Which?
I open my mouth not knowing what to say.
Is Steve Rogers insane or what?
Really, it was weird that he was so perfect, there had to be some flaw!
- Hi? Is this a marriage proposal? If so, it wasn't romantic at all!
“I know this sounds reckless, but I need to keep up this charade while they're in town.
— No… no way!
Okay, I was crazy about Steve Rogers and had probably had sex with him yesterday, even though I couldn't remember a thing, so accepting being his fake bride to deceive his family was a little too much!
- Please. It will only be while you are here. Just pretend you're my fiancée and then you're free.
"You can't make me!"
- Of course I can.
- Of course not!
“I'm your boss.
I widen my eyes, horrified.
- Are you serious? Aren't you afraid I'll sue you for harassment or something?
"You're not being reasonable." Last night, Erin York, your supervisor, said she was going to fire you on Monday. Looks like she didn't like having her dress ruined by champagne.
- She said?!
'Of course I had no idea who her assistant was. And I wasn't even going to find her unconscious in my car when I got home.
"Oh my God, so it was your car I got in?"
"I still wonder what you intended."
I blush with embarrassment.
- I was drunk.
'That I noticed.
“And I wanted to leave and there was this annoying guy after me. I opened the first door I found and entered. I didn't know it was your car.
“I found your name by looking at your ID and, as it looked so bad, I just brought you home and…
"Wait... So that's all it happened?" I ask, surprised.
I don't even know if I feel relieved or disappointed. So I hadn't seduced him, as I imagined.
At the same time, what was the point of sleeping with Steve and not remembering anything?
"What did you imagine had happened?" He raises an eyebrow, waiting for my answer.
I go red with embarrassment.
— I thought we had… had…
— Fuck? "He looks horrified now." Like I said he had sex with a pig, like in that crazy episode of Black Mirror.
- Why not? It was very likely! I retort, offended.
"In what world would such a thing be likely?"
- Why would not it be?
“First, I've never seen you before.
"I work for you, as you've never seen me?" "Now I'm more than offended." I think I'm even a little hurt.
— I manage a company with hundreds of employees, I don't know everyone! he replies, exasperated. "Second, I don't take advantage of drunk, unconscious women."
"What if I was awake?" 'I know I'm pushing Steve's patience, I couldn't resist.
And as I predicted, he frowns, annoyed.
"That's not the point!"
'Okay, you're right. I fold my arms across my chest.
This morning is definitely not running like I expected when I woke up in the boss's bed.
“And third and most important: I don't date employees. Never.
Oh, really?
My hopes fall to the ground, dead and dry as autumn leaves.
What do you mean he doesn't go out with female employees?
"Then why the hell are you asking me to pretend to be your bride?"
"I'm not asking you to marry me!" I'm asking you to pretend for my family.
Dammit, was he really pushing that story?
— Of course, you want me to lie to your family or fire me!
Sorry if I'm not jumping for joy at this great opportunity, sir! I yell.
“Listen, I don't want to threaten you. His voice softens even though it doesn't sound sincere. He looks like a wolf in sheep's clothing. I think that's how he managed to get where he got so fast. He is clearly trying to manipulate me. "I want you to do me this favor."
"And what do I get in return?" — I venture.
Not that I was agreeing to that farce. Of course not.
But…
And if I accepted?
The truth is that I suddenly start noticing other aspects of that unusual situation.
Steve Rogers needs me.
From me, Natasha Romanoff.
Not the way I had dreamed, but it's a start, isn't it?
- Like this? "He looks baffled."
Oh Steve, I know how to trade too!
I lift my chin.
"Exactly what you heard." Why would I help you?
“Because it works for me,” he replies slowly, as if he's still formulating the answer. "And you can see it as one of your functions."
I let out a laugh.
"I'm sure when I signed the contract for assistant PR there wasn't anything specified about pretending to be the boss's fiancée!"
“If I tell Erin what she's up to, she won't have a job on Monday.
"Ah, you're threatening me again!"
“I'm just negotiating the terms of our agreement.
— Terms of our agreement? “Dude, he's really crazy.
No. He's cunning. I think that's the word.
"I think he has to accept reality." Erin hates you. She's going to fire you sooner or later.
- As you know?
"I think it was clear at the party."
— Oh, shit, I really need this job… — I'm starting to see the seriesof the situation.
It's clear Steve Rogers won't forgive me if I don't accept his insane idea.
And I would really get fired. At Christmas time!
It's not fair at all!
"Seriously, why don't you just tell your family that you don't have any brides?" Wouldn't it be easier?
“You don't know my family.
'Then invent that your fiancée, the so-called 'imaginary Kate', has gone away!
"And how do I explain you in my house wearing my shirt?"
“Tell me the truth, I'm a drunk employee who helped out yesterday.
"I doubt they'll believe nothing happened between us."
"You should have thought of that before you brought me to your apartment and dressed me in your clothes!" 'Suddenly I imagine the scene.
Steve taking off my clothes.
Oh God.
Suddenly my face is on fire.
'Listen, I think we've had too much discussion and we need to get back in the room.
They must already be impatient, wondering why we're taking so long.
"So are you really going to make me?"
“Okay, you said you wanted to know what you were going to get out of it. “He takes on the role of badass executive. Okay, it's kind of sexy to look at. Or a lot.
“Yeah, I said…” I eye him suspiciously.
- It's reasonable. I want you to stay here while my family is and pretend to be my bride and you can ask for anything you want in return. It's fair.
I raise my eyebrow.
- Anything?
— Any reasonable sum.
"Do you think I want money?"
"What more could you want?"
Um… Yeah, what more could I want?
An extra dough would come in handy...
I could pay off my student debts and still buy that cool Chanel coat.
“Okay, how much are we talking about? Steve realizes I'm thinking about it and waits for my answer, looking out.
I look at him. Dude, he's so cute.
And if I'm really honest, no dough in the world was going to make up for the fact that I would never have a chance with him.
Unless…
“Okay, I already know what I want.
- You can say.
“I want a night with you.