Fake Marrying The Billionaire

Chapter 10: Pappous

I’ve never felt so relieved until it was made known to me that Mr. Ares turned out to not remember me as the woman he slept with that night. But at the same time, a part of me felt rather dejected that he could easily forget about me just like that.

Wait, what are you talking about, stupid? You should be rejoicing! You can finally work without having to think about the next plant you would jump to hide behind!

This Monday may have started on a bad note for me, losing my phone and getting that stack of paper from the moss monster, but it quickly turned into a full 360 and now, it was just perfect.

“What’s gotten you all smiley?” Elliot asked as he looked at me cautiously before taking a bite out of his sandwich.

I giggled. “The weather’s just so beautiful today, isn’t it?”

“Have you gone mental? It’s nearly sixty degrees fahrenheit outside. There’s possibly going to be a snow storm.” Elliot answered with a judging tone, but I didn’t feel bothered at all.

To me, I was sitting on a beach chair, feeling the sand on my toes, and sipping on a very delicious margarita. To me, it was summer.

“You really have gone cuckoo,” Elliot added while I couldn’t stop myself from grinning ear to ear.

“Shut up,” I snapped out of my daze to get serious. “You have some explaining to do.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest before shooting him a glare.

Elliot gave me a square smile before proceeding to go through every detail of him bumping into Charlotte.

Honestly speaking, it was cute to listen to. Elliot was sincerely happy and he couldn’t stop smiling as he talked about how they walked home together that night even if he lived on the other side and he had to go all the way back.

Ah, the things one does for their crushes.

All of a sudden, it got me thinking – did I act the same way around Mr. Ares?

If Elliot didn’t realize it, then maybe I have been doing these things this whole time and I didn’t know it myself.

Maybe… I had a crush on my bo–

Nope, nope, nope. Erase that thought right now, Lily! Erase it!

“Are you still here? Hello? Earth to Lily!” I shook my head and was brought back to the present where Elliot was snapping his fingers right in front of me.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m here. I was just… thinking about all that work I still have to finish. God, I hate the moss monster.” I managed to change the topic quickly and luckily, Elliot felt the same way so he didn’t seem to notice what I did.

“Tell me about it. I think we might have to do some overtime,” he said before devouring his sandwich in one go.

I groaned in disapproval, but my sour mood didn’t last long as I remembered that I was once again free. I didn’t have to worry about staying too long in the office in fear of being caught by Mr. Ares. This time, I could act like a proper employee. Finally!

“I swear I think you took drugs. Why are you smiling over the thought of overtime?” Elliot leaned closer to me and whispered. “I want what you’re having right now.”

I snorted. “I am not taking those things, gosh. Can’t I just be happy over some good news?”

“Apparently not,” Elliot muttered as his eyes traveled behind me. “Because the moss monster is clicking her heels as I speak and she’s getting here in three, two, one…”

“Lilibeth!”

Ugh, s**t. So much for my relaxation on the beach.

I turned around and Ms. Greene was looking down at me, arms crossed, and her nose almost flared up that it was like smoke would come out of it any second now.

“Have you finished those papers I gave you? Why are you here enjoying your lunch so agonizingly slow?”

What the hell kind of question is that?

That’s what I wanted to reply to her, but instead, all I could say was –

“Sorry, Ms. Greene. I will get to it right now after I finish my pas–”

“Is your pasta more important than your job, Lilibeth? Because if it is, I assure you I can tell Mr. Ares that and he will be more than pleased to take someone as incompetent as you out of his team.” Ms. Greene threatened rather loudly that I’m sure the other employees heard.

Great. Humiliated by half of the people in the company. I wanted to tell her that I literally just sealed a contract on my first week in the job, but I knew it wouldn’t matter because guess what? She was just a stupid and unfair b***h that used her power to get an ego boost.

I mustered a smile. “No, of course not. I will get to it right now.”

