A/N: Sorry, my lovely readers for the long delay. /: I'm having some personal issues and its occupying everything of me, my time, energy. Ughh! /: I adore you that you still stick around. This is the longest chapter I wrote and its all Cailey. Hope this will make up for the missed time.
Enjoy! (:

"Wish It Was Real"

The next few hours in Cody Martin's office were spent talking and discussing all possibilities related to the contract. They all give in their share of ideas about how to break the news to each of their parents. For Cody, he had decided to just take Bailey home with him and let her do the talking. Bailey agreed to it on a condition if Cody would do the same for her when she was suppose to tell her parents. He was reluctant at first but Zack talked some sense into him. He told him that it was only fair to help out Bailey in this little thing when she was doing so much for him.

As the minutes passed by, it was becoming harder for Zack to stay in the same room with them. They were like cats and dogs. No matter what the topic was, they both somehow managed to disagree with one another. During their short stay in the office, Zack had to come in between them so many times so that they both wouldn't end up pulling each other's hair. Zack was getting sick of their pointless arguments. All he knew was that he wanted to get the whole wedding done and over with as soon as possible. He wanted out of their little conflict. And he would once they get married, he would leave them be. That was what he aimed to do...

"I am NOT going to take her out on a date, Zack. You can just forget about it because that is one thing I would never do..." Zack heard Cody's response to his idea. He had asked Cody to take his wife to be on a date so he could propose to her in the old fashioned way. And so that their mom would believe it to be real. But it seemed like his little brother was too stupid to figure out the obvious...

However as he was about to say something back to try to get him to agree, Bailey had her own comeback lines up her sleeves..."As if I'm dying to go on a date with you..." She rolled her eyes..."Please, there's a reason you're still single and I for one am not willing to explore what that reason is by going out with you..."

Cody's moth dropped..."The reason I'm single is because I can't take how shallow all you girls are..."

"The fact that you tag all girls as 'shallow' just proves how shallow you yourself are..." Bailey shot back.

They went back and forth with their argument while Zack stood there waiting for them to stop. But a minute or so passed and it became impossible for him to hold in his frustration..."ENOUGH!" Zack shouted on top of his lungs. He would be lying to himself if he said he regretted it. The stunned looks he got from his brother and his "would be fake wife" just made his one word seemed so satisfying to him. He was thankful that their bickering was stopped.

"I am sick of you both..." He sighed loudly before continuing..."Lets just all agree on this that we all hate each other. And MOVE ON WITH IT." Zack shouted again to which he only earned more shocking glares by the two individuals standing in the room..."You!" He pointed towards Cody..."You are going to take her out on a date tonight..." He turned to Bailey..."And you are not going to object to it either. Do you guys understand?" He asked and waited for them to respond. But when he still only got glares in response he shouted again..."I SAID DO YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND"

"Geez, Zack relax!" It was Bailey to speak up first..."You don't have to shout at us. We understand. I'll bear one night of torture with him..."

"Torture?" Cody turned around and was about to say something else again when Zack came forward to stand in between them..."Don't you dare start this again..." He turned to Bailey..."You...go now. He'll pick you up at 8."

Both Cody and Bailey tried to open their mouth but Zack gestured with his hands to not utter another word. He pointed towards the door while nodding at Bailey and she got what he wanted. Obviously tired of their endless arguments, he wanted her to leave. Bailey cracked a small smile at Zack's annoyance and obliged nonetheless. As Bailey walked out of the room leaving the two brothers alone, Zack turned his full attention on Cody...

"For the sake of this company that you've spent so many years in building, please just go with everything I'm trying to do for you." Zack seriously requested. Cody felt warmed by how much his brother wanted him to not lose something that was important to him. He lightly smiled and gave a tap on his shoulder...

"Thanks for everything, Zack. I will..." He uttered genuinely. Having all of that settled, Zack left his office to get everything else done for his little brother's date tonight. Zack had many schemes up his sleeves.

