Being born into one of the richest and most traditional families was a huge burden. Philip Durin, called Fili by friends and family, loved the people around him; however he constantly felt the need to keep many things secret from them. He was the sole heir of this uncle, and despite knowing that many people in his family were very tolerant towards people with different sexual orientations, coming out was not a thing Fili was ready to consider. His mother had been pressing him to find a nice girlfriend and start a family, but he did not have the guts to actually tell her that was not something he really wanted.
The day he felt an attraction towards a man, he was dead terrified. He was a teenager, and his ranging hormones pointed towards a slim boy going to class with him. He did not dare confront his feelings, as he never dared to confront his family. At college he tried to hook up with a girl or two, but having no interest in sex drove both girls away after some time. Later it all went worse. Entering the family company, going to official business meetings made him a target for gold diggers. Some were very eager to get him to bed, and just a simple conversation with a girl put a target mark on his head. A girl even tried blackmailing him with her unborn child, but it was swiftly proven by his lawyers that the child wasn't his.
That day sitting at another charity fashion show he was often invited to, he slowly was coming up with a solution. He watched the beautiful women walking on the catwalk, and slowly he was devising a plan. He desperately needed a girlfriend, one that would be accepted by his mother and actually make her shut up about his personal life. A girl who would accompany him to public events, and pose as his girlfriend in public, and at the same time have no illusions to actually marrying him and having a real relationship. And there was only one way to get a girlfriend like that, he would have to pay her enough to keep her in the role and keep his private stuff really private. Looking at the models he considered which girl would be perfect to approach. She had to be tall and slim and beautiful. He wasn't looking for smart and interesting; he was looking for a beauty which would push away any suspicions that he wasn't interested in women. When he saw a slim young girl walk onto the catwalk he suddenly felt a ting of interest. She had really long wild brown hair. Her hair was wavy and wild attracting everyone's attention. Her body was boyish and slim. As she came closer he saw beautiful dark brown eyes highlighted by skilled makeup. She was wearing a flimsy dress outlined with feathers, which left little to imagination. Her legs were long, her chest was flat. She was a model according to any definition. And she looked good enough to make his mother shut up about his private life.
. . . . .
When Gandalf called Kili to the office, she was surprised. Her adoptive father rarely called her into business meetings. She noticed the same man who was at yesterday's show. He immediately grasped her attention. He had short blond hair, a neatly trimmed beard. He was dressed less official than yesterday, and from under his t-shirt she could see a tattoo climb up his left arm. He was short and buff, her complete opposite. But just like her he was beautiful in his own kind. She felt interested yesterday, but now she was dead curious why he came to the office.
"Dear Kiliana please sit down." Gandalf showed her the chair opposite the man, and she swift took the seat, folding her legs in the tight dress. "Mr Durin came here today to propose a unique deal for both of us. And I must admit Mr. Durin I would normally not consider such a deal, however you seem to be an honest young man."
"Mr. Durin would you please tell Kiliana what services you require from her?" Gandalf asked the man and looked attentively to Kili.
"I need a girlfriend." The man slowly told her. "Not in the standard sense, my family has been really stubborn that I get married with a girl of their choosing. So I need a girl to play the role of my girlfriend for an extended time."
"How long?" Kili asked slowly.
"At least a year or two. I want them off my back, so a few dates won't do." Fili quietly told her, he could see the young girl get nervous.
"What would you require from me as your official girlfriend?" She slowly asked.
"I have to go to many official meetings; I would also need your company for family events, holidays and other such events. It would also be best if you actually move into my apartment." He explained what he really needed. "I would also require privacy and that you keep secret anything private things that may come out during our so called relationship."
"But my dear, this deal does not require you to share a bed with him, or any intimate contacts. You'll be roommates as far as living together." Gandalf specified the deal. "You will probably share a kiss from time to time in public, but considering how handsome this boy is, it should be easy for you." He blinked at her.
Fili began worrying that the girl was getting even tenser with every minute.
"What will I get from this deal?" Kili slowly voiced.
"A million pounds a year. A good car and a driver, and a credit card with a big limit." Fili spoke looking carefully at her reaction.
"A lot of free promotion, going to the best events." Gandalf specified. "You'll be in good hands, and I'll finally be able to go visit Elrond in France."
"Who's going to take care of the agency?" Kili faced Gandalf.
"Bilbo and Frodo will do fine with the agency." Gandalf specified. "Of course if you keep a watchful eye it would be best darling."
"Will I be able to work and continue school?" Kili asked quietly.
"Maybe not full time, but I would like you to stay in the spotlight." Fili told her, watching her nervously grip the cloth of her dress. "What school are you finishing?"
"High school." Kili spoke really quietly. "I'm home schooled by teachers to meet my work schedule."
"Are you legally of age?" Fili asked worried.
"My eighteenth birthday was five weeks ago." Kili informed him.
"So you're old enough to make your own decision." Gandalf summed up. "I really think you should take this deal, I believe that both of you will become friends and it would be great if you actually met some nice people for a change."
"I'll pack my things by the end of the week; I need to get that job done in Italy first." Kili told him trying not to show how nervous she actually was.
"That's fine, write the address down and my driver will pick you up as soon as you're ready." Fili stood up and extended his hand to Gandalf first. "It was nice doing business with you Mr. Grey." "Same here dear boy." Gandalf shook his hand. Kili gently extended her hand towards him, but instead of shaking it he brought it to his face and gently kissed the rim of her hand. Kili desperately tried to not show how much she was shaking.
When Kili sat on her luggage packed to move in with her "boyfriend" she could only think about what kind of mess Gandalf got her into this time. Living with a man was a challenge anytime; living with a man she was attracted to would be suicide. Living with a man and pretending to be a woman was not just getting dressed up to walk on the catwalk. It was pretending to be a girl 24/7 and poor Kili was scared he would make a mistake. After all he was not a girl. "Remember the deal he proposed means he's got some big secrets to hide, so even if your secret comes out he will probably sweep it under the rug. He's paying you too much to risk losing this deal, especially in the profession of modelling. Money comes and goes; you'll be able to be on top only several more years. Two years with this guy around will set you up for life." Gandalf was right, Kili could do it.
