synopsis!: YN, a sharptongued Greek stockbroker, needs a fake date for her sisterās wedding back home. The only person available? Nanami Kento, her annoyingly disciplined, maddeningly perfect rival at the brokerage firm. What begins as a strictly strategic arrangement turns turbulent fast as pretend romance, and unexpected attraction blur together under the sun-soaked skies of Greece.
inspired by the book The spanish love deception!
warning!: Modernau!, nothing crazy just a heated makeout, no jujutsu sorcery and stuff, semi-long chapters, 3parts, completed
The plane hummed steadily beneath you, a low vibration mixing with the faint clatter of drink carts and murmured conversations. You were trapped in a metal tube with your fake boyfriend for ten hours. Wonderful.
Nanami sat beside you, posture straight, shirt perfectly pressed despite the long flight. Meanwhile, you were trying not to suffocate in your own nerves.
āWe should review our information,ā he said calmly, adjusting the air vent above him. āIf your family asks about us, we need to be aligned.ā
āRight,ā you nodded, turning slightly toward him. āLetās start with interests. Just in case someone tries to make small talk.ā
Nanami lifted a brow. āI enjoy reading, running in the mornings, and cooking.ā
You blinked. āCooking? You cook?ā
He frowned lightly, almost offended. āYes. Why wouldnāt I?ā
āI donāt know,ā you said, shrugging. āI just never pictured you in a kitchen.ā
āAnd yet Iāve always pictured you there,ā he replied. āConsidering how often you come to work with homemade snacks.ā
Your eyes widened. āYou noticed that?ā
Nanami gave you a brief look, like he couldnāt understand why that surprised you.
āOf course I noticedā he said. āYou bring them at least twice a week.ā
You looked down at your hands, heat rising to your cheeks.
āOh. Well⦠yeah. I like baking.ā
āAdd that to your list of interests,ā he said, typing it into his phone. āCooking, baking, and overly sweet coffee drinks.ā
āHey-ā you nudged him with your elbow, āmy coffee tastes are between me and God.ā
Nanamiās lips twitched. You swear it almost resembled a smile.
āFineā he said. āNext: how we met.ā
āOkayā you leaned back in your seat. āWe met at work. Simple.ā
āWe met at work,ā he agreed, ābut if anyone asks for details?ā
āOh.ā You thought for a second. āMaybe something like⦠you offered to help me with a report I was struggling with.ā
Nanami stared at you with a flat expression. āThat has never happened.ā
āI knowā you said, rolling your eyes. āItās fake dating, Nanami. Fake. Use your imagination.ā
He sighed. āFine. Then perhaps we kept running into each other at the office. Familiarity turned into interest.ā
You blinked. āYou came up with that?ā
āItās realistic,ā he said without looking at you.
You smiled. āYeah. And kind of cute, actually.ā
Nanami pretended not to hear that.
āSo,ā he continued, āour first date?ā
āHmm.ā You thought for a moment. āMaybe⦠that little cafe near the office? The one with the weird lemon pastries?ā
Nanami nodded. āAcceptable. And believable.ā
āOkay,ā you said, exhaling. āAnd weāve been dating for⦠three months.ā
He typed that down too. āThree months.ā
Another small silence settled between you, comfortable, surprisingly.
Then Nanami spoke again. āYou may tell your family that I⦠enjoy your company.ā
Your head snapped toward him. āWait. You do?ā
He looked forward, expression steady. āIt would make the story more convincing.ā
āRightā you muttered, though your chest warmed in a way you didnāt expect.
Nanami cleared his throat. āAnd you? What do you tell them you like about me?ā
You stared. āYouāre asking me that?ā
āYesā he said calmly. āItās essential we have consistent answers.ā
You opened your mouth, then closed it. His eyes were on you, patient but firm.
Finally, you said softly, āIāll tell them youāre reliable. And steady. And⦠nicer than people assume.ā
Nanami blinked once. Slowly.
āI seeā he said, voice lower than before.
He typed those notes too.
The plane continued toward Greece, but suddenly the cabin felt smaller, warmer, and much more complicated than youād planned.
After a few agitating moments of silence you unbuckled your seatbelt, lifting yourself off the sit. āIām going to the bathroomā you whispered.
