ROMANCE: The Surprise That Rocked Me

by Linda Wright

  Neal arrived a few minutes early to the restaurant. He had reservations, but for dates he liked to make sure that they restaurant had his card information before his date arrived. That way, when they were ready to leave they could, and the restaurant could simply charge his card what he owed plus a twenty five percent tip. There was a reason that restaurants loved him being a frequent patron.

  “Ah, Mr. Broussard, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” the concierge said. Neal smiled, remembering that the same man had indeed been on the door when he’d come past for lunch a few days ago. What had his name been? Oh yeah…

  “You as well, David. My assistant called in a dinner reservation tonight?” Neal asked. David smiled wider upon hearing that Neal remembered his name. You could accomplish and get away with a lot by doing the simple things like remembering a name, or whether they have kids, or that their wife had the flu last time you all met. There was a reason that Neal was so good at what he did.

  “That she did, for a table by the window, correct?” he asked. Neal smiled and nodded.

  “Perfect,” he said. David grinned.

  “Would you like to wait for your date, or be seated now?” he asked.

  “I’ll go ahead and take a seat now. I’d also like to go ahead and give you all my credit card information, and have a bottle of wine chilled, if it’s not too much trouble,” Neal said. David turned and motioned for him to follow.

  “No trouble at all. I’ll take your card and get the information into the system, and would you like the same wine that you had last time that you were here?” David asked. Someone else was good at their job, if he was aware that Neal had a favorite bottle.

  “That’s be perfect,” he said as David stopped by a table and motioned for him to take a seat. He handed over his card and sat down, looking out of the widow and smiling. Perfect. The bottle arrived in a tableside bucket of ice a few minutes later, and right on time, he noted Lisa’s reflection in the glass.

  She looked amazing in a simple black dress that hugged the curvy bits of her perfectly, and Jess had been right about the shoes. He wouldn’t have asked her to even take a stroll in those, too much of a chance to sprain an ankle or something. They did make her legs look amazing though.

  “I’m not late, am I? You look like you’ve been waiting for a long time,” she said. Neal smiled and shook his head.

  “Not at all, I arrived a bit earlier than I intended to. You are rather punctual,” he said with a smile that could melt butter. Jessica giggled.

  “So what’s a good dish here that won’t make me gain ten pounds before I leave? I’ve never been here before, it’s really nice,” she said.

  “Just abandon that hope right now, everything here is rich and decadent, you can’t avoid it. You can have whatever you want. I’ve tried all of it, and it’s all excellent,” He said with a smirk and a wink. Lisa eyes him as if she was mused but not buying into all the charm that he was pouring on, which honestly made him laugh. She was the kind of woman that his parents would love, but that he would stay away from because he’d anticipate her opinions getting in the way of his. All he had to do was show her a fantastic time, and then be completely honest with her and hope for the best.

  Dinner was amazing. The two of them talked and laughed the entire time, and Neal saw that he could see himself spending significant time with Lisa and it not being a chore, which was a good thing. She’d laughed when she found out that they were going bowling afterwards, but since she was just as competitive as he was, it turned into an all-out friendly war on the lanes as the two of them vied for the win. She won the last game, which Neal was thankful for in retrospect, hoping that the win would put her in a good mood. Currently, they were strolling through a rather quiet neighborhood together.

  “Lisa, I have to tell you something,” Neal started. Wow, this was really going to suck, wasn’t it?

  “Aren’t we a little early in our relationship to be having ‘the talk’?” she said with a giggle. Neal’s face was so serious and worried that she stopped laughing and swallowed.

  “It’s harder than I thought, but I’m really hoping you don’t try and break my nose afterwards,” Neal said. Lisa frowned and turned her entire body to face him, stopping their rate of movement.

  “Alright. Shoot,” she said.

