After Jake had left J.Beauty, he won't to Dylan's house. Gina was preparing a meal when he go there. " Wow! I'm so good at timing," Jake smiled as he saw the food. He wasn't satisfied with the pepperoni he ate at J.Beauty. " This food is for only me. Me and me," Gina said. " I was also not interested," Jake said but deep in his mind, he was very interested. He thought of what to do to Gina and that was when he remembered their bet. He grinned from ear to ear.
Jake went through the back door and let the cats in. He led them to Gina's room. Satisfied that the cats are happy and ready in her room, Jake went to the sitting room. "Gina," Jake called. "I'm not giving you my food no matter how much you plead," Gina said coming to the sitting room with her plate of rice. "I'm not in for your meal, smallie," Jake said calling her the name she despise most. Gina puffed her cheeks and glared at Jake. Seeing the reaction he wants, Jake smiled. "Help me with the photo album in your room," Jake said. "You can go get it yourself," Gina said. "Please. I will get you candy unless you want to be called smallie even in the presence of your schoolmates," Jake said. "Really? You will get me candy?" Gina's eyes gleamed. "Yes," Jake nodded. "Alright but that doesn't make you anything less of a bully," Gina said.
Gina happily went up to her room. Immediately she got inside, she saw the cats on her bed. She screamed and made for the door but it was already locked by Jake who had followed her discreetly. "Enjoy with the cats," Jake said laughing. "Bro J, you are a cheat. A bully. A scum. A punk," Gina cried. "Yes. Yes, I know. It's time to enjoy some meal," Jake went downstairs.
Gina cried till there were no more tears. She sat at a corner in her room watching every movements of the cats who were doing their own things not minding the girl in the room.
Jake just finished watching a movie when he remembered he had to inform that psych lady about the weekend. He dialed her number on his phone.
******
"Does that mean he sacked you?" Sophia queried. "No. He didn't," Katherine said. Sophia was relieved. "Just try to please him. Always do your work diligently, okay?" Sophia said. "You know I don't please people. I do my work diligently because I know that is a good quality of a worker," Katherine said. "That is fine. All that matters is that your job is well secured," Sophia said.
Katherine went to the room; Sophia went to prepare their dinner. Katherine was chatting with one of her former colleagues on Instagram when her phone rang indicating a video call from Ren. Katherine was reluctant to pick the call but at last, she picked up at the last ring. "Hi," Ren said smiling at the camera. "How are you?" Katherine smiled back. "I'm good and you?" Ren responded. "I'm good too," Katherine responded. There was silence as the two of them just stared at each other. Ren looked older than his age. He has left his beards to grow. Eye bags were visible beneath his eyelids. He looks frail and unhappy. "How is work?" Ren asked ending the silence. "Fine," Katherine replied simply.
The more Katherine looked at Ren, the more she feels unhappy for him. She wanted to tell him that they should meet so that she can take care of him. She sighed. "Are you okay, Ren?" Katherine's mouth asked. Ren smiled and nodded because if he talked, he might end up tearing up. "You don't look fine, Ren," Katherine said worriedly. After spurting her last sentence, Katherine blamed herself for still caring. "Yes, I am very fine," Ren responded. The duo talked about other stuffs before ending the call.
Ren stared at the screenshot of Katherine which he took during the video call. "I miss you so much. I love you so much too," Ren said hugging his phone close to his heart. Ren was still in his trance when Mary entered the room. "Ren," Mary called sweetly. "What happened?" Ren question not sparing her any iota of his kindness. "I came to tell you dinner is ready," Mary said. "Go on. I'm not hungry," Ren responded. "But I struggled to cook the food despite my condition," Mary said. Ren didn't spare her another look; he walked out of the room.
Sophia was soon done preparing dinner. She went to call Katherine as well as take a shower. "Whatever amount of food you take, please leave enough for me," Sophia said entering the bathroom. "Heyyy! I'm not a glutton, you know," Katherine said after her. Sophia giggled. Soon, she was done taking her bath. She was putting on a comfy cloth when her phone began to ring. The screen showed 'Cute Monkey'.
