The Duke's Wife ( #wattys2017 )

Chapter Three

Title: Acting Job, Please.

Angelina was watching her daughter play in the park when someone sat right next to her.

"Are you stalking me?" A familiar voice said

"The man from the bar," she said, eyes widening.

"I thought you forgotten," he teased

"Am i allowed a name now?"

He placed a finger on his lips, and his face hid a secret smile.

"Well it all depends on you," he said

"Me?"

"If you take my job or not" he spoke, voice going serious and business like.

"Can i hear the job description, atleast?" She asked "Well.." she pushed on.

A moment passed as if he was reconsidering his offer.

"What do you think of playing the role of a wife to be?" He said, the tone of the question being serious.

"Well it is definately something to consider, but why not" she said, it was an acting job, wasn't it.

"Well you would be playing the role of my wife." The stranger said, his eyes intently gazing into hers.

"So your an actor looking for a co-actor for a new show or something" Angelina stated.

"No you misinterpretate me, i am looking for a wife but temporary," The stranger said.

Angelina thought about the proposal for a minute, it seemed more like a scam than anything else and she was not going to participate, she could be jailed for fraud.

"That sounds like fra..." but she was interrupted by him

"Truthfully, before you speech me off, my family is forcing me into a loveless marriage and i rather not even entertain the likes of the woman, she is cravious and a pain" he said

"Then don't marry her" Angelina said

He then smiled at her stupidity, but it wasn't her fault she knew nothing of his family.

"I wish it was that easy, Alexis" he replied.

A mask of shock covered her face "How do you know my first name?"

"I have connections," he smiled "I am a very important person you know."

"Then Mr. Important, you should know i like to be called Angelina" she said

"Mommy, Mommy" Melody ran up to her "I want ice cream" the little girl pointed to the mobile shop coming up the walkway.

But before angelina could answer, the stranger did

"Now what kind of ice cream would the princess like?"

"Choco,Chaco...laaaa.." she tried to pronouce the word her granny told her the flavour was.

"You mean Chocolate," He said

Angelina though the word rolled off his tongue as smooth as melted chocolate and careful not to swoon, she watched as the two of them interacted with each other and smiled.

They came back and he handed her a container of coconut vanilla, before opening his strawberry.

"Your good with kids." She stated

"No, not really" he said " i am good with yours"

She laughed at his response "Such a charmer"

"To be honest, she reminds me of myself when i was younger, especially her blue eyes" he said

Taking a closer look at her daughter and the stranger, they looked extremely identical, if anyone saw them, Melody would be thought to be his daughter.

Maybe playing his wife would not be so bad after all.

"I think i would take your job." She said " if the offer is still open that is"

"It's always to you," he said "Welcome to a new world filled with lies and deceit, My name is Nicholas Santos."

"Ahh, so now i get the name" she joked

And he laughed.

"Would you and Melody like a drop home, it's getting quite late." Nicholas offered.

"That would be nice."

She called out to Melody and they proceded to his car.