Picture Of Brian >>>>>>>>
~[] CHAPTER TWO []~
“…Everybody could be at the right place, at the right time but only a few of those aware leave the crowd and become somebody…”
- Helen Valerie, Rolling Stone [1983]
“Madame would you like your check now?”
“Huh?” I yawn as the waiter prods me awake. It takes me a moment to take in my surroundings through drowsy eyes and discover I am at Guaviare’s, one of my family and me’s favorite restaurants and also a celebrity haunt, where the cream of society dine to be seen. The waiting list for Guaviare’s goes on for months, which nobody could criticize, after all the chocolate canapés here were decadently sinful, but being a Lyon and loyal customer has me my own table all year round.
“Well just charge it to my family’s account” I tell the waiter who stands stiffly at my side, his face carefully blank for he is much to professional to remark at my sorry state.
“Yes Madame.” He states with a barely perceptible nod and leaves. I wince as I feebly try to extract the canapé crumbs that had somehow gotten into my hair while I was fast asleep. Sighing in defeat, I give up for what I desperately required was a bath.
It had been two days since the people I called my parents had thrown me out and I had to admit I was in pathetic condition. I had been camping in my car since the past two days and how much ever I reclined the seat sleep would evade me.
Bathing was a luxury suddenly I had no access to which probably meant I reeked.
I still wore the same stone wash Gucci jeans and popcorn stained cream DKNY tank. Luckily I had the sense to grab my black Burberry trench coat that fateful day my parents had escorted me to the door.
I had spent the first day furious at their ridiculous reaction to the whole movie fiasco while I tried to remember whom I could call for help in the city. The only problem is I didn’t have any friends in the city. All my good friends were scattered across the globe from Johannesburg to Mumbai and I could hardly board a flight to Africa now could I?
Due to my frequent travelling I had never stayed long enough in the city to actually make good friends, I mean I had ‘acquaintances’ here but they were only good for exchanging air kisses and fake smiles with. Besides they weren’t the it’s-cool-to-crash-on-my-couch type.
I didn’t have colleagues because I never lasted too long at any job and most of them didn’t exactly have the best of impressions of me. I could always call the AD I worked with on my last job, but I had a feeling they still hadn’t discharged him from the hospital…
When I finally came to terms with the fact that there was nobody I could call for help, I spent the entire day two trying to emotionally blackmail my parents, which I would totally have succeeded at if they would only take my calls. Oh well it was only a matter of time before they finally came to their senses and apologized to me. After all I was their beloved baby girl…
“Madame” The waiter materialized out of thin air before me, bringing me out of my reverie. “There seems to be a misunderstanding.” An icy trickle of fear rolls down my spine at his phrasing but I manage to maintain a poker face. “What misunderstanding?” I ask mimicking my sister’s haughty countenance. I could not tackle the situation as Fiona the loser right now.
“Well, Madame it seems your family has paid and closed their accounts all over the city. Would you like your check now?”
Oh God… They must have done it because of me.
“You just need to contact them, and clear out this… misunderstanding.” I state nervously.
“We did, Madame but Mr. Lyon’s office has informed us that there is no misunderstanding and that both Mr. and Mrs. Lyon are unavailable at the moment since they’ve flown over to Istanbul for filming.
Nightmare my brain chants at me.
Istanbul? How could they do this to me? A miserable sense of helplessness dawns upon me.
Damn, desperate times call for desperate measures though. Even though I always hate doing this I have no other choice.
“Do you know who I am?” I ask the waiter in the same haughty tone.
“Miss. Fiona Lyon.” He replies back deadpan.
Crap I don’t seem to be making any impression on him.
“ Miss Lyon would you like to pay your bill now or would you like something else?”
I close my eyes miserably. What exactly does one do when they can’t pay their bill?
“I’d like a long island iced tea please.”
Right. We increase the bill instead.
The waiter graces me with another stiff nod and leaves me to wallow in self-pity. Great going Fiona, my snarky brain gloats I hope you enjoyed the meal for this is probably your last one, before going to jail that is.
I hide my face in my trembling hands.
I could already see the headlines at tomorrows ET! “Reclusive Lyon Sister Arrested For Not Paying Bill” Mom and dad were going to be so proud. Unless… What if I simply walked away while nobody was looking?
Before I could loose my nerve I swiftly got up and nonchalantly made my way to the door. My heart in my throat, I refused to make eye contact or guiltily search for my waiter as I inched closer and closer to my escape… I was just a few seconds away to the exit when I gave into temptation and guiltily turned around to see if the waiter had spotted me, only to crash into the person ahead.
I gasped as I collided with a body of hard muscle. “Sorry.” I squeaked as I looked up into dazzling blue eyes. “No harm done” The stranger replied in an amused voice. But I had no time to reply for the harm was already done.
My little collision had attracted attention and my waiter strode towards me with determined steps. The game was up I thought in defeat as I braced myself for the coming humiliation.
“Madame, this is absolutely outrageous, you were trying to leave without paying your bill!” The waiter quaked scandalized.