  Neal told her about the brothel in Vegas, about what he’d done that had pissed off the madam enough for him to be kicked out of there, and about the meeting with his parents after he’d returned. He told her the whole truth about why he’d been in the book store that day, and what made him talk to her about the book when he’d asked for her number. Then he told her that he needed a fake fiancé, and that if she was willing, he would pay her whatever it was that she named, once she signed an agreement not to take advantage of any knowledge that she might gain while being with him. Once he finally stopped speaking, Lisa stood there, staring at him completely still. Almost like she needed to be rebooted.

  ‘Lisa?” he said softly.

  “Are you kidding me? Am I on some candid camera or something and Penny put you up to this? This is something that she would totally do, thinking that it’s hilarious. What are you, her cousin or something?” she said, looking around.

  Neal hadn’t really counted on disbelief being the reaction that he’d get. It stopped him for a moment, watching her as she looked around. He sighed and pulled his phone from his pocket. It was pretty easy to find the news story and corresponding video from that night, since it was still pretty fresh in terms of the stupid things that celebrities do category of reporting. I didn’t say anything, I simply handed her my phone with the story pulled up.

  Lisa hesitated before taking the phone, but she did. She read the little blurb that didn’t really tell you much about what was happening, other than celebrity trouble and the name Neal Broussard. She glanced up at him momentarily before starting the video:

  Last night, celebrity paparazzi caught the score of a lifetime. Celebrity son and businessman Neal Broussard was caught exiting a brothel in Las Vegas. ‘That’s not a big deal, its legal there’ you may say, and normally it wouldn’t be considering some of the other shenanigans we’ve seen Neal get into. The deal this time, is that he was hurled into the street outside of the brothel, wearing literally nothing. His clothes were hurled out after him in a ball by a rather large bouncer, before the door was literally slammed shut. For his part, Neal didn’t seem at all embarrassed about the scene or the fact that he was naked, but he didn’t speak a word to any of our press that happened to be on the scene. Will Mom and Dad finally have enough of his…?

  She stopped the video and handed Neal the phone back with a hurt look on her face. Damn it, that hadn’t been what he wanted.

  “You’re telling me the truth,” she said softly.

  “I am. One hundred percent of it,” Neal replied softly.

  “You’re a big deal. Your parents must be pissed,” she said with a hesitant laugh. I smirked a little.

  “Yeah, they are,” Neal said.

  “And that’s why you need someone to pretend to be your fiancé. So that your parents won’t try and force you into something that you aren’t comfortable with,” she said.

  “Yes,” Neal answered.

  “What does this get me? Why in the world would I do this for someone I barely know anything about?” she asked. An excellent question, Neal thought to himself.

  “Most people would say something like, ‘do it to help’ or something philanthropic like that. I discovered years ago that most people don’t do anything because it’s the right thing to do. There is always something that they are getting out of it, something selfish,” he said, causing Lisa to honestly feel a bit guilty about having asked the question. “In short, money. If you’ve got student loans that you need paid off, I can handle that. You want to buy a house in the county, I can handle that. You want a blood red convertible Ferrari, I can handle that too. I don’t expect you to do this out of the goodness of your heart, all tha
t I ask is that you not blackmail me to get more. I’ll give you everything that you want in terms of payment, and during this whole charade, you get to come and go from my luxury penthouse as often as you please. You’ll have my black card for expenses, which includes shopping, and I will take care of you. You won’t have to lift a finger, unless it’s time for us to play nice in public,” he said. Lisa was about to say something, but her brain stopped her. She did have quite a few bills that were long overdue and needed paying, and buying a home sounded like a great plan and a good stepping stone into financial security, something that she’d been grasping for but hadn’t quite grabbed onto recently.

  “All of that, but help me find a job,” she said, crossing her arms. Neal blinked at her, he really hadn’t expected her to say yes, so the job request threw him off a bit.

  “What?” he asked.

