CHAPTER FOURTY SEVEN 47
"FINN, WILL YOU PRETEND TO BE MY BOYFRIEND?"
“What about Finn?” Evelyn asked me.
“What about Finn, what?” I asked, confused and startled.
“Tell him to be your pretend boyfriend, he will play the role better" Evelyn proposed.
“What?” I exclaimed; my heart heavy on the weight and glimpse of what it’ll be.
“What?? Finn is our boss” I didn't wanna cross the boundary
“And he is your friend, the two of you are pretty much closer than just friends and I’m sure he’ll wanna do this for you”
“We are just friends, we are not pretty much intimate whatsoever” I murmured.
“Well, the major reason I said he will play the role of a pretend boyfriend better is because he loves you” Evelyn added.
“Ugh!” I scoffed and rolled my eyes.
“Listen Rita, I see no better alternative and I cannot watch you continue to get worked up when there’s already a solution” She said and I forced a smile because she truly cared.
“Thank you Evelyn” I got on my foot.
“I should go meet Finn now, what do you think?”
“Yeah, Go right now, he’s less busy” She encouraged, gently pushing me forward.
I adjusted my dress and brighten up my look, as I've been frowning all day.
**
“Hello dear” Finn said before I could greet him a good day.
The supposed P.A was around, sitting comfortably at the palour part of the office, with a laptop in front of him.
I greeted him perfunctorily then drew nearer to Finn.
“I love to see you in my office, I love to see you around me” Finn gestured me to sit on the mesh seat in front of me.
“Charles” He called the guy, the P.A.
“Meet my favorite employee, Rita and Rita, meet Charles, the lazy ass personal assistant” Finn said.
“Hi Rita” Charles gazed at me from where he was.
“Hi Charles” I was uncomfortable with his gazes.
“That’s how I'll introduce you to every employee that comes here. You are not worthy enough for me to call up a meeting just to announce your presence” Finn said to Charles, who only smirked and continued what he was doing.
“What brings you to my office, dear Rita? Evelyn had just brought in today’s files”
“Uhmm.. I…” I lightly scratched my head that wasn't even itching.
“Can I talk to you privately?”
“Privately” He repeated after me, seemingly eager to hear what I had for him.. He turned to Charles. “Hey Charles, leave the office riht now, just hang around somewhere. I’ld like to have a one-on-one conversation with her” He ordered him.
At first, Charles hesisted by playing deaf, then he gave a heavy huff and shook his head before closing his laptop then stood up and headed to the door reluctantly.
He stared at me till I was out of his sight.
“I really regret employing him” Finn lamented, shaking his head disappointedly.
Then he faced me and smiled; “What is it? I hope there is no problem Rita?” He inquired compassionately.
“Uhmmnn… I..” I didn't know how to tell him so I began by reminding him; “You said you would love to help me at any point in time”
“Definitely, even if it's not within my capability Rita; I would always help you” He assured, yet I fondled with my fingers nervously and he noticed it “Is there a problem Rita?”
“Uhm, actually it’s about my boyfriend” I resumed, I saw a glint of disappointment on his face.
“Your boyfriend?” He mumbled.
“Yes, my online boyfriend. I haven't met him yet but my parents want to” I broke the news to him.
His eye lashes blinked severally “Continue” He said.
“So… I… Uhm, I want to take you home to my parents” I said, without beating around the bush.
Finn didn't say anything, so I continued.
“Err…, just this once and when next they ask after you, I'll just say we are no longer together, and by that time, my real boyfriend will be back”
He was dumbfounded and seemed, flabbergasted by my idea.
“Please” I pleaded when he wouldn't stop staring at me unbelievably..
“I asked you out on a date, you turned me down” He finally spoke, drumming his fingers on the desk.
Oh that…
“I wanna be your real boyfriend but you want me to pretend…”He emphasized in the word ‘Pretend’ "To be your boyfriend”
“What about my feelings for you? You would hurt me more during the pretense”
“Ugh! You’re right, I'm sorry” I apologized. “I’ll find and pay someone else to do the job” I was about to stand up.
“Nah, don't. I'll do it” He accepted unexpectedly.
“Huh! You will?”
He stood up from his mesh chair and sat on his desk in front of me.
“ I will be your pretend boyfriend but only on one condition” He added. “Life is a give and take afterall, isn't it?”
“Finn, we cannot be lovers. I can't date you” I declined before he spoke.
“Nah, that’s not it. I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend” He said; “And I don't want your money”
“What’s the condition?” I asked him.
“I want you to go out with me”
I was gonna say it was the same thing but he interrupted. “Just a date” so I didn't say anything.
“If you agree to go out with me, I will be your pretend boyfriend” He said. “Uhm?” He burrowed his eyes into mine, waiting for an answer.
“Uhm… I… errm” I probably won't find another man if I turn Finn down. “Alright, I…uhm, I.. I accept”
“Oh finally” He bent forward a little, lifting my chin up. “You look so beautiful Rita” He suddenly complimented.
“Uhm” I stood up, he thereby took his hand off.
“I would just go back to work now” I headed towards the door.
“Are we having the date before or after I meet your parents?” Finn asked when I got to the door.
“After. We’re visiting my parents tomorrow” I said lastly then left his office.
*
Charles came in shortly after Rita left the office.
“Dude!” Finn shouted at him, moving closer to stand face to face with him.
“Why were you staring at Rita that way?” He querried, folding his arms.
“You noticed! Why not? I can stare at anyone. Don't you have your eyes too?” Charles responded rudely.
“You know what I'm talking about Charles” Finn grouse.
But Charles smirked and headed to his seat.
“Rita is taken, let that sink into your brain!” Finn warned.
“Yes, I'm fully aware she’s taken but not by you” He fired, packing his stuffs and laptop into his brief case.
“I’m done for the day” He announced.
“What the heck do you mean Done for today?”
“I will be absent tomorrow likewise” Charles added.
I scorned, “You should get ready to receive a termination letter because i'll fire your ass!”
“Well, remember your brother and I have a deal” He said pompously.
“So see you next week Boss” He gave a triumphant smug and left.
******
To Be Continued