My Fake Fiance's Brother

Alex Rhodes

"Do I get the money if they don't like me?" I ask as the stylist scrambles to put together an outfit that screams fiancée, not random girl taken off the street.

"Well, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't try your best to make them hate you. Like, I don't know, use the bathroom, don't piss in the flowerpot. Use a fork for eating, not your feet. Stuff like that." He says with a smirk and I have to take a moment to read his face. I mean, by all means, this should be a joke, but the situation I am in is an even bigger joke so...

"I never learned to use a fork. You know... too poor."

"Good one, but I looked into your past. You weren't always poor. In fact, you were the heiress of..."

"That's the past. Don't open that can of worms or I'll walk out." I cut him off with enough venom in my voice that the stylist freezes in her shoes, staring at me.

"My bad."

The rest of the morning is spent running around from stylists to hairdressers to make-up artist, all while coming up with a credible enough backstory to our fast and unexpected engagement.

"How did you get so many people to work today?" I ask, looking at the twenty-something people that are roaming around us like little bees, making sure everything is perfect.

"The same way I got you to work today. Everyone has a price. I just happen to have the funds."

"Your family has the funds. That's why you're so desperate not to fall from their good graces."

"God... You sound like my brother. Mister make it on your own and bullshit like that. And don't get me wrong, I get it. The appeal of pride, of knowing you don't need anyone and you are so great, better that anyone. But..." With that he takes his wallet out and hands a couple of hundred dollar bills to one of the girls that was standing closer to him. Her eyes instantly became watery as she thanked him. "I hate that perspective. There is nothing special about anyone in the world. Most people, if they had some luck and opportunity, would be able to make it on their own. My luck was to be born into a wealthy family. I am happy with that. Contempt. I have everything I need anyway. Why would I try to take the chance, the opportunities from the ones that are trying and really need it?"

"How noble."

"Bullshit. There's nothing noble about anything that involves money. But if you put away your pride... Look around, Ava. People here will be able to pay off a mortgage, pay for medical bills or their children's school or college tuition. And the price of that is that I will have to hear my father call me wasteful while comparing me with my brother, worth millions, but not even hiring a maid. Why? Because he can do it on his own." The mask cracks more with every word and his voice changes from the cheerful one that seems to always come with a careful smile, to an almost hateful growl as he talks about his brother.

I look at the girl from earlier. In the corner of the room, she squeaks with excitement as she tells someone over the phone that they don't need to worry about tuition anymore. They won't need the loan.

"At least you won't face them alone today." I say and, without thinking, placed my hand over his.

Still without thinking, he leans down, and kisses it.

I guess we stood there for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, waiting to see if the other would take it a step further or back away, because we both jump in surprise when someone clears their voice and announces they are done with the preparations.

"Mister Rhodes, I hope everything is to your satisfaction." And older man bows and the gesture feels a bit too exaggerated, too pompous before I realize... Rhodes?

"Rhodes? Are you Alex Rhodes? The Alex Rhodes?" I gasp, everything making more sense now. The Rhodes family are the royalty of the rich. But if he is the youngest heir that means his brother is... "Oh God! I can't do it! I can't. I'm sorry you went through all the trouble, but I can't."

"I'll double it. Ava, please. I already told my family, I can't show up without you. Twenty thousand dollars. That's a lot, Ava. Take a second to calm down and think about it." Alex asks everyone to leave us alone and brings me a glass of water while I just crash on the couch. "I know my family name is intimidating, but they are not that bad. Trust me, they are not some movie-lever rich villain."

"No, that's not..." I want to say, but, nothing comes out. My history with his family is... complicated a bit. Back when my parents worked at my uncle's company and things were good I actually met David Rhodes, the oldest of the two brothers, and we had a... thing. More than a thing. I always thought of him as my first love and I was crushed when, once the money dried out, he never searched for me. And now I have to face him! I have to walk into his family's New Year celebration as his brother's fiancée.

"Ava. Please weight it out before you jump to a no. Where else would this opportunity come from than the fact that we were at the right time, in the right place? A New Year Miracle!"

He's right... He's so God damn right, it gives me a headache. But he has no idea how much time I spent wishing David will come like a knight in shining armor and save me from the s**t that life became. No idea how many hours I spent thinking about reaching out and the stopping at the last second in front of the post office, with the written letter in my hand because a Fcaebook message would be too impersonal. To face him now, when I finally stopped thinking about it.

But twenty thousand dollars would give Lili a chance in life. A chance to live differently. Lili... the only good thing in my life. Would there be anything I wouldn't do for her?

"Ok... For twenty. Just for today. And then we negotiate the rest." I find myself saying before I have the chance to change my mind.

Relieved, Alex picks me up from the ground and spins me around like a doll.

"Marvelous! You are marvelous!" He exclaims and once he puts me down, takes my hand, where the new engagement ring is shinning and gently kisses it. "Now let's meet my family, dear."

Dear God... this is not what I meant when I prayed to see him one more time...