Like A Fraud
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked clearly in shock.
"It's… you know what, forget I said anything, I'll see you next week," Levi said, and then he walked away, signaling the end of the conversation.
Jade went ahead, and all the way home, she had thought of what her boss had asked her. It was definitely crazy. Why would he even say something like that to someone like her, I mean, even if he wanted to spontaneously propose to someone, it wouldn't be her. She was just his housekeeper, and you know, not fit to be the wife of 'The Levi Reynard'.
Since he had told her to forget about it, that was exactly what she was going to do. Besides, it was not like he meant it, or did he? Whatever it was, she had bigger problems, starting with her kitchen sink. She was still yet to have the pipe fixed. She decided she would call a plumber tomorrow before her shift at the restaurant.
Jade opened the door to her house and dropped her keys on the table. Her cupboard was empty, and so was her fridge save for the forgotten granola bar in the fridge. She needed to find time to go grocery shopping. Her house felt emptier every day. It was as if no one lived there or the occupant of the house was never around.
She changed out of her clothes into her favorite house shirt. It was an oversized shirt she had forgotten how she got it, but it was her go-to shirt. She let her hair loose. It was so nice to finally let her curls fall after they had been in a bun all day at work. It was like taking your bra off when you got home from work.
Her emails were empty, with no text messages and no missed calls. It was expected because she had no one who called her, but sometimes she just wished for company, someone she could talk to and be herself with. Exhausted with her thoughts, she lit a cigarette and sat on the floor near the couch.
Levi sat down at the bar with Nate. It was one of those days when Nate got off late from work, and they chose to hang out at the bar in the hotel just to pass the time.
"So you're telling me you had to lie to the board just like that," Nate said.
"Yup. And now I have to follow up with it because they are waiting for it." Levi replied. He took a sip from his drink and let out a long sigh afterward.
"Why would you even do that? That's not even important right now. Do you even have a plan?" Nate asked.
"I never planned to get married if that's what you're asking me."
"No, I meant now that you've put it out there. Surely, you've come up with a plan to get yourself out of this mess."
"No, he doesn't have a plan," Keith answered. She walked towards the empty stool in between them and took a seat. She ordered a drink, and they began discussing.
"You are supposed to be my assistant," Levi said, poking at her shoulder.
"I am when it's assisting you in reasonable matters. How do I get someone to agree to marry you? The playboy of the year, scratch that. You've won the award for many years." Keith replied.
"She's right," Nate said with a shrug.
"I hate it when you two gang up on me. It's annoying." Levi said, irritated, and Keith let out a small laugh. "I get it. It was a stupid lie, but I needed to do something because my inheritance was on the line. I need a wife."
"Do you have anyone in mind?" Nate asked.
"No, there's no one that comes to mind. But at this point, I think I just need someone to do it. Someone sensible and manageable, also moderately pretty, and has some sort of principles, I guess." Levi replied.
"Alas I thought in my lifetime I would never see a beggar with a choice, but I've seen one," Keith said with sarcasm, and this caused Nate to burst out laughing.
Levi scowled at her. It was only right that he chose someone who fit the description because he wasn't about to just marry anything that wore a skirt. And then his mind went to the spontaneous proposal he had made to Jade that evening. What was he even thinking about asking her?
He barely knew her. She was like a ghost even when working. She just came in and out, and most of the time, he never really saw her. Except for what she had on her resume, there was nothing else he knew. But she did seem like a decent person, and he had no complaints about her working ethics, and that was all that mattered. But even though he shouldn't have asked her.
"I have an idea though," Keith started. Levi perked up at the sound of the word 'idea'. He loved Keith's ideas. They were usually good, and this was tested, trusted, and approved. "You remember Nessa, that actress you were all about last year. She called once when you were on your vacation. You should give her a call."
"Vanessa Langford?" Levi asked.
"Who else?" Nate replied.
Levi thought about it, and Vanessa fit the description. A lovely, stunning brunette who was sensible and had some principles, but the only thing was that Vanessa was too impulsive. She could do things on a whim and then undo them at that same frequency. But it was not a bad idea overall.
"That could work. Invite her over tomorrow morning so we can talk about the engagement, and we've got work to do, I need to be engaged by Sunday." Levi stated.
"Okay, I'm pretty sure she'd agree to it anyway. Nessa likes you a lot, and well, you guys did have a fling." Keith replied.
