Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 61

Episode 4 years ago

Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 61

More tears were pouring from me because I knew now what I was going to do. I loved that she wasn’t the type of person to persuade you into things. We stayed there like that, until I regained my senses and forced myself to stop crying. Everything is going to be ok, I told myself. Everything will be ok.

* * *

Henry came back to the hotel suite after Arianne left and brought back brunch for me. It was so sweet of him, that I tackled him into a hug, but I still remembered that he had kind of slammed the door when he had left earlier, so I wanted to ask him about that.

After I took a sip of juice, I took a deep breath before asking, “Hey, were you angry when you left Arianne to talk to me?”
“Why would you think that?”

It was obvious he was trying it play it cool. “You slammed the door,” I stated.
He blew out a sigh before rolling his eyes. “Fine, I was kind of angry.”

“Would you care to elaborate?” I put down my glass of apple juice on the small coffee table in front of us and took one of Henry’s hands in my own. “You know, just so I can understand.”
His lips tugged into a smile at my sarcasm. “Well if you must know, I just want to spend every second with you today, and I overreacted.”

Could he get any more romantic? I had always wanted a guy like that and when I had first met Henry, I had told myself that he definitely wasn’t anything like my dream guy, and look where we were now. If it weren’t for the sham engagement, I wouldn’t have fallen for him. So really, you never know. Something beautiful can come out of something bad, Lainie.

I shook my head to get Arianne’s voice out of my head and concentrated on Henry talking about his possible music career. I was glad that he was more confident in his musical talents. “I could release a single? Do you think people would buy it though?”

I laughed. “Of course! Millions of girls would be lining up to buy your single!”

“You really think so?” Henry questioned dubiously. Man, what had happened to his huge-a-s ego? Or was he just insecure because his father had ridiculed his love for music?

I nodded enthusiastically so he could feel positive about this too. “Yeah! Definitely!”

Henry grinned and devoured my lips until we were both breathless. Shock filled me. “What was that for?” I gasped.

He leaned his forehead against mine and whispered, “For being the best girlfriend I’ve ever had and will have.”

We spent the next few hours talking and cuddling, but I couldn’t even get the words, “Henry, I think we need to talk,” out of my d--n mouth. Every time I wanted to say it, his smile blinded my world and I just couldn’t let that smile fade away. Every time he talked about our future, I couldn’t stand it. I pretended I was listening but in reality, I was blocking his voice out and telling myself not to burst into tears. He would have this crooked smile on his handsome face when he spoke about visiting me in my hometown and his eyes would sparkle when he said things like, “And then we’ll really be able to be together, pancake.”

Before we knew it, three o’ clock came and there was one hour until I would have to board the plane (Henry had offered me his jet, but I insisted on flying on a normal plane in economic class). Steve, Arianne, Keith, Clara and Henry were all with me as we headed out of the hotel. Steve had hired a van to take us to the airport so we could all pile into the one same car. He drove with Arianne beside him. Henry, Clara and I sat in the middle and Keith had volunteered to sit by himself in the back seat, although he made good use of it by repeatedly poking the three of us in the head for fun.

“Stop that!” Clara exclaimed for the fifth time. One thing I learned about her is that if you annoy her badly, she can turn into a tornado.
Keith laughed as he flicked her in the head again. “It’s all good-natured humour Clara! Geesh, learn how to take a joke will you?”
I rolled my eyes at his immaturity. “Keith, maybe you’re taking the joke too far.”
“Yeah, I’m getting a bruise,” Henry muttered from beside me.
“Aww you guys are no fun at all!” Keith complained loudly. “This is our last day together, let’s have fun!”
I laughed. “I think we’ll have fun if you stop abusing us.”

“Abuse? How dare you accuse me of abusing you?!”
“Well you were!”
“I wasn’t!”
“You’re lying!”
“You’re truthing!”
What? “That isn’t even a word,” I pointed out.
Keith let out a snort. “You are such a kill joy.”
“And you’re such a-”
Steve interrupted loudly, “Ok guys! Cut the nonsense!”

