EIGHT

"Before we go, can our new couple give us a kiss?" Loren says. Cara head snaps towards Xander's direction immediately those words came out of Loren's mouth.

A kiss? She didn't plan for a kiss.

Cara's heart racing but in spite of that she maintains a smile, she can't get off character now.

"Come on guys, don't be shy." Loren urges.

Xander turns to Cara as well trying not to show how uncomfortable he is with the situation, since his career and image depends on it, he finds himself leaning in. Cara heart almost stopped when she notices he is actually going through with it, she's is surprised he didn't just freak out and spoil the whole show given the fact that he doesn't like her. But since he is playing along, she might as well, so she leans in also to meet him halfway.

Cara keeps on moving closer, thinking he will back out but now, they are inches close, nose touching, eyes locked and breathing becomes forced. His cologne hits her nostrils and to her, he smells like fresh air. They both stop for a second, waiting for who will back out first or who will make the first move. Both can feel each other's breath on their lips until Xander closes the space between them. Their lips come in contact softly for a second, but leave a tremendous effect on both parties. It's like it happened but it didn't happen, just to make sure it did, she did something she shouldn't have. As Xander is about to shift away, she places her hands on his freshly shaved face and pressed her lips on his soft lips so hard that she can store it in her memory. They almost forgot that the world is watching them, as their lips moved in sync. Xander may claim he dislikes this girl but his insistent mouth tries parting her lustrous lips but halts when he hears loud clearing of throats from both the presenter and the cameraman.

They both let go of each other, coming to an instant remembrance that they are on Camera. Xander adjusts his suit with a cheeky grin on his face, while Cara's cheeks are bright red like a tomato.

"Let's save that for the bedroom." Loren teases. Cara's cheeks are flaming at this point, she believes that she must look stupid. She bits her lips replaying the kiss over and over, tuning out the interviewer.

~~~

Cara shifts awkwardly as the door closes shut indicating that the press is gone and she's alone in the conference room with him. Cara shouldn't be but she's obsessing over the kiss like the weirdo she is. She has kissed a lot of guys before, some good while most gross but none were worth a billion dollars, so she thinks of asking how he felt about the kiss.

The conference door suddenly opens and his secretary's head pops from the side of the door, breaking the silence of the room with her high pitched voice. "Sir,  just wanted to remind you that your meeting is in an hour." She smiles, while Xander just nods in reply. She still remains there but this time glaring at Cara. Cara glares at the bitch back muttering "Abracadabra" but the stupid magic spell didn't work as she is still there staring.

"You can go now." Xander dismisses her and like a magic trick, the bitch head disappears from the door, and they were alone again.

Cara's brain tries to fight her stupidity and impulse to say something embarrassing. It's like a war zone in her brain, but she comes to a decision when she spots Xander standing up and heading towards the door.

One can say her impulse and stupidity won, because she races towards the door, obstructing Xander from going out.

"What are you doing?" Xander is always slightly amused by her display but always irritated. "Get out of my way." He demands.

"So," She trails off. "The kiss, rate it."

Right now, Xander is mostly amused by her confidence. He has met a lot of people but none as confident when uttering stupid words. He almost smiles.

He liked the kiss but he won't tell her. Her ego won't fit her head anymore.

"I have been told many times that I am a good kisser," Cara smirks with pride.

Cara Green had her first kiss when she was 10 and little Chuck confessed his undying love her that instant, it was a huge confidence boost.

"Well, they lied," Xander says before he shoves her out of the way, opens the door and leaves.

Cara shrugs, "It was worth a shot." She mutters to her following him out of the conference. She enters the next room where she is greeted by a big hug from Andre.

"You guys were amazing, even I almost believed you guys." Andre cleans a fake tear while Xander shakes his head at his publicist dramatics. "And the kiss was," Andre makes fake explosions with his mouth.

"At least someone noticed." Cara glares at Xander.

Xander walks to his office and Andre follows behind him. Cara stays back and turns to the bitchy secretary with a smile on her face. "I think I will take you on your offer of coffee." Cara mirrors her high pitched voice. Cara has had one this morning but she just wants to piss her off.

"Sure," The bitch says with a forced smile.

