Chapter 51

Meanwhile back at Kilton, Lisa stirred awake, her eyes groggily adjusting to the morning light. She reached for her phone on the bedside table, opening it up to browse the internet. A mix of curiosity and apprehension filled her as she scrolled through the news. But then, a headline caught her attention, and the anger she felt last night surged back with immediate effect.

The image of Mel and Ethan, labeled as the best-dressed couple, pierced through Lisa's heart like a dagger. It seemed that their supposed romance was the talk of the town, adding fuel to her already simmering frustration. Resentment and jealousy swirled within her, a tempest of emotions. Her hands clenched into tight fists, and her brow furrowed in anger. The turn of events and the sudden attention on Ethan's date, Mel, clearly did not sit well with Lisa.

As Lisa delved deeper into the article, a glimmer of hope flickered within her. Perhaps neither Mel nor Ethan had intentionally shared this news. It was likely the work of reporters who had attended the event. As far as she was concerned, Ethan had chosen Mel as a temporary date to the dinner event. As she pondered on her assumption which momentarily helped in distracting her from the overwhelming news, a notification chimed on her phone, interrupting her train of thought. Checking it out, she discovered It was a message from Brook, the person she had met at the event. They had exchanged numbers, and now Brook was inviting her for a coffee before her departure.

Curiosity tugged at Lisa, offering a potential distraction from her tumultuous emotions. Could meeting Brook provide her with a fresh perspective on the situation? She mulled over the invitation, contemplating whether this encounter might offer solace from the storm raging within her. However, as she continued to reflect, her frustration grew, overshadowing any inclination to accept Brook's invitation. Why was he reaching out to her after playing the role of her date? He should have known she only allowed him to do so because she desperately needed someone to fill that position as at the time. Lisa couldn't fathom why he persisted in contacting her, especially when the news of Mel and Ethan's supposed romance continued to stir her emotions.

Just as she was about to brush off Brook's message, her phone rang, shattering the silence in the room. It was her father calling, inquiring about her well-being and when she would be returning home. She replied with a neutral tone, assuring him that she would be back today. The conversation was brief, leaving her with a heavy sigh as she ended the call.

Aware that it was time to leave the hotel, Lisa swiftly gathered her belongings, carefully packing them into her suitcase. She then dialed the front desk, requesting assistance in transporting her luggage to the awaiting car downstairs. In a matter of minutes, a hotel staff member arrived at her door, ready to lend a hand.

With her suitcases loaded into the car, Lisa settled into the backseat, a wave of relief washing over her as the vehicle pulled away from the hotel. Through the window, the cityscape glided by, offering her a moment of respite. Her thoughts churned and roamed, like an unsettled sea within her mind.

****

The sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the city as Mel and Ethan embarked on their journey back home. The atmosphere in the car was heavy with a profound silence, their minds consumed by the events of the previous night. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air, leaving both Mel and Ethan grappling to gather their thoughts.

Mel's thoughts wandered aimlessly, a web of unanswered questions spinning in her mind. Why had Ethan called her "Melanie" in his drunken state? Was it a simple slip of the tongue, a mispronunciation caused by his intoxication? Or did it carry a deeper significance that she couldn't quite grasp? The mention of that name had stirred something within her, a faint echo of the past.

Perhaps it was nothing more than a coincidence, a fluke born from his intoxicated state. Mel reminded herself that her name, "Mel," was a shortened version of various names, leaving room for mistaken assumptions. It was possible that Ethan had simply guessed and used the name "Melanie" without any deeper intention.

Just as the silence became almost unbearable, Ethan broke it with a sudden apology that resonated with genuine remorse. Mel, about last night," he began, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I'm really sorry about the kiss. It wasn't ideal for me to do that. I was really drunk, and I lost control." his voice quivered with sincerity as he expressed his regret for the turn out of the previous night.

Mel's eyes softened as she listened to his heartfelt words. She understood that his actions were a consequence of being heavily intoxicated, and she refused to let a drunken mistake taint their friendship. Taking a deep breath, she responded with a calm and reassuring tone.

"Ethan, it's okay. I understand that it wasn't intentional," Mel said, her voice carrying a comforting warmth. "We were pretending to be a couple last night, so everything that happened was all part of the act. It doesn't bother me, and I'll do my best to let it go and move forward."