Nanami nodded, eyes still on his book. āAlright.ā
You squeezed past him and made your way down the aisle, did your business, splashed a little water on your face, and headed back.
Just as you reached your row, the plane jolted sharply.
And before you could fall, a strong hand caught your waist and pulled you upright,straight into Nanamiās chest.
āEasyā he said quietly, his grip steady and warm.
Your palms were flat against him: his cologne wrapped around you, clean and subtle, and the solid muscle beneath your hands made your breath catch.
āS-sorryā you muttered, flustered.
āItās alright.ā Nanami steadied you fully before letting go, fingers brushing your hip as he pulled back.
You sank into your seat, face warm.
Nanami reopened his book, but neither of you said a word.
The silence between you was definitely different now.
The rest of the flight passed quietly.
A little small talk. Nothing deep.
āYou can take the window if you prefer.ā
āYou should try to sleep.ā
Soft, simple exchanges that somehow felt natural.
As the plane descended, the golden afternoon light of Athens spread across the city: warm, bright, familiar. Your chest tightened at the sight.
āWelcome homeā Nanami said quietly.
You swallowed. āYeah. Feels strange.ā
The moment you stepped into the arrivals hall, you spotted your family instantly, your mom waving with both hands, your dad standing steady with his usual serious expression, and your sister Alexia practically vibrating with excitement.
āThere they areā you whispered.
Nanami nodded, calm and collected. āLetās go.ā
Your mom reached you first, hugging you tightly. Your dad immediately shook Nanamiās hand,firm grip, assessing stare, before walking beside him like he was already interviewing him for a job.
āSo, Nanami,ā your dad began, voice low but friendly. āWhat do you do? How long have you known my daughter? Do you treat her well? Planning to see anything while youāre here? Do you like Greek food?ā
Nanami handled the barrage without flinching.
āI work in finance. Weāve known each other for some time. And yes, I take good care of her. Iād like to experience local cuisine.ā
Your dad nodded, approving. āVery good. Very good. Youāre a proper young man.ā
Meanwhile, behind them, Alexia grabbed your arm so fast you nearly stumbled.
āWHY didnāt you tell me your boyfriend looks like THAT?ā she hissed loudly.
Your soul left your body. āAlexia-ā
āNo, look at him,ā she insisted, tugging your hand forward.
Nanami walked with your dad, tall and composed, his shirt fitting a little too perfectly across his back. His forearms flexed subtly as he gestured politely.
āDo you see the back muscles?ā Alexia whispered dramatically. āYou brought that home with you? And didnāt warn me?ā
āPlease shut up,ā you muttered, horrified.
āAnd his voice?ā she continued. āDeep. Calm. Mature. I swear I felt it in my spine.ā
She elbowed you. āOh, and the way he shook Dadās hand? Confidence. Respect. Manners. Iām about to marry him myself if you mess this up.ā
Alexia leaned close, eyes sparkling. āSo⦠is he exactly as good in bed as he looks, or BETTER?ā she winked
āI canāt do this with you.ā
She smirked. āYou donāt deny it. Interesting.ā
Up ahead, Nanami looked back briefly,meeting your eyes, checking on you with a small, soft look.
Alexia whispered, āOh, he LOOKS at you like that? Girl. You have won.ā
Back at the house the place hadnāt changed at all white walls warmed by the late sun, the smell of olive oil and oregano drifting from the kitchen, and the familiar sound of your mom shouting, āĪαζεĻ
ĻείĻε! Το ĻĻαĻĪζι είναι ĪĻοιμο!ā (āCome! Dinner is ready!ā)
Nanami paused beside you.
āThat the tableās ready,ā you murmured. āPrepare to eat more than youāve eaten in your entire life.ā
He nodded like he was bracing himself.
The patio table was set beautifully: warm lighting, plates lined with mezedes, bowls of olives, tzatziki, baskets of fresh bread. But everything inside you froze when you saw them.
Nanami felt the shift instantly.
You forced a smile. āTheyāre just⦠here.ā
Your ex looked up, surprised to see you. More surprised to see Nanami. His gaze dropped to your intertwined hands.Nanami had taken yours without hesitation and his expression tightened.
Nanami stepped slightly closer, letting his hand graze your hip as he guided you forward. Small. Subtle. Intentional.
