Maura Isles is The Editor-in-Chief for Penguin Random House in New York City. Jane Rizzoli is her assistant who aspires to be an investigative journalist but is stuck working for 'the devil herself' because A. Having worked for her for as long as she has would look excellent on her application for the job she really wants and B. No assistant has ever lasted as long as she has and replacing herself would be damn near impossible (not for lack of trying)
After facing deportation for her expired Canadian Visa, Maura propositions Jane into a proposal in order to save her career. Jane adds a few additions to their agreement for her own gain seeing as she would be forced to break the law, face serious jail time and breach her own moral code for a woman that drives her insane on a daily basis.
The two women are forced into uncharted territory as a suspicious immigration official puts their lives under the microscope. Can they convince him as well as their friends and family that they are as happy in love as they claimed?
*Completely and shamelessly ripped off from the premise of The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock (which I loved but just imagine what that movie would've been like with these two instead ;)*
This story, however, will have more twists & turns because Maura is still Maura who can't lie and whose lack of social skills will only add to their dilemma. Jane is still her stubborn, sarcastic self who grew up middle class as opposed to Maura having been brought up by multi-millionaires.
I've had this idea for a while (ever since I started with FITYMI) and even though I haven't finished QOTD yet, I want to see how this story goes. Let's goooo!
The morning started like any other.
Jane hurried down the staircase of her apartment building, looking like a pack mule, carrying various novel samples, files, and other things that her boss had made her go over the previous night.
She needed to get from Morris Heights in the West Bronx all the way to 230 West on 56th Street to the Devil's lair. It was all the way on the other side of town.
Jane swore several times as the line at Star Bucks came into view. She would have forgone the effort and headed straight for her 7:18 train but without her no-foam skimmed latte with an extra shot of espresso, the Editor-in-Chief might just fire someone.
Not Jane, that would be counterproductive. But someone.
Jane contemplated the level of dick she was about to embody before walking past the line and shooting the barista a pleading look.
It pays to work for a boss so powerful that merely mentioning their name gets you reservations at Gourmet restaurants, season tickets to the Opera, and even allows you to cut the line at Starbucks.
Though Jane didn't even have to mention her name today. The barista knew her order by heart since she ordered the same thing every morning. She had the order ready for her at the same time every day.
"You literally saved my life. I owe you!" Jane greeted as she took the coffee from her.
"I'll have to think of a favor then" she greeted Jane back with a wink.
Jane gave her an appreciative smile before hustling for the train…
The elevators dinged open and Jane had seconds to get to the Editors desk in order to get everything ready, just the way she liked it.
She got out her phone to text Frost, asking him whether Maura was in yet. She walked straight into a passing colleague, spilling one of the coffees all over herself.
"Watch it!" she exclaimed.
He apologized profusely but continued on his way hurriedly. Maura was about to walk through the doors at any minute and every minion was scurrying to set the scene.
The Editor demanded perfection. She ran Random House like a well-oiled machine. Overdue work had its own garbage bin in the corner of her office.
Tardiness was out of the question. As were comfortable shoes for all staff members. No cubicle askew. Hair out of place.
Jane threw everything on her desk and pulled a clean shirt from her drawer that she kept for emergencies. She pulled the coffee-soaked shirt over her head, ducking down in her cubicle for the added illusion of privacy.
She slipped on the fresh button-up and started fiddling with the buttons swiftly, wondering why the office had suddenly gone quiet.
Her body went numb as deep red Louboutins came into view by her cubicle. Her eyes followed toned legs disappearing up into a form-fitting pencil skirt.
She stood abruptly, her bra still visible through her open shirt. She followed Maura's hazel eyes dragging over her bra-clad breasts and back up.
She swallowed thickly. Her mouth went dry instantly. "I-"
Maura held up her finger for Jane to stop talking. Then she stalked into her office.
Jane frazzled her curls before buttoning her shirt hastily. She grabbed the remaining coffee along with the files that should have been on the Editors desk and followed her into her office.
She placed the coffee in her hand and continued to spread the files on her desk in order of importance.
"The projection for the Spring collection is in twenty minutes. Staff meeting at 9. You're immigration lawyer called and said that it's imperative-" Jane noticed that Maura's usual back and forth had been reduced to a narrowed gaze. "What?"
"Do you normally get dressed at the office?"
