Dinner Guest

The couple got back from work that night and set about getting dinner ready as Magnus was due over to talk about things and maybe make a start. Sean was obviously on edge but he reassured Chloe that he would be fine.

Magnus came through the door in his usual big way and embraced both of them. He came with wine in hand but Sean turned it down. Chloe didn’t have work the next day and Magnus was used to drinking. He complimented the meal telling them how nice it was to eat home cooked food more advanced than scrambled eggs or instant noodles then proposed they discuss the arrangement.

“I think it’s only fair I lay down exactly what I would need and give you another chance to back out or negotiate if you think they go too far” Magnus said professionally. “I would require you Chloe to reach a point where we are comfortable hanging out together with the sort of casual intimate contact that you would expect from a couple in a public setting. That may even go so far as kissing. I would need you to be comfortable sharing a room with me as when we visit my family they will be expecting us to sleep in the same room and likewise at the wedding we would be sharing a room then too.”

Sean looked over at Chloe who seemed to be taking it in but showed no signs of any worry or concern over what he was saying. He realised that actually everything he had said was not unreasonable but he couldn’t help but feel as though it was.

“I will also need to spend some time with you out and about” he went on “to get some pictures for a fake social media page we will set up and to have something to show my family. These can be nice little dates where we can get to know each other better and craft some back stories to tell my mother.”

Dates? Thought Sean. There was something about calling them dates he didn’t like but he took a calming breath and really envied the wine that everyone else was drinking. It wasn’t unreasonable he told himself. A few pictures in the park or at a restaurant made sense for the ruse. The social media thing seemed a bit much but perhaps Magnus was just being a bit cautious. It shouldn’t be a problem though because Chloe had not updated her Facebook profile since they were at university. She always said that she kept in contact with the people she wanted to so she had never really bothered with it.

“Finally the money thing” said Magnus. “I propose that seeing as I am going to be a real inconvenience to you guys and I know it’s probably going to cut into your evenings and things. On top of that It’s going to be near impossible for you to take a second job while pandering to my problem. Anyway I suggest that I pay you as if you were working your current job full time and on top of that I will cover any expenses like me being in your house and eating your food or buying anything like a dress for the wedding.”

Sean nodded to himself. He was impressed with the offer. It was enough to be generous but not enough to be extravagant. It would nearly double Chloe’s income and would be a massive help to the finances. Sensibly managed it could keep them going for a couple of months comfortably after the wedding while Chloe looked for a better job. Despite Magnus’s playboy attitude he was a pretty sharp businessman.

“Well, what do you guys think?” Magnus finished.

Sean sighed. I may as well be honest he thought “I have to admit I feel a little uneasy but I also don’t feel like there is anything you have said that is unreasonable. I’m a guy, I can’t help but feel a little jealous thinking about dates and you two kissing but as long as Chloe is still happy to go ahead then so am I”

Chloe smiled and reached across the table to squeeze Sean’s hand. He looked at her and she looked proud of him “I’m pleased you were honest baby” she said. She turned to Magnus “He’s right. It all sounds reasonable and money is very generous of you. I agree we need to look comfortable with each other so a little hanging out and some fake dates sound just the thing. I think it might make Sean more comfortable if we do most of it here then. It will put his mind at ease if he can see us, do you agree?”

Magnus smiled “Absolutely. The place I’m renting is a bit soless to be honest and I’d rather hang out with you guys anyway.” He capped his hands excitedly “This is great, I’ll set up a regular payment to your account so grab your details and I’ll set it up now.”

“You don’t have to rush.” said Chloe but Magnus put his hand up.

“No, I know you guys are tight so let me at least start paying you straight away, it’s the least I can do for dragging you into this.”

The couple thanked him and Chloe got her bank details so Magnus could set up the payment on his phone.

“Well I suppose that means we should start tonight then” said Chloe. “How about we start small and just hang out on the sofa together and watch a film?”

“Great” said Magnus. He turned to Sean “What do you fancy watching?”

“It’s fine,” said Sean “you guys go and choose while I clear up. I’m not sure I’m going to make it through a whole film anyway before bed.”

“Working you hard are they?”

“It’s just being the junior one on the office, got to make a good impression. The sooner I can get a promotion the sooner I can relax about money.”

Magnus patted him on the shoulder and went to sit with Chloe on the sofa as Sean cleared the table. In their small, open plan apartment he could see them flicking through Netflix discussing genre. Looking at them they looked like two friends. He smiled to himself, he was really over worrying. He got on with the washing up as the sounds of an action film started behind him.