* * *
"Use the rest of the day to buy new things. Ryan will take you where you need to go."
* * *
"Don't be ridiculous. Just drop me off at home so I can pack."
* * *
"Jennifer, I'm offering. I'll cover the costs. Buy whatever you want."
* * *
"What's wrong with the clothes I wear?" she asked irritably.
* * *
Surely he wasn’t going to expect her to transform completely? she still had the right to cling to who she really was. Pretenses aside, she was still Jennifer.
* * *
"Nothing…" he started.
* * *
"Then let me go home, I know where you live. I'll be there by this afternoon.”
* * *
"There is nothing in your house that you can't purchase something new of."
* * *
Seriously! Why was he so demanding and so impatient? It would take her an hour at most to pack, and at least that way she will have the last few minutes of her freedom without him hovering.
* * *
"I have to tell my landlord I am going to be away. I have to turn the refrigerator off. I have to organize for my mail to be delivered to a different address. I have things I need to take care of before moving anywhere, and don't tell me that you can hire people to do them for me."
* * *
Justin closed his eyes and sighed and Jennifer smiled inwardly. He was not going to run her life for her.
* * *
"Five o'clock. Be at my house by five o'clock," he said tersely. "We have a date."
Four-thirty, and Jennifer stood in front of the elevator in the upper-class apartment block. She had always known where Justin lived but she had never been here herself. She had packed modestly, figuring she would be able to go back to her apartment if she really needed to. Besides, Justin's offer to buy what she wanted was always an option. Since he was hell bent on turning her life upside down, maybe she should take advantage of some of his money after all.
She shook her head thinking about the argument they had had. She didn't want to take clothes from him; the ring was already too much. She didn't want him to turn her into the kind of Fifth Avenue princess that he would ideally be suited to. That was not part of the deal. Pressing the 'PH' button in the elevator gave her a slight rush. What did the penthouse apartment of a billionaire look like on the inside? What would Justin look like when he wasn’t dressed up in his suit and tie?
The elevator pinged as she reached the penthouse level and the door swooshed open, leading into a short corridor, with only one door ahead of her. She felt intimidated by the grandeur of it all. She raised her hand to knock, but it hit air as the door swung open.
* * *
“Your impeccable time management is commendable,” he said as he stepped aside for her to enter.
He was dressed in faded jeans and a black V-neck T, wearing no shoes. His hair was still wet, which meant he had time to shower. Jennifer took a steading breath and inhaled his fresh scent as she passed him and her stomach flipped. Why did he have to be so good looking, why couldn’t he just have been an average guy that didn’t look like he belonged on some Men’s magazine cover, she thought as she placed her luggage on the floor.
* * *
Being that high in the air meant he had no use for curtains. That further meant that natural light suffused the open, comfortable space of his home. His furnishings were surprisingly light, from the pine laminate floors, to the white of the walls and the upholstery of various creams and off whites. The living space was so big the von Trapp family could have comfortably called it home. It was bigger than a bachelor would have any use for.
* * *
“Glad you made it on time, let me show you your room,” he said and picked up her suitcase.
She nearly freaked out when she noticed one of her bra’s hanging out on the side; it was a black lacy bra. One thing she was always pedantic about was wearing comfortable but classy underwear. Her mom always used to insist that a woman’s underwear was her pride.
* * *
“Uh… let me get that,” she said and reached for her suitcase, but Justin smirked and pulled it out of her reach.
“I’ve got it,” he said and turned left out of the living room into the corridor, “This is my room,” he said pointing to the door on the left, “This is my study, where you’ll find me most of the time when I’m home, and this,” he said, “is your room.”
* * *
Her room was a door down from his, which made her feel awkward but she tucked her emotions away. The room was beautiful, it looked like the rest of the place, perfect for a décor magazine, and in fact she’s almost sure she’s seen it before in a spread. The bed was queen sized, and the bedding was snow white, with embroidered leaves. She was almost too scared to sit on it in case she wrinkled it. At least the bedroom had curtains, which matched the linen. Other than a massive flat screen television that was mounted to the wall the walls were bare.
* * *
“This room is beautiful,” she said smiling as she ran her fingers along the smooth surface of the dressing table.
“Thank you,” he said and gestured to the door on the left, “That’s your bathroom, fully fitted with a bath and a shower.”
