Fate

by Tia Wylder

  “Dad, I’m sorry to ask you to leave, but I’ve got a busy day ahead of me,” Jackson murmured, glancing to his father with a grin. The older man sputtered, looking altogether indignant.

  “But Lina,” the older man began, but Jackson was swift to cut him off.

  “I’d ask you not to mention Lina anymore. I’d hate for my girlfriend to get the wrong idea. We’re very happy together, and I won’t see you sabotage it,” he warned.

  The old man stared him incredulously, but in just a moment, a rather sly smile slowly emerged. “Whatever you say, son. I won’t mention her anymore,” he acquiesced before slipping out of the room. Jackson watched him go, waiting until he was out of sight before slumping into his office chair.

  Damn, Svetlana sure had an arm on her.

  Chapter Three

  By the time the end of the week rolled around, Svetlana and Jackson had fallen into something of a routine. They would spend lunch together every day, whether it be food from the cafeteria or at the cafe on the corner. Their coworkers adjusted to them dating, and they were considered the office ‘it’ couple. There was their fair share of gossip, but that was to be expected with any office relationship. Jackson hadn’t heard from his parents in some days, which was a relief to both him and his farcical lover. Perhaps they could wrap up this entire act more quickly than they expected.

  However, Jackson was startled from his afternoon nap in his office by an obnoxious banging on his door. Unsure of who would be knocking on his door, if not Svetlana, he grumbled as he got out of his comfortable chair and crossed the room. He pulled the door open, only to immediately slam it shut once more.

  “Come on, Whacky Jackie! Open the door! I know you’re happy to see me,” a feminine voice called out from the other side. Jackson gritted his teeth, internally cursing his parents and his entire life up to this point. Of all the places to show her face, Lina had to show up at his workplace. Taking a moment to steel himself, he pulled the door open, wincing as she nearly assaulted him with a tight hug. He tried to pry himself free, turning pleading eyes upon Svetlana as she approached.

  “Oh… who is this, Jackson?” Svetlana asked, her voice dangerously low. Lina released the man, turning to face the other woman.

  “Uhm, the better question is: who the hell are you?” Lina retorted, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Svetlana quirked a brow, looking torn between amusement and irritation. Jackson stepped between the women, drawing Svetlana into his arms. Surprisingly, she did not tense in his grip. She simply relaxed against him, smiling cockily at the other woman. “Ohh, no. No way. This cannot be the infamous Svetlana Rhukov. Jackson, tell me that you haven’t lost your mind. Actually, you know what? You must have lost your mind to be with her,” Lina announced. Svetlana grimaced, and Jackson tightened his grip on her, vaguely afraid that she might attack the annoying heiress.

  “You must be Lina Estevez,” the blonde assistant said drolly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am, indeed, Svetlana Rhukov. I didn’t know I was infamous, however. Jackson, honey, why don’t you tell me these things?” she said with a quirk of her lips. Lina rolled her eyes, stepping closer to the two.

  “Jackson, honey, please. She hasn’t even lost her baby fat. You don’t seem the type to rob the cradle,” Lina said snidely, much to Jackson’s chagrin. Svetlana tensed in his grip, and he resisted the desire to simply release the lions, so to speak.

  “Would you rather he rob the grave? I mean, that’s a hypothetical question, because it’s obvious you would,” Svetlana bit back. Jackson could feel the heat of the women’s glares, and he released Svetlana before taking a step back. Secretly, he found himself somewhat aroused by how protective his assistant seemed to be, but he knew it was for the sake of their scheme. All the same, the way she took charge…

  “My Jackie needs someone with experience, sweetheart. He needs someone he’s compatible with. Not some overgrown baby who played in her mommy’s makeup,” Lina sneered. Jackson narrowed his eyes at the comment, getting ready to step in. Svetlana simply barked a laugh, grabbing Jackson by the front of his shirt and pressing their lips together. It was little more than a simple smack of skin on skin, but it was enough to send a surge straight to Jackson’s loins. He grinned goofily, even as Svetlana drew away from him.

