Royal Engagement

by Chance Carter

  Last night’s activities. I couldn’t even wrap my head around what happened. Derek Rittsman, who I believed to be completely inaccessible to someone like me, made love to me, not once, but twice.

  There had to be some mistake. It was probably the alcohol. It was likely that I was never going to see him again. If we passed in the hall, we would avoid eye contact and behave as if this never happened. He would continue on with his life, forgetting about the virgin intern he fucked one Monday night. In fact, I was probably one of many interns he had taken home for a spin.

  You have got to stop thinking in worst case scenarios, Amy, I berated myself, as I pulled on my bra and underwear. It’s way more realistic that it was just a one night stand, no more, no less. Those happen all the time, and things are totally chill. At least you’ll have something to talk about with Abby now.

  I held up my red dress, grimacing. I never thought I’d be doing a walk of shame, but now here I was.

  Wondering where Derek was, I tried to fix my hair in the mirror. It was a forest of tangled curls, so I quickly gave up and twisted it into a bun. He had probably gone to work. He was a busy man. My plan was to get out of his house as quickly as possible, call a cab, and go home to curl up in my own bed. Return to my mundane, but comfortably predictable, life.

  I was pretty surprised to hear Derek knock on the bedroom door.

  “Good morning, beautiful. Do you fancy breakfast? I know a place that makes the best crepes.”

  He was dressed only in boxers. His hair was messy, and he wore that adorably boyish grin that never seemed to leave his face.

  New plan.

  “That sounds perfect,” I said.

  “Great! Before you ask, yes, Adam will be driving us.” He opened up a wardrobe filled with pristine, pressed dress shirts. He selected a light blue one, and pulled it on. “I’d like to spend all day with you, but alas, work calls. I managed to get a late call, but they need me in there, so breakfast will have to suffice.”

  “Oh, of course.” It’s more than I could have ever expected. Admittedly, I was still shocked to be here, much less invited to breakfast. “I have to go home for Zeus anyway.”

  He retrieved a pair of khaki pants from a drawer. “Zeus isn’t your boyfriend, right?”

  I laughed. “No. My dog. A Saint Bernard.”

  “Aren’t those the obnoxiously huge ones?”

  “Yeah, so you better be careful, mister. He’ll rip you to pieces.” I smirked at the ridiculous thought. Zeus was less harmful than a mouse.

  “Well, why would he do that? I think I’ve been perfectly amiable.”

  “Oh, yes. A complete gentlemen. I’m just warning you.” I shook a finger at him. “You better not screw this up. Or else.”

  “Of course, of course. I’ll be very cautious.” He finished putting his shoes on, and gestured toward me. “Are you ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. Not sure I look fit for a nice breakfast place, but it’s just going to have to do.”

  “You look…” He hesitated, as if trying to find the appropriate word. “Divine.”

  “Psh.”

  “Psh yourself.”

  I giggled. He placed a hand on my lower back, leading me out of the room, down the stairs, through the hall, and out of the villa, where Adam was waiting with the car door open.

  “Did you have a good night, Mr. Rittsman?” he asked, his eyes bright.

  “I don’t know, Adam. Ask Amy.”

  I blushed and ducked my head into the car, embarrassed, but pleased.

  * * *

  Adam drove us to Louise’s Cafe, a quaint breakfast place located in a part of the city that locals kept secret. Derek greeted the hostess with a charming familiarity and asked for a table by the window.

  “I’ve been coming to this place for years,” Derek said, tapping the menu. “It opened when I was in college. I used to come in early to study.”

  I tried to imagine a younger, college-aged Derek, but couldn’t quite grasp the image. He was so mature, so confident, especially when compared to any boy I’d ever met in school. There was a youthfulness about him, yes, but the polite composition of his attitude provided a harmony in him that kept me intrigued.

  “I like it,” I said, looking around. The walls were covered with impressionist paintings of lakes and fields. There was soft swing-inspired music playing, and surprisingly, there were only a few other people in the cafe. “The ambiance is great.”