~~~

"Dude I totally get why you don't want to sue her, she's beautiful," Andre says as they walk into Xander's office. Xander ignores his statement, as he walks over to his couch and seats it.

"Your kid with her will totally be an attractive little creature."

"As you guys were doing the interview, an idea came rushing into my mind."

Xander groans at the thought of Andre's idea, although his ideas help his media relations but he never likes them.

"Hey, you are the one that wants to keep up with this lie." Andre scolds.

"Tell me about this brilliant idea," Xander says with a lack of enthusiasm.

"We have to keep the lies, so I took the liberty of making a reservation for you guys at my favorite restaurant," Andre says in excitement. "Going to contact a few paparazzi, who are going to take pictures of you with her on a romantic date."

"With all the things you are saying, all I got is that I will have to spend an hour with her," Xander complains.

"Make it 2." Andre says, with two fingers up. "Besides, you are going to spend nine months with her. You should start trying to get used to her."

Cara enters the office, making gagging noises until she drops the cup of coffee on the glassed table where the men are seated. "Your secretary makes the worst coffee."

"Good thing you are here," Andre gestures at the seat. Cara did as instructed, she seats. "Xander wants to take you on a date."

"What?" Cara says in utter shock.

Wow, her kiss must really work wonders.

"Relax. It is part of the act." Xander is quick to shut her down.

"Yeah," Andre nods. "Speaking of acts, I will need you guys to kiss again after the date. "Preferably when you guys are waiting for your driver to drive the car upfront, this will give the press something to feed on."

~~~

"Jonathan, get my coat." Xander calls out, his face glued to his Rolex wondering where the hell Cara is. They were supposed to leave the house by 8 pm for their fake date, now its 8:15 and Xander lacks patience. He is standing near the door pacing in his custom made suit, just a second away from canceling.

Jonathan returns to the door holding Xander coat in his hands and thousands of questions he wants to ask Xander in his head. Jonathan has known Xander since he was a child, he worked for his parents and now he is in Xander service. Imagine the old man's surprise when he hears from television, that Xander is going to have a child with the girl he just met today and they are dating. He is not one to believe gossips so he will rather hear it from the horse's mouth.

"Have it." Jon hands Xander the coat, which he immediately puts over his shoulders and wears it.

"Thanks." He says as he adjusts his coat. Jonathan just stands in front of the man whom he has known since diapers, reminiscing on how things have changed. The stubborn and headstrong child he raised is bringing a child into this world.

Xander looks down to those eyes Jonathan gives him when he is worried and Jonathan is always worried for him. "What Jon?" Xander asks. Xander is one of three people that is allowed to use the name "Jon".

As Jonathan is about to say something, he is topped by a low voice coming from behind. "Hey," Cara mutters, announcing her presence to the men.

"Later," Jonathan says, throwing a look from Cara as he turns and then leaves.

Xander's focus is on the woman dressed in lace, knee-length and strapless white dress. She has red bold lipstick on and her curls let down to fall on her tender shoulders. She is stunning and his annoyance for her doesn't change the fact that she's a beauty.

Cara feeling self-conscious under is intense gaze this is the second time today and she hates that he has that effect on her.

"This is the only decent gown I have." Cara looks down at her feet, she has white sneakers on because she is more comfortable with it. Xander's eyes follow hers and he notices her horrifying and cheap footwear. He frowns at the sight but says nothing. "What do you think?" Cara asks with a big smile on her face.

"Let's go," Xander says, ignoring her question and walking out of the door. Cara face drops and smile turns to frown kind of hoping for a compliment of some sort but then again it's Alexander fucking Black and he is an asshole.

