Elaine's POV;

We finally sat down and agreed to help each other.

"I'll help you, if you help me. Deal?" I said to him as I put my right hand in front of him

"Deal." He replied as he shakes my hand

"Are you guys sure you really want to do this?" Tyler asked

"Yep." We both replied at the same time

"Okay, first things first. We need an engagement ring." Claire said

"So we will have to go buy one....." I said as I looked at Atlas who again started using his phone

I guess he must've caught me looking because he then looked back at me and said, "Don't look at me. Just go buy any ring you want."

"Atlas don't be like that. Normally the guy would buy the ring." Claire said to him

"Yeah. I bought Claire a ring too." Tyler said

Okay. If you asked me ten years ago or maybe even five years ago, I would've never imagined that this is how I was going to get engaged.

"I can't buy myself an engagement ring." I replied. I should've known things were going to be like this.

"I'm busy. I've got a lot of work to do." He replied as he finally puts his phone away.

"I can see that. But I'm also busy. Our company is closing in just under a month, and I've got a few projects that I need to go over. So I have work to do too." I replied as I glared at him

"Okay fine. I'll send you a ring. But in exchange we will first go meet my family before the dinner with your father." He said

"Wait...why? And don't I get to choose the ring?" I asked

"No, because you said you were busy." He replied

"Well Atlas is right. I agree, it would be best to meet his family first. That way your father will believe that you do know his family a bit from before." Claire said

"Okay so the dinner with dad is on Sunday night. So I need to meet your family on Saturday?" I asked as I looked at Atlas

"Yep, lets do it Saturday night." He replied

"Okay so....clothes. What do I wear?" I asked. I figured since we had planned to help each other, he would want me to impress his family and all.

"Huh? Why are you asking me?" He asked

"Well since you are helping me and I agreed to help you too. So tell me what do I wear?" I asked

"Anything is fine." He replied as his phone started ringing and he excused himself and started talking on his phone.

Urgh....he should at least pretend to be interested. Whatever. I can't believe I'm gonna be married to him. I started staring at him. And I've got to admit, he is good looking and tall and his shoulders are broad. He was wearing casual clothes. A black shirt with a simple jean. I've seen him smiling when he's talking to Tyler and Claire. His smile is kind of cute. But what's the point of all of this when he's an annoying person. I sighed.

Just then the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Tyler said as he went to open the door. I wonder who it is. Maybe it is Jackson. But Jackson said he had a date today. Maybe it's Tyler's friends.

"What are you doing here?" Tyler said as me and Claire went to see who it was. My eyes went wide when I saw John. What is he doing here?

"Is she here?" He asked Tyler as he didn't  notice me yet. He looked around the apartment when his eyes met mine.

"Oh god! I knew you'd be here!" He said as he came inside.

"Oh yes, invite yourself in, John." Claire said sarcastically

"John, what are you doing here?!" I asked as I was surprised

"I came to see you. I had been calling you but your phone was dead. And then I went to your house, you weren't there." He explained as held my hand

"Why go through all the trouble?" I asked as I pulled my hand away

"Dad told me something that I don't think is true. I wanted to ask you about it. He told me you already have someone you like and that you are engaged and you want to get married to him. Tell me, this is all a joke, right?" He asked as he again hold my hands. This time, he was forcefully pressing them.

"I...uh...." I was about to explain things to him when suddenly Atlas entered the room. He looked at John and said, "Hi", and then he went back to his phone call.  Seriously! He's supposed to help me get out of situations like these. I pulled back my hands, this time putting them behind myself.

"Listen John...it is true. I told you about it myself but you wouldn't believe it." I said

"Yeah, John. What she is saying is the truth." Claire said. She always has my back!

"Who was that guy?" He asked. There was a bit of anger in his voice.

"He's my friend Atlas Gray." Tyler replied

"Yeah...and he's also the one whom I've been telling you about." I added

"That guy? Seriously? Elaine....stop lying to yourself." John said as he came closer to me.
I walked a few feet backwards as Atlas came behind me suddenly.