* * *
Jennifer glanced into the bathroom and it literally took her breath away. Gleaming granite tops lined the one side of the bathroom; in the middle was a Jacuzzi sized tub. The shower had no walls or glass; it was an open shower with a decorative tiled floor. Against the wall was an electronic panel where you could regulate the temperature and dispense soap, shampoo and conditioner. White towels were neatly stacked on an open shelf.
* * *
She stepped back into the room and smiled awkwardly, it felt as if her cheeks were jumping and she bit the inside of her lip. She had never ever been in such a grand place, not even when she stayed in the Hilton Hotel back when she visited Durban, in South Africa just after she finished college.
* * *
Justin looked at her curiously and then opened the closet door, “I’ve have taken the liberty of getting you an evening dress for dinner.”
* * *
Jennifer looked at the champagne colored dress. She looked at the tag and smiled, he had been smart enough not to leave the price on it, but he definitely knew her dress size. The name 'Elie Saab' didn't mean too much to her but she knew it meant the dress was foreign-made and expensive.
* * *
“You really didn’t have to go through all of this,” she said and closed the closet door, “I have clothes.”
“I know, but I thought I’d treat you to a new dress.”
Jennifer bit back a sneer. It’s already starting, Justin wasn’t happy with an average looking plane ol’Jane, and he was slowly going to try and transform her to fit into his glamorous life. It was something she was going to have to accept, and at least it would only be for a few months. Before she knew it, she would be back in her apartment with her cat Ratchet. At least she was able to get her neighbor to babysit Ratchet while she was pretending to be Miss Priss, and she had promised to visit him daily if possible.
“I’ll let you get ready,” he said and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Chapter Four
Their first ‘date’ was dinner, their first presentation to the public as a couple. The restaurant was owned by a friend of his, Andreas, who kissed both Jennifer's cheeks. She was the first woman he had ever brought there. With the place packed he knew they would definitely be noticed.
* * *
“Breathe,” he whispered as they walked past the tables.
“I’m trying to,” she said barely moving her lips.
* * *
He patted her hand where it rested in the crook of his arm. They appeared intimate without being too juvenile and more than a few people turned to look at them. Jennifer looked absolutely stunning in the gown he had sele
cted for her. Its color was gorgeous against her smooth, tanned skin and it fit her like a second skin. Her hair was up in an elaborate bun and her make-up was gorgeous bringing out her eyes and beautiful, full mouth.
He noticed men and women alike staring at them openly and his chest swelled with pride. They women looked at her with jealousy and some with admiration, but the men instantly annoyed him. They were staring at her as if taking her clothes off with their eyes. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her protectively against him, until they reached their table at the far end of the restaurant, nearest to the kitchen.
Andreas had seen to it that the very best table was reserved only for them, with their own dedicated waiter.
* * *
"I hope you don't mind if I order for you," he said as he pulled out her chair for her.
* * *
"Not at all, just don't get me anything that has eyes and tentacles," she said distractedly as she looked around her.
* * *
He smiled and placed their order when the waiter appeared. He ordered them scallop salad for a starter and classic mille feuille for dessert, opting for duck as his own entrée and boeuf bourgignon ‘for the lady’. They chatted amicably as they waited over their wine.
While asking her whether she liked the restaurant he reached for her hand and kissed the outside of it gently.
* * *
“You never know who could be watching,” he said quietly. Her breathing slowed as she slowly took her hand back and smiled.
* * *
"How did you do it?" she asked.
* * *
"How did I do what?"
* * *
"How did you end up trapping yourself into a dinner with Eugene Pryor and a non-existent fiancée? Everybody makes mistakes but not everybody invite people to dinner they are co-hosting with a ghost,” she said sipping her wine
* * *
He chuckled, "It may not look like it from mere appearance but I am fallible as well," he said, shrugging loftily.
* * *
"Come on. Why did you say you had a fiancée?"
* * *
"I said it because I wanted him to believe it."
* * *
"You wanted to trick him?"
* * *
"No. Family values and being in stable relationships greatly improves reputations in my field."
* * *
"You wanted to trick this guy into thinking you are a family man?" she said raising her brows.
* * *
Justin wanted to laugh; she was right about one thing. He was trying to trick Pryor, but it was all for a cause.