Your ex stood to greet you, artificially warm.
āHey. Been a long time. You look⦠different.ā
āShe looks beautiful,ā Nanami answered calmly. āShe always does.ā
Your mom quickly intervened, beaming. āSit, sit! And someone pass the moussaka, try it while itās still warm!ā
Nanami leaned toward you. āMoussaka?ā
āItās layered eggplant, meat, bĆ©chamel,ā you whispered. āA classic.ā
āI seeā he murmured, studying it like data he had to memorize.
Dinner moved on, plates shifting around, your family speaking over each other, laughter rising in bursts. Nanami handled everything flawlessly, answering your parents with steady politeness, even attempting a few Greek words your mom fed him.
Under the table, his knee brushed yours.
Less accidental the next time.
Your ex kept sneaking glances,not subtle ones. Annoyed ones.
At one point, he leaned in closer than he needed to. āSo this is⦠serious? You two?ā
Before you could answer, Nanami covered your hand with his.
Warm. Confident. Unmistakably protective.
āYes,ā he said. āVery.ā
Nanami lifted your hand slightly, thumb brushing your fingers like it was second nature, then turned his attention to you instead of your ex.
āAre you alright?ā he asked softly.
And for a moment, a terrifying moment , you forgot this was supposed to be fake.
Alexiaās fiance arrived a little later, instantly swept into conversation by your parents and uncles, everyone congratulating the couple again even though the wedding was still days away.
Your yiayia (grandma) moved slower but with purpose, dragging your pappou (grandpa ) by the arm.
āWhere is he?ā she demanded, scanning the patio.
Nanami straightened like he sensed an incoming threat.
You whispered, āPrepare yourself. This is the boss level.ā
Yiayia reached him first, squinting up like she was assessing a statue.
āĪμμ⦠καλĻĻ ĪµĪÆĪ½Ī±Ī¹.ā (āHeās good.ā) āĪĻει ĻλάĻεĻ.ā (āHe has good shoulders.ā)
Pappous poked Nanamiās arm. āDo you work out?ā
Nanami cleared his throat. āYes. Regularly.ā
Yiayia elbowed pappous proudly. āΤā άκοĻ
ĻεĻ;ā (āYou heard that?ā)
Then she looked back at Nanami, deadly serious.
āYou eat enough? Youāre strong. Good. You should eat more while youāre here. More olive oil. And lamb. And moussaka. Youāre too polite, eat more.ā
Nanami bowed slightly. āThank you. Iāll keep that in mind.ā
You genuinely considered diving under the table.
Alexia appeared next with the biggest grin. She looped her arm through yours and looked Nanami up and down like she was evaluating a racehorse.
āSo, Nanami,ā she began sweetly, āsince weāre all basically family-ā
Your stomach dropped. āAlexia-ā
ā-how much do you make?ā
āWhat? In Greece we ask!ā she defended. āHow else do we know if he can support you?ā
Nanami didnāt even blink.
āMy income is stable. More than enough to support myself. And your sister, if necessary.ā
Yiayia clapped her hands. āĪĻĻάβο, ĻαιΓί μοĻ
.ā (āBravo, my boy.ā)
Pappous leaned closer. āAnd your family? Theyāre good people? Respectful? In Japan you are very clean, yes?ā
āYes. Cleanliness is⦠a cultural expectation. And yesā¦they are respectful.ā
Yiayia whispered, Ā«ĪεΠμοĻ
ā¦Ā» (āMy Godā¦ā) like she needed prayer to withstand how polite and handsome he was.
Your ex, seated further back, overheard everything,his expression tightening with every word.
Then pappous took a deep breath and delivered the final question.
āSo. How did you two meet?ā
Nanami didnāt hesitate. His hand slid gently, confidently to your waist, pulling you just a little closer.
āWe met at workā he said, voice smooth. āShe stood out.ā
Your heart did a full somersault.
Alexia stared at you like, Marry him right now.
Your ex nearly choked on his wine.
Nanami leaned down slightly so only you could hear.
āIf itās too overwhelming, tell me.ā
But his hand stayed on your waist, warm and steady.
Alexia clapped her hands together, loud enough to break whatever spell Nanamiās voice had pulled you into.
