Page 2 of Alien Wants A Wife

Proof I’m a talented designer.

Proof my business will be a success.

Proof, even, that this new version of myself I’ve worked so hard to create is good and kind and sanguine.

“You’re my special project,” Chloe concludes. “I’m not saying I can guarantee you’ll find love, but…” Here, she winks. It’s obvious she’s memorized her spiel, and all these pauses are for dramatic effect. I appreciate her effort maintaining the pretense of authenticity, nonetheless. “Icanguarantee you’ll get the best edit. Icanguarantee you’ll be the star of the show, the heroine everyone is rooting for. But only if you do exactly what I say.”

“That’s… That’s really kind of you.”

Is this part of her job? Has her boss told her to do this? Is my assistance the production team’s way of guaranteeing that at theend of the twenty days they’ll have enough good footage to cut into a compelling storyline?

I don’t ask. This new me isn’t skeptical of other people’s motivations. This new me doesn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

I was born in the Year of the Monkey. It’s not like I’m lying about who I am; it’s more that I’m making sure I become the person I was always meant to be. Someone good and kind and sweet. Someone creative. Someone everyone wants to be best friends with.

I’m certainly not groggy or hungover.

And I’m absolutely not the type of person everybody loves to hate.

So I smile again, as brightly and excitedly as I can. “When do we start?”

“As soon as you’ve promised not to tell anyone about this conversation. I can’t have the other contestants thinking I’m picking favorites. Although I totally am.” She adds that last bit in a stage whisper. “If you tell anyone about us working together, I’ll deny everything. And who are they going to believe? You or me?”

There’s a moment of silence before I realize she actually wants me to answer. “Oh.” My chest tightens. I didn’t think it was possible for me to feel worse, but embarrassment amplifies my headache. “You,” I admit, feeling my face heat and hating that she’s right. “They’d believe you.”

“Exactly, and we wouldn’t want you to look like a liar on TV, so it really is best if we keep our colluding a secret. Nobody needs to know.”

“Not even the other staff?”

She laughs. “Nothing happens around here that Mr. Smith doesn’t know about. Only, don’t you go telling anyone else. What the other contestants don’t know can’t hurt them. Yes?”

Again, she waits for a response.

“Yes,” I agree. “I won’t tell.”

“And you promise to do exactly as I say?”

“Sure.” I’m grateful she picked me.

For once in my life, I might actually win something.

“Excellent.” Chloe claps her hands together. “Now, listen carefully. You, Harlee Jun, are going to make Roan fall in love with you, and then you’re going to break his heart. For all the world to watch on intergalactic TV.”

Chapter Two

Harlee

“Ahh…” Now I really don’t know what to say. “Wait a minute.” I clear my throat, trying to pick my next words with care so I don’t sound ungrateful for this golden-egg opportunity. “How will I be the star of the show if I break someone’s heart? Won’t the audience hate me for doing that?”

“Of course not.” Chloe waves a hand, waving away my concerns. “So long as you plan the breakup so that it looks like Roan is the villain. It’s simple.”

“Of course,” I echo. “Simple.”

I don’t know who this Roan guy is, although I’m safe to assume he’s a contestant on LOVE GALAXY not because he’s looking for love but because he wants fame and fortune. So it wouldn’t really be me breaking his heart; it will be a purely transactional arrangement.

We’ll both be getting what we want.

I wince.

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