chapter Four
Kaye hesitated on her answer, unsure what to suggest.
The truth was, she basically hadn’t been out to dinner pretty since she’d arrived in L.A. Since that moment, she had been forced to save everything she had just to hold on to her apartment while she tried everything in her power to live her dream. Amir waited a beat, then filled the silence.
“Never mind, I know the perfect place,” he said, pulling out of the parking lot and heading back toward the city.
“Is Merle going to be mad at you?” Kaye asked, not really sure what else to say.
Amir chuckled.
“Merle is always mad. Or didn’t you notice?”
“Mad, deranged… I suppose it depends on the way you define the term.”
That got another laugh out of Amir, and Kaye found herself cracking a guilty smile.
“Yes, he certainly is something. We’ll get into that over lunch, though. Tell me more about yourself, Kaye.”
“What, more about how I don’t have any illegitimate children or a checkered past that might come up and bite you once I sign onto the show?”
“While that is useful information, I meant more about you. What do you like to do for fun?”
“What, when I’m not desperately searching for acting work?”
“Precisely.”
Kaye sat back in her seat, thinking about what she did for fun. How long had it been since she’d really enjoyed herself?
“I suppose I like going to the beach,” she hedged.
“The beach! Good answer. I love the ocean,” Amir replied, reaching up and pulling a pair of designer sunglasses from seemingly out of nowhere.
He looked even more handsome with them on. Kaye swallowed, thinking about beaches, trying not to think about a shirtless Amir on one of them.
“What about you? There were whisperings from the other actresses when you came out. Is any of it true?”
Amir’s face fell for a second before he settled it back into a good-natured smile.
“That depends. What were they reading?”
Kaye shrugged.
“The tabloids, I
don’t know. I don’t read that garbage.”
“Good for you. It’s nice to know we have at least one ally in the world that doesn’t see us as soap opera characters to be filmed at every turn.”
“Happy to lend my support,” Kaye said.
“To answer your question, I imagine parts of what they know are true, but you’ll have to tell me the rumor before I can dispel it.”
“The rumor is that you’re a Hollywood playboy that has dated nearly every actress and model in town.”
Kaye was a Midwesterner, and she prided herself on her ability to tell things as they were. Amir laughed again, and she was glad for it, because the sound was music to her ears.
“Well, I don’t think I’ve dated everyone in the area, but I’ve had my fair share of relationships.”
“And none of them suited you?”
Amir inhaled, letting out a breath as he considered his answer.
“It’s not that we didn’t suit, per se. There is a certain attitude here, a certain…”
He paused, allowing himself time to get his thoughts in order. Finally, he shrugged.
“I don’t know. No one around here knows how to have a good laugh, you know? Everything is so serious but also so over-dramatic. ‘If I don’t stay a size zero, I’ll lose my career. I have to get this plastic surgery or everyone will think I’m hideous!’ No one talks about much outside of their careers, or their physical appearances, or the next runway or awards show. It can get very dull very fast.”
“What would you prefer to talk about?” Kaye asked, curious.
Amir’s eyes grew distant as he turned the car down a city street, winding his way back through town.
“Something. Anything. What about the meaning of life? Why are we here? Why don’t more people travel? And when they do, why do they isolate themselves instead of really immersing themselves in a culture?”
He glanced back at Kaye and his lip twitched upward.
“I’m sorry. You must think I’m a terrible rambler.”
Kaye smiled up into his eyes. There was so much behind them—so much she wanted to know.
“I think there is much more to you than meets the eye,” she replied.
He pulled up in front of a restaurant and parked the car in front of a valet. Before Amir had time to, a man came over and opened Kaye’s door for her, and she had to slide out.
“Thank you,” she said, and the valet nodded.
“Miss. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Chris! How are you, bud?”
The valet’s face lit up at the sight of Amir, and as he approached to take the keys, Amir stuck his hand out for him to shake, which he did, heartily.
“Always good to see you, Amir,” the valet said, and Amir beamed.
“Aha! I finally got you to use my first name.”
“Well, someday, we’re going to be colleagues, so it would be weird for me not to, right?”
“You bet,” Amir affirmed, releasing the young man’s hand.
Kaye noticed there was a very large bill in the valet’s hand as he slid into Amir’s car.
“You always come in the best cars,” the valet called out, and Amir laughed again.
He might have been the most jovial man Kaye had ever met. Then again, when one was extremely rich and handsome, she imagined happiness was fairly easy to come by.
“Just for you! We’ll see you in a bit, Chris.”
“I’ll take good care of her!”
“You better, or you’re paying for it with your first big paycheck!”
“I’ll just buy you a new one,” Chris joked before closing the door and driving toward a garage.
Kaye turned to the Sheikh with an amused expression.
“Are you friends with everyone in L.A., or just the valets?”
His grin was infectious as he held out his arm for her to take once again, and she happily wrapped her hand around his bicep, resisting the urge to squeeze.
“Possibly everyone. As you’ve heard, I’m quite the socialite.”
