Chapter Thirteen

          ‘’Hello..mum..I’ve missed you. Yes I’m doing great. Yes, Gavin is doing great too. What about you mum? And dad? That’s good. So tell me, why did you call? Dinner ? Tomorrow? Sure. I’ll let Gavin know. Trust me mum, we’ll be there. Tell dad that I miss him and I love him. Love you too mum’’

         ‘’Who’s that? Gavin asked.

‘’Mum. She’s inviting us over for dinner tomorrow night by 7pm’’

‘’I’ll pass’’

‘’What? No, no, no. We’re going for this dinner’’

‘’You can but I’m not going’’

‘’Fine. Time to go live. Hi everyone, this is your favourite celebrity model Arianna. I really wanna share a secret about my marriage. The truth about my marriage. Actually … my husband…’’

‘’What are you doing?

‘’Telling my fan that our marriage is a contract marriage’’

‘’Shit! You just did. Arianna’’

‘’Should I go on?

‘’fine. I’ll come with you to you r parents house and have dinner. Please, tell your fans that you were just kidding. If this go viral, dad will kill me’’

‘’Okay. You’re such a good boy. Well.. I was kidding. I can never blurt out our secret, so relax’’

‘’Wait, what? You’re really manipulative, you know’’

‘’Whatever. Oh my, what are these? Cookies? You bought cookies?

‘’No. one of my workers gave them to me. She bakes pretty nice cookie. I always rejected her cookies, but today I decided to have one. It was so nice, so delicious. So I accepted the cookies from her’’

‘’Her? So it’s a she. Who is she? An old lady? Middle aged lady? Young lady? A girl? Tell me’’

‘’Why do you wanna know? Are you jealous?

‘’What? Jealous? Arianna tittered’’ No, I’m not jealous. I bet she’s not pretty and not my match. My PA must be prettier than her. She’s definitely not your type too’’

‘’Really? You’re trying to cover up your insecurity’’

‘’ I have no insecurity. I’m 100% secured. I know she’s not your type and you can’t cheat on me’’

‘’Why do you say so?

‘’You wouldn’t wish to loose all that you have worked for’’

‘’What do you mean by that?

‘’Just saying. Be careful with me unless who wanna get your position revoked. It’s quite easy’’

‘’Are you threatening me for not telling you who she is? Now listen! He grasped her hand and squeezed it’’ You can’t threaten me in my own house’’

‘’I know I can’t. C’mon, you’re so stiff’ she laughed.

‘’Why are you laughing?

‘’Bro, you’re so stiff. I was just pulling your legs. I don’t give a fuck about her and I don’t care who she is. It’s your life and I don’t give a fuck about how you live your life. Dude…loosen up. You’re so stiff’’

‘’Pulling my legs? More like pranking me’’

‘’Dude…you should loosen up and have fun. Enjoy life. Goodness , you’re so stiff’’ Arianna got into the bed and pulled up the duvet. ‘’Don’t forget to switch off the lights’’

‘’I must confess, you got me right there. I was kinda scared and angry, sorta mixed feelings’’

‘’Really? Arianna sat up. ‘’Why?

‘’I don’t know’’ he got into her bed.

‘’You know what? It’s kinda crazy. We’ve been living under the same roof but barely talk to each other because of boundaries and rules. He can’t even genuinely hug each other’’

‘’Why are you complaining? Perhaps..you’re beginning to love me’’

‘’In your dreams. You’re the opposite of my dream man. I hope I’ll meet him soon’’

‘’Don’t worry. You’ll meet him next year. No…two years coming..maybe at one of your modelling expedition. By 25th December , this sham marriage will be over’’

‘’Oh my God. Don’t remind me of that. My heart just leaped. You’re so mean’’

‘’Are you scared? Perhaps ..you’re scared of loosing me or scared of leaving me’’ he leaned towards her.

‘’I…I…I don’t know. Maybe both’’

‘’So you admit that you love me’’

‘’I…I…I don’t know. I mean.. I don’t think so’’

‘’How sure are you? He placed his hands on her shoulders and brought his face closer.

‘’I don’t know..but..no..i mean..’’

‘’Say you love me. Say it’’

‘’Huh? Why?

‘’Say it. I will extend our marriage contract’’

‘’For real? She asked with excitement

‘’Yes, I promise’’

‘’I love you’’

‘’You do?

‘’Yes, I really love you’’

‘’You do’’ he quickly fell on the bed and laughed so hard.

‘’Why are you laughing?

‘’Now I get why people are so into pranking. I was kidding. You pulled my legs earlier, I decided to do same to you. Man I’m so good at this’’

‘’So, you retaliated? She quickly hits his hand. ‘’you are so mean’’

‘’You said you love me, do you mean it?

‘’No way! I can never love someone like you. You’re so annoying! Ahhh! Arianna angrily got out of the bed and went into the bathroom, slamming the door.

‘’I got her but why is she so angry?

Arianna washed her face and stared into the mirror. She was really furious. She hates herself for what she did.

‘’Fool! They said love makes one a fool but it makes me useless, stupid. How can I say I love him? The moment I heard he is extending the contract, my brain went dumb and I blurted out those words. Thank goodness he didn’t catch on. My plan is for him to fall for me and not me fall for him dozens of times. Take a deep breathe Arianna and calm down. Gavin Hugh… you won’t escape me tomorrow. I’m gonna have you for dessert and I mean it.