"What are you guys doing?" He asked. I guess his phone call must have ended. But from the tone of his voice, I could tell he was just asking in general. But John must've mistook him to be asking angrily as he stepped back and replied, "Nothing. It's nice to meet you. I'm John."

"I think I'll go get us some biscuits. Does anyone want more coffee?" Claire said suddenly.

"No thanks, I'm good." Tyler replied as Claire grabbed his arm and started dragging him to the kitchen, "You're coming with me." She whispered

"John, this is Atlas. The one I told you about." I said as I grab his arm.

"Hey let go of my arm." He whispered as he was annoyed

"Shut up. Just play along if you want me to come to your family dinner tomorrow." I whispered back as I smiled

"I see. So you weren't really lying. Somehow...I still can't believe you." John said

"See, he doesn't believe us. It's your fault." I whispered to Atlas

"What's that has got to do with me? I didn't do anything." He whispered back. Just then Atlas's phone again started ringing.

"Excuse me." He said politely as he then went to the balcony to answer his call

"Elaine....do you seriously love that guy? I can tell he doesn't even love you. Please don't fool yourself or others." John said

"What are you trying to say John? Just cut to the chase. Why are you here?" I asked as I sat down. John was right about one thing. I was trying to fool others by this lie.

"Remember how I told you to just give me one chance? I came to ask for that one chance. Please for old times sake. Just one day. Just hangout with me for one day. That's all I ask. I promise I won't bother you again." He said. With the way he said, it made me feel sad for him. But I didn't really want to hangout with him. I've got a lot of other things in my mind.

"I can't do that....Atlas wouldn't like it." I replied as I lied. I figured if I used Atlas name, he wouldn't be so persistent.

"What about me?" Atlas asked as he came back inside. He was done with his call.

"Hey, man. I was wondering if you would mind if I take Elaine for one day." John asked Atlas before I could say anything. I motioned Atlas to say no and that he would mind. But he looked at me and then looked at John and said, "Sure. Why would I mind?" Urgh. This guy is impossible.

"That's great. Thanks a lot. Looks like he wouldn't mind. Please just for one day, Elaine." John said as he looked at me

"I...umm...sure...but it's only one day." I replied

"Great. Thanks a lot. I'll see you in front of the  restaurant where we used to meet, tomorrow. Bye I've got to go now. It was nice seeing you guys!" He said as he then left

"Look what you just got me into." I glared at him

"Why are you looking at me like that? You're the one who agreed." He replied

"I agreed because you agreed. Idiot! He's John, the one whom I don't want to marry. I told you about him." I said

"Well what was I supposed to do?" He said

"You were supposed to help me." I replied as his phone started ringing, "If you'd leave your phone for one second then you'd know what's going around in your surroundings." I said

"Excuse me, but these are some important business calls." He said as he again answered his call. Damnit. Now I have to spend a whole day with John tomorrow. Well we used to be friends. So it wouldn't be that bad, I guess.

Vote and comment. I hope you like this chapter! Thanks for reading!

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If you're enjoying reading this book then please do check out my another similar book called:

LOVE, SECRETS, LIES

Aylin Abbott is the only daughter of the billionaire businessman Brendon Abbott, the owner of Abbott Corporation. She lives a very private life despite her infamous father. What little is known about her is that her father dotes upon her and is quite protective of her which is why she is a spoiled rich kid. But no one has ever confirmed these rumours thanks to her not being active in their social circle.

After the death of his parents, at the age of 26, Axel Duncan became a billionaire and the head of the Duncan Corporation. He is the most sought-after bachelor with his looks, personality, and wealth. However, all he cares about is finding the truth behind the death of his parents. While it is declared that his parents died in a car crash, only he and a few others know that his parents' death might have been a murder. But who killed them?

Abbott Corporation and Duncan Corporation are the two leading companies in the world. Known as the tycoons of business these two corporations have an unmatched rivalry which is quite famous. So it comes as a shock when Axel Duncan proposes to Aylin Abbot and she agrees. Who knew that these two people would end up getting married despite the history of rivalry between their groups? Was it due to love? Or is this marriage a lie? Maybe it is just a peace treaty. But one thing is for sure, both are hiding something. But what secrets are they both hiding?