~~~

They are at the restaurant and as predicated there were a few paparazzi taking pictures of them as they walked inside with their arms around each other and a big smile. Some of them are still taking pictures of the fake couple from the glassed walls of the restaurant, so both Cara and Xander have to pretend to smile and laugh even though they are not having any conversation.

"Pretending will actually be easy if we actually start a conversation," Cara says bored, as she empties her glass of juice. Xander does what he does best, ignore her.

Cara can't stand this anymore, she can't believe rich people pay to eat leaves. Right now, she will kill for a slice of pizza but since she can't have that, at least a conversation will do.

"I'll start, what's your favorite color?" Cara asks. She knows it's a lame-ass question but she is desperate at the moment, she might sleep off on this dinner.

Xander looks up at her with a smile on his face. "What a stupid question." He says.

As Cara is about to speak,  the waiter comes, taking their plates. She uses the time to calm herself down and release her hands from the ball like position it was in.

"Dessert coming soon," He says before walking away.

"I'll ask the questions," Xander says taking out a paper from his pocket.

Cara groans at the sight. "Don't tell me you created a list of questions?" Cara rolls her eyes, not surprised a second at how ridged the man seated is.

"I did." He says as he clears his throat.

"Okay, I'll ask a question after each of your question," Cara says but Xander didn't say a thing so she takes it as a yes.

The waiter returns with cheese cakes with strawberries on top, dropping the plates at each side of the table and then filling Cara's empty glass. Cara mutters a quick "Thank you," As the waiter leaves their presence.

"Do you have any hereditary diseases or sickness from your family that can pass on to my child?" He asks. That isn't the question Cara is expecting but she gets why he is asking.

"No, I don't so." Cara answers.

"I need certainty," Xander says looking up from his papers to study her face.

"No. The only time I was really sick is with chickenpox, the rest was flu. No heart disease, my dad died as a firefighter and you know my mum has cancer." Cara says truthfully. Xander stares at her for a while before look at his paper again.

"Your question?" He asks.

"Hmmm, what's your favourite colour?" Cara asks her initial question. Unlike someone, she didn't come with a technical list of questions to interrogate him.

"I do not have a favourite colour." Xander simply says which was a cue for Cara to roll her eyes at his reply as she digs into the slice of cheesecake in front of her.

"Your genotype," He asks.

"AA," Cara answers with her mouth full of cheesecake. Xander suppresses the urge to say something hurtful by looking down at his list of questions. "But I am sure you can get the answer from your doctor since she took my blood," Cara says.

Xander makes a mental note to call Dr Gwen and inform her to make those tests available.

"My turn, what's your hobby?" Cara says, taking another bite of her cheesecake which produces a loud moan. Xander lifts his head up upon hearing the sound, he looks at the people eating but it seems he is the only one that heard, so he ignores it and stares back down at his paper.

"I don't have any."

"Come on, what do you like to do when you are not working? Personally, I like dancing." Cara persists, finishing the last piece of cheesecake.

"I believe I have answered your question. " Xander dismisses her. "Is there anything you have done in the past that can create a scandal for me and wreck our agreements?"

Cara swallows the remains of the cheesecake as she brainstorms of things done in the past. She has done a lot of things, she lives wildlife so she wouldn't know where to start.

"Well, I do remember shoplifting a couple of times, not my finest hours. There might be a video somewhere online of me drunk and singing "Cash shit" also not my finest hours. Oh, there was this one time that I broke my ex-boyfriend car glass when we broke up, then his arm and guitar..."

"Stop, Stop." Xander stops Cara from revealing irrelevant information. "I mean important things, like have you ever tweeted or made any racist statement, any gay slugs, s-sex tapes or something like that."

"Sex tapes?" Cara chuckles. "I am wild but not that wild."

"What about your work?" That's Xander's initial question, first on the list but he couldn't just drop the question like that, so he shifted a couple of questions up.

