Episod.nine
454 Words
Chapter 9: The Question
The dinner ended later than Rose expected.
Alexander's parents finally stood to leave, but before his mother walked through the door, she turned to Rose.
“Come and visit me soon.”
Rose smiled. “I will.”
Alexander's mother hugged her.
Then she whispered, “Take care of my son.”
Rose glanced at Alexander.
“I'll try.”
His mother smiled knowingly before leaving.
The door closed.
Silence filled the house.
Rose turned toward Alexander.
“You lied.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “About what?”
“You told your father that this marriage wasn't a business arrangement.”
“It isn't.”
Rose stared at him.
“Alexander, we literally signed a contract.”
He walked toward the living room.
“That doesn't mean everything has to be fake.”
Rose followed him.
“Then what is real?”
Alexander stopped.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Finally, he turned around.
“You are.”
Rose's heart skipped.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I don't expect you to pretend to be someone you're not.”
She looked away.
“You make everything confusing.”
“I know.”
Rose laughed softly.
“That might be the first honest thing you've said.”
Alexander smiled.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
“Yes?”
His expression changed almost immediately.
“What?”
Rose watched him carefully.
“Where?”
A pause.
“I'll be there.”
He ended the call.
“What happened?” Rose asked.
“My father.”
“Is he okay?”
“He wants to see me.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Alexander grabbed his jacket.
Rose stood in front of him.
“Should I come?”
He hesitated.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because this has nothing to do with the contract.”
Rose folded her arms.
“Maybe it has something to do with you.”
Alexander looked at her.
For a moment, he seemed surprised.
Then he nodded.
“Stay here.”
He walked toward the door.
Rose watched him leave.
But before the door closed, Alexander turned back.
“Rose?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For asking if I'm okay.”
The door closed.
Rose stood alone in the quiet house.
She looked toward the contract sitting on the table.
One year.
She had agreed to pretend to be Alexander's wife.
But lately, she was beginning to wonder if pretending was becoming harder than she had expected.
And somewhere across the city, Alexander was about to learn something that could change
their entire agreement.
His father had discovered the truth about the contract.
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