  “A job. I’m trying to get into the architecture field, but I’m fresh out of school and I don’t have experience, which apparently is something that everyone wants. You have business connections, help me. Help me, pay me my terms and I‘ll do it. And you won’t have to worry about blackmail,” she said. Neal broke out into a grin.

  “I know at least three firms off the top of my head that I can call first thing in the morning and get you interviewed,” he said.

  “Perfect,” she said with a satisfied grin. She was getting paid, getting to spend money that wasn’t hers and living in luxury for a few weeks with a payoff that was massive for her. This wasn’t a bad plan.

  “Absolutely perfect. Here’s my office, come past around 10 tomorrow morning and I’ll have the paperwork for the engagement agreement and more information about the firms,” he said, handing her a business card. Lisa smiled down at the card and slipped it into her purse.

  “I’ll be there at ten sharp!” she said, turning and walking off.

  “Wait, don’t you want a ride home?” he called after her.

  “Nah, I want to walk. It gives me time to think about what I’m going to do with all that money!” she yelled back over her shoulder with a giggle. Neal grinned. Something about that answer made him glad that he’d chosen her, and that she’d agreed. This actually might work out.

  Chapter 4

  Lisa arrived at the building at five of ten the next morning. It hadn’t been hard to find the building, but she was a little overwhelmed when she walked into the lobby.

  “Is there something that I can help you with, miss?” a friendly looking security guard asked, clearly reacting to the utter confusion on her face. She smiled and walked over to the desk.

  “Yes, please. I’m looking for…” she looked down at Neal’s business card, “Broussard Estates,” she said. The security guard chuckled.

  “This entire building is Broussard. Is there someone in particular that you are looking for?” he asked. No, that didn’t make her feel even more out of her element.

  “Neal,” she said, handing the card over. The security guard looked at the name, then back up at her.

  “I’ll have to call and make sure before I let you upstairs,” he said. Lisa tried to look secure and nodded.

  “That’s fine,” she said. She watched as he dialed a few numbers and informed whoever answered that he had someone there to see Neil Broussard.

  “What’s your name?” he asked, covering the bottom of the cradle with his hand.

  “Lisa Reinhart. I’m supposed to see him at 10,” she said.

  “Yes, her name is… Oh, okay… Okay, she’ll be right up,” he said before hanging up. He handed her a plane white access card with a warm smile.

  “Mr. Broussard’s assistant said to give you that, it’ll give you access to the top floor anytime that you need it. Go on through the turn styles there, the car will get you through and take the last elevator on the left up to the thirty second floor. That’s the only one that goes to the floor, so make sure that you take the right one. Just scan the car beside the call button and it’ll bring the car down,” He said. Lisa was totally and completely overwhelmed, but she tried to keep track of what he was telling her. She repeated it back to him, and he nodded his agreement, seemingly amused at her bewilderment before sending her on her way.

  The floor that the elevator let her off was like some gleaming jewel of a place. A pretty blonde stood from one of the chairs in what looked to be a waiting area and walked over, holding out her hand for a shake.

  “Lisa?” she asked. Lisa nodded without thinking.

  “Yes?” she said, her eyes still roaming around.

  “I’m Jessica, Neal’s assistant. He’s just finishing up a business call that went a little long, but he didn’t want you to have to wait out here for him. I’ll take you back, if you’ll follow me,” she said, motioning. Lisa nodded and did as she asked.

  As the two women walked, Jessica explained to Lisa that the badge that she’d been given would get her to the floor as well as through the secured doors that she’d just come through with her. Basically, as long as she remembered what hallways to navigate, she could get to Neal whenever she needed to. That was a bit surprising to Lisa, but then again, if she was supposed to be his fiancé…

  “Also, just so you know, I am aware of the… arrangement that the two of you have in regards to your engagement. You can be completely candid with me, but no one else knows. If you have any questions that maybe you wouldn’t want to ask just anyone, call me,” she said, turning and handing her a business card with a number written in over her name. “That’s office and cell,” she said. Lisa smiled.

