AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That was going to be tricky, or it would have been if I didn’t have contacts all over the place.
“I know a guy. I can get the marriage license signed and filed. As far as anyone will know it will be a real marriage.”
“I guess if you were going to commit fraud you might as well commit a couple of them. You do realise you just told a cop all of this right?” He teased, but we both knew he wasn’t going to do anything.
“The only reason I am doing this is for Zoey. And Maya clearly needs it. People get married for a Green Card all the time. Or out of obligation after the woman gets pregnant. They don’t love each other and are just playing their roles. This isn’t any different.”
“Socially sure, legally is a bit different. But when you are as rich as you, even if you get caught you’ll have a fine to pay and that’ll be it. Just be careful alright?”
“I will be. I gotta get Zoey into bed and give her the update. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Yup, give my girl a kiss for me.”
“Will do,” I said with a smile before I ended the call. With that done, I had a little girl to get into bed.
“How long is Maya going to be here Daddy?” Zoey asked as I got her all tucked into bed.
“She’s actually going to be living with us for the next year. She fell on hard times and needs a place to live. It’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Your grandpa bought a town just before you were born, and we have the chance to live in it and run it,” I began to explain. I just hoped it was simple enough for her to understand.
“Really? We are moving?”
“How would you feel if we did move to a whole new town? It’s nowhere near as big as this; it’s very small. Maybe one percent of the size of Houston. You would also have to start at a new school, but you wouldn’t have to wear a uniform and you would be around different kids. Kids that don’t live in fancy homes. Would you be okay with that?”
“I don’t like my school. Kids are mean. A new school might be nice. Maybe I’ll make friends,” she said sadly, and I hated that she felt like she didn’t have any friends. She was just different, but I was really hoping with a new school, a public one, she would be able to find some kids that were like her.
“I think you would have a lot of friends. You would be the daughter to the mayor; that’s a pretty big deal. Plus, they would be interested in things that you like. I bet you'll be able to find a couple of friends that love Naruto just like you.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up, and I knew she would be all for moving.
“I think so. What do you say? Do you want to go on an adventure and see what happens?”
“Okay Daddy. When would we leave?” s asked, sounding excited.
“Within the next week, probably a few days. We would need to pack up around here. Would that be okay?” I had to make sure she wanted this. I didn’t want her to feel like I had forced this new world onto her.
“Yes. I can help pack,” she offered.
“There will be plenty for you to help with. But for tonight, you need sleep.” I bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, “I love you Ladybug.”
“I love you Daddy.”
I got up from the bed and went over to click the room light off. The stairs from her nightlight danced across the ceiling, and I knew she would be asleep soon enough. With everyone on board, I now needed to focus on getting this place packed up and ready for the move. We had a new town to get to, and I was feeling excited about all the possibilities that came with it.
Maya
Comeon,gotosleep. You can do this. For the first time in almost five years, you are laying down on a soft and warm bed. Your eyes are closed; you can do this. You can fall asleep.
Oh, this was ridiculous. I was exhausted, and yet I couldn’t get my mind to shut the fuck up for five minutes so I could sleep. I slammed my fists down onto the bed in a display of frustration. Frustration that I couldn’t sleep when I was finally getting to be in a bed. Frustrations that I had actually agreed to Charlie and his insane idea. I swore if I ever saw him again that I would punch him in the face for what he had referred to me as. For ever offering me this insane idea like I was desperate enough to take it and now here I was. I was laying in his spare bedroom after agreeing to be his fake wife for the next year. I still see the smug look on his face when he had gotten what he wanted. I got the impression that Charlie tended to always get what he wanted.
I really wanted to be able to tell him no. To look at his face as he realized that I wasn’t going to play this little game with him. Only I couldn’t do that, because really, I was at the end of my rope. I was either going to let go, or I was going to figure out how to climb back up. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed Charlie just as badly as he needed me. Maybe the desperation we both felt would make this work. Afterall, it was only for a year. How hard could it be? I spent five years living in my car and constantly looking over my shoulder. How hard could a year living with Charlie and his too cool daughter? It would most likely go fast. Sure, at first it would be awkward, but then we would get into a routine. Zoey would be at school; we would go into the office and work on our duties and then go home for dinner and then bed. Wash, rinse and repeat for three hundred and sixty-five days. Simple right?
I was hoping it would be simple. I was praying for it, because I didn't know if I could handle complicated. I had to be ready for it though, and that was why I wanted the job and not a payday at the end of the year. I needed to have money coming in throughout the next year so I could be prepared in case I needed to renege on my end of the deal and leave. Not that Charlie would know anything about that. If I had to leave suddenly, I was just going to disappear. I didn't owe Charlie an explanation. This arrangement didn’t change the fact that we were virtually strangers. We didn't owe each other anything. This deal was my best chance of getting ahead, finally. To be able to have a place to live and food to eat so I can regain my strength, plus the money. I would be ready and healthy enough to leave should I need to and if at the end of the year and everything was going well, I could always stay in Rose Falls and maybe keep working. We could play it off like an amicable divorce. We wouldn’t be the first couple to get a divorce and still be friends with each other. It was possible.
That was a year away though, and I knew anything could happen without a single warning. For now, I was going to focus on one day at a time, starting with tonight. Starting with some sleep. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, trying to get my body to relax into the soft mattress. A deep growl erupted from my throat after five minutes had passed, and my mind still wouldn’t shut up. Frustrated, I tossed the covers off from me as I got up. Maybe some fresh air would help.
I made my way quietly out of my room. It was nearing midnight, and I didn’t want to risk waking Zoey up. I had to assume Charlie was also asleep but fuck him. He could toss and turn for the rest of the night like I was. It was Zoey I cared about. She was such a cool kid. Too cool to be his kid. I headed outside, completely expecting to be alone, only to be greeted by a bare-chested Charlie. Son of a bitch. I couldn’t seem to get away from this guy. I knew it was his house; don’t get me wrong, but he could at least have the decency to be asleep at this hour. Or at the very least put a damn shirt on.
“And here I thought you would be asleep counting the money you are set to make with your new shiny town,” I commented as I went over to the other side of the back deck and leaned against the front railing.