Her facial expression relaxed after she knew she had won. “Good. Chop chop,” she said before flipping around and her hair came with it.

“One of these days I hope she wakes up bald,” Elliot commented which made me chuckle.

“And with a sore throat that would last forever so she can’t talk down on any of us anymore,” I added and we both agreed.

“But for now, orders are orders and we have papers to type.” Elliot smiled and I looked at him confused.

“You don’t have to go now, you can still eat. I can do it by myself, El. But thank you.”

“Are you kidding? I won’t let you suffer alone. Besides, I’m trying to get brownie points here, remember?” Elliot wiggled his eyebrows at me.

I couldn’t help but smile, thankful for someone I could count on in this company.

-

“I think I’m going to need a higher grade for my eyeglasses,” Elliot commented.

“I think I’m going to need eyeglasses,” I replied to him and we both chuckled.

The office was so much more different now that there was only the two of us on the floor and Samantha who was always working at the mini treehouse. I don’t know what she does, but she’s always the last to time out apparently.

“Are you almost done?” Elliot asked while I was typing in my last few words.

“Almoooost…” I said, elongating the word as the sound of the keyboard clicking continuously echoed on the floor.

“Done!” I squealed in pure joy because what else would a person who had to type for hours in front of a computer almost going blind feel? Ecstatic, that’s what!

“I finished too! Huzzah!” Elliot exclaimed with a weird word, but we were so excited that neither of us really cared about anything but getting the heck out of the office and sleeping on our beds.

After composing the email and sending it to the moss monster, Elliot and I were out of our desk in seconds.

“Pain au chocolat croissant tomorrow? It’s my treat as a thank you.” I told him and his eyes lit up like a little boy on Christmas Eve.

“Make that two,” he winked and I nodded in acknowledgement.

As soon as we said our goodbyes, my phone started buzzing and it was Charlotte.

Back from the dead, I see.

“Lily! Turn around!” Her squeal almost made me go deaf.

When I did as she said, I saw a girl running up to me in a black dress and red blazer. It was Charlotte, and she seemed to be a little stressed out.

Once she came up to me and I was ready to give her a smack on the forehead, she beat me to it, pulling me into a bear hug in the middle of the street.

“What is going on?” I asked, confused.

“I hate your jackass ex so much!” She complained before pulling away from our hug and pouting.

Now that we were closer to each other, I could see that her makeup was a little ruined and her hair was quite a mess. Nonetheless, she still looked gorgeous.

“My ex? What? He’s still alive?” I asked jokingly.

Charlotte let out an unamused huff. “I wish he wasn’t because then the jackass wouldn’t be up on my ass after we got that deal. He’s being such a d**k he somehow got me to stay at work and I just got out. I’m so glad you’re here. We need a drink.”

Charlotte said so many things in one sentence I barely understood anything aside from us needing a drink. “We need a drink?” I repeated her question.

“Please be in solidarity with me. I need my best friend, and also, it’s on me. I still need to thank you for saving my ass on the presentation. You were apparently very amazing, Ms. Dennise said so!”

Before I could say anything else, Charlotte hailed a cab and dragged me inside.

So much for that bed I was hoping to lie down on, but when I looked over to my best friend who was now silently looming as she stared out of the window, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her.

In all of our years working together and even back in college, I had never seen her so out of herself. She was always so well-kept so I can only imagine what kind of s**t my i***t ex pulled to mess with her. In a way, because it was him, I guess it was somewhat related to me.

The least I could do was drink with her. At least, they were going to be free.

A few minutes later, we arrived back at the same club where I had met my soon-to-be boss. For a few seconds, I wondered if he could be here again tonight, but quickly pushed away that thought. There was no way.

Charlotte seemed to have done a full flip because the second we were in front of the bouncer of the club, she was already back to being her confident extrovert self, allowing us once again to get inside without a hassle.

“Shots please, and keep them coming.” Charlotte was quick to order at the bar as I just sat next to her.

