by Tia Wylder
He kept his pace brisk, hoping for once that the cafe was as slow as usual with his order. He pushed the door open, looking around for his fake girlfriend. She lingered near the counter, laughing and blatantly flirting with a tall and handsome man. Inexplicable fury welled up inside of the handsome businessman, and he stalked towards the counter to catch Svetlana’s attention. She noticed him all too late, reeling in surprise as he swung a punch at the man she’d been talking to.
“Jackson, what the hell?” She demanded. He turned to face her, eyes narrowed critically.
“Can we go outside and talk?” He asked, though it seemed more of an order than a request. She hesitated, looking towards the man she’d been chatting with. She heaved a sigh, taking Jackson by the arm and pulling him outside.
“What was that all about!?”
The two of them shouted the words simultaneously, and it might have been amusing if not for the mutual fury in their eyes.
“I was just making small talk with some guy! It’s not like we’re at work, it’s not like anyone in the cafe is supposed to know we’re ‘together’,” she exclaimed. Jackson found her use of air quotes rather obnoxious, but swallowed that thought, instead sputtering his defense.
“Anyone from our job could be at this cafe! For that matter, my parents could be here! What would they think if they saw my floozy of a girlfriend flirting with every guy she happened to meet?!” He shouted. She drew away, looking briefly wounded. He felt a small measure of victory at her hurt expression, but his moment was short-lived. She reared back, slapping him across the face as hard as she could manage. He cried out in a mix of pain and anger, reeling from the force of the blow.
“First of all, floozy? If I’m going to be your girlfriend, pretend or otherwise, you better show me a little more respect. I was just making conversation, not flirting. What am I supposed to do when you send me to the corner cafe to get your damn lunch? Sit meekly and not speak to anyone!?” She spat.
“That’s what you do at work! You just shuffle around the office, not talking to anyone. You hardly even speak to me, and I’m your boss! What does that guy have that I don’t?” Jackson retorted, crossing his arms over his chest. Svetlana considered him with an expression that looked a mix of righteous anger and condescending amusement.
“He has a personality. He has respect for women. He asked my name and actually remembers what it is! Most of all, you know why I talk to him and not you? Because you’re my asshole of a boss. You think you own me because I work for you, and you think that you’re entitled to stare at my body. Why does it even matter? We’re not even in a real relationship,” she began in a mutter, before rising in pitch and volume. Jackson tensed his hands into fists at his sides, and he was tempted to fire her on the spot. The audacity! The nerve! With the gratuitous check he was offering her, at the very least she could pretend to like him.
“I have plenty of respect for women,” he managed weakly, feeling wounded by her words despite himself.
“The only reason you’re having me pretend to date you is because you don’t want to stop using women for their bodies. That’s not respect, Jackson. Now, I’m going to go inside and get your damn soup. I’m going to try and smooth things over with that man so you don’t end up with a lawsuit. Then we’ll go back to work and carry on with this mockery of a relationship,” she said with a calmness that he couldn’t begin to comprehend. Then, she turned her back on him and slipped back into the restaurant. He slumped slightly, shoving his hands in his pockets as he waited for her to return.
So much for his plan to surprise her with lunch. There was no way he could let anyone at the office know how badly this had gone. He perked up as she stepped out of the cafe, her expression relieved and slightly guilty. She pressed his carry out bowl of soup into his hands.
“What are you doing here, anyway? It always takes this long for me to bring your lunch,” she inquired weakly, crossing her arms under her bountiful chest. He tried to avoid staring, averting his eyes and sighing.
“One of the cafeteria workers implied that I was… out of place, sending you to grab my lunch when we’re in a relationship. So, I came to surprise you with a lunch date,” he managed, running a hand through his short cropped, dark hair. She looked surprised, hesitating for a moment before reaching out to grasp his hand.
“I suppose we should try to appear more authentic. We’re not very believable at work, as is. Let alone anywhere else…,” she managed. “I’m sorry I got angry, I understand if you want to find someone else to play this role for you,” she added weakly. Jackson’s eyes widened, and he managed a soft laugh.
“I’m surprised you’re not trying to get out of it at this point. I didn’t realize how intense things would get. If anyone should be angry, it’s you,” he murmured. The two locked eyes for a moment, and the older man smiled warmly at his young assistant. She blushed prettily, averting her eyes and falling into step beside him as they made their way back to the office.
“We both may have overreacted. When we get back to work, we’ll pretend that we had that lunch date. You can just say you brought your leftovers, and have lunch in your office,” Svetlana offered gently. He smiled, seeming to perk up at the suggestion. “By the way, we’ll be avoiding the lawsuit with that guy. He said he could understand why a guy would be so… defensive over a girl like me,” she blushed, chuckling in embarrassment.
“Damn right,” Jackson grinned. She rolled her eyes, slapping him on the shoulder. The rest of the walk to the office was relatively quiet, and Svetlana went as far as resting her head on her boss’s shoulder to appear more authentic as they stepped inside. The eyes of their coworkers were upon them, and Svetlana hesitated a moment before turning to face him.
“I’m going to get back to work, hon. Thanks for lunch. That was very sweet,” she tittered cheerfully, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. He felt his own cheeks grow warm, and he smiled as she shuffled away. She seemed a little less eager to escape him, though he couldn’t be certain that he wasn’t imagining things. He watched her go, his eyes beginning to wander down to her hips once more. Remembering what she’d said about his entitlement, however, he forced his eyes away, slipping away towards his office.
When he stepped inside, he was startled to see his father waiting for him. The older man had his arms crossed over his chest.
“Where have you been?”
“Just had lunch with my girlfriend. If you’re here to push the issue of me marrying Lina, I don’t want to hear it. I’m happy with Serenity.”
“You mean Svetlana, I assume.”
Jackson’s eyes widened, and he realized how foolish he must have looked misspeaking his girlfriend’s name.
“Care to explain the bruise near your eye? Looks like you’re gonna get a shiner,” the father continued, and Jackson reached up to gingerly touch his face where Svetlana had slapped him. He huffed, brushing a hand through his hair.
“I was defending my love’s honor. Some idiot thought he could try and sweep her away from me, so I had to show him what was up. If you think this looks bad, you should see the other guy.”
It wasn’t entirely far from the truth. At least, not completely. Just at that moment, Svetlana stepped through the door with an ice pack in her hand. She stepped towards Jackson with a chagrined smile, pressing the cold compress against his cheek until he took the hint and held it in place.
“Sorry,” she murmured. He smiled, reaching out to pull her into his embrace.
“Anything to defend you. I was just telling my father about it,” he sputtered out in embarrassment. Svetlana quirked a brow, smiling in amusement before turning to face the older man.
“Oh yes. You should have seen the fight. My heart’s still pounding from how intense it was. I feel bad for the other guy, though… anyway, I must get back to work,” she pulled the compress away for just a moment to press a kiss to the bruise that was forming. As she drew away, she ghosted her lips to Jackson’s ear, murmured “Defendin
g your love, huh? Better than admitting domestic violence, I guess,” she teased, drawing away and winking at the dark-haired man. “So heroic,” she sighed dreamily, and for a moment Jackson himself could believe it. He reddened, placing the cold compress back on his cheek.
“I’d do it a dozen times over, my love,” he grinned awkwardly. Svetlana smirked, slipping out of the room with her hips swaying a bit more than usual. Jackson was helpless to keep his eyes off her rear, but then again, he was supposed to be interested. Wasn’t he?
“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. Ja
ckson 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.