  “Just wait until you try the food. Incredible.”

  Right on time, a slim, blonde waitress appeared at our table.

  “So good to see you, Derek!” She patted his shoulder. “The usual for you?”

  I watched them carefully as he smiled at her. “That sounds good, Marcy.”

  “And what can we get for your friend?” She turned her bright blue eyes to me.

  “Umm… the blueberry crepes, please. And some orange juice. Thank you.”

  “Good choice. And I love your dress.” She smiled again at Derek as she took our menus. I glanced at him, only to see him watching me with what might have been amusement in his gaze. I looked down hastily, pretending to play with the corner of the cloth napkin.

  “What’s up?” he asked, reaching out and taking my hand for a moment.

  “Nothing. Just a little tired.” I managed a small smile. “After all, you did keep me up quite late.”

  Derek laughed. “I do apologize if I ruined your sleep schedule.”

  “Oh, I wasn’t complaining.”

  He stared at me, lifting an eyebrow. “No? In that case, perhaps you’ll let me do it again.”

  I shifted in my seat, trying and failing to stop the blush that crept to my cheeks. Before yesterday, I was an awkward virgin who couldn’t talk to a guy to save my life. Now, I was horny as hell in a breakfast cafe. How did this happen… and why did I like it so much?

  “I would like that,” I said quietly, leaning forward. “Especially if you do the same thing you did last night.”

  Derek smirked. “Mmmmm. I’ll do so much more.”

  I was just about to ask him exactly what he intended to do, when the waitress appeared with his coffee and my juice. I barely noticed her, as I was too busy staring at Derek, wishing we were back in the privacy of his villa.

  Derek changed the subject to the weather and work. Even small talk with him was enjoyable, although I would rather go back to the teasing and flirting.

  In a short time, our food arrived at the table. The warm, fruity aroma was delectable, and I dug right in. As soon as the first bite touched my tongue, I sighed happily and sat back, closing my eyes.

  “This,” I said, “is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”

  He smiled. “I told you.”

  We fell into a comfortable silence as we ate, my hunger distracting me from my sexual desires, at least for the moment.

  “Can I ask you something?” Derek said, when his plate was nearly cleared. He looked somewhat nervous, which was an odd contrast to his usually confident air. “I don’t want to make things… awkward between us.”

  “Of course. Ask me anything.” My stomach filled with anxiety, assuming the worst.

  “I’m going to be honest with you, Amy,” he said. “I like you a lot.”

  So far, so good. “I like you too, Derek.”

  He flashed a quick smile. “I’m glad it’s mutual. I have a proposition for you. I’m not sure it’s completely appropriate, given both our personal and professional relationship, but I don’t have anyone else I can—or want—to ask.”

  “Okay…” I had no clue where he was going, but I leaned forward, listening.

  “My father is very ill,” he said gravely. “His doctor has only given him three months to live.”

  “Oh. Derek, I’m so sorry.” I frowned. I wasn’t sure what this had to do with me, but if there were anything I could do to help, of course I would.

  “Please, it’s alright. He’s been sick for a while now. The way I see it, his
suffering will end, which is a good thing. A hard thing, but better than a prolonged illness.”

  I nodded, chewing on my lip.

  “He and I have always had… well, a contentious relationship, you could say. My last visit with him did not end well.” He took a drink of his coffee, his eyes distant as he remembered the conversation. “He expressed great disappointment in me for not securing a wife, or a child that would be the heir to the investment firm. He’s very family-oriented, and sees my lack of family as a failure.”

  The pieces were beginning to come together in my mind, but I didn’t want to consider what he was insinuating. “Right.”

  Derek, sensing my hesitance, began to speak more quickly. “I know this is unexpected and unconventional, and I in no way want to make you uncomfortable. My only motivation is to make my father happy.”

  “What exactly do you need?”