It was around 8 in the evening and Bailey Pickett was putting on some final touches for her date tonight. She didn't know why, but she couldn't help but feel a little excited. Maybe it was the fact that Zack was so persistent for Cody to take her out. Her curiosity was getting the best of her as she thought what could have the two brothers planned alone when she left the office. Putting down the lip gloss that was currently in her hands, she turned her face around from side to side to make sure she looked okay...

"You're looking beautiful, honey..." Startled, Bailey turned around to see her mother standing. She had answered her question for her. Bailey stood and went to her mom...

"Thank you, momma..." She smiled. Bailey still had not told her mom anything. All she knew was that Bailey was going out on a date. Her mother had asked who the lucky boy would be but she refused to tell. Bailey convinced her that she would tell her everything once she was sure about it. Being the supporting parent that she was, Eunice Pickett had agreed to not ask any further questions.

As the clock struck 8, Bailey's phone began to ring. She looked at the screen and found a text from none other than Cody...

"Waiting at the end of the street..."

Bailey rolled her eyes at the text. How to the point it was. They both had agreed for Cody to not come by her door. Bailey was not in the mood to explain everything to her mother right then. That was why Cody was waiting for her out side at the end of the street. Quickly replying with a simple "Coming", she took her bag, hugged her mom goodbye and left the house.

Walking down the street she spotted Cody Martin standing beside his lavish car. He had his back to her. His hands propped above the roof of the car. Every second or so, he would bring up his wrist to check the time. Bailey found it amusing to see how impatient he was. Punctuality was something that he held sacred. That was why he was there exactly at the decided time.

As she got closer to him, the sound of her stilettos got more audible which finally got the attention of her Richie Rich. She slightly blushed at the thought of him being hers. Even if it was all fake. As he turned around, he almost felt his breath got stuck in his throat. She looked...gorgeous. Cody observed her from head to toe despite of himself. She was wearing a knee length aqua blue dress. Her blonde locks were perfectly done. Her bangs flowed freely over her forehead making her look all the more adorable. She was wearing a charm bracelet in one hand while her other hand only glowed the tone of her perfect skin. The pearl necklace that she wore was shining under the moon light. She was an image of angel.

"You don't waste a single second, do you..." Cody was snapped out of his thoughts as he found her standing right in front of him. He wanted to say something back, like an insult. But he was tongue tied. What was happening to him? Did he really think all that about Bailey? That she was beautiful? Cody thought that he couldn't deny her beauty. But he couldn't feel anything but hate for her.

"No..." He smiled at her and held the front door to his car open for her..."If I wasted any time now would I be the head of the giant Martin Empire?"

Bailey rolled her eyes as she took the seat. Always a show off, she thought. Cody was in the driver's seat in no time. Soon they were on the road to go on their "date.

As the ride progressed, Bailey felt a wave of happiness wash through her. She was in his car again. Alone. The first time she was with him in the car, it was when he saved her from an assault. He was still thankful for that to him. It probably was the only time she was glad to see him. Bailey fell back a little in the seat just enjoying the peaceful and smooth ride when she heard him speak. She was so lost that she had to ask him again what he said...

"I said what do these charms mean? You know, in your bracelet..."

Automatically she looked down to her hand where he was looking at. He was asking about the charms. They were only three but they all meant a lot to her. One was a small cottage house, one was a magic wand and the last one was a ship. She had gotten all three of them over the years from her parents.

"The cottage right here..." She continued with a smile as she pointed towards the charm she was talking about..."Its our home. Back on the farm we had a small but beautiful cottage. I have so many good memories attached to it..." A sudden rush of pain went through in her expressions..."I don't know why we left the farm. I don't know why we never went back to visit. I was told that dad had some work here in the city. But I just don't remember leaving that place..." She sighed and moved to the next charm..."This ship is an indicator of my passion to travel the world. See different cultures, explore everything the world has to offer. My dad gave it to me saying that one day I will be able to do just that. All my dreams will come true..." She smiled and moved to the last charm in her bracelet..."And this magic wand? This was given to me by my mom. She always tells me that there's a magic inside me, that I can bring a smile to anybody's face, that I'm the light to darkness..." She smiled again..."She said that one day, my magic would change the wrong, it would change everything."