“What nonsense?” Keith and I questioned at the same time.

Arianne, Henry and Clara started to laugh. I groaned and sunk in my seat, slightly chagrined that everyone had witnessed that. After everyone calmed down, we started to sing along to songs on the radio. I couldn’t help but be awed at how everyone was trying to project an optimistic attitude so nobody would think about my leaving.

We arrived at the airport with thirty minutes to go. Luckily, the airport wasn’t very crowded at all.

Keith and Clara pulled me into a three-way hug and I laughed. I would miss them so much. “We’ll definitely have to catch up one day,” Clara told me.
“Yeah! I’ll email and phone you too!” Keith added.

They let go of me so I could walk over to embrace my uncle. He patted me on the back gently and smiled. “I transferred all the money you need into your bank account a few days ago.”

“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “I’ll miss you.”

He winked. “I’ll miss you too. Look after you mother for me, will you?” I didn’t like doing that, but I promised to try.

Arianne came over next and she gave me an affectionate hug. “Do what you have to do,” she whispered. I felt myself stiffen. She let go of me and smiled. “I’ll miss you so much, Lainie.”

“Me too.”
I gave her one last hug before Henry took me in his arms. “Once you get home, I’ll call you,” Henry told me as he spun me to face him. “And I’ll call you every day after that. I’ve got your email too and we can Skype. When I find the time, I’ll tell you when I’ll visit you. I’m sure your mother will let me stay?”
I bit my lip. Now . Now was the time that I had to tell Henry. I couldn’t tell him once I got home. I wanted to do this face-to-face.
“I don’t think we’ll talk as much as you want to,” I murmured, scared of his reaction. His smile faltered, and I pushed myself on to talk more. “I … I’m breaking up with you.”
This time he flinched and stumbled backwards, shocked by my words. The golden quality which made him rakish disappeared. “What?”
“Henry,” I pleaded, reaching forward for his hands. I had the feeling he would persuade me to stay because of our love so I decided to tell him why I was leaving. He wouldn’t ask me to stay if I didn’t want to stay. “I can’t live like this.”

He was still trying to process what I said by the looks of it. I could see his large hands balling into fists. Oh god. “Live like what?”
“I can’t live a Hollywood life, where we’ll be constantly watched and judged. I just want to live in a small town and lead a life of normalcy.”
He choked and looked at me with all the hurt in the world. I wanted to take him back so bad. So, so bad. I couldn’t believe I was breaking with the guy I loved . “You’re … you’re breaking up with me?”

“Yeah …” I fidgeted with my fingers, but decided to stop. I was getting too nervous.
Henry gritted his teeth and his knuckles were white. I wouldn’t mind if he punched me. I deserved it.

“Are you sure about this?”
I nodded and felt small tears trickling from my eyes for the second time of the day. I needed to do this. Gently, I unclasped the locket he had given me, took his hand in mine and folded the locket into his palm. “Here. I should give this back.”

He shook his head stubbornly. “No, this belongs to -”
“Henry, no. Just keep it ok?” I murmured. I looked up at him to find that his eyes too were glistening. Right there, I felt my heart shatter into pieces. “Henry, you will fall in love again. Remember that.”


A tear ran down his cheek as he shook his head. I had never seen him cry, ever. I felt like such a selfish girl as I looked at him. Sadness was written all over his face and I couldn’t do anything about it. “I’m sorry,” I whispered as I placed a gentle kiss on his lips. I couldn’t help but think: that would be the last time I would ever feel his mouth on mine. “Goodbye Henry.”
With that, I headed towards the terminal because they were calling my flight number. I didn’t dare look back because I knew I would go back straight into Henry’s arms once I caught a glimpse of how heartbroken he was, watching me walk away from his life forever.