Soon, it was Friday.
Sophia left the office immediately after signing out. She didn't even wait to reply to Miranda who was teasing her that she is going on a date. She flagged down a cab which took her to J.Beauty. When she got to the salon, Jake was waiting outside for her. "Good evening," Jake greeted. "Evening," Sophia smiled.
The stylists dressed Sophia up. Within an hour and a half, the pair were set to go. Jessie came down from her office before the pair left. "Hi. I'm Jessie, this fish's best friend," Jessie introduced. "I'm Sophia, this monkey's fake fiancée," Sophia said. Jake looked at the two ladies with his hands on his waist and his head hanging left-ways. "You are pretty. Even though you two are fake, you look cute together," Jessie smiled. Sophia smiled back. "We should be on our way," Jake said interrupting the ladies' conversation. "Don't worry, I'll give you a call," Jessie said waving.
"Jessie could have passed for your fake fiancée," Sophia said to Jake who was driving already. "Yes but my mom and dad know we are just best friends," Jake replied. "Okay," Sophia nodded. She brought out her phone and snapped some pictures which she sent to Katherine. "Babe, I never knew you are this pretty. Remind me to kiss you when you get back. Take a shot with Jake," Katherine replied to the pictures. Sophia smiled and then snapped herself with Jake. She sent it to Katherine. "You could have told me to smile," Jake grunts. "Even if you smile, it won't make you less of a monkey," Sophia said. Katherine sent a voice note beneath the picture of her and Jake.
"OMG! You guys look good together. No one will ever believe you are faking this shit," Katherine had said. Since Sophia wasn't using an earpiece or a Bluetooth device, Jake heard what Katherine said. "This faking is not shit," Jake mumbled. Sophia looked at him from her side view and continued texting Katherine. "What is your middle name?" Sophia questioned suddenly. "Daimler," Jake replied, "Why ask for my middle name?" he inquired. "You should focus on driving," Sophia said ignoring his question. Jake decided not to push the question so that he won't rupture the psycho in her.
They soon arrived at Jake's parents' house. Sophia was amazed by the magnificent mansion before her. She knows Jake is from a rich home but never had she thought of a home as rich as wealthy. The pair went in. As they walked by, the guards and maids kept bowing. They got in to meet Jake's parents coming downstairs. "Mom, I miss you. How are you?" Jake hugged his mother. "I'm fine, son. I miss more," Jake's mom replied hugging her son back. "Good evening sir," Sophia greeted Jake's father who was left out in the embrace. "If I had known threatening you with an engagement is what is required for you to bring this angel home, I would have done it long ago," Jake's father said pulling Sophia in his embrace; the latter just smiled.
"My goodness! From where did my son come across this angel?" Jake's mom hugged Sophia after she had been released by his father. "What is your name, sweetheart?" Jake's mom asked. "Sophia, ma'am," Sophia replied. "Beautiful name for an angel. Call me mom, dear," Jake's mom said. Hearing Jake's mom telling her to call her mom, tears welled in her eyes. It's been ages since she last called someone mom. Jake who noticed the change in her demeanour swiftly went to pull her from his mom and hid her face from his parents' view. "Mom, she is my fiancée, not yours," Jake said. His parents laughed at their son's possessiveness.
Jake and Sophia walked to the playroom. Jake's parents had insisted that Jake show Sophia around while they wait for dinner. "Why get all emotional because my mom told you to call her mom?" Jake questioned. "I lost my mom at five," Sophia replied simply. "Sorry about that," Jake said. "Yeah. That shouldn't spoil the night. I can't wait to be home," Sophia said going back to her annoying self. "Your leopard can't change its spot," Jake scoffed. "I don't own one," Sophia responded.
The table was set for dinner sooner and the pair were called to eat. Jake's father sat at the head chair. His wife sat at his right side while Jake sat on his left side. Sophia sat beside Jake. "How long have you been together?" Jake's mom asked when they were halfway through the meal. "Almost a year," Sophia replied. Jake was awed. He never expected this from Sophia. "You must know him so well then," Jake's mom said. "Very well. Like the back of my palm," Sophia replied with a smile. "Ok. Let me check that out. What is his favourite colour?" Jake's mom asked.