Cody had been listening to her every word like his life dependant on it. He passed a genuine smile to her. He felt this strange happiness inside of him after hearing everything she told him. The kind of happiness that he was not even aware existed. He thought the greatest of all happy moments was when ever he closed a deal. But right then, it was different. Much better than he had ever felt in life. Cody knew it was all a lie, their date, their marriage, everything they did or were doing was to show that they were in love, not because they really were. He knew that but he just couldn't help but enjoy everything. Though Cody wanted to say something in response, he thought a smile would do. Rest of the ride went by in comfortable silence and soon Cody pulled in front of luxurious Hotel.

Bailey was in awe of the beauty of the outside of the Hotel building. It was lavishly designed. As Cody held the door open for her, she came out of the car and took the arm that Cody had offered her. All the way inside, Bailey gushed on everything they went pass by. As they approached the entrance of the beautiful restaurant in the hotel, Cody left her to go talk to the man standing there. Seconds later, he came back with two men on either side of him.

"Ma'am this way please..." One of the men spoke up as he gestured towards the grand entrance. Cody was now on Bailey's side. She was still adjusting to the environment when she felt Cody taking her hand in his. She looked down as he urged to intertwine their fingers. She let him do so and followed the men with him as they took them to their seats. The place they were suppose to sit at was a private area. A table for just two. There were candles lit on it. A man standing there playing violin was giving a very soothing effect to her soul. In all of Bailey's life, she had never been to a place like this, never been on such a wonderful date. She was out of words. Oh how she wanted for all of that to be real.

Just as the thought entered in her mind, all of her happiness went away. This was not real, this was not hers, the handsome guy sitting in front of her was not hers. Bailey knew that it was all an act, part of the game that they were playing. She couldn't be that lucky could she? Everything was so perfect. The appetisers were delicious, the dinner was one she would think would be served in heaven, the environment was breath taking and Cody? He was being exceptionally sweet. A perfect gentleman. Bailey expected Cody to behave this way only when they were around his mom but at that time, nobody was there. Then why was he putting this act? Why no insults? Her mind started to race more with each passing second. She waited for them to finish the dinner and when still she didn't get the old, real Cody to show up, she got frustrated. She just had to know what was really going on...

"Okay spill..." Bailey muttered..."Why are you being so nice to me? Its not like your mom or anybody is watching us..."

Cody looked at her and smiled..."What are you talking about, sweetheart?"

Bailey gave him a look..."Sweetheart? Really, Cody? Enough with this already. First of all I am NOT your sweetheart and second, if this whole 'date' is part of our game somehow then I have the right to be in on the plan. I am not going to sit here and pretend to myself that you're genuinely being nice to me when I know its not the case..." She spat out everything in anger. She knew there was something going on and she deserved to know the truth...

Cody sighed. He propped his elbows on the tables and leaned in. He had a smile on his face which clearly showed that it was fake or forced out..."Okay now listen to me. I'm going to tell you everything but you have to smile at me and make it look like I'm whispering something romantic in your ears, okay?" He asked. Bailey didn't know what was going on but she nodded anyway.

Cody took her hand in his and held tightly yet softly in both of his hands. He passed a smile at her and leaned in closer. Bailey matched his movement and leaned in as well. They were both inches away from eachother...

"So here's the thing..." He continued and Bailey smiled like she was told to do..."Zack planned this whole thing. He knew that at one point or another, mom would suspect this to be all an act. She knows me too well and she knows that I'm not the one to fall in love so easily and to get married. Zack also knew that if he'd try to tell mom that I'm telling the truth, she would most likely think that I'm lying. Whenever Zack takes my side on something, she gets suspicious. So he played a reversed therapy on mom..."

Cody paused and took one of his hands to her face. He cupped her cheeks and lightly caressed it with his thumb. Bailey felt her eyes closing as she felt his touch on hers. She didn't intend to but somehow she took her own hand and covered his that was on her face.

