Thirty-nine

Thirty-nine
Eve

“I don't get what the problem is.” Charles's cold voice came through the phone as I stepped out of the cab and went up the porch. “Of course, she can go.”

“But you're the one who said…”

“To steer clear of my brother.” He completed the statement for me, “I know what I said. But that doesn't mean she can't meet up with him if she wants to.”

“You do realize that he's asking to meet up because he possibly suspects that…”

“I know.” He interrupted, “But your friend is not a fool… or I guess she was, by telling you to come to the date in her place.”

“Hey, don't talk about Katy like that,” I said defensively, taking offense.

“She can meet up with him, but tell her not to talk about you or me, okay?”

“Okay,” I muttered, stepping into the house. Mom was excitedly setting the table, “So, you're coming?”

“Yes, I'm getting dressed as we speak.” He responded, “Oh, and one more thing, we'll be kissing in front of your parents.”

My heart skipped multiple beats.

“What? Why?”

“You said to always tell you, so I'm telling you.”

“No, I'm not asking that.” I said sharply, “I'm asking why we have to kiss. You said, necessary situations, only.”

“Of course, this is necessary.” He responded. “Your parents need to be convinced that we're a cute couple.”

“You know, I still don't get why you want to meet them.”

“Are you back to asking questions?” He asked. “I liked you better when you did as you were told and didn't ask questions.”

“Sorry.”

“Bye.”

The line went dead, and I sighed.

“Is that him?” Mom asked eagerly, rushing over from the kitchen, her face wreathed with smiles, “Is he on his way?”

I gave her a smile, “Yes, Mom.”

“Alright. The food is almost done.”

I rushed upstairs and took a quick bath, changed into something nice and arranged my room for no reason.

An hour later, I was sitting at the table with Mom, Dad and Nathan, waiting for Charles to show up.

“Something must have happened on the way,” Mom lamented solemnly, “He isn't here yet.”

“He said he'll be here by seven,” Dad said. “It's not seven yet.”

Mom glanced at her watch. “It's six fifty-nine.”

“You just confirmed my point. It's still not seven.”

“Well, it just turned seven.”

Ding dong!

The doorbell rang.

“He came on the dot,” Dad said, his tone laced with approval.

“I'll go get the door.” I rose to my feet, “And remember what I told you? Don't embarrass me. Mom, I'm talking to you, specifically. Don't let your excitement get the best of you.”

“Oh, just answer the door.”

“Don't embarrass me.” I repeated, heading to the door.

As I headed to the door, all I could think about was the kiss. Charles and I haven't shared another kiss since the last time we did in front of Katy.

There has been no reason to.

But now, I couldn't help but get nervous.

My heart skipped multiple beats as I stared at Charles standing in the doorway.

This was the first time I'm seeing him wearing something other than a suit. He had on a light blue shirt and jeans, which complemented his skin tone.

God, he looked deliciously handsome.

“H-hi,” I stuttered, waving a little.

“Hi,” He responded in his usual cold voice.

I heard Mom's approaching footsteps.

“Someone's coming…” Before I could finish, he put his hand on my waist and pulled me closer, then leaned in and brushed his lips softly on mine.

I got this tingling sensation running down my spine.

I liked it.

I liked the feel of his lips on mine.

The last time we kissed, I was so stunned that I didn't get a chance to return the kiss. But this time…

I deepened the kiss and shoved my down his mouth, and he hurriedly pulled away, obviously stunned.

“Oh!” Mom blurted, surprised to find us kissing.

Charles threw me a quick, surreptitious glance, which told me that we would be having a conversation about this.

“You must be Mrs Dawson,” Charles said with a broad smile as Mom walked up to us. “Hi!” He extended a hand, “I've heard a lot about you.”

“And you must be Charles.” Mom went in for a hug, “It's so lovely to have you here.”

I could see that Charles was a little startled by the hug. The look on his face and the slight reluctance to return Mom's hug made me wonder if he hates hugs or if he wasn't used to them.

“Aww, you're so so handsome!” Mom exclaimed.

Charles gave a polite chuckle. “Thanks, Mrs Dawson. You're so kind.”