āAlright, lovebirdsā she said, standing from the table, ābefore Yiayia kidnaps you for dessert, let me show you where you two will be sleeping.ā
You almost corrected her out of pure panic, but Nanamiās hand tightened on your waist like he felt your inhale.
Right. Couple. Mission. Focus.
You followed Alexia down the hallway, Nanami walking beside you, solid and steady. She opened a door with a little flourish.
A warm, sunlit space. Fresh sheets. Soft lighting. A balcony overlooking the backyard. And neatly folded on the bed.
āOh, and your matching pajamas!ā Alexia announced proudly.
You blinked. Nanami blinked.
They were⦠cute. A little too cute.
Light blue. Soft cotton. Tiny little embroidered moons.
āAlexia,ā you whispered, āyou didnāt-ā
āI did,ā she said. āYouāre welcome. Anyway! Iāll leave you two to settle in. Drinks in an hour. Donāt be late.ā
She wiggled her eyebrows once more, then disappeared.
The door clicked shut behind her.
For a moment, neither of you moved.
Then you exhaled, rubbing your forehead. āIām⦠sorry if my familyās straightforwardness is too much.ā
Nanami tilted his head slightly, studying you.
āDo I seem uncomfortable?ā
His brows lifted just a fraction, amused.
āIām alright,ā he said softly. āYour family is lively. And you warned me.ā
āBesides⦠I donāt mind.ā
That last part hit warmer than it should have.
You nodded quickly, looking anywhere but his eyes. āRight. Um. Thanks againā¦for helping me with all this. I still donāt know why you agreed.ā
Nanami let out a faint breath that could have been a laugh.
āYou looked⦠like you needed it.ā
Then, gentler, āAnd I donāt mind helping you.ā
Your heart stuttered, because of course it did.
He glanced toward the door. āWe should get ready.ā
The night air in Athens was warm, humming with noise and lights. By the time you reached the bar Alexia had chosen, a tucked-away place with neon signs and loud music, the city felt alive in a way that matched the adrenaline still running through your chest.
You walked in beside Nanami.
Alexia and her fiancƩ led the way.
And Yiannis⦠well. Yiannis was already waiting by the entrance.
His eyes landed on you first.
Then slid slowly, stiffly, to Nanami.
āFinally,ā Yiannis said, and even the greeting sounded like a complaint. āThought you got lost.ā
Alexia rolled her eyes. āRelax, Yianni. Come on, our tableās upstairs.ā
The booth was dim, scattered with flickering candles and already-waiting drinks. Everyone slid in, and before you could even settle, Yiannis leaned forward, elbows on the table, voice too casual to be genuine.
He said the name like it personally offended him.
āWhat do you do again?ā
āFinance,ā Yiannis echoed, giving a short laugh. āRight. I used to work in consulting. Big hours, big money. You know how it is.ā
Nanami nodded politely. āOf course.ā
āAnd whatās your monthly? Rough estimate.ā
You choked on your drink. āYianni!ā
Nanami didnāt look bothered. Not even slightly.
He simply answered with a figure that made Yiannis blink hard.
Yiannis sat back, mumbling something under his breath.
Alexia shot you a look across the table like girl, he lost.
You hid your smile in your glass.
A few minutes later, while the others debated what shots to order, Nanami leaned slightly toward you.
āYouāre quiet,ā he said, voice low enough that only you could hear. āYou alright?ā
āYeah,ā you said quickly. āJust⦠tense. Yiannis is being Yiannis.ā
Nanamiās eyes followed your ex for a second, unreadable.
āIf he makes you uncomfortable, tell me.ā
But something about the calm certainty in them made your shoulders ease.
āIām fine,ā you said, softer. āReally. Itās just⦠old stuff. I get in my head.ā
Nanamiās gaze held yours for a moment too long.
āI see. Thank you for telling me.ā
Your pulse skipped again.
You needed a distraction.
āSo⦠you donāt hate this yet? The whole pretending thing?ā
He gave the tiniest smile.
Heat crawled up your neck.
Before you could respond, Alexia dropped a tray of shots onto the table.
āAlright!ā she announced. āLetās get this night started.ā
Yiannis muttered, āOh, great.ā
At some point in the night, the music swelled, the lights pulsed, and Alexia dragged her fiance toward the dance floor. Yiannis and his girlfriend followed, disappearing into the crowd without a backward glance.
