Chapter 178 Lilian Baker

Chapter 178 Lilian Baker

I was still trying to process everything Lewis had told me while he kept staring at me.

However, my mind kept going back to Andrew, the accident, his failed basketball career, the pressure from his father, the fights he got involved in and just like that, the whole conversation made me see his situation in a different way.

It was strange how one conversation could make someone look completely different.

I had spent so much time thinking Andrew was just hiding his true self, especially his love for music and singing but now I understand a little about him.

It was obvious that his father would never accept his music career after he failed at basketball.

I was still lost in my thoughts when Lewis suddenly snapped his fingers in front of my face.

"Hello?"

I blinked. "What?"

"You've been staring at the wall for almost a minute."

"I was thinking."

"About what?"

“No one in particular," I answered too quickly. “Just thinking about everything."

“Everything that concerns my brother? He asked, causing me to immediately look at him.

"How did you know?"

"Because I've been talking about him for the last twenty minutes," he answered with a grin. "And because every time I mention his name, you get that look."

"What look?"

"The thoughtful one."

"I don't have a thoughtful look."

"You do."

I rolled my eyes.

He laughed.

"Enough about Andrew."

I frowned.

"You were the one telling me the story."

"I know."

"Then why are you stopping me from thinking about it?"

"Because I've officially decided you've had enough Andrew for one day."

He pointed at himself. "Now focus on me."

I stared at him.

"You're unbelievable."

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"I'll take it anyway."

I couldn't help laughing.

Somehow, Lewis had managed to change the atmosphere completely. One minute, I was sitting there thinking about everything painful he'd told me about his brother.

The next, he was smiling like nothing had happened.

I wasn't sure whether that was impressive or slightly ridiculous.

"You're not even worried anymore?" I asked.

"About what?"

"Your face."

He touched the ice pack. "Oh,” he shrugged. "It's fine."

"You were just hit by a basketball."

"And I'm still alive."

"That's not exactly reassuring."

He laughed. Then he said, "See? This is why I need you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"To worry about me."

"You clearly enjoy it."

"Maybe." He adjusted the ice pack and smiled. "Besides, I've already spent enough time thinking about what happened." Then he leaned forward slightly. "So..."

I immediately became suspicious.

"So what?"

"When is our next date?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Our what?"

"Our next date."

I blinked, completely astonished.

"You've moved on from the accident that quickly?"

He laughed. "There's nothing to move on from. I'm fine."

"But your eye…"

"...Will heal," he completed.

"The nurse…"

"...said I'm fine."

"Still..." I insisted but he waved his hands dismissively.

"That's not important."

"Then what is?"

"Our relationship."

I stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

"We have to keep the fire burning," he added. "After today, everyone will expect more."

"More what?" I asked.

"More appearances."

I frowned.

"Like getting into accidents?"

"No, Lily," he said with a loud laugh. “I meant taking pictures and creating a social media page together."

"Definitely no," I quickly said.

When everything ended, what would happen to those pictures?

"Think about it," he said.

I shook my head. “Have you thought about it?”

"Of course,” he said with a quick nod.

"You're taking this fake relationship very seriously."

"We have to," he shrugged. “If we suddenly go on a low after today's incident, people will surely ask questions.”

He had a point.

Our entire plan depended on everyone believing us. The blog had already caused enough problems. If people started noticing inconsistencies, they would start digging again. And the last thing I wanted was another wave of gossip.

"So what do you suggest?"

"Movie night."

"Again?"

"Again."

"We've already done that."

"This one will be different."

"How?"

"No horror movies."

I laughed.

"Why?"

"Because apparently you nearly destroyed my sofa the last time."

"I did not."

He laughed.

"This time, we'll watch something romantic," he said after laughing to his satisfaction.

"Romantic?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because we're a couple."

I stared at him in disbelief.

Lewis sure knew how to rub our fake relationship on my face.

I forced a small smile. "Sounds great."

But inside, my stomach tightened.

A movie night at his house.

For some reason, the thought felt heavier this time.

The last time I had gone to his house, I hadn't known what I was getting myself into.

Now I knew too much.

I knew about Andrew. I knew about his feelings. I knew about the conversation we'd had. I knew about the complicated relationship between the brothers.

And then there was Susan. Her strange words. Her strange warnings. The things I had seen. The things I suspected.

And Derek.

Derek and my mother.

The kiss I still wasn't sure I had actually seen.

Everywhere I turned, there seemed to be another secret waiting for me. And somehow, I was about to walk directly into Lewis's house again. The same house where Andrew would be. The same family that seemed to have more secrets than answers.

"Are you okay?" Lewis asked.

I quickly looked at him.

"Yes."

"You look worried."

"I'm fine."

He smiled.

He was too excited to notice the hesitation in my voice.

"We'll make it fun."

I nodded. "Sure."

"And we'll get snacks."

"That's probably the best part," I said with a small smile.

"I knew you'd agree," he laughed.

Then he reached for my hand.

I let him take it.

For a moment, I looked down at our joined hands. This was supposed to be simple.

Fake dating. Fake smiles. Fake dates. Fake affection. A temporary solution to a temporary problem. But nothing about my life felt temporary anymore.

Everything was becoming complicated. Even my own feelings were beginning to confuse me.

I looked at Lewis, he was smiling, genuinely happy and I couldn't bring myself to ruin that.

"Okay,” I said. "Movie night it is."

His smile widened.

"Really?"

"Really."

"At my place."

I nodded. "At your place. And no horror movies."

"Deal."

I laughed nervously.

"Fine."

He looked incredibly pleased.

I tried to match his excitement. I really did.

I smiled.

I nodded.

I even laughed when he started planning the snacks but the smile on my face felt strangely heavy. Because somewhere deep inside me, I knew this wasn't just another movie night.

Too many things had changed since the last time we had our first movie night. Too many secrets had surfaced. And one of those secrets was something I wasn't supposed to remember.

I took a slow breath.

Maybe I was overthinking.

Maybe I'd watch a movie, eat pizza, laugh with Lewis, and go home.

I looked at Lewis again.

His excitement was impossible to miss and I couldn't bring myself to tell him what was really going through my mind.

So I kept forcing a smile.

But Lewis didn't notice.

He was too happy and for some reason, that made me feel even worse.