Liar, Liar

Before The Ink Dries

You pulled back and stared at him as you processed just what happened. Your boss, aka the one who signed your paychecks, just kissed you. And it was one hell of a kiss.

"Why did you do that?" you whispered.

"I spotted my mother's best friend heading into the shop behind you. It would've helped our case if she saw us kissing," his voice was hoarse, pulling you in as if you were in some sort of trance.

"Uh huh." That was all you could muster to reply.

His eyes fixated on you. "Don't tell me, was that your first kiss?" he asked.

Record scratch.

That brought you back to reality and you shoved him away from you. "Don't insult me."

He held his hands up. "I'm just askin'." He rubbed his bottom lip with his thumb. "You're not a bad kisser, though."

You scowled despite the fact that your heart was still racing. No, it means nothing. You haven't been kissed in a year and a half and maybe your body forgot what it felt like. Yeah, that sounds right.

"I think this is a good opportunity to make a contract so we're both...protected."

All playfulness left him as he straightened up. "You're absolutely right."

You stared at each across the counter of his extravagant penthouse kitchen, pen and paper in hand. "Okay so, how long do we need to pretend for?"

"6 months to a year," he replied

"And what do you expect of me?"

"Not much besides playing the act of my fiancé whenever others are present."

"and what about physical affection?"

"Well we've held hands and kissed. Anything that would make the other person believe we're actually in love is acceptable."

"Okay. That's reasonable. What about...certain urges one might have? Are we supposed to seek out different partners for that?"

The minute you mentioned a different partner, his eyes darkened. "No. We're exclusive. We done here?"

He didn't even bother waiting for your reply, just quickly signed the contract and left

Well that was weird.

Later that night, as you folded your laundry and passively watched an episode of your favourite crime show, you couldn't help but think about how abrupt he left the table when you mentioned having other partners. You mostly did it so he could keep up his player lifestyle but less publicized. You weren't naive enough to think the man could keep it in his pants for the full length of your contract.

You set aside the pair of pants and bit your lip. Should you contact him? Make sure he's okay and you both are on the same page? Feeling convinced, you grabbed your phone but before you could call him, someone knocked on your door.

He usually hunts during storms.

The words of the tv caught your attention just as a loud thunder rolled through, causing you to jump in bed. You looked at the tv as you clutched your phone.

He usually targets single women who live alone.

You lived alone.

He would stalk them, memorize their routine down to the minute. He would then pose like a delivery man from their favourite local spot, and patiently waited as they opened the door.

You just placed an order at your favourite Chinese spot. Was this it? Was it your time? Your mother had always warned you about living alone but you didn't listen.

You eyed the tv warily and then the door. One thing was certain, youwere not expecting any visitors. The person knocked again, except this time it was louder.

Then he striked, killing them on the spot.

You turned off the tv since it was freaking you out and got up off your bed and tiptoed closer to the door so you could check through the peephole. Just as you were in front of the door, your cat popped out of nowhere and scared you, causing you to tumble and fall against the door. No way the person on the other side of that door didn't hear that.

"Open the door, y/n," a familiar voice groaned. Wait, H/N?

You unlocked the door and pulled it open and almost fell down when your boss stumbled into your arms.

"Are you drunk?"

He scoffed. "No. Just had a few drinks."

"How did you even get here?"

"Taxi." He said simply as he toed off his shoes and headed in the direction of your bed.

Just as he was about to fall down onto your clean covers, you ran in front of him and kept him upright. "No outside clothes on my bed."

But you overestimated your strength and you both tumbled onto the bed, him on top of you. He groaned and then dug his face into the crook of your neck

You pushed at his shoulders but he was way too heavy. Giving up, you patted his back to try to wake him up but then you heard him say something

"I'll be good to you," he mumbled. "No partners. Just me."

Feeling defeated, You let your arms drop to your sides. What were you going to do with him?

Morning came around, slivers if sunlight hit your face as you woke up. You stretched and your leg came into contact with something warm. Wait. Since when did your bed get so warm? You moved towards the heat source and moaned when you came into contact with it.

"If this is how you'll greet me every morning then I'll happily sleep in your bed more often."

Your eyes ripped open and everything that happened last night came crashing down. Your boss at your apartment, drunk. Him confessing he didn't want you to have other partners. Him sleeping in your bed.

You looked at him, at his ruggedly handsome morning face, and moved closer until your face was close to his then you reared back and head butted him. Served him right.

"Ow!" He grabbed his forehead and in his haste to create space between you two, fell off the bed. "What the hell was that for?"

"For being an inconvenience."