The first thing that caught my eye was a huge palm tree. It was on a table and was too lush for its assigned corner, so I had to circle around it. Additionally, someone with a great sense of humor had decorated it with garland and Christmas tinsel and forgot to take it down! Or was that the plan?

I took my eyes off the palm tree and looked at the girl in the long apron.

"We need a quieter place," Andrew said, taking me under his arm.

The girl smiled at him, gave me a strange look, and led me to the far table. I frowned once again. It looked like she had rated my appearance a C, and his a solid 10. And now she was wondering what we had in common. If I were her, I would be wondering the same thing.

“I'll have an Americano.”

Andrew looked at me expectantly. I mentally counted all the cash I had left and, deciding that I could splurge a little, ordered a “latte.”

"And a cheesecake, the freshest," Andrew added.

The waitress left, leaving the two of us, but for some reason Andrew kept silent and stared at me. His scrutiny was embarrassing and infuriating.

"Why did we come here? I have a lot more to do today."

"To go to the store and finish watching the show, yeah!"

“Really? I wonder what they are? “

Andrew smiled at me, and I realized with annoyance that I had almost answered his smile. What is this?! I'm a grown, independent woman who knows how to control her emotions. Especially these days, I'm getting better at it.

"The latte arrived on time, and I hastily hid my confusion behind it.

“Tonight, I'll let you know what time you need to be ready. We'll go to the editorial office.”

“And what in return?" I asked suspiciously. “

I didn't believe in his unselfishness and conscience. But I believed in the saying about

"cheese and a mousetrap.”

“You'll go on vacation with me.”

Here comes the mouse trap!

“What?!” I was indignant, putting the glass on the table and rising.

“Calm down. Alex will be there too, as well as Diana. Your mere presence will make them fight all the time. “

That's what I believed. Even if Alex didn't care, Diana wouldn't just let it go.

“What's in it for you?”

“Diana's father successfully legalized his business at the dawn of the nineties, investing in several companies, one of which I now run, and Diana is his heir. But here's the problem: she keeps choosing the wrong men. I imagine a partnership with Alfonso.”

Andrew grinned, showing his attitude toward the future work process.

"Very interesting!" I exclaimed.

In fact, Diana may turn out to be a business shark, but for some reason, she's not taken seriously at the moment. Then she needs just such an Alfonso to keep out of her business. But why my Alex?!

“Where are we going? And for how long?”

"Forest" campground. A corporate party for three days, for business partners. “

“Hmm.”

“I'll introduce you as my girlfriend. It's like we've been together a long time. “

“So we'll act like a couple? “I asked suspiciously.

“So that everyone would believe it," he confirmed.”

I wondered. If you believe the novelists, then the method is effective. But only if I can?

“And tomorrow I have to get a job. “

I realized it was blackmail, and nodded grimly.

They took me home and even handed me a bag of groceries. I had to take it obediently. The local FBI was waiting for me at the entrance. The grandmothers, having brought soft seats, handkerchiefs, and glasses, occupied the bench and waited for gossip.

Refuse to shop in front of them? I'm not that crazy yet. They'll think it's some kind of compensation. Television now shows so many "interesting" programs that even an innocent gesture can be suspected!

I had to limit myself from saying goodbye to him. But there's still gossip to be had! This jerk got out of the car and even said hello to them. The women put on their glasses and squinted suspiciously at Andrew and the car. But I got disapproving looks. As a matter of fact, I didn't really want to. I don't pretend to like everyone. After all, I'm not a hundred dollar bill!

The shopping trip turned out to be, I would even say, extravagant. It left me with a strange sense of shame. I realized belatedly that it was possible to not make a scene in the store, and coldly say "Thank you!" and proudly leave.