“No, I mean it.” Mom said firmly, “You're so handsome. Eve definitely hit the jackpot!”

Way to embarrass me, Mom!

“Please, come in.”

Dad and Nathan rose to their feet as we walked in.

“Hi, Mr Dawson.” Charles greeted politely, extending his hand. “It's nice to finally meet you.”

“Likewise, son.” Dad replied, “This little brat over here just won't shut up about you.”

Charles chuckled. “Is that so?”

“Hi,” Nathan came forward, extending a hand, “I'm Nathan.”

“Nice to meet you, Nathan.”

After the exchange of pleasantries, we all sat down and picked up the cutlery.

Dad and Charles got talking.

They talked about the boring stuff that Dad liked, and Mom couldn't help but keep smiling from ear to ear.

It didn't take long for me to realize that they liked him.

Seeing them interact like this made some part of me wish that this was all real and not fake, considering that I already had a crush on him.

After a long while, dinner was done, and Mom told me to help her out in the kitchen to serve dessert.

“I like him,” Mom said with a bright smile as she dished them out. “He's seems really nice.”

“I know,” I responded.

“I see the way you look at him.” She went on. “You must really like him.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“I think he makes you happy. You haven't been happy since you broke up with Cameron. I just hope you don't mess this one up too like you did with Cameron.” She handed me the tray of desserts.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

“Thanks for the unsolicited advice, Mom,” I said sarcastically, and she frowned at me.

“Sweetheart, Charles is telling me that he teaches at your school,” Dad said, and I exchanged glances with Charles.

“Yes.”

“Wait, that means he's your professor?” Nathan asked, “Isn't that like, inappropriate and frowned upon?”

“I didn't know that Eve attended Herman College when I applied,” Charles explained. “We met on Instagram, and we were already in the talking stage. She didn't tell me some vital information about herself because she was still playing hard to get, which is typical of girls.”

“Just like her Mom.” Dad threw in.

“So, by the time she agreed to be my girlfriend, I had already accepted the job offer, and it was on my first day that I found out she attended Herman College, so there was no turning back.” He told his lie perfectly well. Maybe I should take lying lessons from him, “But I'll be there only for this semester, and I promise, I won't be biased when grading her. Just because I love her doesn't mean she can't study.”

I couldn't help but wonder how such a pretty good liar Charles was. Every time he lies, I am amazed, not just by the lie itself, but also by the way he made it so convincing.

And also... hearing Charles say he loved me felt surreal.

Some part of me wished it were real. I wished he did loved me.

Dessert was done, and Mom suggested I take him up to my room… which I did.

“Hmm,” Charles nodded as he glanced around the room, obviously unimpressed. “Nice.”

“My parents like you.”

“As they should.” He responded, but there was no smugness laced to his voice. Maybe it's just his nature... he's naturally manipulative. “Anyone can like me if I want them to. It's what I do. It's what I'm good at.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

Is what I feel for him just a crush, or has it crossed that line between crush and love?

What is wrong with me? He's clearly a walking red flag.

Charles regarded me thoughtfully, “Eve, when we kissed, you…”

“I know what I did.” I cut him off before he could say further, “You don't like me, do you?”

“What?” He seemed surprised that I asked that question. Almost as if him liking me would be so ridiculous. “No, of course I don't.”

“Then I don't see why you're making such a fuss about why I deepened the kiss and added my tongue.” I was using his own words against him. “It’s in the contract. A kiss is still a kiss, even if there's tongue, or not.”

He regarded me for some time before raising his masculine shoulders in a shrug. “Okay. I really hope that you don't have any form of feelings for me. I saw the way you kept looking at me during dinner with your parents.”

“We have to convince them that we're a cute couple, don't we?”

He nodded with a faint smile. “Good.”

“I just have a question, though, if by any chance I develop feelings for you, what will happen?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Then the agreement we signed will be null and void.” He said without hesitation. “We terminate the agreement, and you tell everyone that we broke up. So, this is just a warning. Whatever you do, Eve, don't fall for me.”

Too late, Charles. Too late...