As Rachel lay in her bed, the image of a perfect father figure still fresh in her mind, a name suddenly came to mind.
James.
He was her high school friend, who always walked her home after their late study sessions, he always had a joke to lighten her mood and he once admitted he had a crush on her, but never acted it.
Without overthinking it, she searched his name and she tapped Call.
It rang twice.
"Hello?" a familiar voice answered, still carrying the same warmth.
"James?" she called out his name.
"Rachel?" he sounded delighted, "Wow, it's been forever, are you okay?"
"I'm…. Surviving" she said with a short laugh, "Listen, I know it's random, but I was wondering if you would want to catch up sometime over Coffee, maybe?"
"Are you kidding? I'd love that, When?"
"Tomorrow?" she asked, "There's this new cafe on Weston Street, Morning Brew, I hear it's good."
"Perfect," he replied. "10?"
"10 it is," she smiled.
The next morning, Rachel stood in front of her mirror and adjusted the blue blouse she had chosen for the day. A casual dress but elegant enough. She wore dark jeans which hugged her frame.
With David already in school, she drives out of her compound.
By the time she arrived at Morning Brew, James, her high-school friend, was already seated outside, two cups of hot coffee on the table, waiting. He stood the moment he saw her, a smile she remembered from high school, curling on his lips.
"Rachel," he said, pulling her into a warm hug, "You haven't aged a day, still as beautiful."
She chuckled, "You're still terrible at lying."
Laughter came easily as they talked about old classmates, their pranks on students and their high school drama.
"So, how's David?" He asked her, blowing his coffee.
"He's…fine" she whispers, sipping her coffee and turns her gaze
James noticed her expression and knew something was up. "Are you still…..?"
"Single," she completes his words, "yes and not really in any fairy tale."
There was a pause, and James waited, sensing she had more to say.
Rachel drops her cup and folded her hands, "I won't sugarcoat anything, James. I didn't just come here to catch up. I need something." She pauses, "Someone." she adds.
He raised a brow.
She held his gaze, "I want you to be my boyfriend, not for romance, maybe not right away. I just need someone who can help me give David a stable image. Someone who's good, kind, and dependable. And you came to my mind, James."
James leaned back in his chair, surprised
"You're serious."
"I am," she nods, "Yes, I know it's sudden and it sounds insane. But look James," she stretches her hand to cover his, "I trust you and I always have, David is…..he's asking questions and all I want to do now is to protect him from the truth… for now."
James crossed his arms, a frown on his face,
"Rach, I understand, you're in a tough spot, but you know this sounds messy and pretending to be your boyfriend around a kid... I don't know."
"Trust me James, I wouldn't have asked anyone but you," she spoke in honesty, "I trust you, James and you have always been grounded and what I need is someone grounded right now."
He shook his head slowly, "Rach, this isn't high school, this is real life and What if your son gets too attached and then finds out it's not real?"
Rachel sighed and then opened her bag and slid a plain envelope across the table. James hesitated before picking it up and looking In side.
And his eyes widened immediately.
"That's five hundred thousand dollars," she motions to him, "This isn't just about appearances James, I need someone David can trust, someone I can trust, even if it's only temporary."
James stared at her for a while. His mind danced on the weight of the offer and the weight of her request.
Finally, he sighed and ran a hand down his face and through his hair.
"This is insane," he muttered, "But…. I'll do it."
Rachel smiled faintly,"Thank you, James, You have no idea how much this means."
"Just promise me one thing," he added, "Don't make me wear matching outfits for fake family photos."
A smile forces out on Rachel's face, "No promises."
Rachel's phone rang sharply on the table before her. She glanced down, almost ignoring it until she saw David's school name flashing across the screen.
She instantly picked it up.
"Hello?" she answered quickly.
"Ms. Rachel? This is Mrs. Claire, It's about David, he suddenly fell ill during class, he looked very pale and said he felt dizzy."
Rachel shot to her feet, earning glances from everyone around her, "Is he okay? Is he still there? Should I come now?" She flooded her caller with questions.
"He's already been picked up, Your babysitter, Tessa by name, came right away."
Rachel didn't even reply and ended the call, immediately calling Tessa. The moment the line connected, her voice trembled, "Tessa, what happened? Is he okay?"
"He's home now," Tessa replied gently, trying to calm Rachel down,"He had a slight fever and was a little dizzy. I've given him something light and he's resting in."
Rachel let out a breath,"Thank you. I'll be there soon."
Without another word, she turned to James, grabbing her purse.
"David's sick, I have to go," she said, still gathering her things, almost spilling the coffee, "I have to go."
James stood up as well, "Do you want me to come with you?"
Rachel shook her head. "No it's fine, thank you, really, I'll call you later."
Then she rushed out of the cafe.
Rachel burst through the front door of her apartment. Her eyes went straight to the couch and found David curled up under a blanket, his face flushed but peaceful in sleep.
Tessa stood nearby him and was adjusting the pillows gently behind his head.
"How is he?" Rachel whispered, rushing to his side.
"He's okay now," Tessa replied quietly, He threw up once and had a slight fever but I've kept him hydrated and I was about to go get the medicine from the pharmacy."
Rachel nodded, her eyes, "thank you, Tessa."
Tessa nods and takes her leave. Rachel sat back on the floor and her head fell in her hands.
Just then, the front door swung open.
"Tessa?" she called out, thinking she had returned quickly from the pharmacy, "Did you get the…."
She froze. The person at the door wasn't Tessa, it was Stephen, Nicholas assistant.