Jane had hoped that she did not mention their little encounter. She cleared her throat. "Only on casual Tuesdays"
"We don't have casual Tuesdays" Maura sat back in her chair and stared her down.
"That was sarcasm- look. I'm sorry you saw that. My shirt got ruined. I put on a new one. Do you still want me to get in touch with PR for Frank's upcoming appearance on Oprah?"
Maura thought for a few moments. Jane rubbed her palms nervously. Maura is usually quick with her demands in the mornings.
"Yes"
One-word answers usually meant 'We're done now. You may leave'. Jane nodded her head slightly and turned on her heel.
Maura took a sip of her coffee. "Who is Gillian? And why does she want me to call her?" she eyed the name and cell number on her coffee suspiciously.
Jane stopped in her tracks and pulled a face.
"Because… that was originally my cup"
"And I'm drinking youre coffee why?"
"Because you're coffee spilled"
Maura took another hesitant sip. "You drink no-foam skimmed lattes with extra shots of espresso?"
"I do. It's like Christmas in a cup"
"Is that a coincidence?"
"Incredibly it is." Maura's phone started ringing and Jane walked toward her desk slowly. "I mean I wouldn't actually drink the same coffee you drink just in case yours spilled. That would be uh- pathetic. Good morning, yes I will inform Miss Isles." Jane hung up the phone.
"Guys upstairs wanna see you immediately"
Maura rolled her eyes. "Fine. Come and get me in ten minutes. We have a lot to do"
"Oki-doke"...
"Jack, Edwin" Maura greeted as she came to a standstill in the large corner office.
"Maura. Congratulations on the Oprah thing, that's terrific" Jack congratulated.
"Thank you. This isn't about my second raise is it?" Maura asked, wondering why they could possibly want to see her knowing what her schedule was like.
The men chuckled. "Maura, do you remember when we agreed that you wouldn't go to Frankfurt for that book fair because you weren't allowed out of the country while your visa was being processed?"
Maura placed her hands on her hips. "Yes, I do."
"And. You went to Frankfurt?" Edwin pushed.
"Yes, I did. We were going to lose Delilo to Viking so I didn't really have a choice did I?" she chuckled to soften the tone of her statement.
"We just spoke to your immigration attorney."
"Excellent. So, all is well?" Maura asked, ready to be done with the redundant meeting and get back to her work.
"Maura, your visa application has been denied"
"What? How?" Her mind was afoot. She thought back to every form she had filled out and everyone she had spoken to, ready to set ablaze anyone who could have possibly made an error.
"And you are being deported"
Maura's mouth fell open. "Deported?"
"Oh come on. It's not like I'm even an immigrant. I'm from Canada, not North Korea- there has to be something we can do?"
"We can reapply but you would have to leave the country for at least a year"
Maura processed the information. She hated the idea of having to move back there. "Ok, well that's not ideal but. I can manage everything from Toronto with video conferencing and internet"
"Unfortunately Maura, if you were deported, you can't work for an American company"
Her entire body stiffened at the thought. "You cannot be serious"
"We are desperate to have you stay. If there was any way at all we could make this thing work. We'd be doing it" Jack added sincerely.
There was a knock at the door before Jane peeked her head in.
"Excuse me, we're in a meeting" Ed stated.
"Sorry to interrupt" Jane continued.
"What? What is it?" With the conversation at hand, Maura had completely forgotten that she had told Jane to get her in 10 minutes.
"Marry from miss Winfrey's office called. She's on the line"
"I know" Muara stated hurriedly, trying to get her to leave.
"She told me she needs to speak with you right away."
"I know"
"I told her you were otherwise engaged" Jane added, ever so cluelessly.
Maura looked at her thoughtfully. An idea popped into her head. It was bold. Incredibly risky and completely out of her wheelhouse.
"She insisted so" Jane added, motioning for Maura to come.
Maura straightened out her blouse and motioned for Jane to come closer. Jane looked confused but entered the room.
"Um gentleman, I understand the predicament that we are in, and um. And there's… well." she moved backward toward Jane. "I think there's something that you should know" Her heart was racing, she could anticipate the hives already.
She sighed and patted Jane on her torso. Jane quirked an eyebrow at the gesture.
"We're uh." She struggled to get the lie into words. Jane looked at her skeptically. "We're getting…married" she gestured between her and Jane. "We are getting married" she chuckled bitterly.