  “Thanks,” she said. She liked Jessica instantly, even more now that she knew that she could talk to her about anything.

  “Any questions before we get this started?” Jessica asked.

  “Um, is there anything I should know about him?” she asked. Jessica seemed to think about that.

  “Well, he’s spent the last few years of his life going from office party and back again. This is going to be a huge adjustment for him, and while most people think that he’s superman, he’s not, so go easy on him for a little while. Oh, he runs mornings usually. If he’s going to run at night, there’s something bothering him and he needs to think. Let him run, then ask him about it, otherwise he’ll tell you but it won’t make any sense, trust me. If you’re going to tell friends about this, tell them that you’re engaged, but not the truth. A lot of people are just looking for their ten minutes of fame, and sometimes you don’t know until they decide that you’re disposable,” she said. She thought for a few more seconds, then nodded.

  “I think that should at least get you through the general stuff,” she said. Lisa smiled.

  “I appreciate it,” she said. Jessica put a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” she said. Lisa swallowed nothing, smiled and nodded as Jessica turned and opened the door behind her.

  Neal sat behind a massive desk that looked to be covered in paperwork. He had on a wireless headset with a microphone, and was pacing back and forth behind his desk as he listened to something with a frown. Jessica motioned for Lisa to stay quiet and pointed at a rather lush looking armchair.

  “That’s not going to work, Jacob. You said that you wanted us in there and working on your shop as soon as possible, we can’t realistically meet your proposed deadline if you’re saying that suddenly we can’t get into the space for another week… No, I am not doing shitty work just to make your screwed up timeline work again… Yes, I am aware that all of the other vendors are pissed at you about this, I’m pissed too!... Push the deadline out a week, Jacob. Push it out, or find another company to work with,” he said, pushing a button on the base of the phone before taking off the headset and tossing it down on the desk. He ran his hands through his hair, obviously stressed and sighed.

  “Everything okay?” Jessica asked him. He turned almost as if he’d forgotten that he’d seen the two of them come in just a moment ago.

  “As good as it’s going to be. Call Jacob around 3 to
day and find out where things stand. I can’t wait for him to procrastinate more about this, if we’re going to be involved,” Neal said. Jessica nodded.

  “I’ll make a reminder now,” she said, turning and walking out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. Neal turned to Lisa and smiled.

  “Sorry about that,” he said, picking up a folder from the mass of papers on his desk and coming to sit in the seat beside her.

  “That’s alright, it sounded important,” Lisa said.

  “Somewhat. So, here is the paperwork. You can take it home and read it if you want to, or I can give you cliff notes and you can take my word for it,” he said. Lisa laughed.

  “Give me the cliff notes, and then I’ll take it downstairs to that little pastry shop and read it. I’ll sign it today,” Lisa said. Neal nodded.

  “Fair enough. The first bit says that you are entering into this willingly, not being forced, and coerced, blah blah. The second bit says that you have agreed that anything that you learn about me, my family or my company cannot be repeated, sold or used the blackmail anyone. The third bit says that I agree to pay you a previously agreed upon amount, currently fifty thousand, in one lump sum within forty eight hours of when the arrangement is terminated. If you want a different amount, scratch out what’s there and put something else but don’t sign it yet. I’ll get a new set made with the corrected figure. And finally, the last bit says that this is tentatively set to be a three month arrangement, and that if that changes you will be notified at least two weeks before the pre- existing end date,” he said. Lisa nodded, that sounded like exactly what he’d said the other night and she had no problems with it.

  “Alright. I’ll be back in however long it takes for me to read through this. Can I leave it with Jessica if you’re busy?” Lisa asked, standing. Neal smiled and stood with her.

  “You’re getting the hang of things quickly, aren’t you?” he said. Lisa grinned.

  “I’m a fast learner. See you in a bit,” she said. Neal opened the door for her, and she walked through it, tossing a wave to Jessica on her way out.