Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 27

5 years ago

Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 27

Steve whistled. “Nice.”
We all sat down. Steve was on my left and Henry on my right. I was grateful I didn’t have to sit next to Rafferty. Now that would be torture.
“Shall we open the presents?” Arianne suggested. She seemed like the perfect hostess and wife, with her charming dimpled smile and graciousness. She turned to Rafferty, who didn’t respond and took that as a yes.

Bernice came in holding a pile of presents. I suddenly remembered mine was still sitting in Henry’s car. “Henry,” I exclaimed. “My present’s still in the car!”

“I’ll get it.” I watched as Henry left the room quickly. In less than half a minute, he was back. He put the emerald green gift bag which held the watch on top of the pile of presents. We didn’t sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Rafferty because apparently it was ‘childish.’

He started off with a present wrapped in blue and silver stripes. It was from Arianne. He read the card quickly and set it back down, before turning to his present. It was a new black sleek briefcase with an expensive pen by Parker brand. I found that funny and smart, since his surname was Parker. Being the jerk Rafferty was, he didn’t say thank you. He just moved on.
April’s present was business shirts and a yearly subscription to some Investors magazine, while Steve’s was a silver portable DVD player.
When he found out I had gotten him a present, his mouth had set into a grim line. Arianne had exclaimed happily over the watch and said thank you for him. I was glad at least someone thought it was nice.

There was one more present left for Rafferty and it turned out to be Henry’s. I was surprised he had actually gone to the trouble of buying something. So did everyone else.

“You actually bought him something?” April murmured, surprised.

Henry smiled smugly. “Yeah.”
His smile indicated something mischievous. Ok, I was getting excited.

We all waited impatiently (though no one showed it) to find out what he bought. To make it worse, Rafferty was unwrapping it very, very slowly. Finally, we all got to see what it was.

I gaped. Oh my god. Henry had bought his father-
“A pink thong?!” Steve exclaimed. Not bothering to hide his amusement, he burst into guffaws.

I seriously wanted to laugh … so bad. I think Henry was reminding his father about his love affairs. Rafferty’s expression obviously said he didn’t think it was funny. I also spotted Arianne’s pink cheeks. Poor Arianne. She thought Henry meant her and Rafferty.

I turned to Henry who was smirking. “I hope you like it father,’ he said with a straight face.
April and I giggled.

“Why don’t we start eating?” Arianne said in a shaky voice. But of course, she mustered up a smile for everyone.

“Yes, I think eating is a great idea,” Rafferty snapped, picking up his fork and knife. He ordered Bernice to put the presents away, in his room and we finally started to dig into the ‘feast.’

Nearly everyone went for the chicken first. How could you not? It looked so d--n tempting. My mouth was practically watering.

“Oh I have news by the way,” Steve announced, turning to me and Henry. “The schedule’s been shifted. Henry, you have to start filming on Saturday, so we have to leave here on Friday.”

I blinked. Friday was the day of Arianne and Rafferty’s wedding anniversary party.
“Oh! So you can’t stay for the party?” Arianne asked, disappointed.

“I’m sorry Arianne,” Steve said a little guilty. “I wish we could.”

“It’s fine, honestly,” Arianne assured. It was quiet then, so she turned back to Steve. She was obviously a conversation starter. “So Steve, do you have a special someone in your life? By now you should be married at least!”

“I’m just not looking for marriage,” Steve explained with a shrug. “Haven’t met the right person.”

“Speaking of marriages … Henry when will you be getting married?” Rafferty asked.

Henry stabbed his fork into his chicken. “A few years.”

Rafferty laughed the type of laugh which made you want to punch them in the face. “What’s the hold up?”

“Lainie and I are just busy …”

“I thought Lainie here would have wanted a rush wedding,” Rafferty mused.

“And why is that?” I asked before I could stop myself. I had the feeling he was going to say something bad. I was right.

He turned his dark eyes to me. “You’re after the money aren’t you? Well come on, how much will it keep you to stay away? A million? Two million? I’m not having the Parker reputation ruined anymore by my Hollywood actor son marrying some gold digging commoner.”

I heard the clatter of the fork falling to the ground and gasps at Rafferty’s nasty accusation. Meanwhile I blinked, processing what he had called me. I was about to call him something ten times worse than a gold digging commoner when Henry grabbed my wrist to stop me. He gave me a warning look so I looked down at my plate sullenly.

Stupid, rich Mr Parker. Who did he think he was?! The President of the United States?

“Father,” Henry snapped.

There was an eerie silence which hung over the dinner table. Steve smiled nervously and did the cliché thing: “Potatoes anyone?” He asked loudly. I had to giggle at that and he sent me a rueful smile.

Surprisingly though, Rafferty reached for some potatoes. His face held no expression as he said, “I’ll give you a chance to be a part of this family again, Henry. The CEO of ERLA’s daughter is still available and my company needs ERLA’s allegiance.”

Ok, this man was officially deranged.

“I don’t care about your d--n company! How dare you ask me to marry someone else when I’m engaged!” Henry roared.

“Darling,” Arianne said quietly. “Your father just-”

Henry turned his betrayed eyes to his mom. “Why are you defending him?!”
“Because he is my husband,” Arianne said firmly. “He is your father . Henry, show some respect … please.”

“He doesn’t act like one,” Henry muttered, obviously referring to his father’s love affairs and punching him in the face.

I could see April biting her lip because she had heard him. Actually, I realised everyone had heard. Steve was nervously tugging at the collar of his shirt, Rafferty was glaring at Henry and Arianne looked confused a bit.

“Did you mean he doesn’t act like a husband or a father?” She asked.

“Both,” Henry spat in disgust.

“What do you mean? He’s a wonderful husband ….”

“He’s uncommitted,” Henry said with a snort.
Unconsciously, I took his hand and sq££zed it gently; silently communicating to him I was there for him. He actually responded by gripping it tighter. Rafferty’s eyes had zoomed onto Henry’s and he was giving him a warning look. He looked ready to murder him. I couldn’t believe this man.

Arianne deserved to know the truth. We could deal with Rafferty’s threat about hurting April. Either because she was grown up now, he wouldn’t hurt her or we could find something else. Personal bodyguard … restriction from going one mile near her …

All I knew was that Rafferty deserved to be shamed.

“Henry … I think you should tell them. It’s unfair. You’re all grown up now,” I murmured. Henry didn’t say anything. I continued. “Do you really want your mom to be stuck in this awful marriage?”

Henry grimaced. I think he might’ve taken the bait …

It turned out I was right because then, all of Rafferty’s shameful secrets were la!d out to everyone