Suddenly, the booth was quiet.
Warm neon light brushing his cheekbones.
You felt pleasantly fuzzy, the room just a little wavy at the edges. Nanami, on the other hand, looked almost normal,except for the faint pink on his ears and the way his knee was suddenly touching yours under the table.
āYouāre not drunkāyou accused softly.
āIām⦠a little light-headedā he admitted. āEnough to notice you keep staring.ā
Your face heated. āIām not staring.ā
His voice was low, a little amused, a little too gentle.
You tipped your head against the back of the booth, sighing. āSorry. Itās just⦠weird seeing you outside the office. Youāre different.ā
Nanami raised a brow. āDifferent how?ā
āLess seriousā you said immediately. āLess of an annoying, perfect overachiever.ā
He huffed a laugh. Actually laughed.
That alone made your stomach flip.
āIs that truly how you see me?ā he asked.
āSometimesā you confessed. āBut also⦠youāre reliable. Even when you drive me crazy. And tonight, youāve been⦠nice.ā
Nanamiās hand rested on the seat cushion.
A moment later, his fingers brushed yours.
āIām always niceā he murmured. āYou just only notice when youāve had three drinks.ā
āIāve had twoā you protested, even though that was objectively false.
Nanamiās lips twitched. āOf course.ā
You turned toward him, a little bolder, a little floaty. āThis whole fake-dating thing⦠I thought itād be awkward. But youāre⦠easy to be around.ā
And maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was just him, but your heart did something traitorous.
āYouāre easy to be around as wellā he said quietly. āEasier than I expected.ā
Then the music shifted, bass rolling through the furniture.
Nanamiās hand, still lightly touching yours, turned fully-his palm warm against the back of your hand.
āI donāt mind this,ā he added, voice just barely raised over the beat. āBeing here with you.ā
With the lights flickering over his face, with the soft buzz in your veins, with his fingers gently curling around yours
And for the first time that night, pretending didnāt feel like pretending at all.
Eventually, the night caught up with everyone.
Alexia was giggling into her fiancĆ©ās shoulder, Yiannis was swaying more than walking, and his girlfriend looked seconds away from falling asleep on her feet. The moment the bar lights shifted to their āclosing soonā glow, the group collectively decided it was time to go home.
The car ride back was a blur of streetlights and laughter.
Inside, the room looked exactly as it had earlier ā soft lighting, neatly folded pajamas, the faint lavender scent of clean linen. Except now, everything seemed softer, warmer, blurrier.
Nanami glanced around once, then nodded toward the bed.
āYou should sleep,ā he said. āYouāve had more than enough for one night.ā
āAnd you?ā you asked, slurring the tiniest bit.
He gestured toward the armchair by the dresser. āIāll take that. Itās fine.ā
You blinked at the chair.
It looked like it would lose a fight with a cardboard box.
āThatās⦠not comfortable,ā you mumbled.
āItās not a problem,ā Nanami said, already removing his glasses and setting them carefully on the nightstand. āYou need the bed.ā
You slid under the covers. The room tilted once, then steadied.
Nanami settled into the chair, crossing his arms, looking far too large for it: long legs cramped, shoulders tense, head tipped back against the wall.
Polite, composed, stubborn⦠and miserable.
You stared at him for a long moment, then whispered, āNanami.ā
He hummed in acknowledgment.
āYou can⦠sleep here. On the bed. If you want.ā
His eyes opened just slightly. āThat wouldnāt be appropriate.ā
āIām not asking you to⦠you knowā¦ā You waved your hand vaguely, losing the thread. āJust donāt suffer in that chair. I donāt mind.ā
After a quiet pause, Nanami let out a soft sigh. āAlright,ā he said, lifting himself from the tiny chair.
Next to you, the mattress dipped slightly under his weight. He settled carefully on the far side of the bed, back turned, making sure to leave plenty of space between you.
Even like that, the warmth of his presence was unmistakable.
And for the first time that night, you let yourself drift to sleep, feeling safer than you ever expected with him so close.
HERES PART3 IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUEā¦OR MAYBE YOU CAN RUN IT BACK TO PART1