  “I think Jackson is plenty capable of deciding for himself. Which, he has. If you’re so convinced we can’t be compatible, why don’t you hang around the office for a week to see just how well we get along,” Svetlana grinned. Lina looked vaguely taken aback, but soon smiled toothily in turn.

  “That would be fantastic. It will give my sweetie plenty of time to break whatever troll spell you’ve cast on him,” Lina hummed. Jackson snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. While he wasn’t one hundred percent certain how believable he and Svetlana would appear in front of a stranger, he had no doubt that he would have more chemistry with his personal assistant than the bratty millionaire.

  “Okay, okay. Lina, you can stay for a week. If you’re not convinced by then, there’s no helping you. In the meantime, Svetlana and I have work to attend to, and we can’t afford to waste all day in here with you,” Jackson said brusquely. Lina rolled her eyes, obviously offended by the man’s words. He cared very little, however, taking Svetlana by the arm and leading her out of the office. He could sense Lina trailing behind them, and as such rested a hand comfortably on Svetlana’s hip. He could only hope she wouldn’t break character, but she seemed nonplussed by his intimate touch, lacing her fingers with his own and keeping his hand firmly in place.

  “We usually get lunch at the cafe on the corner, but I don’t want her presence to tarnish our spot,” Svetlana murmured sweetly. Jackson grinned toothily, deciding to up the ante a little.

  “Oh, hon. I don’t think that place can get any more tarnished, considering how many times we’ve been after hours,” he purred. Svetlana reddened at the implication, but managed a giggle in response. Lina grumbled from behind them, stomping past the two towards the cafeteria. They exchanged a glance, smiling cheekily at one another. Jackson prayed that he would certainly get Lina out of his hair, hopefully for good. He also prayed that his icy personal assistant kept up her fiery behavior, though he was certain he would lose his mind before the entire charade was over.

  Slipping into the cafeteria behind Lina, they ordered their usual lunch before sitting at their usual table. Lina dragged another chair up to the table, sitting just at Jackson’s side. Svetlana rolled her eyes exasperatedly, opening her lunch tray and digging into the garden salad she had chosen for the day.

  “Oh, how strange. A fat cow eating a salad,” Lina taunted. Svetlana swallowed, considering Lina with a deadpan expression.

  “You do realize that cows primarily eat vegetation?” She retorted, and Jackson couldn’t swallow his laughter as Lina began to sputter indignantly.

  “So, you admit you’re a cow!”

  “You caught me. Moo,” Svetlana said idly, continuing to enjoy her lunch. Jackson continued to snicker, taking no small pleasure in Lina’s failure to get Svetlana to snap. Deciding to push his pretend lover a little further, he made milking motions with his hands.

  “Oh, yes. Gotta love those udders,” he teased. Svetlana barked out a laugh, and Lina stared between the two with an irritated expression. It seemed that her victory was falling further and further out of grasp, and Jackson couldn’t be happier to see Lina failing. She huffed, grabbing her own lunch tray and shuffling away to another table. Jackson reached out to grip Svetlana’s hand, and she smiled cockily at her pretend lover.

  “Udders? Really, Jackson?” She giggled. He shrugged his shoulders, keeping their hands joined on the table. “You think she’s getting the hint?” Svetlana inquired more softly, glancing to where Lina scrutinized them from another table. “God, she couldn’t even sabotage a fake relationship. I’m glad you’re getting out of marrying her, honey pie. She’s not going far in life,” she whispered, eating her salad with one hand. Jackson laughed
hard; a loud sound that burst from his gut and past his lips. He didn’t care how foolish he looked, he was becoming increasingly enamored with his assistant’s dry sense of humor.

  Though, he would never admit ‘enamored’ part out loud. Svetlana hid her mouth behind her hand, laughing along with him. Finally seeming to have enough, Lina huffed loudly and melodramatically from her table and stomped out of the cafeteria. Jackson watched her go, his laughter dying down to soft snickers.

  “Hopefully she’s leaving. We really do have actual work to do today. Work besides blasting bratty heiresses,” Jackson mused aloud, absently bringing Svetlana’s hand to his lips. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles, imprudently. He jolted as he realized what he was doing, offering his assistant an apologetic look. He tried to avoid being overtly intimate if there was no need, but she seemed unaffected by the affection. In fact, judging by the look she was giving him, she may have enjoyed it.