  “I’m spending the next week at his mansion. It’s only a few hours from here. If you… if you, Amy, would be willing to come with me, and pose as my girlfriend…”

  “I’m not sure—”

  “And also pretend to be pregnant with my child…”

  I snorted. “Shit.” An elderly couple glared at me from a table over.

  “I know it sounds insane, like something a crazy person would ask. But it’s just for one week, really. Then my father can die in peace, without worrying that I’ll give the company over to someone outside of the family.”

  “I don’t know, Derek. That’s a lot to ask. And I’m supposed to start my job next week.”

  “I mean, I am your boss.” A hint of a smile touched his lips. “I can fix that. And you would be heavily compensated for your time.”

  “Compensated, how?”

  “Fifty thousand dollars, transferred directly to your bank account.” He shrugged, as if this were nothing. To a billionaire, I supposed it was nothing. “And you’ll be spending the week with me, in a beautiful, spacious mansion. I promise, it’ll be worth your time. Oh, and I’ll personally see to it that you have fun.” He winked.

  One week with Derek Rittsman, in a mansion. I was getting horny just imagining how much time we would have together. But, not only would I be pretending to be his girlfriend, I would be faking a pregnancy.

  “You wouldn’t have to pay me anything,” I said, trying to think. “I don’t want the money. I would love to spend the week with you, though. I just don’t know if I could lie about something that big.”

  “Only three people will even know about it—me, you, and my father. Amy, if he could believe that he would have a grandchild, his pain would be eased. I wish I didn’t have to ask you to lie, but it’s the only solution I can come up with.”

  “Of course. I understand. I’m not a good liar, though. There has to be someone else who would be better than me.”

  “There is not a single soul who I would rather spend the week lying to my father with.” He chuckled, and that was it.

  I just couldn’t say no to this man.

  “Alright,” I said. “I’ll do it. I really don’t want the money, though. That’s unnecessary.”

  He shook his head. “Nonsense. For everything that I’m asking you to do for me, I would be a criminal for not giving you something back. Don’t worry about it.”

  I could do a lot with fifty thousand dollars. Pay for college. Buy a camera. Not worry about rent or food. But it wasn’t right to take Derek’s money, for any reason, no matter how many times he offered, no matter how much he had. I drew the line there. I wasn’t interested in him for his money, and I wanted to make that indisputable.

  He studied me. “We’ll discuss it later.”

  “Okay.” I took a bite of my crepe, chewing thoughtfully. “So, what’s the story?”

  “The story?”

  “Yes. If we’re going to do this right, we have to make it convincing. So, how did we meet? What’s up with the baby inside of me? Do I get to have an alias?”

  He laughed. “Amy will be fine. I was thinking that, at least for this week, I don’t know that you’re pregnant yet. That makes the most sense, because when I talked to him last weekend, I wasn’t expecting a child, as far as I knew.”

  We spent the next half hour coming up with a story. He made it light-hearted, fun, as our tale spun out of control. It didn’t take long for us to devolve into laughter. Eventually, we settled on a believable scenario.

  He checked his watch, and frowned. “Damn it. I have to go.”

  “Aww.” I pretended to pout. “But things were just starting to get good.”

  “Just?” He stood up. “I know. I wish I could spend the whole day with you. Preferably, in bed. But, unfortunately, I have people expecting me, and if I’m taking a week’s vacation, they’ll have extra demands. Adam can drop you off at your place?”

  “Fair enough. We are going to spend a week lying together, so I guess I can’t be too disappointed.”

  “That’s the spirit.” He held out his arm, and I took it, feeling airy, enchanted, and a little bit anxious.

  Chapter 6

  Derek

  The following week was impossibly long, with Amy creeping into my every other thought. Through endless meetings, I was distracted by thoughts of her. When I was in my office, all I could do was reminiscence about having had her on my desk.

  You need to get a hold of yourself, I told myself repeatedly. This woman is driving you mad.

  When I thought about it logically, I couldn’t make sense of it. Perhaps she had cast a spell on me. I wouldn’t put it past her bright, coy spirit.

  Finally, when I felt about to burst with impatience, Friday afternoon arrived.