They entered the upmarket establishment; all around them were tables with crystal decorations and china tableware, only a few of them populated. The hostess glanced up, and when she saw Amir, she smiled.
It seemed the whole world smiled when Amir was there. It certainly wasn’t the same world Kaye was living in.
“Amir, welcome back. Would you like your usual table?”
“I would. Thank you, Alice. How’s that commercial going? Have you filmed it yet?”
“We film it tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll keep me on as a regular extra!”
“Fingers crossed for you,” Amir said, crossing his fingers to show his support.
Alice led them to a table toward the back, which was private while still having a good view of the rest of the space. She handed them their menus, bid Amir a fond farewell, and was off to help another set of patrons that had just walked in.
“So, you come here often?” Kaye remarked.
Amir nodded.
“It’s one of my favorite places.”
“How do you know so much about everyone?”
“I ask. Don’t you?”
“No. Usually, I get where I’m going, do what I need to, and then go home.”
“Ah. See, that’s the problem with Americans. You all like your personal bubbles and isolating yourselves, but it’s not natural. Humans are social creatures. We need one another.”
“Does everyone working here aspire to be an actor?”
“Doesn’t everyone in this town?”
Kaye thought about her own circumstances, and smirked.
“I suppose they do.”
Amir took a sip of water, then his expression turned serious once again.
“Which brings us to the topic at hand. You would like to know what you’re about to get into.”
“That would be ideal, yes,” Kaye said, leaning in.
Amir nodded, sitting back and lacing his hands together. Before he could launch into his speech, however, a waitress appeared—a tiny woman with pitch-black hair and piercing green eyes.
“Amir, my old friend. We meet again.”
“It’s good to see you again, Misty.”
“And you. What can I get you?”
The two glanced at their menus and ordered a pair of steaks before Misty grabbed their menus and made to leave.
“Oh, and Misty? A bottle of champagne, if you could?”
Misty nodded and headed off to fill their order. Kaye lifted an eyebrow.
“Champagne? Is it even noon yet?”
Amir looked at a very expensive watch on his wrist. He held up a finger to keep her silent, and Kaye laughed.
“And…now, it’s noon. Besides, it’s five o’clock somewhere. Isn’t that how the saying goes?”
“It is, but it is still barely noon here.”
“Well, depending on your answer to this contract, we can either celebrate together, or I can drown my sorrows with a nice bottle of champagne. Either way, it’s a win.”
“Fair enough. Now, you were getting to the part where you tell me what I’ve gotten myself into.”
Amir nodded.
“Right, of course. I suppose I should give you a little backstory, hmm?”
“Sure, why not?”
“A few months ago, Merle showed up on my doorstep with an idea for a reality show. He pitched it as something like Beauty and the Sheikh, where the show would follow along as I make my way through cultural differences with my beautiful fiancée before we have a stunning, romantic wedding. It’s meant to be silly and funny, romantic and interesting, and hopefully we can keep viewers’ attention for a prolonged period of time.”
Kaye’s eyebrows pushed together as she took that in.
“I don’t understand your motivation for going along with something like this. You clearly have the world in the palm of your hand, and there is nothing shallower than reality TV. Why do this?”
Amir shrugged.
“Why not? I have a product
ion company that not too many have heard of, in spite of its success. This kind of publicity could really bring in some new talent, not to mention increase visibility. It’s a silly thing, but it sounded like fun, even when Merle said it.”
“So, you’ll be inviting a camera crew into your house to pretend that you’ve got this American fiancée, and call it reality TV, when really it will all be staged?”
“You can’t be so naïve as to think reality TV is real?”
Kaye shook her head.
“Of course not, but I guess I’ve never seen this side of it before.”
“It’s all a show, of course. It’s all entertainment. You are a professional actress, and I believe you have the chops to pull this off.”
“But, of course, I would have to marry you in real life. There’s nothing scripted about that part.”
“Yes, but picture this,” Amir said, holding his hands out as though setting the scene.
“The Sheikh and his all-American bride get to know one another better after a whirlwind romance saw them engaged after mere weeks of dating! We will be married on-screen in a beautiful affair, and as soon as we’re done shooting—whether that’s after one season or several—we can get a quick, painless, no-contest divorce. Easy peasy!”
Kaye processed the proposal, thinking about the premise of the show, paired with the fact that she would have to marry the Sheikh for real.
“Why would we need to bother with making the marriage legal when the rest of the show is a farce—not to mention the fact that it won’t be broadcasted live, anyway?”
Amir was about to answer when the food arrived, providing a break in their conversation. As Kaye took a bite of succulent steak, she pondered just how far she was willing to go to get into the acting world.
Could she marry a complete stranger?
Chapter Five
It was the best food Kaye had eaten in years, and she did her best not to scarf it all down in three bites, instead taking delicate nibbles.
“To answer your question…” Amir continued, after taking a bite of his own steak, “I asked Merle the same thing. The production company has been through this kind of thing before. If the marriage isn’t officially registered, the show will instantly be revealed as a fake, and our success lies in the audience believing this is real life—even if it’s a heightened version of it.”