Pretending Hearts [RESTART (O/O CLOSED)]

[THE NEXT DAY]

ARVIL

Sometimes, it was annoying having a best friend who was in a relationship. It was annoying for numerous reasons. One, he never stopped talking about her, regardless of what it was about. Lilly this, Lilly that. It drove Arvil crazy. Two, he tried to get him a girlfriend. Uncountable times. Three, he almost never hung out with him. Some best friend he was.

Arvil sighed as he drove, taking a right. Somehow, Jordan had roped him into something that definitely would not turn out good. He had to pretend to be in a relationship with a girl because she did not want to marry a guy her parents chose for her. He was all up for choices, but he didn't have time to pretend to be in a relationship. He had a company to manage. The only time he ever hung out with a woman was if there were no strings attached. He did not do commitment, and everyone knew that.

Still, he ended up saying yes because of what Jordan said.

"It would give you inspiration for your new game!"

The guy knew how to get him to agree to things.

Parking his car, Arvil walked into the restaurant he'd told Jordan to have the girl, Daisy Riley, meet him in.

When Arvil reached the entrance of the restaurant, he wasn't really lost. He didn't want to seem like a creep, but he actually researched the woman after Jordan filled him in on what he needed to know. He was good at research, so he already knew what she looked like. He knew her basic information, enough to guarantee that she wasn't power-hungry or motivated by her desires to leech him off of his money.

Yeah, he was careful about things like that. He didn't make the same mistakes twice.

Arvil easily found Daisy outside the restaurant, in a long skirt and a black shirt. She was pretty in pictures, but definitely prettier in person. Arvil didn't pay much attention to that, though.

"Daisy Riley," he said as he came to a stop before her, one hand in the pocket of his grey trousers while the other stayed by his side. The first button of his white shirt was open while his sleeves were rolled till his elbows. He'd really arrived to meet her right after a meeting at his company, so aside from his coat and the tie, he hadn't really changed.

He smiled at her politely. "Pleased to meet you."

Arvil stared at her hand for a few seconds. So she didn't know who he was. That was good, though it did wound his pride a little. But he'd recover, he was sure. Still, it stung knowing someone didn't recognize him.

He took her hand and gave it a small squeeze. He pulled away first.

"I suppose we should head inside now," he mused, crossing his arms and looking around. "To talk."

Arvil walked inside, eyes roaming across the place. It was a mediocre restaurant, and he was more used to the expensive ones, considering those places were where he occasionally held business talks. He usually had takeout, anyway, mostly at work.

They found a table in the middle of the room, but it was all right. Arvil didn't mind where they sat. Once they did, he jumped straight to business.

"Jordan tells me you're in a bit of a predicament," he said, sweeping his eyes over her, but merely in an observant way, his fingers tapping against the soft surface of the table. "Truthfully, I don't see why you have to resort to lies to get out of a marriage."

Arvil pursed his lips as he watched her. He did have an inkling idea about pushy parents. His own wanted him to think about dating as well, and marriage, but he supposed they wanted it for a different reason. A woman would light up his life, they'd claim. Get him to rethink his life and stop workin too much, because a family meant there would be a place he'd come back to relax.

"I'm still debating whether to agree or not," he said flatly, eyes sweeping over the menu though he knew he really wouldn't order anything. "I don't know who you are. I don't know what your agenda is aside from what Jordan told me. He's not the best judge of character. I need to be sure you are who you claim to be, and not someone who needs an opportunity to climb up the social ladder." he shut the menu and locked his eyes with hers. "No offense, of course, but this isn't the first time I've been caught up in such a situation. So tell me, Daisy Riley, why must I help you?"

Arvil leaned back in his seat and crossed one leg over the other, his one foot over the thigh of the other. He had his chin in his hand as he mulled thoughtfully. He knew Jordan wouldn't have him do something like this without a clear reason. He knew this woman from the time he started dating his girlfriend. And Arvil knew his girlfriend, too.

"Then I suppose I'll set my terms," he finally said, inhaling before he spoke. He was calm, though he wasn't trying to come off as rude. "I won't touch you beyond what's necessary, but too little touches would give us away. I won't kiss you without clear reason, but if I feel like it's important, I will. You'll need to be comfortable with occasional cheek or forehead kisses, though. Of course, if things make you uncomfortable, you have the right to speak up about it, and we'll talk it over and consider other ways.

"On the other hand, if I'm to be dating you, then I'll need to bring out of the dark and into the media's eyes," he didn't remove his eyes from her as he spoke, setting his own terms. "And of course, I'll need you to accompany me to certain dinners, parties, festivities or meetings as my date. I'll need you to keep your image clean, because I'd rather not have mine dirtied. That means we both keep a clear distance away from other potential sexual interests." he paused, catching his words, "I'm not insulting your personality or your decency, nor am I insulting your character. And I'm certainly not saying you have a secret lover, because if you had, we wouldn't be here. Anyway, I'd like to hear your terms, too. I'm sure you've prepared some of your own."

Arvil nodded once, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Obviously I'll ask before doing so, but some moments would require it out of the blue," he replied. "Which is why I'm warning you beforehand. I'd rather not have you chew off my head otherwise."

Arvil took a sip of the water provided, pondering over her question. With what he'd actually said, it was apparent he agreed. He wouldn't have mentioned the terms otherwise.

"Were you there at the Fundraiser program last week?" he asked her, a lie already forming in his head.

"So you attend fundraises," he mused. "Excellent. That gives me an idea."

Arvil looked her over, but he didn't smile. Not yet, anyway.

"We met at one over two months ago," he started slowly. "Ran into each other, which led us to talk. We got to know each other a little, and we enjoyed it, so I asked you out for lunch. After kur third time meeting, I asked you out, but also told you to keep it quiet for the time being."

"That, and because I wanted a quiet time to decide if I was serious about you enough to announce you publicly," he replied, then tried to think of something else. "The others will definitely question us for not being seen together, but we'll say we wore disguises, or often crashed at the other's place."

Arvil quirked an eyebrow at her, but said nothing. If this wasn't supposed to come out as serious, then what was she expecting it to be? Did she think her problems would be solved if their relationship wasn't serious enough for her to reject the other guy?

He said nothing in regards to that.

"All right," he exhaled through his nose. "Anything else?"

Arvil nodded at her in reply, drumming his fingers on the table. Now that they'd discussed everything, what else was left?

Ah, right.

"I have to attend a function in a few days," he said. "Which means you'll be joining me. We'll make things public then."

"It's a formal event," he answered, then quirked an eyebrow at her. "Just dress elegantly. Perhaps try to match my suit."

"The coat and tie both are black, but the shirt is white," he answered, rubbing his arms, but not bothering to fix his sleeves. "Have you decided on your order yet? "

Arvil nodded, then raised a hand to signal a waiter.

"What can I get you two?" he asked, looking Arvil first, then at Daisy.

Arvil looked at her and tilted his head.