She didn’t say anything, nor did I feel the need to say anything either. Somehow, we just kind of listened to the music blasting on the speakers.

It was only after a few shots in and a dizzy spell that all the words started to come out, somewhat slurry.

“f**k Damian and his tiny d**k!” Charlotte shouted and if the music wasn’t so loud, I’m sure everyone around us would have heard it.

“Yeah! He wasn’t even that good in bed!” I added and truthfully, at that.

At first I thought it was normal, that guys would finish themselves off more than they would girls no matter if they were dating or not so I thought our s*x was fine, that it was great.

But after having s*x with someone that was completely the opposite, I then realized that it was actually terrible with him.

Charlotte giggled before taking another shot. She then leaned closer to me and practically screamed into my ear.

“What about your boss?! Isn’t he good in bed?!” She shouted so loudly I thought someone would hear.

“Charlie!” I shouted, embarrassed, as I tried to keep my best friend tamed.

“He is… but that’s off limits!” I told her, but she didn’t seem convinced.

“Oh come on! If the s*x is that good, what’s stopping you?” She continued to talk in a loud manner, making me want to put a sock in her mouth.

“My job, that’s what. I may have gotten away with it this time, but if I have s*x with him again, I know I’m done for.” I told Charlotte but she was so drunk, I doubt she got any of what I said.

All of a sudden, she smiled while staring straight into my eyes. It was weird because she was just looking at me and somehow like she was analyzing me.

After a few seconds, she spoke up.

“You never know until you try. Maybe your boss is actually waiting for you to ‘fess up and tell him that it was you all along. Who knows? He could actually have been waiting for you.” Charlotte said surprisingly not drunkenly and it was like she had made valid points.

Did she? Or was I just out of my mind?

When Charlotte went back to acting drunk, I thought I saw someone that looked oddly similar to Mr. Ares himself.

I let out a chuckle that was almost laughing at myself.

“Yeah, I’m definitely out of my mind,” I muttered.

Him and me? That guy who was worth billions and me who was drowning in her debt? That guy who could have any girl he wanted, even a damn Princess or a Queen, and me who couldn’t even keep a guy interested in her? That guy who was built to perfection and me who was…

I sighed before looking away, concluding that there was no way it could be Mr. Ares and I had just one too many drinks.

“Do you think I should call Elliot and tell him to come over?” Charlotte suddenly asked, pulling out her phone.

I quickly took it from her and stopped her from doing something irrational. “Are you crazy? A booty call? That will not send out good signals to someone you genuinely like! Besides, he’s probably snoring in dreamtown right now.”

Something I wish I was doing right now, but instead I’m babysitting my drunk best friend.

“You’re right, you’re right.” Charlotte agreed. “More shots!” She shouted to the bartender.

Oh lordy, I’m going to need a pitcher of coffee tomorrow.

-

Ares Callisto couldn’t believe what he had heard on the phone.

Him and his grandfather may have had a strained relationship after what happened years ago, but he was still family, after all.

It didn’t take a second for him to rush out of the office and drive to Agios Hospital. Fortunately it was close enough that he was there in less than twenty minutes.

“Mr. Callisto, your grandfather is in VIP room number one.” The nurse said the second she saw him.

They knew who he was. Every staff member knew every Callisto because they practically owned the hospital.

Was it bad? Would he not recover? What if he doesn’t? What would happen to Olympus?

These were the many thoughts that ran rampant in his head while running to his grandfather’s room.

When he opened the door and caught sight of who he was worried about, all of these thoughts pretty much flew out of the window.

“Ares,” the old man said. “That took you long enough.”

He was fine, Ares thought instantly.

Hell, he looked more than fine for someone who apparently had a heart attack. He was sitting down on the bed and was being fed a damn cheese board by his assistant.

Was this some kind of sick joke?

