As Real as it Gets

Just Business (Chapter 4, Part 1)

You just finished making coffee for yourself on a sunny weekend afternoon. You thought about doing some shopping and then later take a walk to the park, maybe even call a friend to join you. The phone rang, causing you to snap out of your thoughts, Rick's name popped on the screen. Your heart skipped a beat, you haven't seen him for a few days now, since the alien hound incident.

"Hello?" you answered cheerfully.

"Hey Y/N..." Rick spoke, "You still wanna join me on an adventure?"

"Of course I do!"

"Okay, I'm glad to hear that. I have to go somewhere, to a business party, sort of. I need a date to go in though, are you down?" Rick asked and you accepted wholeheartedly, "Get ready, I'll pick you up in like an hour."

"Alright... see you then, bye." You hung up and smiled to yourself. Adventure? Hell yeah! You're so ready, you whipped out your favorite outfit and put on your best make up, with the sharpest eyeliner. Placing all your necessities into your small purse, you waited for him.

A little melody played, you got a text from Rick: 'Ready?' You answered with a 'yes' expecting him to come through a portal. However, you did not expect for a portal to open from underneath you and for you to fall through screaming. You closed your eyes and waited for the painful collision with the ground, but instead... a pair of warm hands caught you at the last second.

A light chuckle was heard just inches from your head. You decided to slowly open your eyes... Rick met your gaze and laughed some more, "You okay there, princess? You seem a little shaken." He put you back on your feet.

"Yeah, I'm just not used to suddenly falling through portals, you know?" you spoke sarcastically. Taking a look around, you saw that you were standing in front of a giant, round, sparkly white building with aliens flying around in their round flying cars. "Woah! Where are we?"

"In front of a... space gala, if you will." He started taking something out of his inside pocket.

"What? A gala? I'm not dressed well enough for that!"

"Nonsense, you look gorgeous." He said as a matter of fact.

"Thank you," you blushed, "What's the occasion anyway?"

"Does it matter? No it doesn't!" he opened a tiny red velvet box he got out of his pocket, there were two golden rings inside, "Do you mind being Mrs. Sanchez for a few hours?" he smiled.

"A bit of a weird request, I'm not gonna lie, but... I don't mind." You put on the ring he gave you.

"Okay, great. We're ready now..." he got quiet for a moment then met your gaze, "It's- it's good to see you again."

You stepped closer to him and stood on your tippy toes to meet your lips with his. He kissed you back and placed his hands on your waist to pull you closer, "It's good to see you too." You broke the kiss and smiled.

Inside the building was magnificent, sparkling velvet carpet, shiny diamond chandelier, many well-dressed aliens talking and dancing with the music playing in the background. Also, a chocolate fountain that immediately caught your eye with a big-ass buffet right next to it.

As you were about to walk over to the food, two aliens stepped in front of you and Rick. A large, round, green guy with a slightly smaller round green lady in a beautiful dress next to him, they looked... sorta friendly.

"Sanchez, my best salesman!" he hugged Rick who looked uncomfortable, "And who is this lovely lady?" he kissed your hand with his slimy mouth, gross.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Y/N Sanchez." You introduced yourself.

"Listen, Abner, can we do our business in private?" Rick spoke quietly to him.

"Of course, Sanchez, I'll let you know when everything's ready." The aliens walked away.

You were quite confused with this short conversation, "Salesman? Do your business in private? Rick, what are hell are you doing here? Selling drugs or something?" you whispered with a concerned tone.

"No, it's fine, it's nothing like that." He placed his hands on your shoulders and smiled at you, "Don't worry about it. You wanna check this place out? I saw you looking at that buffet over there."

"Okay..." You were still a bit on edge, but didn't want to worry too much or cause any unnecessary drama. The two of you walked through the main dance floor, there were a lot of aliens around. Lights suddenly turned off, only the colorful spotlights of the dance floor were left on and danced in sync with the orchestra. Music suddenly grew louder and more cheerful.

Rick took both of your hands and locked eyes, "Y/N, may I have a dance with the most beautiful woman in this entire galaxy?"

"Oh you're so..."

You were interrupted by Rick pulling you into an embrace, "Charming? Stunning? Breathtaking?" he started to waltz with you around the dance floor, "I know, I've been told that a couple of times..." he spoke jokingly.

"I was going to say tiresome or even unendurable, but that works too, I guess." You laughed.

"Oh wow, we're using long words now?" he mocked as you moved together in sync.

"Photosynthesis." You whispered an inch away from his lips. Both of you started laughing, but soon stopped because of the weird looks you were getting from the people around.