A sense of relief washed over Ethan's face as Mel's understanding and forgiving words enveloped him. He had been burdened by self-blame, constantly chastising himself for losing control under the influence of alcohol.

"Thank you, Mel," Ethan expressed gratefully, a weight seemingly lifted from his shoulders. "Your kindness and willingness to move past this mean a lot to me and I'm thankful for that" he added.

Mel's smile radiated warmth as she met Ethan's gaze. The connection between them deepened with a shared understanding, "You're a great friend too, Ethan," she replied sincerely. "And I hope we successfully deal with this together."

Their expressive conversation paved the way for a newfound ease between them, and they continued their journey back to the city in a companionable silence. The heaviness that had enveloped the car gradually dissipated leaving the air lighter than it was before.

After a while, Ethan spoke up again, his voice tinged with plea. "Mel, considering the news of us dating has spread, I've been thinking. Trying to debunk it might only fuel more rumors and unwanted attention. Would you be willing to continue this facade of fake dating for a little while longer, just to make it seem believable to the public eye? Please, Mel," he implored sincerely.

Mel did not seem entirely surprised by Ethan's request. She understood the delicate balance they now found themselves in, and the potential consequences of revealing the truth too soon. She knew they had to be cautious, not only to protect themselves but also Ethan's company from any damaging rumors.

Taking a moment to weigh her thoughts, she finally responded.

"I understand the situation we're in, Ethan. I'm willing to support you," Mel replied thoughtfully. "But how much longer do you think we'll have to maintain this charade?"

I think a month at most. Within that time, I'm confident that new, eye-catching news will emerge, capturing the public's attention. Then, we can quietly transition back to our professional relationship," he explained.

Mel nodded, accepting Ethan's timeline. She knew that this arrangement would come with challenges, but she was willing to support him through it.

Seeing that Mel agreed to it without getting persuaded, Ethan hesitated, his gaze searching Mel's eyes as he voiced his concern. "Mel, are you certain you'll be able to handle this? You know there will be public displays we'll have to maintain to make everyone believe we're genuinely dating. Won't it make you uncomfortable?" His tone was filled with genuine concern, unsure of how Mel would react.

To Ethan's surprise, Mel chuckled in response, her laughter carrying a sense of ease. "Hahaha, Ethan, do you really think I'd get uncomfortable? I know what being in a relationship entails, and I don't think it'll be too challenging to handle. Maybe it's you who will end up feeling uncomfortable. We both know you're the shy one," she playfully teased, attempting to bring a lighthearted tone to the situation.

Mel's response caught Ethan off guard, but it also brought a sense of relief. Her ability to find humor in the midst of their peculiar circumstances eased his worries. There was something about Mel that made him feel at ease, even in the face of uncertainty. If it were anyone else who had asked her for such a favor, she would have likely refused without hesitation. But with Ethan, she found herself willingly going along with his requests.

-Kilton Hotel-

Brook's attention shifted to the receptionist as he inquired about the lady in Room 19. There was a hint of anticipation in his voice, revealing his interest in her whereabouts.

"She left earlier this morning, sir," the receptionist replied politely, unaware of the underlying complexities between Brook and Lisa. Her response seemed to satisfy Brook, but a cold and empty smile formed on his lips.

Brook couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. He had expected Lisa to reach out to him after their encounter last night. He had even gone the extra mile to send her a message, inviting her over for coffee. Yet, she had remained silent, not even bothering to acknowledge his invitation.

A mix of emotions swirled within Brook. Did Lisa truly believe that all his assistance from the previous night was freely given? Or was she purposely toying with him, Leaning against the reception desk, Brook adjusted his posture, hiding his inner turmoil behind a composed facade. He thanked the receptionist and turned away heading in direction of his room.

****

As evening fell, Mel and Ethan reached their respective destinations. Mr. Kim, their driver, dropped Mel off at her house first, as instructed by Ethan. She thanked him sincerely and watched the car drive away, filled with a mix of gratitude and fondness.

Meanwhile, Ethan arrived at his own house, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. He said his farewells to Mr. Kim and entered his home, overwhelmed by his own thoughts.

Ethan couldn't stop pondering their fake dating arrangement, the unexpected kiss, and the decision to continue acting out as a real couple. It weighed heavily on his mind and he wondered how Mel was coping with everything. He really hoped the burden was not too much for her.