  I received a text message from Adam while in the middle of an unnecessarily long meeting about dropping stocks.

  ‘I have collected Ms. Parker. We are waiting out front when you are ready.’

  “Family emergency,” I told the men. Some nodded, others ignored me. I left without another word.

  I practically ran out of the building, making little attempt to hide my eagerness. Janet said something to me on my way out, but I didn’t hear. How did I go from not interested in dating to complete obsession with this girl, this amazing, beautiful girl?

  I slid into the car, waving Adam away as he started to get out. Amy was sitting in the back seat, somehow more stunning than I even remembered. She wore a light yellow sundress, with her hair pulled back in two loose braids. Despite the nervousness apparent in her posture, she smiled at me, reflecting my own joy at seeing her again.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hey.” I grinned. “Since you’re here, I assume you’re still up for the plan?”

  She nodded enthusiastically. “Yep. I got my sister to watch Zeus.”

  “Did you tell her what you’re up to?”

  Amy smiled and looked away as she remembered the conversation. “Uh, kinda. I told her about you, who you were, and that we were going on a business trip. Nothing about, you know, the plan and all. She was more interested in… the other stuff, to be honest.”

  “Gotcha.”

  Amy giggled. “She chattered on for over three hours. I think she’s more excited than I am.”

  “Really?” I smiled and reclined in my seat, turning toward her. “That’s saying something. So, are you ready for a week of fun-filled adventure and tomfoolery?”

  “Tom... Tom who?”

  I laughed. “You’ll get the idea.”

  * * *

  Usually, the drive to my father’s mansion was long and filled with worry over which disappointments he would express on our impending visit. But, with Amy to share the drive with, the hours flew past. We talked about everything imaginable—from economic theories, to our favorite places to go, to deeper subjects like the universe and existence. Nothing seemed to be off limits with her. Whatever the conversation, she was ready with a thoughtful response. It was easy to be attracted to her body, but it was incredible to be falling for her mind.

  I all but forgot about m
y father, and the fact that I was going to have to be pretty convincing in order to pull this off.

  The distraction lasted until we reached the grand, gold-plated gates of my father’s mansion. Then the nervousness set in.

  “Hey.” Amy must have noticed my change in behavior. “Everything okay?”

  I gave her a tight smile.

  “I think I told you before that my father and I have a strained relationship. He’s not… he’s never been particularly friendly, to me or anyone else. You’ll see. You can’t take anything he says personally, or else you’ll have no self-confidence left by the time we leave. Amy, if he gets to be too much for you, please be honest and tell me. I didn’t bring you here to suffer.”

  “Oh, come on, I doubt he’s that bad. He just sounds like a grumpy old man. I can handle that.”

  I was beginning to regret the idea, if only because I had grown so fond of Amy. My father was, at best, unpleasant, and it was selfish of me to bring her into this.

  I have to go through with it, I thought, steeling myself. It’s my only option. I’ll just have to make it up to her.

  I glanced at Amy. She was looking out the window, admiring the grounds.

  One week. She and I. Mmm.

  My imagination was starting to run away again. I had to focus.

  We made it around the hill, and the home that I grew up in came into view. I heard Amy gasp.

  The mansion was a work of art, constructed in the 1800’s, but newly renovated and modernized. It was three stories tall, and wide, made of marble. A grand staircase led up to the front door, which was lined by huge Greek columns. There were balconies at almost every window. Perfectly trimmed trees and shrubbery lined the yard, and an elaborate fountain was set in the middle.

  “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” Amy murmured. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  Her gratitude reassured me, and I smiled. “Just wait until you see the inside. Unlike me, my father has quite a taste for decor.”

  Adam parked out front. “Enjoy,” he said, grinning at Amy. I sent him a warning glance, only half-joking.

  I opened the door for Amy, and took her hand. She looked surprised for a moment, then relaxed as she remembered our facade. From now on, she was my girlfriend of eleven months, nearly a year, and, unbeknownst to me, was carrying my child.