Apparently so because the next thing Ares knew, his grandfather was talking about preposterous things. Things he would never agree to in a million years.

-

“Wait, wait. Back up. So your grandfather wasn’t really sick?” Nate asked as he looked at his best friend baffled.

They were in his club office. He was supposed to be on a date with his girlfriend, but he had rushed out to be with his best friend after he got a call from him so late in the night. He sounded distressed and if there was one person he couldn’t say no to, it would be him. And then next was his girlfriend.

“Keep up, Trevino.” Ares groaned in frustration before brushing his hair back.

He was frustrated.

No, scratch that. He was f*****g furious.

“Man, it’s not my fault your story is confusing as hell. One second you’re talking about a heart attack and then the next something about blind dates. What kind of fictional s**t is that?” Nate commented before pouring himself and his friend a glass.

Oh what I would give for it to actually be fictional, Ares thought.

But he knew that if he could somehow find a way to turn back time, he would still get the same outcome, the same words that his grandfather was adamant about.

“He basically told me I need to go on blind dates with girls of his choosing or else I lose Olympus. Something about his heart attack made him realize that before he dies, he wants his legacy fulfilled and that’s one of them or some shit.” Ares explained to Nate for the fifth time.

There was about a minute of silence before Nate responded with a burst of laughter.

“What the hell is so funny, man? I need your help!” Ares said, sounding desperate.

And maybe he was. For the first time in years, he felt stuck and he had no solution or any means to get himself out of this mess.

Nate needed a few seconds to laugh it off more before getting serious.

“I’m telling you, that old man of yours is batshit crazy. First it was–” He paused, realizing what he was about to say and managed to stop it.

Ares, fortunately, was too distracted to notice it.

He gave his best friend a pat on the shoulder. “Cheer up, Mr. Bachelor. Maybe you can actually find someone worthy of your attention there.”

Ares scoffed at his friend’s comment. “Really? I doubt any of the stupidly rich girls my grandfather had compiled would be worth a second even. All they do is brag about their money that they merely inherited and not even worked hard for and ask for a salad instead of a proper meal. It’s ridiculous, and boring. I would rather be working.”

“You would rather be working than doing anything,” Nate corrected and Ares was about to disagree when he realized he was right.

Ares stood up from his seat and walked over to Nate’s one-way glass. From there, he watched some of the people in the club.

It was a Monday night, but it was still packed. He could only imagine that most were destressing from what was a stressful start of the week, just as he was. Some were probably just here for fun, or maybe for a little company.

All of a sudden, when he turned to the bar area, a familiar face caught his attention instantly.

Lily. What was she doing here?

“I’ll be right back,” Ares said to his friend not a second later.

Just as he was leaving the office, Nate shouted at him.

“Just go on the dates! It’s your best solution!”

Ares closed the door before rolling his eyes at his comment.

He wasn’t wrong, but he didn’t want him to be right either. Ares didn’t want to agree to what his ridiculous grandfather had planned, but at the same time, maybe it was the best choice. Or in this case, the only choice.

When he got down to the club, he stood a few inches away from Lily and her friend at the bar.

He couldn’t help it. Every time he saw her, it was like there was a magnet reeling him in and no matter how far he went, he always found himself going back to her.

The music was way too loud for him to hear their conversation, but he could have sworn he heard the words ‘boss’ and ‘d**k’.

Could he be talking about his d**k? He wondered, and would it be something good… or bad?

Ares was sure it was something good. He never did anything bad. Most certainly not anything involving his d**k.

Out of nowhere, Lily turned to where he was standing and although he was meant to step away for her not to see him, he found himself glued to the floor. His eyes looked at her just as she looked at him, but he saw her, while she did not.

She looked just like her, the thought flooded his mind.

If only…

If only he could date her instead.

He brushed away that impossible idea just as he turned around.

Sighing, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Xenia.

“Send the list of girls. Tell Pappous I’ll start with the blind dates.”