  “I need to go check line twelve and get a status report. I’ll meet you in your office in half an hour, alright?” Svetlana said warmly, shifting her hand to squeeze his own. He smiled a bit dopily, nodding his head and grabbing both of their trays to dispose of.

  “I’ll be waiting for you, love,” he called out. She waved as she slipped out the cafeteria toward the elevators. Jackson allowed her to take the first elevator, claiming the second to go upstairs to his office. He had some busy work to sort through until Svetlana had the reports ready, and maybe he could catch up on that nap Lina had interrupted. He smiled to himself as he made his way to his office, opening the door and stepping inside without really looking at his desk. He shut the door behind him, turning around to walk further inside.

  “Hey, stud. Ready to have your mind blown?” Lina murmured, and Jackson’s eyes nearly bulged from his skull as he spotted the woman draped across his desk. She was scantily clad, in lingerie that certainly didn’t fit the workplace. He debated turning his back on her and darting away, but he refused to let his office be claimed by the vile woman. Well, vile in personality at least. He marched up to his desk, circling around and flopping heavily in his chair. He crossed his arms, trying not to stare at the swell of Lina’s breasts as she shifted towards him.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” He demanded, though he sounded somewhat weaker than he would like to admit.

  “Oh, come on Jackson. Cut the crap. I know you don’t actually love that cow,” Lina muttered, reaching out to grab him by the shirt. She drew him in, pressing their lips together in a searing kiss. Jackson kept his lips tightly together, even as she desperately tried to part them with her tongue. She sighed as she drew away, her lips pouty as she brushed her thumb against his jaw

  “I am in love with Svetlana, and I would appreciate if you would get off my desk. I’d like to relax until my beautiful girlfriend comes to work on a status report with me,” he said brusquely. He could feel his resolve wavering, the growing bulge in his pants only punctuating the point. Lina noticed his resistance failing, and she reached down to cup him between the legs, smiling cheekily.

  “You don’t have to lie to me. I know this is all a scam to get out of marrying me. But you don’t have to say I do for us to fool around a little, do you?” She inquired with a sly smile. He groaned softly as she palmed him, and he struggled to keep his body from betraying him. Lina was right. It was okay they fooled around a little. She was a beautiful woman. That much was impossible to deny. Her personality was certainly lacking, but just to get his rocks off, she would do in a pinch. Hell, before the marriage proposal was thrown on the table, he had fantasized about many situations like this one. He had dreamed of the day he could bend Lina over his desk and have her. Not even Lina specifically, but just someone who was willing, ready and eager.

  Still…

  He couldn’t deny that the entire thing felt wrong. He had even offered to pay Svetlana to keep him free of Lina’s gnarled grip. He wasn’t so sure he could readily forget the things Lina had said to his lovely assistant, though Svetlana hadn’t seemed awfully offended. He couldn’t imagine that she would be able to look him in the eye if he did this, however. He could never forgive himself if he lost the friendship that the two had forged in the wake of this fake relationship. He realized with a start, that for him, the lines between reality and fiction had begun to blur through the duration of this act.

  I love Svetlana. I truly do. Get out of here, Lina,” he managed, unable to deny how true the words felt in his heart. His body had other ideas, however, as did Lina. She reached behind herself, unclasping her bra and allowing it to fall free. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of her breasts, and his erection strained against his expensive work slacks.

  “Jackson, I have that report put together. I haven’t seen Lina, but…oh.”