"Hey psych-angel," Jake's voice sounded as soon as she answered the call. "I'm not in for your frivolous talks," Sophia responded. "C'mon, must you behave like a psych because I call you one?" Jake said. "Whatever! To what do I owe this call?" Sophia asked. "Be civilised. Let's exchange pleasantries," Jake quoth. "Just call me a barbarian. Yes, I'm a barbarian," Sophia said. "I'm sorry, Sophia," Jake apologised sounding fed up of this over dramatic lady. "Better," Sophia said. "Sometimes, I wonder how soft-hearted Katherine put up with you," Jake said. Sophia didn't say anything. She just held her phone to her ear frowning.
"I need your help," Jake said. "I can't help you," Sophia responded sharply without even knowing what the help is about. "Please Sophia. You are my last hope. I don't know who else to turn to," Jake said. "Really? I think you've forgotten soft-hearted Katherine," Sophia sneered. "This girl is ever annoying," Jake thought. "I know I could talk to Katherine but she is still healing from a heartbreak," Jake said. "Does that mean you want to break my heart?" Sophia questioned.
Jake laughed wholeheartedly. "Sophia, can you be serious? For once," Jake pleaded. "It's fine. I know you called to insult me. First, you called me barbarian. Now, I'm unserious," Sophia said. "I'm sorry," Jake apologised. "Okay. Okay. What is it you want me to help you with?" Sophia asked? "My parents told me to visit them this weekend," Jake said. "How is that my business?" Sophia replied. "They told me to visit with my fiancée else they will marry me off to a girl they chose for me," Jake said. "Go with your fiancée then. At last, you will be serious in your life. Or am I to dress her up for the day? No problem, I will," Sophia said. "The right question is am I to dress up for the day?" Jake said.
Sophia's lips which were ready to talk froze. "Are you planning to fake our relationship?" Sophia finally asked. "Yes. I got no other choice than to do that. I don't love the girl and I'm not a fan of loveless marriage," Jake said. "I'll discuss with Katherine first," Sophia said. "Please Sophia, you are my last hope," Jake pleaded. "You can pay off some other girls to do it," Sophia said. "It isn't as easy as you think it. I know you so I'll be comfortable with you," Jake said. "Okay. Okay. I will call you later," Sophia said. "Alright psych. Will be expecting your call," Jake said and ended the call. "Eishhh! Who calls his future helper a psych?" Sophia muttered. She joined Katherine in the dining room.
******
Mr Olsen had arrived from office while Jake was on the call with Sophia. He noticed the house was unusually quiet and that meant Gina was asleep or isn't home. He just showered and went to eat. He was still eating when Jake came to him. "Congratulations bro," Mr Olsen said. "What am I being congratulated for?" Jake questioned sitting adjacent to Mr Olsen. "Your Pa called me that you are soon getting married. It's fine if you don't want me as your best man but you could have informed me," Mr Olsen used a napkin to clean his mouth. "It's rumour," Jake said. "So, your Pa is now a carrier of rumour?" Mr Olsen asked raising his eyebrow. "Gosh! You know how much he wants me married," Jake grunts. Mr Olsen chuckled.
"Where is Gina?" Mr Olsen asked. Jake who had totally forgotten about Gina and the cats became alarmed. What if she had passed out from fear? He quickly rushed to her room and opened the door. He saw her curled in a corner of the room sleeping. Lines of tears were visible on his face. Jake felt relieved, at least she didn't pass out.
Mr Olsen went to his sister and carried her. He kicked the cats out of the room whilst glaring at Jake. Jake put on an indifference look and led the cats out. Sure that Gina is now comfortable, Mr Olsen went to confront Jake who was in the veranda. "We made a bet," Jake said first beating Mr Olsen at talking first. "Is this the guy who wants to get married? You are still behaving too childish for goodness sake," Mr Olsen said. Jake puffed his cheeks, folded his arms and looked away. Mr Olsen shook his head and went inside. "When you are back to adulthood, we can talk this out," Mr Olsen said while walking in. Jake smiled mischievously while watching Mr Olsen from his peripheral view.