"Zack told mom that I was lying, that I was doing it for the company and I'm not really in love with you..." His voice made Bailey come out of her daze. His words felt like daggers of reality. What he was saying was the truth. Not this, not their simple gestures of "love". She opened her eyes and looked back at him removing his hand away from her cheek. She still kept a smile on her face as he continued..."After Zack made her think that i was lying, mom was sure of one thing that whatever I'm cooking up, Zack is not part of it. Then he made her believe that he was on her side and he want my act to get caught more than anything. Once mom was satisfied that Zack and I are not together in something that I am doing, he moved on to tell her about my plans for tonight. He told mom that I had a date with you and he advised her to spy on me..."

"Wait..." Bailey stopped him..."How is this helpful? Spying on us? How is it even a good idea?" She asked confused...

"Thats exactly what I thought..." Cody smiled..."But Zack obviously knows what he's doing. Mom would think that I'd act in front of her but I'd be myself when she's not around. Right now, she has sent someone here to spy on me, I don't know which one of these people could be her 'agent' but there is someone. And she doesn't know that I know. So, when she'd know I was being all romantic with you here, when she's not around, she won't suspect another thing. Simple..." Cody finished with a smile as he brought her hand to his mouth and planted a gentle kiss on it. Bailey was again taken aback by his sudden actions, but she knew all to well that it was not real.

She was still processing all the information she got and then his kiss on her hands when she saw him standing up. He came closer to her..."where are you going?" She managed to ask before she found him leaning down. And there it was, he kissed her. His lips met with hers and left almost in an instant..."I'll be right back..." He whispered...seductively. Bailey couldn't find another word for how he said that to her. She watched as he walked away to who knows where. She brought a hand to her lips and touched it where he had kissed her. A small smile spread across her lips. An unknown sense of happiness was developed inside her and it was like she didn't have to act to be happy anymore.

The candle that was lit at her table had caught her attention. It was bright, the flame was making her head spin. Suddenly she remembered how much her mom had warned her to stay away from any kind of fire flame. She never explained why but she always told Bailey to trust her with it. Bailey held her head as she felt the throbbing pain. One moment ago she was happy to be there and the very next moment she felt like she wanted to tear that place brick by brick. She felt rage inside her. She was angry. She didn't know why but she was. Bailey closed her eyes. She blew the candle and slightly opened her eyes again. Once the flame was out of her sight, she began to feel herself again. She was thinking about what happened, thinking about the connection of fire to the feeling she got everytime she looked at fire carefully when she felt a hand take one of her own. She turned around and saw Cody. He was on his one knee. Right then, Bailey knew what was coming. He was proposing to her, fake proposing, she corrected herself but she was still interested in hearing it anyways. She waited patiently yet excitedly as he continued...

"I haven't known you for a very long time but all the time that I've spent with you had been better, much better than my entire years..." He smiled..."You make me a better person, you make my world a better place to be, you make everything better. Ever since the day you spill juice on me, I have known the meaning of being truly happy..." He then took his hand in his suit pocket and produced a valet purple box..."I am willing to stand there while you throw juice at me for the rest of my life if it means being with you forever. You have changed everything. Bailey Pickett, will you marry me?" He finished as he opened the box to reveal the most beautiful diamond ring Bailey had ever laid eyes on. Be it fake or real, the guy knelt down in front of her had said everything with such purity that had left Bailey in tears. She gasped for air as she tried to force out the words.

"YES!" She almost shouted. Cody smiled and slid the ring in her finger. The whole proposal was fake, all an act. But why didn't she feel the need to actually act? She watched as Cody stood up pulling her up from her seat with him. Up till that point, she knew what was happening, but what he did next was something she had not expected. She felt his hands going around her waist pulling her close. She looked deep into his eyes as he cupped her cheek with one hand. She saw him leaning in and unknowingly she closed the gap. Their first kiss was just a peck on the lips but this was more passionate. As their lips moved with sync, she felt electricity go through her body. She felt like she was in a fairytale, she was a princess and Cody was the handsome prince charming.

For that one moment, she wished it could all be true. She wished for the night to never end. But it couldn't be true, she knew that and she knew that their one night of act would soon be over. Little did she know that Cody did half of the things just because he wanted to. Not because he was acting.

To be continued...

A/N: Whatever I write has a reason to it. The way Bailey felt seeing the candle? Its not for no reason, guys :) Thanks for supporting my silly little ideas. I love you guys!
Love, Ash! xx