Fake Fiancée for Dad’s Best Friend by Gena Snow

Chapter 23

Alex

 

 

 

 

When my dad and Vivian are out at the balcony talking, I ask Mom, “Is Dad all right? He seems to be a bit off.”

My mom’s face falls right away, and her smile turns into a grimace as she is evidently trying to fight her emotions. “I don’t mean to tell you so soon, but Alex, I’m afraid I have bad news.”

I’ve bad feelings about their sudden visit, but my heart still drops at her words.  “What is it?”

“Your dad…remember that you thought your dad had lost weight? I finally convinced him to see a doctor.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“Well, your dad told me not to tell you yet, but he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.”

“What? Oh my God, Mom,” I hold her trembling body in my arm and stroke her back. “It has a high survival rate, right?”

“Yes, but,” my mom starts to cry. “He’s in an advanced stage.”

My body becomes cold. No way. This isn’t real. My dad is eighty, but it still feels too soon. “Christ,” I mutter, tears escaping my eyes. I don’t believe it. I refuse to. “How’s dad taking the news?”

“He’s okay. You know how he is. He never whines. He still plays golf every day as if nothing is wrong, but he does drink more now, saying it’s pointless to stay away from alcohol anymore.”

I don’t like what I hear. My dad is strong and seldom shows weakness, but drinking must be his way to cope with the bad news. “When did you find out?”

“Just a little more than a week ago,” she says. “But I suspected it long before that because he has been having trouble urinating. If only he would agree to see a doctor sooner.”

My dad has always been healthy and seldom needed doctors. He does get sick sometimes, but he takes care of himself over minor problems.

Nonetheless, I’m upset that my mom didn’t let me know about it sooner. “Why didn’t you tell me about his symptoms when I was visiting?”

“Because your dad told me not to. He didn’t want to spoil the festivity. I’m sorry, Alex,” she wipes her tears. “That I have to tell you the bad news. Your dad loves you so much. He wants to see you settle down, although he doesn’t say it. Money means very little to him. You didn’t have to prove anything to him. He’s proud of you even if you don’t have your successful company. But he is sad because you don’t have a family.”

“Well, I’m getting there, Mom.” I suddenly feel like a loser now. “I’m so sorry!”

“It’s all right,” she stops crying and smiles.

I sigh. “What’s the real purpose for you guys to be here, then?”

“My friend Betty recommended Dr. Swanson, an experienced urologist at Columbia University Medical Center, to us for a second opinion about treatment options. We’ve made an appointment on Tuesday.”

“I see.” I nod with a heavy heart. “I’ll go with you.”

“Okay.” My mom drinks some water, and then she places her hand on my arm and sighs. “There’s another purpose I’m here.”

“What is it?”

“I like your fiancée. She’s such a sweet thing,” she says with a smile. “Are you sure she…err… loves you, not your money? I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t, but just to make sure.”

I’m taken aback by the question because it’s never come across my mind. But I understand my mom’s concern because plenty of women have dated me for my money. “Y-yes, Mom. Vivian is a good girl. She isn’t after my money.”

“Good,” she smiles. “In that case, son. What do you say if we push the wedding forward? I don’t know what would happen to your dad in a year.”

I’m overwhelmed with sadness. Both of my parents are healthy, and I’m lucky not to have to worry about them much. Now, suddenly I’m facing the inevitable.

I glance at my dad, who is laughing as he points at the skyline in the distance. He’s a great dad. Although he was disappointed I decided not to return home to take care of the ranch, he’s never blamed me and always supported me. I’ll do anything to make him happy. “I’ll speak to Vivian,” I say to my mom, without the vaguest idea what consequences my promise leads to.

 

We spend the afternoon at Rockefeller Center, lunch, shop, and sightsee. After we return to my condo, my parents rest, and I find myself alone with Vivian in our bedroom. She’s browsing the pictures we took earlier at Top of the Rock.

“Are you sure you have enough money to get started in Paris?” I ask her. “You haven’t gotten enough for tuition yet.”

“Not yet,” she says, still swiping on her phone. “But I’m going to when I’m done with the internship. You’ll pay me, right?”

“Of course,” I say. “But what about living expenses?”

She pouts. “I haven’t thought about it. I mean. I’m sure I’ll get a job.”

“What if I pay for them, too?”

She stops what she’s doing and looks up at me. Her eyes widen. “You mean, err, you’ll loan me the money? Pay in advance?”

“Sort of,” I shrug. “But with a condition.”

She blinks a few times and then smiles. “That I’ll work for you after I’m done with school? Sure. I told you I would do that. I’ll work for you as long as you want to keep me!”

I’m pleased by her enthusiasm and I chuckle. “Not that, sweetheart. There’s something else. I need to ask you for a favor.” And then I tell her about the conversation between my mom and me.

Vivian’s hand flies to her mouth when she hears about my dad’s illness, and she throws her arms around me. “I’m so sorry, Alex! Are you sure there isn’t any mistake in the diagnosis? Mike looks so healthy.”

“Apparently not. He’s been having symptoms for nearly a year.”

Her cheeks are already wet with tears and I wipe them with my thumb.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re going to take him to see another doctor. The survival rate is still pretty good.”

“I hope he’ll be fine,” she says, sniffling. “What’s the favor you want to ask me about? Does it have to do with Mike?”

“Yes,” I say. “I want you to marry me.” Damn. I wish I had a better proposal, even though it isn’t for real.

She blinks. “You mean, a fake marriage?”

I nod.

She looks torn and I hate myself immediately. I recalled that she was reluctant to go through this weekend and I told her it would be the last time.

“I’m sorry, Vivian. I had no idea it would turn out like this.”

“It’s not your fault, Alex. We’re in this together,” she says.

“I’ll provide you enough through your grad school,” I say, hoping to make the ordeal sound better.

“I don’t mind going through a wedding,” she says after a moment’s pause. “B-but wouldn’t it be weird if I went to Paris right after we got married? Your mom was just telling me not to leave you alone. She’s probably hoping I would stay here with you.”

“Leave the rest to me. I’ll handle it,” I say to her. “I could go see you in Paris once in a while and send them photos.”

“Sure, that’ll do, but how long do we have to pretend?”

“I don’t know, Vivian. A year? But if you met someone sooner and wished to marry him, we could …” I say these words with a clench in my stomach. If it really happened, I might want to kill that guy instead of ending my fake marriage with her.

“That’s not what I have in mind!” She covers her face with her hands. “Jeez, Alex. I don’t fall for any man so easily, in case you don’t know.”

“Then let’s not worry about how long we’ll have to pretend for now,” I suggest, hoping it’ll last forever.

“Okay,” she nods firmly. “I’ll go for it.”

“Thank you!” I say. “I’ll give you the money, and you don’t have to work for me in the future if you don’t want to.”

“I want to!” she says with sincerity on her face.

I pull her to me and hold her tight. I stroke her back and kiss her head. God. I love this girl and I wish we weren’t a pretend couple.

She pushes me away suddenly and her face falls. “What about my dad? We’ll have to tell him, don’t we? He’ll have to come to the wedding.”

Damn. I forgot about John. “Yes. There’s no escaping this time.”