Jake's heartbeat missed for a second. Sophia doesn't know basic things about him. She just know he is Katherine's friend, his name is Jake and he is her forced friend too. "Mom, you taught me not to talk while eating," Jake said trying to save Sophia from his mom's questioning. "That rule fades as you grow old," was his mom's response before she faced Sophia. "You haven't answered me," she said. "Black," Sophia smiled confidently. Jake's eyes goggled. How did she know?, he wondered. "Favourite meal?" his mom asked. "Well garnished pasta with chicken. I can't do a week without chicken as long as he is around," Sophia replied. "Oh yes. I was glad when he began to live alone. Chickens were always missing when he still lives here," Jake's mom said. Sophia giggled.
Jake's father later came to Sophia's rescue by telling his wife to let the young couple be. Sophia was more than relieved. Jake scoped more food from his own plate to Sophia's like a romantic boyfriend should do. "No. I want your meat, Daimler," Sophia said childishly. Jake was surprised by the name Sophia used to refer to him. No one calls him that name. Jake's parents were surprised too as they don't call their son the name too. "Give me the meat now else I'll take everything," Sophia said childishly.
Jake took the meat in his mouth leaving half of it out. "You can have it," he said. Sophia hit him by the side and gave him a glare of 'you are going too far. This is fake!' Jake realised his mistake and are half of the meat then dropped the other half on Sophia's food. "Give her the meat the way you wanted to before," Jake's mom said. Jake and Sophia looked surprised. "I'm okay with this way," Sophia said. "I insist," Jake's mom said. "Mom," Jake called. "Are you shy?" Jake's mom questioned. "No," Jake said. "Then do it," Jake's mom said.
Sophia gave Jake a 'go ahead' look which was laced with a 'you are dead' look. After dinner, Sophia and Jake made to leave but his mom insisted that they stay. They tried to talk her out of allowing them to stay but she wasn't having any of it. She even burst into tears. The fake couple had no choice but to stay.
Jake led Sophia to his room in the mansion. Jake had shower and wore one of his pyjamas. Sophia had her shower too. She wore one of Jake's pyjamas. Jake made fun of her as the pyjamas was oversized. Sophia glared at him. "Sorry," Jake muttered. "I keep the bed; you keep any other place," Sophia said. "Okay," Jake agreed willingly. Sophia went to bed and pulled the duvet over herself.
"Are you asleep already? I'm going to get myself a drink. Do you care for one?" Jake inquired. "Orange juice is ok," Sophia responded, "And yes, I am asleep," she added. Jake chortled and went for the drinks. "Here," Jake handed a can of orange juice to her. "Thanks," Sophia collected the drink. "How did you know my favourite colour and food?" Jake asked. "You love wearing black. There is no time you won't have something black on you," Sophia said. "That explains the colour. What about the food?" Jake said. "Katherine once told me how happy you were over a plate of pasta and chicken," Sophia said. "If I was happy over a plate of meal, it could be because it's been a while I ate it," Jake said. "She said you had the look of someone who saw his favourite. She is familiar with the look because I show it a lot," Sophia explained. Jake nodded.
They drank their drinks in silence. Sophia stood up and went to the balcony. She sat on a chair there. Jake went downstairs to bring more drinks. He took two cans of bourbon for himself and one can of juice for Sophia. "About your mom, ........," Jake was interrupted. "I don't want to talk about it," Sophia said. "Ok. I apologise for being nosy," Jake said with a smile. Sophia nodded. The duo drank in silence while watching the stars. "I'll get another juice for you," Jake offered when he noticed Sophia's juice was almost down again. "Nevermind. I will take what you are taking," Sophia said. "But......," Jake was interrupted again. "I will take it," Sophia took the can and opened it.
"You are beautiful, Sophia," Jake complimented out of the blues. Sophia smiled, "I know," she said. "Can't you be appreciative? A thank you isn't too much," Jake complained. "Thank you," Sophia said.
Sophia and Jake looked at each other. None of them was willing to end the stare. Sophia didn't realise how handsome Jake was until they were this close. She tried to control her hand from touching his face but it was in vain. "You are handsome," Sophia smiled. Jake who had been lost staring at Sophia's face didnt know what came over him; he kissed Sophia.