"So invitations go out tomorrow. No paparazzi, which means no form of publicity whatsoever, and no external parties. Just a guest list of twenty people who are close to us."
"Twenty people is a tight list," Keith said, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Yeah because whoever I marry doesn't need to be known by many people just in case the person I eventually marry isn't a fan of being showcased," Levi replied.
"Makes sense," Nate added.
"Okay, but I assure you. Nessa would want to be flaunted so just in case I'll have a few media contacts reached out to." Keith said.
"That's okay," Levi replied.
Nate yawned, it had been a hectic day at the hospital and he was still yet to rest. "As much as I would love to sit and know where all this goes, I have to turn it in. Some of us need actual rest." He said getting up from his chair.
"Alright, I'll see you in the morning,"
"Have a nice rest, Nate," Keith said. He gave her a side hug and a kiss on her head and then he left.
Levi looked at the interaction between them. He had always been watching from the sidelines ever since he had introduced them to each other. They had become friends because both of them were close to him. But they had this weird chemistry between them, he had thought that one day, one of them would've had the courage to explore it but they were strict with the friend zone.
He told himself to never butt in because he loved them both and didn't want anything to interfere with their dynamics as friends. But on days like today, he just wanted to really say something.
"Sometimes, we often miss the best things because we don't look well enough. I'll see you later Keith, you can take my other room for tonight." Levi said and then he too, walked away.
The next day, just like they had planned, Vanessa Langford was about to be the future Mrs. Reynard. It was obvious she was going to say yes from the start because well it was good publicity for her as an actress and it would keep her trending for months and of course, it would be the wedding of the year.
Levi could finally take a breath and stop worrying. He would give her the ring tomorrow during the engagement party and just as Keith had predicted, Nessa wanted all big media houses to carry the news of the wedding and the engagement party.
It was a fine Sunday afternoon, Jade had come back from grocery shopping and she was putting away the stuff she got. Finally, her sink was fixed and there was power today. It seemed like a very smooth sailing day, she was content with the way the day had gone. Later in the evening, she would go for her shift, then come back and get some rest before work on Monday.
She decided to walk to the restaurant for her shift that evening because the weather was good and she was in high spirits. Immediately she got to the restaurant, her phone rang. She pulled it out immediately to know who the caller was because it was weird to hear her phone ring.
It was Keith calling.
It was odd, why would Keith call her on a Sunday afternoon? It couldn't be about work because it was a weekend but at the same time, it could be about work because it's a weekend. What if Levi threw a party and needed her to clean up the penthouse? She eventually called Keith back because she missed the call due to her overthinking.
"Hello, Keith?" Jade asked wanting to be sure that maybe it wasn't a prank call or butt dial.
"Jade, thank goodness. Sorry to disrupt your weekend but I need your assistance at the Reynard mansion." Keith said. Jade could hear voices in the background.
It did seem like her speculations were right because now she was on a taxi to the Reynard estate, trying to make a call for a flower delivery. It turns out that her boss was getting engaged today, who would've thought?
Getting there, she was thrilled to know that the flower delivery had been made. She held the white roses and walked up the stairs to where Keith was. She needed to know where to place the flowers and what she should do next.
"She can do it," Levi said immediately Jade walked into the room.
"That's Jade, the housekeeper. No offense Jade." Keith said, looking at Levi with confusion etched on her face.
"I know but we don't have options, or time and the guests would be here any minute so unless you're willing to take the role let Jade do it," Levi said with a serious look on his face.
"Okay," Keith said.
Levi walked up to Jade who was still confused at the whole scene that was displayed before her. And what the hell were they saying she should do and why wouldn't Keith want to do it?
"I know this is a lot to ask and I know I said you should forget about it but I need a favor from you Jade," Levi said, looking straight at her with urgency in his eyes.
She didn't quite understand what was going on yet so she asked, "What favor?"
"Be my wife Jade Marie Hart." He said.
Her face dropped.
She didn't even have the time to process everything, all she knew was that guests were coming and somehow she was going to be the future Mrs. Reynard. Keith had taken her to do her hair and make-up and picked out a dress for her from the array of dresses the stylist had brought in.
Now she sat looking pretty in a hall full of people she didn't know and in a dress she didn't own or even pick out.
She felt like a fraud.