Cara's smile turns to a frown. "Oh, you want to know about my job. After all, I was to sleep with someone for money, if you hadn't shown up." Cara tries to maintain a smile.

Right now she will need a wine but she is to play pretend that she's pregnant.

"Don't worry, I am not a whore. If that's what you are asking." Cara drops the glass on the table making a thud.

"I know, your boss says was your first time, just wanted to be sure?" Xander says, folding his paper. He still has more questions to ask but he will just reduce it.

"It was, so no scandal from my part." Cara spits. The table falls silent, Xander looks at the petite woman who has a frown on her face and her fist balled, ready to punch him if he says the wrong words.

"Your question?" He asks, taking a sip of his red wine.

Cara didn't say anything, just so he can feel how it is to be ignored. But it only takes 10 seconds before Cara gave in and talks. "You know you are an asshole, right?"

Their eyes lock for a split second, "Yes," He says, looking away. "Do you have a boyfriend?" He asks.

Cara's heart skipped a beat as she processes the question, "N-no." She answers.

"Any friend, colleague, and family that could come out to the press and reveal that we are faking it?" Xander continues his questioning not waiting for Cara to ask her own question since he thinks her questions are stupid and irrelevant.

"No, Cassie is my only friend and I tell her everything," Cara says, eyeing his untouched slice of cheesecake.

"Will this Cassie be a problem? Do I have to pay her for her silence and have her sign a non-disclosure form?" Xander asks.

Cara tries to stay calm and not rip his head off his body since the paparazzi are here and it can ruin her mum's chance for surgery. "I trust Cassie, she will never."

"Trust is a stupid assurance that expires." Xander rolls his eyes, emptying his glass of wine. Xander doesn't believe in trust anymore, the scars at his back is a reminder not to trust anyone.

"So you do trust anyone?" Cara asks.

"I do trust, but it doesn't come easy. It is earned."

The table falls quiet again, just how Xander likes it. Xander stretches fort his hand over the table and takes Cara's petite hands into his. "W-what are you doing?" Cara asks staring at their hands sandwiched on the table, her heart beating.

"The acting continues." Xander half-smiles, rubbing her hand which makes her gulp hard.

~~~

"Aren't we supposed to kiss?" Cara asks Xander who's still holding her hands. They are outside waiting for Macro to bring the car to the front. There are a couple of cameramen taking pictures from the corner of the street and this will be the perfect time for them to put up a show, just as Andre instructed.

"I think we have given them enough show today. Or else you want to?" Xander winks.

This is a trap question, and she won't fall for it. "Of course not."

Cara shifts closer to him, places her arms over his waist, hugging him from the side and then placing her head on his chest. Drowning in his scent, almost hating how comfortable she feels with her arms around him.

Xander just stands there weirdly, "What are you doing?"

"And the acting continues," Cara repeats his words to him.

He puts his arms over her and he will admit it feels good.

The BMW arrives, stopping in front of the couple which was Cara's cue to let go of her comfortable position. Xander walks towards the car, opening it for Cara. Cara smiles climbing in, once she gets in, he shuts the door. Then he walks to the other side of the car and gets in too.

The car begins to move to leave the vicinity of the restaurant. Xander takes a quick Cara who has a big smile on her face, "What's so exciting?" He asks.

"I just got a text," Cara waves her phone up. "It's from my mother's doctor and she says mum's surgery is tomorrow."

"That's good," Xander says with a small smile.

Xander acknowledges the love she has for her mother, and the sacrifices she is willing to take for family. He finds it respectable.

"All thanks to you, the money helped." Cara smiles at him.

"If you want, your mother can stay at my place after surgery for better recovery." Xander offers.

A huge smile breaks out on Cara's face. She can swear she hears a heartbeat from the asshole stone heart. "Yeah, thanks."

"Okay then." He says, facing the window staring at the lights as the rest of the car drive goes on in silence.

~~~~

The next chapter will have some mature content to read you have to be a follower.

Comment your thoughts.

I_am_ifeee