You Can't Buy My Love

Olivia's POV

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Nolan's lawyer grinned as I signed the paper that proved that we were both married.

I could understand the fake marriage, but what I couldn't understand was the lengths to make it look legitimate. He really didn't explain much except my role, and I didn't press him. Besides, I had to figure out what I was going to tell my Mother.

Hey Mom, I married that guy that I met yesterday, I'm going to pretend to be his wife for three months! I internally groaned at how terrible that sounded. How completely mad she would be. She would never let me out of the house again! I could kiss college goodbye, it'll be community for me.

"Well, I'll see you back at my place tomorrow morning?" Nolan asked once he handled all the documents, and I nodded.

"Okay," I sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

On the ride home I came up with a thousand reasons why I could be gone for months, but nothing came to mind. "What am I going to do?" I groaned, hitting my head against the steering wheel.

I got out of the car and ran into my room immediately. I didn't want to risk my Mom putting me to work. She promised me the day off, but that is liable to change if she sees me lurking around.

I got my suitcase from off of the closet shelf, and opened it up on my bed. I need to leave, I need this money. It's only a few months anyways, not really a huge sacrifice. There's just no way I can tell my Mom though, she would never allow it. Her little girl staying with a strange man, for a strange arrangement. It just screamed murder me.

With that thought in mind, I sighed heavily. I can't just run away. There would be missing posters everywhere. My inner thought train was interrupted by the entrance of my sister Dina.

"Going somewhere?" She asked, glancing at my suitcase.

I rolled my eyes in response, and closed the door behind her. "Dina, I have to tell you something, but you have to promise you won't tell Mom."

"How much?" She asked, and I resisted the urge to smile. Ever since we were little, Dina and I used to trade secrets for things. When we were girls, it was food, snacks, toys, whatever we could get our tiny hands on. When we got older, it became a secret for money. It was the only thing worthwhile to us. "How much is this secret worth to you?"

"I'll give you a hundred dollars." I told her, and her eyes bulged.

"That much, huh?" She smirked, folding her hands across her chest. "Do tell."

"I have to leave tomorrow, but she can't know where I am. I need a reason to be gone." I explained to her. "I came into some money for my college fund, and I have to go away for a few months to get it."

"Why don't you just tell her that?" She asked, her blond hair shaking around her neck.

"She won't understand." I said simply.

"She'll understand if it's you going to school."

"She won't understand me getting married."

"Whoa!" Dina laughed, seemingly in disbelief. "You're getting married for money?!" She almost yelled, and I put my finger to my lips, shushing her.

"Please be quiet before someone hears you!" I told her, rolling my eyes in annoyance. "I'm only pretending to be married for some rich guy, in the end I get the money, and he gets..." I trailed off, still unsure of what he was getting out of this. "Whatever he gets."

"That is quite the arrangement," she said with an impressed look on her face. "I never would expect something like this from you. Maybe me. But not you."

"Will you just stop and help me?" I asked her in desperation. "I have to go. I can't stay here forever, I just... can't."

"Alright, fine." She threw her hands up in surrender. Even though she was four years younger than me, I did often times look to her for answers. She was stronger willed than I was, smarter than I was, way more outgoing than I was. She was the one that got into trouble the most growing up, and her my Mom don't get along at all; only because she's not afraid to march to her own best like I am. "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning," I told her with a nervous look on my face.

"Don't give a girl much to work with do you?" She asked with a teasing smile. "Well, I have a plan anyways, we'll just have to change the script." At that I laughed. Who knew I would become an actress just to become a marine biologist?

~*~

Thank God for my sister. She concocted a whole plan. I was going on a missionary to Africa to build homes for a few months, and in return I would receive a free ride to the college of my choosing.

"Oh honey that's wonderful!" She gushed. "When do you leave?" She asked.

shrugged. "The flight is paid

This was a

ago." My sister butt in,

to me?" She

didn't get in." I lied, and realization crept over her face. "Well

"No!"

Mom, you don't want to lose out on

She said, no questions asked. It's a good thing I was the good child, if the roles were reversed she would very suspicious. I never

the pair of us. "I really wish that you would have told me about this honey." She urged. "Just because things are a little

want to spend some time with you before you go at least." I smiled at her softly, almost hating myself

bonding, my Mother came up to help me pack, and even tucked me into bed like a small child. I didn't know how much I missed it until she planted a warm kiss on my forehead. No matter how old

fake goodbyes. I felt bad for lying, and

Nolan's place, and Dina looked just as amazed as I did the other day. We took the elevator to the top floor, and then knocked on the door. "I'm coming in with you,"

seemed a little confused. "Hello?" He answered, but it came

I explained. "She's dropping me off to the 'airport'." I did air quotes when saying the word airport. I

you two." He gestured for us to enter, then took

grinned, making herself at home. I all but rolled my eyes

I side eyed him. "Please." He added in. Much

head softly as she looked though the refrigerator. "This place is bigger than our whole apartment." At that I shrugged, then looked up at Nolan. I was used to having less; I was used to being in small spaces. It didn't bother me. Besides, he has all this space

Before I could even get to answer,

me to take part in." Dina answered for her, smiling sarcastically. I

He grinned, looking at

sitting next to me on the couch. "Is doing some work

"You couldn't have been closer?" He asked with a laugh, and

quick thought." I

of getting to know each other, so how about I show you to your room?" He asked me,

I guess you can leave now, I'm safe." I told her, and walked her

is driving?" Nolan asked in

I'll be fifteen next month!" She corrected him, and he

around?" He asked, his

if you're old enough to see the road? You're driving." I explained, then shooed Dina out the door. "Text me when you get home," I said,

you get to Africa,"

he turned to look at me. "So Africa,

I said

He asked,

tired of his games.

single room. "Here you are." He said, sitting my suitcase down. "I'll let you get settled." I looked around at where I would be staying for the next three months. It was cozy,

myself back on the bed. It was much bigger than mine, and much softer. I never had a room to myself before. I went from sleeping with my parents, to sleeping in the room with

curled up in a warm comfortable spot. I have no idea where

it in the end. Would I miss my family? My old life?

that thought in mind, I heaved a heavy sigh,

~*~

the way to a restaurant that he and his family frequented. Even though it was a fake meeting, I was still nervous as

a stylist just for me to meet his father. After hours of cramming, there followed

too, but these people took getting dressed up to the extreme! I had my eyebrows plucked, my hair curled and rolled, and my feet and nails done all in one go. I had never been pampered like this before. He even had someone to pick out a nice dress for me to where. It's a shame, they

ease the nerves that were shaking inside of me. Just be arm

asked, not once taking his eyes off

to be doing a lot of that lately. "I just wish we had

waited long enough. My father needs to see us together, and

didn't tell me why."

He said, and I glanced over at him. "To you." He went on, probably after realizing how ridiculous he sounded.

like you're committing a crime or something." He laughed nervously, shrugging a

he tries to trip you up