Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 60

4 years ago

Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 60

Last night’s sleep had been wonderful, but the moment my eyes fluttered open to see a bright new day, panic rose in me. Today was the day. Steve had given me three days and today was the third. I was leaving Curacao and more importantly, Henry, today . It felt like Dooms Day, the end of time.

Luckily though, most of my possessions were packed into my suitcase already, so for most of the day, I would be able to spend it with Henry.
He was still asleep beside me and I inched closer, wanting to soak up more of him. Everything about him overwhelmed me, but at the same time, managed to make me feel at home. It was funny how about a month ago I was totally disgusted by the thought of even talking to Henry and now we were inseparable.

My eyes drifted shut and I concentrated on the feel of his smooth cheek and jaw, his steady and calming heartbeat and his arms, which were encircled around me like a safe, cosy cacoon.

I la!d there in silence until I felt him stir a few minutes later. For some reason, we always seemed to wake up within a few minutes of each other, even if it was three in the morning. I found it so strange. It was as if our subconscious could sense when the other one was awake.

“Good morning pancake,” Henry said, his voice thick with sleep.

I smiled as his arms tightened around me. “Good morning to you too, Mr Peanut.” I felt his chest rumbled as he chuckled softly and decided that I liked it very much.

“I don’t want you to leave.”
He nestled his nose into my hair and I sighed softly. “Me too.”

I still hadn’t told him about how my revelation from last night. My decision was border lining on breaking our relationship off. Was it selfish to break up with Henry because I didn’t want a life in Hollywood? How complicated things were. When I had agreed to pretend to be engaged to Henry, I had expected to act like a perfect couple in love then leave without any regret, and here I was beating myself up. I knew that he would be so heartbroken if I decided to end our relationship, but I knew I couldn’t handle the spotlight for the rest of my life. Honestly, it sounded like a death sentence.

Right now, I was lucky. We were in Curacao, away from LA, so less people would know or despise me. I knew for sure that if I flew back, I would be classed as an outsider. A fake. A w---e. A gold digger.

You get the idea.

As I met Henry’s smouldering gaze, I knew that he would stick up for me, but I still didn’t want all the drama which came with being famous. My decision was becoming clearer by the second.
Suddenly, both Henry and I heard a gentle knock on the door. I immediately tensed up, even though it was stupid to. It wasn’t like Mr Parker or Natasha would be there … right?
Henry kissed my forehead tenderly before slipping out of the bed and shrugging on a black singlet he found resting on the back of a chair in the corner of the room. I blew a strand of hair out of my face from frustration of being intruded upon by someone and grudgingly pushed myself out of bed. I wondered who would want to visit Henry and me at this hour? It was probably Steve.
“Lainie?” I heard Henry call from the other room, where the television and settees sat. I rolled my eyes and walked out of the bedroom to see what Steve wanted to talk about, but the problem was … my uncle wasn’t the person who was standing next to Henry.

“Arianne?” Confusion and happiness swept through me. I was confused because I had no idea why she was here so early in the morning and happy because I was glad to see her. “What are you doing here?!”
She laughed lightly and came forward to envelope me in a hug. “Lainie! I’ve missed you so much!”

Henry cleared his throat, making us break apart. “I guess I should get going then.”
“What? Why?!” I exclaimed.
“We need some alone time, that’s why,” Arianne explained cheerily. Her voice then turned into a reprimanding tone as she gave Henry a look. “Boys aren’t supposed to join in our girl talks.”

Henry scoffed before he walked out of the suite. “Who said I was staying?” The door was shut a bit harder than usual, making it rattle slightly. I flinched. Was Henry mad?
My instincts were telling me to run after him but Arianne pulled me back from him, to sit on the settee. I bit my lip as I stared at the door.
“Lainie, how are you?” I finally tore my gaze away from the door and looked into the delicate face of Arianne. She looked at me as if she pitied me and I didn’t like it. I’ve never liked pity. Her voice went lower as she added, “Steve told me everything.”

Surprise filled me. I never knew my uncle had it in him to tell Arianne. That was just … weird. I was proud of him though. “What did he say?”
“The whole story. He told me how he set all this up. At first, I was upset but something good came out of it right? Henry is in love with you and you with him.” I nodded as she said that, but surely she knew I was leaving?

“I really have no idea what’s going on now. You’re leaving? I thought you love him,” Arianne asked, puzzled. She put a hand on my shoulder for comfort. “But I know that you are a person who makes a decision for a good reason, so I had to come and talk to you to find out what it is.”

“I do have a reason,” I admitted as I played with my fingers. Arianne gave me a soft look which urged me to continue. “I wanted leave for Henry’s reputation first but now …” I paused and looked up at Arianne. I hadn’t told anyone about my epiphany yet. She smiled reassuringly at me. “I realise that I don’t want a Hollywood life. I’ll never have any privacy you know? I want to go to college and come out as a successful woman. I want to live peaceful life in a small town. I want to be able to get married and have kids without the media always spying on me. I want … a normal life.”

“Oh, I know what you mean sweetie, but I guess that’s how life is when you’re with Henry.”

I shook my head. I didn’t think she understood what I was saying. “I know, and that’s why I want to … b-break it off with him.”
A sharp gasp emitted from Arianne’s lips and before I knew it, small tears had sprung from my eyes and were trailing its way down my cheeks. D--n, why was I crying? Since when had I gone all soft and weak?

“Shh, it’s ok,” Arianne soothed, as she pulled me to her. “There, there. I’m sure everything will work out perfectly.”

I shook my head as my wiped my tears. “I-I don’t think so.” Arianne didn’t say anything. She just sat there and comforted me with her hug and stroked my hair lightly. It felt a little weird though. I had never been comforted like this. My mother had never hugged me close when I cried, ran a hair through my hair and whispered sweet nothings to me.

With a shock, I realised something. Was this what motherly affection felt like? I had never felt it before so this was new to me. I felt supported, loved and important. I know Henry made me feel like that but still … it was nice to know there were others who felt the same. I smiled and realised that Arianne had left the love of her life too. She had chosen her family, their reputation, over Steve. I kind of related in some way and I needed to know her opinion on this.

“Arianne?”
“Hmm?”

I bit my lip before looking up to meet her eyes. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing? Should I be staying with Henry instead?”
She let out a soft sigh. “Well, I want you to choose what will make you happy, want you want,” she replied carefully. “But for me … marrying Rafferty was the worst thing I ever did. It should have been Steve. Although some good came out of it …” A smile grew on her face as she stared off into the distance. “Henry and April are the most cherished things in my life. So really, you never know. Something beautiful can come out of something bad, Lainie. I’m not here to persuade you into staying or going though. I want you to pick. This is your choice, not anyone else’s. Don’t let Henry’s heartbreak sway your decision. You have to decide what
you want to do.”

I hugged Arianne and thanked her for her advice. That’s what I liked about her. She gave her opinions and experiences, but never pressured you to do the right or wrong thing. She left that up to you since she respected the idea of free will.