* * *
"Sometimes you have to do, what you have to do, right?" he said leaning back into his chair. “But it’s only a half truth, on the contrary, I have great family values, and I would like to have my own family one day.”
* * *
"You, a family man?" Jennifer laughed and looked at him with undisguised disbelief.
* * *
"You don't believe me?”
* * *
"Should I? Up to this point none of your relationships have ended in any sort of commitment. You don't have any kids. You aren't dating currently... the evidence is stacked against you my friend," she said.
* * *
He furrowed his brow realizing that if anyone would have this information, she would. She had been the one in the past making dinner reservations and politely cancelling dates when he couldn’t make it. In all honesty, as professional as their relationship was, she knew a lot more about him than he did her.
* * *
He took a sip of his wine and leaned on the table with his elbow, "Maybe I just haven't had a chance to demonstrate it with anybody yet."
* * *
"So, you do want to be married and have kids?"
* * *
"Heirs don't produce themselves," he joked.
* * *
"I still don't know how I was your only option."
* * *
"I couldn't just present anyone as my fiancée. She had to be someone who seemed like they would actually want to be my wife; I’m a difficult man if you haven’t noticed."
* * *
“More like persistent,” she laughed.
* * *
“It’s not that bad,” he chuckled, “I just know what I want.”
"The list of women who want to become Mrs. Justin Dunne is more or less every woman in Manhattan and its environs," she said, “You’ve got options available, that’s all I’m saying.”
* * *
"But how many of them would make a suitable mother for Justin Jr.?"
* * *
"I suppose you have a point there," she said and smiled.
* * *
"Of course I do," he laughed, "All I'm saying is there are a lot of women, a lot of people in my circles for whom marriage and family simply mean conservation and multiplication of wealth. I want something different."
* * *
"I get it," she said quietly. "And you just haven't found the right girl to help you do that yet."
* * *
“I guess picking the right woman isn’t like going to Walmart, if you get my drift, and besides for now my aim is to show that I’m capable of commitment, and the woman, which is you in this case, is not some money hungry gold digger.”
* * *
"Well at least you have one guarantee, I’m definitely not running after your billions," she added.
* * *
There was a moment of silence, and Justin regarded her for a moment. She was as sincere now as she was at the office. There was humbleness about her that could so easily rub off on others. In the time she had worked for him, he had never had any bad reports on her work, or any signs of animosity between her and any of the other staff. If he ever did pick a wife, he would want her to be like Jennifer, he thought to himself.
* * *
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
* * *
She looked up at him and raised a brow, "Sure."
* * *
"How long were your parents together before they split?"
* * *
"They split when I was nine, nine years too late if you ask me. They weren't compatible with each other. My mom got pregnant and he just did what he believed to be the right thing. They fought more than they talked while they were married. And after the divorce, my mom remarried, because she had been seeing my stepfather for about a year already by that time."
* * *
That surprised him, from experience, people from broken homes were normally disrupted by default, but Jennifer didn’t seem like the type to come from a broken home.
* * *
"You mentioned your dad and his health issues, but are you close with your mom?"
* * *
"My father, yes, he never remarried. He rejoined the military and served for a while but was discharged because of his dementia." She shook her head. "Can you imagine memory loss and confusion in a man with post-traumatic stress disorder?"
* * *
"I can't imagine. I'm sorry you had to deal with that."
* * *
She shrugged. "At least he's still alive. My mom and I do talk, but we were never really close. What about you?"
* * *
"What about me?"
* * *
Over the course of their meal Justin told her all she needed to know about his family. He was the third of four children. His parents were a couple like the ones he disapproved of but who had managed to stay together and become fond of each-other in the end. His youngest brother was a boy, still in college in Europe and his two eldest siblings were girls, who had both bailed on taking over the family business, which left him with the responsibility. His oldest sister had chosen the wife and mother route, and her latest due date was any day now. His second sister was a fashion designer, at the moment in Paris and completely alienated from the family, because it was revealed that her long-time par
tner she kept referring to as ‘Jules’ to the family was actually 'Julia', an Australian woman. Their mother hadn't quite recovered from the shock of her daughter being a lesbian. Though his appearance now was one of power and strength, he had been sickly as a child. He had endured multiple surgeries on his heart since he was an infant and had been home schooled for years until his health improved in his early teens.
Her Fake Fiancé Billionaire Boss Page 3
