His Beautiful Addiction

"You didn't tell me you were coming to the company today."

Gwen smiled as she walked closer to Tiana.

"I wanted to surprise you."

Tiana laughed,

"Now, come, let me introduce you to my friends,"

"Arggh, I really would love to tour with you, but I have a makeup session now. So tomorrow?"

"Okay, no problem, see you later."

"Yeah, bye."

…

"Do you want to marry me?"

Claire cut the man off, after coming to a conclusion. As he spoke, she contemplated so many things in her heart. Her father was on her neck now, and if she didn't do something, he was going to find out about their plan soon.

She wasn't sure this was going to work, but she decided to try her luck,

He had normal looks, nothing special. But his voice was deep, which was very nice to listen to, maybe that was what kept her interested in speaking with him.

The man smiled and leaned to the side,

"No."

Although she didn't want to marry him, she was a little irked by his straight up answer.

"why?"

A smirk formed on his lips,

"I don't force people to be with me, and from the look of things, you aren't interested in being with me and I prefer my women shorter."

Claire reached for her glass with a small laughter.

"what did you say your name was again?"

"See? You didn't even get my name."

Her lips stretched, "Sorry."

"Zach."

Claire nodded, "Zach, that's a nice name, the thing is, I'm not interested in you either."

She said and the man did not look surprised.

"I know, you can't imagine how much I've been praying for this to end."

Claire laughed, finally she found someone that wasn't interested in her. But would he agree to her request?

"I need a favor from you, I'll pay you handsomely."

She pleaded, clasping her hands together,

A light chuckle escaped his lips,

"How much do you think you can give me?"

Claire blinked, right, she forgot he owned Morris Entertainment, she couldn't obviously pay him.

"Oh…" she looked down at her hands,

"but can I still ask?"

The man watched her, amusement dangling in his eyes,

"Go on, who knows, I might want to."

Claire breathed,

"Can you pretend to agree to this? I mean, can you tell my dad that we are together now?"

It sounded great in her head, but when she finally said it out, Claire wanted to escape into the ground.

The man watched her silently and suddenly he laughed,

"I heard that you've turned down other dates you've had."

She nodded faintly,

"You're a grown ass woman, why are you being forced to be with someone you don't want to be with?"

Claire's hands fisted on the table,

"I don't want to talk about it."

She was being obedient for the last time. This was the last straw her father had over her.

The man stared at her quietly,

"If I agree to this, when will the act end?"

"In two months, we just have to pretend for two months."

Claire stared up at him elatedly, she didn't want to get her hopes high but she had a feeling that he would agree to her.

"Okay."

Her brows creased, okay? Just like that?

"You agree?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't want anything?''

"Nope, just take it that I'm trying to punish the person that forced you into this and you have a pretty face so it won't hurt."

Claire smiled, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. So all I have to do is play along?''

"Yeah, and I think we'll be going for events together for this period, I just need this to get past 2 months."

"why? Do you have someone you want to be with?"

Claire hesitated for a second and then she nodded,

"Yeah, and I can't be with him until it is over."

"Okay,"

"Thank you so much."

Claire was so grateful, she wished there was something she could do for him.

"Don't mention."

…

After bidding him goodbye, she entered her car and called her father.

"Hi Dad," her voice sounded elated as she spoke to him.

Mr. Howard was surprised for a minute,

"How are you? How was your date?"

"I went well, it was rather perfect."

She heard him sit up on something, most likely a chair.

"Seriously? Really?"

"Yes dad!"

"Wow! This is great!"

Claire scoffed internally when she heard his excited voice. She wondered how his face would look when he found out he had been deceived.

"So you both have agreed to get married?"

"Ahh, not yet. We're getting to know each other first, but I think I like him,".

She replied shyly.

"Oh that's great! That's so great! I told you Leo was not good for you. It was just a momentary infatuation, I'm so glad you're over him now."

���Yes dad, I'm so happy you brought me to my senses."

Mr. Howard had not felt this excited in a long while. Finally!

At first he was scared that she wasn't going to get anyone before the time was over, he was planning on forcing the marriage, but thankfully she had found someone by herself.

"Alright dad, I'll call you when I get home.".

"Yes my dear, drive safely."

"Mm, bye."

The smile on Claire's chin disappeared the instant she heard the beep on the other end.

She sighed, she just hoped this would work.

Her father may get some articles on their dating online, and she needed to tell Leo it was not real, but how would she do it?

Claire thought for a second, now she had agreed to this, her father would not keep a tab on them so much anymore, so she would reach out to him.

Claire shut her eyes briefly,

To think she had gone months without speaking with him.

Each day felt like she was leaving her body.

She wasn't sure what she was going to do when she saw him.

She sighed when she thought of how he must be doing without her. They had not stayed apart for this long before, and the last time she saw him, he looked a little skinny, she hoped he was well.