  He hadn’t even heard the door open, let alone notice Svetlana walk in. It seemed for a moment she had been blessedly absorbed in her paperwork, but as soon as she looked towards him, she was forced to confront the vision of a topless Lina spread across his lap. Her mouth hung agape for a moment, but once she came to her senses, she sputtered out an apology and shuffled back out of the room. Jackson was certain he felt his heart stop, and surely he had imagined, but had he seen the smallest of tears in his assistant’s eyes? He groaned gutturally, an almost pained sound. Lina, in turn, cackled, trying to press her lips to Jackson’s once more. His mind screamed for him to chase after his assistant, to tell her that this with Lina meant nothing. To tell her that it was not Lina that he wanted. He pushed the latina away from himself, nearly shoving her off the desk in his rush to stand up and race towards the door. She called after him, but he ignored her, slamming the office door behind him and looking frantically for Svetlana. He spied her awkwardly walking away from his office, shoulders quaking slightly as she made her way down the main hall. His erection was still painfully obvious, and it would only tarnish the company’s reputation even further for him to be spotted running around with a raging hard on. He couldn’t find it within himself to care, however, not when there was a chance that he had hurt Svetlana. He cared very deeply about the woman, though he refused to acknowledge just what those feelings could mean for the two of them.

  Dismissing the thoughts, he rushed after Svetlana, his gait awkward. He was certain he couldn’t catch up with her, and didn’t want to shout and draw attention to himself. It seemed he would have little choice, however, as his raging erection made it rather difficult to run and he couldn’t risk letting her get away.

  “Svetlana!” He called out, and she paused, turning to consider him with a tearful expression. “Svetlana, I’m so sorry. It’s not… it wasn’t what it looked like,” he blurted, closing the distance between them. She glanced between his thighs rather openly, blushing in awkward humiliation and averting her eyes. He knew he should feel some measure of shame, but that was the last thing on his mind. “I didn’t mean… I mean, my body,” he began to sputter, but Svetlana managed a gentle smile before cutting him off.

  “It’s fine, Jackson… I... I suppose at this point I’ve done enough to earn my check, in any case? Or maybe not,” she paused, laughing hysterically. “Either way, you know. I won’t try and stop you from having sex with Lina. You’re free to do any little thing your heart desires. I know I’m little more than a pawn in this game,” she said with an almost heartbroken expression. It was obvious that she felt entirely betrayed by his change of heart, and he could barely stand the thought of being the one to make her feel that way. Panic mode began to set in on Jackson as she made to turn away once more, and he reached out to grasp her by the wrist.

  “You’ve done enough for the check and moreover, but... That’s not the point! You’re not just a pawn. I care about you. I know I’ve not shown it very well, especially with… well,” he paused, gesturing between his thighs. She glanced down once more, her eyes widening and her cheeks growing flushed again. Jackson prided himself on his size, and though it was the complete inopportune moment, he couldn’t ignore the slig
ht flare of pride in the face of his assistant’s fascination with his manhood. She sighed mournfully, considering him for a long moment before shaking her head.

  “Oh, Jackson. In another world, I might believe you cared about me. I do believe, at the very least, that you expected to get away with bedding both Lina and myself,” she laughed humorlessly, obviously trying to seem entirely nonplussed by her conclusion. Jackson’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but feel slightly hurt at the accusation. He took a step towards her, taking her hand in his own. She didn’t draw away, but she didn’t seem particularly thrilled either. She stared at him through baleful eyes, and he gave her hand the gentlest of squeezes.

  “Do you really think I’m that kind of guy, Svetlana? After all we’ve been through, you think I would just use you like that? I… I would never do that to you. This wasn’t some ploy to get you in bed, and it wasn’t some plot to lead you on while I screwed around with Lina in the background. You have to believe me,” he pleaded. His beautiful blonde assistant considered him with an almost mournful smile. It looked as if she wanted to believe him, and Jackson was sure he could convince her if she would just give him the chance. He just had to convince her. He would never forgive himself if he allowed her to slip away.

  “I believe that you would do anything to pursue your playboy lifestyle. It’s just part of who you are. I don’t blame you for it. I didn’t entertain some false notion of you falling in love with me. You don’t have to make any excuses. I’m not angry. I just want to leave you and Lina to your privacy. And if you decide you want to two of us to have a false fallout, we can do that. I’m even willing to pretend to make up with you, if that’s what you’d like,” she said weakly, laughing darkly to herself. “What kind of woman am I, furthering the facade just so you can get your rocks off with Lina. How foolish must I be...” she murmured, shaking her head.