“Of course not!” I protested with flushed cheeks as I lied through my teeth. “I just… just… “ I spluttered as I searched for an excuse. “Just what?” the waiter sneered in a most ugly manner.
“I… I came here to… “ I was only a few seconds away from bursting into tears and crying “I want my mommy!” when a smooth voice interjected.
“She was here to greet me. Weren’t you babe?”
I turned around numb with shock to discover we had audience. Apparently the man I had collided into still stood there with a wicked twinkle in his baby blues. He flashed me a charming smile that perfectly showcased his rows of pearly white as he took in my stupefied expression.
The waiter studied him suspiciously. “She was?”
“I was?” I repeated stupidly.
Both the waiter and the man looked at me with raised brows.
“I mean… “ I said slowly, “Of course I was… here to greet uh my friend…”
“Brian.” He piped up tongue in cheek.
“Right, Brian… “ I continued relieved, then a mischievous smile spread across my face. “Where have you been? I have been waiting for hours!” ‘Brian’ winked at me discreetly. “I’m sorry babe, the traffic was horrible. Is someone harassing you?” He trailed off innocently as he unsubtly looked towards the waiter.
“N-No not at all,” the waiter stuttered, “Mr.?”
“Clementine.”
The name didn’t strike a chord with me but apparently it should have because the waiter suddenly stood more erect and seemed to regard Brian in new light. “Any connection with Nicholas Clementine?”
Brian gave an innocent shrug and helpless smile. I couldn’t help but feel he was enjoying this way more than he should. “He’s my older brother.”
“Mr. Clementine it’s an honor, let me show you to your table.” The waiter seemed to be tripping over his feet as he led Brian and me to my table. I couldn’t help but notice people turn around to watch Brian as we walked across the restaurant.
I guess I couldn’t blame them I thought surreptitiously as I studied Brian from the corner of my eye. With his lithe athletic profile, towering height, chiseled features and artfully disarrayed sandy brown hair Brian Clementine was a hunk who probably made heads turn wherever he went.
“Here you are Madame.” The waiter was about to pull out my chair when Brian intercepted him. “Allow me.” He replied with the same charming smile as he pulled out my chair for me. I swear I heard the women seated on the table next to us swoon. After all good looking and chivalrous… his species was supposed to be extinct.
“So.” I continued suddenly conscious of the awkward situation I was present in as the waiter left us with Brian’s drink order, “Why did you save me?” I asked confused.
“I have always had a weakness for damsels in distress.” Brian answered with a boyish smile as though he was confessing a fault. “Especially beautiful ones.”
An unladylike snort escaped me. “That’s a line if I have ever heard one. No seriously why?”
I knew I was pretty, with my long sun streaked brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. I did inherit my mother’s exotic features and my skin still had a sun kissed glow from my recent trip from Jamaica but nobody had ever accused me of being beautiful, at least not with my supermodel sister, Sienna Lyon around.
Brian briefly narrowed his eyes in puzzlement as though I wasn’t reacting the way I was supposed to but his usual charming smile appeared once again. “Well I could sympathize with your situation since I’m in a fix too. I thought since nobody could save me at least I could try and help someone whose solution was rather simple. Besides I was curious about how someone who looks like you was all defenselessly alone.”
What a flirt I thought amused as I raised a brow at him.
Again the same puzzled look flashed across Brian’s face but swiftly disappeared. “I’m sorry but I didn’t catch your name?” He asked leaning forward. I instantly grew weary, by no means must it come out that a Lyon was caught trying to not pay their bill…
“That’s cause I didn’t give you one. It’s Fiona… Fiona Grace.” I wasn’t lying since Grace was my middle name.
“Fiona.” Brian repeated in a softer voice causing me to lean forward to catch it. “A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
He’d totally ripped of that line from one of my father’s early sappy romantic comedies. I burst out laughing and shook my head at Brian’s inquiry of what’s wrong.
“Your laughter reminds me of chimes it’s rather charming.” He stated smoothly.
I laughed harder as I gasped, “C-Chimes? You’ve got to admit that one is a tad too cheesy.”
Brian face clouded with bafflement as though this was a completely new experience for him. Then he broke into the first genuine smile I’d seen this evening as he stated, “Yes may be it was rather cheesy but I was getting sort of desperate here. You’re the only woman I’ve met who hasn’t fallen for me minutes after meeting me.”
I raised a dubious brow, “Isn’t that rather egoistical of you?”
He gave me a cocky grin, “I don’t believe in lying. But honestly why haven’t you fallen yet… Do you… bat for the other team?”
I wrinkled my nose, “God no! Just because I don’t like you like that does not, by default make me not straight. Actually… “ I said honestly after giving it some thought. “No offence, but you’re not my type.”
Brian looked genuinely perplexed as he replied, “I’m everybody’s type.”
Boy was the guy full of himself. “Maybe something’s wrong with me then.” I joked.
Brian nodded seriously, “Yes there must be something wrong with you. Are you sure you’re not gay?”
I rolled my eyes. “No I’m not.”
