Her toe taps to the music as she waits for her contact to show up. She can't help but smile at the upbeat music playing in the small out of the way cafe. She liked doing business here, by now she would definitely be considered a regular.

There was ups and downs to having a set meeting place in her line of work, but the cafe was far enough out of the way that the only non regulars coming here would either be lost, or have actual business here, usually with her. All of which get talked to by Hank.

Hank had an eye for people, ever since he set up the cafe in the backwoods of the capital and Cici walked through the door as his first customer. She was like a silent storm of every business imaginable. Whenever he asked her what her job was she would just explain that she was a freelancer.

Cici was always meeting with someone new. Hank couldn't complain though, new people means new customers, new customers means the cafe can stay running for a little longer. He soon became her receptionist in a way. They always gave her a new name when asking for her, but a slight glance from her at the name given would tell Hank that this was the latest client or contact she was meeting with. Hank soon picked up on patterns and connections of the names and the business she brought into his little cafe.

Cici perks up and gives Hank the glance when she hears the code name she gave her contact over the phone. Her latest job was an acting gig in a TV drama. She would never tell Hank that she was actually an actress since she liked the mystery vibes they had between them. She used the cafe to get into character and get to know her co-workers. To keep the ruse going she told her co-workers that Hank only let people through who knew who she was for the day, to avoid fans and stalkers getting to close. Cici was actually a bit famous in the center of the capital, but she liked the peace and quiet of the backwaters. When she saw the quaint cafe and saw Hank opening the doors for the first time, she knew this was her place to go. It was a bonus that Hank didn't recognize her.

Hank knew who she was. It took a bit to connect the dots, but he confirmed it when he went further in town for supplies. He had looked up and seen the billboard broadcasting her slim figure to the world. Cicilia Ciderborn, the hottest newcomer actress in the city. Her silver hair was styled to flow down her back, and her violet eyes were accented by the makeup she wore. She might have been “beautified” in the ad, but she looked better in person. Even with her natural, no makeup face and unstyled hair poking out from under her newsboy style hat, she was someone Hank fell for immediately.

He looks over at her table again as her associate seems to be inching closer to her. He knows it's research, but he wants to step in and lay claim to her. He bites his lip and turns his focus to the order from table 24. He suddenly hears the clattering of chairs and he whips around.

Cici’s chair had fallen and she is backing away from the guy she had invited. The guy had also stood up and is looking to her pleadingly. On the table is a small box.

Hank stomps over and stands between the two. He gruffly speaks up. “Is there something the matter here?”

The acquaintance shakes his head. “No sir, it's just a lovers spat. You can go back to work.”

Hank can tell from the shaking hand clutched to his shirt that this is no “lover's spat” as the man claims. “The lady here doesn't seem to agree with you. I must ask that you leave.”

After some persuasion the guy finally leaves. Then after making sure his employees can handle the store he takes Cici to the break room in the back.

“What happened Cici? Normally you don't bring in trouble makers.”

Cici is quiet for a moment then speaks up, still a bit shaken. “My father found me. He sent a guy to get close to me before he revealed that he is apparently my fiance.” Hank’s heart cramps at the mention of a fiance. Cici continues, “My father wants me to quit working and just settle down with a guy and make grandbabies. I refused and ended up running away to follow my dreams and passion.”

“Why don't you just tell him you already found a fiance?”

“I don't know any man that would be close enough to pose as one though…”

“Are you sure?” Hank gives her a look.

Cici looks up as it dawns on her. “Wait, are you offering? You would do that?”

“In a heartbeat. How long do you think we have known each other for? If I can't have your back after you've built my business and stuck with me through it all, then I can't call myself your friend.”

“Are we friends?” Cici looks at Hank to confirm once again what she was unsure about after all this time.

Hank just dramatically acts offended, then laughs. “Well now we are fiances Cici darling.” He takes her hand and kisses it.

Cici's father begrudgingly accepts Hank as Cici's fiance and listens to Hank’s acceptance of Cici still working. He even seems to quiet down for a while, but soon the tabloids are knocking down Cici's door.

Cici lays her head down on her usual table at the cafe, finally rid of the reporters. Hank puts down her latte.

“I'm sorry I didn't consider the reporters. We were still faking the mystery behind your job, so I wasn't thinking straight.”

Cici is slightly surprised at Hank admitting that he knew who she was. “How long have you known?”

“Shortly after you started to make this cafe your meeting spot.”

“That long?” As Hank nods Cici sighs and rolls her head to one side. “What do we do now? My manager is begging that I hold a public conference to clear up the mess. But if I say that it's all a lie then my father will be back.” She sighs again, and looks like she is about to cry, which is new to Hank.

After some thinking he speaks up. “Should we make the lie truth?”

“And get married? I don't want a loveless marriage Hank. That's half the reason we are in this mess.”

“Who said anything about loveless?” Hank kneels down and looks Cici in the eye. “It is a wish of mine to wake every morning to these pretty violet eyes. I've always been in love with you Cici. That first whirlwind of a step you took into my little cafe made me believe in destiny. The act you had us play everyday and the glances we stole as we guessed at who you were and what I might know. It was all a wonderful game that I want to continue playing between just the two of us. Please agree to make this ruse a reality.”

Cici just blushes and sits in shock as Hank stares at her. She couldn't believe her ears throughout his whole confession. She taps into her own heart and thinks. Was this what she wants? A backwoods cafe owner who she played guess who with everyday? Still a little shocked she nods. Yeah, he was the one she had unknowingly fallen for at some point during their games. The meetings every day had at some point turned from practice and research to her trying to catch his eye. She could have anyone, but Cici wanted Hank.