Jane was confused to no end. She questioned her hearing at this point.
"Who is getting married?" she asked dumbly.
"You and I. You and I are getting married… yes" Maura started sweating.
"We are…" Jane trailed off. She couldn't quite comprehend the unfolding events.
"Getting married. Yes" Maura rubbed her neck in an attempt to soothe the itching sensation.
"Isn't she your secretary?" Edwin enquired.
"Assistant" Jane corrected, although she didn't know why she even bothered at this point.
"Executive assistant. Titles." Maura giggled nervously. "Wouldn't be the first time one of us fell for our secretaries would it Edwin?" she chuckled. "With Lauren. Remember?"
An uncomfortable silence broke out in the room. "So. Yes. The truth is. Jane and I are just two people who weren't meant to fall in love-"
"No" Jane added in a daze.
"But we did. We did. Yeah, all those late nights at the office and weekend book fairs-" Maura continued. It was as if the lie met no resistance once it was spoken into existence.
"Nooo" Jane looked like a dear in headlights. Images of Maura, her whip-cracking boss, walking down the aisle flooded her mind.
"Something happened" Maura looked at Jane.
"Something" Jane echoed.
"We tried to fight it but um… can't" she hugged Jane awkwardly. Jane's body stiffened.
This is it. I am here. This is hell, Jane thought.
"Can't fight a love like ours…. So are we good with this? Because we are happy. So happy." Maura concluded. It felt like she had been talking for ages.
"Maura?" Edwin asked.
Maura swallowed. She had very limited experience with telling lies. She felt on the verge of passing out. "Yes?"
"That's terrific." She nodded with a smile, even though she was screaming on the inside. "Just make it legal" he gestured to his wedding finger.
"Yes. That would mean that we should get to the immigration office so that we could work this whole mess out." She looked at Jane as if to confirm but she seemed lost in thought. "Thank you very much, gentlemen. We will deal with it right away"
"Gentlemen" Jane echoed in greeting.
The walk back to Maura's office felt like a dream. The kind of dream where you know you're dreaming but you can't wake yourself up. A nightmare might be a more accurate choice of word. It felt like everyone in the office was staring at them.
Jane closed the door behind them and stared at her working colleagues through the glass.
She turned and stared at Maura who had already busied herself with work.
"What?" Maura asked innocently. Though Jane could see the hives under her collar.
"I don't understand what's happening" Jane confessed.
"Relax. This is for you as well" Maura reached for a cold boddle of water in her mini fridge and held it to her neck.
"I hear an echo"
"They were going to deport me" Maura retrieved a bottle of bend drill and unscrewed the cap with more force than was necessary and the pills went flying everywhere.
"So naturally I would have to marry you?" Jane rubbed her face anxiously.
"What is the issue? Marriage has roots dating back to 1000 BC and the core value of it had nothing to do with love or any other fictitious concept, but instead was a way of expanding the family labor forces or making alliances. Like us" Maura ended with a head tilt.
Jane stared at her blankly. "Do you make these things up because you know we can't check it?- don't answer that. Thanks for the fun fact but it's illegal"
"They're looking for terrorists, not book publishers." Maura put two Benedryl in her mouth and swallowed it with a sip of water.
"Maura."
"Yes?"
"I'm not going to marry you" Jane never imagined that any arrangement of those words would ever leave her mouth.
Maura stared her down for a few moments until Jane began to fidget uncomfortably under her hazel gaze. "Yes, you are. Because if you don't then your goal of getting out of here with my recommendation goes out the door-"
"Window" Jane corrected automatically. Euphemisms really aren't Maura's strong suit.
"If I had been deported I would guarantee you would have lost your job. That means all the time that we spent together, all the lattes, all the canceled dates, and all the midnight Tampax runs were all for nothing. But don't worry, after a short period of time, we could get a divorce and you would be done with me but until then, like it or not, your cart is hitched-"
"Wagon"
"To mine" she compacted the papers on her desk. "Ok? Phone" she pointed to the ringing phone that Jane hardly noticed in her cubicle.
Tell me what you guys thought. Should I continue this? Next up is the immigration office and meeting the parents! I won't follow canon to a tee tho I do like some of the dialogue from the movie enough to add it in here and I think it works very well.
But if you guys don't like it then I'll just delete it and we need never speak of it again haha.
P.s sorry to anyone reading this in North Korea. No offense intended :)