“Then maybe you’re in a serious relationship.” He offered grudgingly as though the idea of someone even in a relationship not being attracted to him sounded absurd.
“Nah. I’m single.” I replied back cheerfully.
Brian looked like I’d served him a mortal wound but then he brightened up. “Are you planning to become a nun?”
I giggled. “Never crossed my mind.”
“Ouch.” He sulked like a little boy who’d just been told he couldn’t get the last cookie. “Well what is your type then?”
I tapped my index finger against my cheek pensively, “You know what? I don’t think I actually have one.”
“Then how do you know I’m not it?” He asked stubbornly.
I shrugged my shoulders as though it was just another secret of the universe. “I just do.”
Brian sighed in resignation then we both looked at each other and burst out laughing. After that the evening was fun since Brian and me were like two peas from the same pod.
We were both foolishly impulsive, possessed the same sense of slapstick humor and loved all the same shows. When Brian stopped trying to flirt with me I discovered that he was as childish and immature as me. We began to play truth and dare right there at Guaviare’s.
“I dare you to tell any woman of your choice in this restaurant that it was love at first sight and would they elope with you!” I told Brian with an evil smirk.
“Hey that’s unfair I don’t want to break some poor woman’s heart.” Brian said with a frown.
“Don’t worry chicken you won’t.” I stated confidently as I slurped on my iced tea.
“Take that back! You’re the little chicken who’s only been playing it safe with truths.”
I stuck my tongue out at him.
Brian made chicken noises.
“Well are you doing it or not?” I asked impatiently.
Brian smirked suddenly. “You said any woman in the restaurant right?”
“Right.” I answered suspiciously.
“Well.” Brian got up slowly and took my hand in his. I groaned aloud as I realized he’d found a loophole. “Fiona Grace.” He said with a mock solemn face. “When you first collided with me and looked at me with those deep coffee brown eyes a man could loose himself in, I do believe I fell in love. So would you do me the honor of- “ Suddenly he broke off as though he was struck with an idea.
Not sure I liked the way he was looking at me, I asked, “What happened? You were just coming to the good part where I tell you in your dreams sucker.” I laughed uncomfortably as Brian continued to stare at me. I could literally see his brain working overtime as he thought something out.
“Fiona remember earlier when I told you that I’m in a fix and I can’t seem to get out of it?” he asked me, all traces of amusement gone from his face. “Right.” I replied back, not sure where this was leading to but curious all the same.
“Well my family has recently been behind me to get married and I’m not ready yet. I don’t want to settle down and I’m absolutely sick of their constant nagging. The only way to get them off my back is if I get engaged.”
“Oh.” I replied back intelligently.
“You told me you’ve been looking for a job rather desperately right?”
I huffed with indignation. “Not desperately…” but at Brian raised brows I sighed and admitted. “Fine…I have.”
“Well…” Brian asked me slowly. “How about I hire you to be my fiancée”
“What?” I look at him as though he’s off his rocker. “That’s insane! People don’t go around hiring fiancées. Besides why would you pay me when any girl would willingly do it for you free?”
“That’s the thing. Any girl would willingly do it and fall in love with me.” Brian announced like a martyr.
“You poor, poor boy” I stated sarcastically.
Brian chose to ignore that. “You’re the only girl I’ve met who hasn’t fallen for my charms, and frankly after this evening, doesn’t seem the least bit inclined to. Plus you don’t seem a least bit impressed with my name either.”
I laughed, embarrassed. The truth was I had no idea who the Clementine’s were or who Brian’s mysterious older brother was either and since it seemed to be general trivia I had no intention of confessing my ignorance.
“I’ll pay you a salary and everything. After a decent period of time we’ll say we broke up and part ways. No heartbreak, no emotional mess and no unnecessary complications. All we have to do is convince my mother and older brother that we’re genuinely in love. So what do you think?” He asked eagerly.
“I don’t know…” I said honestly. This was just too insane… even for someone like me.
“What do you have to lose? You don’t seem to have any prospects lined here and we both need each other. Just think what are the chances that we both should meet like this? We’re a solution to each other’s problems.”
Yes what were the chances?
I looked into Brian’s pleading blue eyes. He didn’t know I was a Lyon, all he thought was that I was a girl down on my luck, which I most certainly was.
“You’ll have to pay all my live in expenses.” I grumbled.
“Done.” He grinned. “You’ll just have to come and meet the folks for the period you’re my employee.”
“Where do they stay?” I asked curiously.
“In Maple Fields, Texas.” He replied back calmly.
“What?” I exclaimed incredulously, “You expect me to go stay in Texas with your family?”
“Must I point out Fiona that you have no other- “ He began but I cut him off.
“Oh alright.” I muttered ungraciously.
I neither had a job nor a roof on my head. Brian’s offer was the complete package and by the time we ‘broke up’ my parents would come to their senses and I’d go back home. The solution was perfect.
So why did I feel like I was making the worst mistake of my life when Brian asked me…
“Fiona Grace, will you marry me?”
For better or for worse now…
“I will.”
I was engaged.