When I met you

The Perfect Lie

Akermisia Miller

What was I thinking? I was so blinded by the desire to earn some kind of appreciation from my mother that I ignored the fact that I was making a deal with the devil.

— So, have you been together for a long time? — my mother cuts through my private delirium, staring at the two of us with a gleam in her eyes.

— A few months. — I avoid the details.

— But they’ve been the best months of my life. — Adam says with a fake lovestruck smile and then wraps an arm around my shoulders. I feel my expression crumble.— It was love at first sight.

— Oh, sweetheart… I’m so happy for the two of you.

I give her a mechanical smile. Then, by some stroke of fate, her phone rings and she excuses herself to answer it.

When she’s far enough away, I shove Adam’s hands off my body.

— None of that was necessary, Adam.

— Hold on, I save you from an obviously awkward lunch with your mother, whom you don’t get along with, and that’s how you thank me?

— Thank you. But still, none of that was necessary. Dinner at your house? Whyyy?

— I’m a good son-in-law, babe. Not my fault. — He shrugs, though a wicked smile appears on his lips.

— Spare me the act. What are you planning in that devilish mind of yours?

— Things far too inappropriate to say this close to children. — He points at the family sitting at the next table.

— Adam! I thought Adam Melchior never went back for seconds.

— With you, I feel like indulging in seconds… — he admits, throwing me a mischievous look. — What’s wrong with admitting it was good?

— Nothing’s wrong with it. It’s just that this… — I point between the two of us. — Doesn’t work, so we should follow our friends’ example and end it. You go live your life and I’ll live mine.

— Leonardo is an… — he moves closer. — And honestly, I swear I tried, but I can’t forget you, Akermisia. I want it again, and again, and one more time…

— That’s your problem and your little friend’s. — I look down. — And don’t give me that nonsense. It’s been a week, and during all that time you seemed pretty uninterested for someone who supposedly wants me so badly…

His finger touches my necklace, gently tugging the chain toward himself while looking me up and down. — You missed me, didn’t you?

I bite my lip as I stare at him.

— Only in your dreams.

— Sorry… — my mother interrupts, and I instinctively step away. — I need to go, but I’ll see you tonight. — She grabs her purse from the chair. — I’d love to come to dinner. Don’t forget to text me the address, Akermisia. I’ve already paid the bill. Kisses. — Eliane hugs me, then hugs Melchior.

When her elegant figure leaves the restaurant, I thank the heavens.

— She doesn’t seem that bad.

— They never do… — I say vaguely, picking up my purse.

— You’re right. — I knew he understood what it felt like to have a family like mine because his was even worse.

The waiter hands Adam the takeout bag with a huge smile. That must have been the reason for our meeting.

I head toward my car. Before I can open the door and leave, Adam calls out to me.

— What’s your problem?

— My problem? — I frown as I turn around, still holding the door handle.

— Yeah, you always run away from me. I don’t get it.

— And why would I stay, Adam? Your disappearance after managing to get me to spread my legs only proved what I already knew. You’re an asshole. It would be more honorable if you admitted it, but that’s not what happens. You take me flying and promise dinners to my mother. You’re a coward.

He presses his lips into a hard line. But he says nothing, and I take his silence as an answer. I get into the car and drive away, but his eyes continue haunting my thoughts no matter how far I go.

✶

By seven o’clock, I’m already driving through the gates of the Melchior mansion.

I step out of the car carefully because of my heels. I’d gone all out tonight. I wanted to prove to my mother that I was doing perfectly fine, so I chose the tight white long-sleeved dress. It made my body look divine because it was short and had a straight neckline across my chest. But it was also elegant and refined because of the shimmering fabric. I left my hair straight and parted down the middle so my silver earrings would be visible.

When I enter the house, I see Adam. He’s dressed entirely in black, wearing a gold chain around his neck. Why did he have to be so handsome and ridiculously attractive?

— Wow. — His eyes burn as he looks at me, his gaze traveling over every inch of my body, making me feel exposed. — You look stunning.

— Thank you, Adam. — I mumble.

Before I realize it, my hand is resting in the crook of his arm, and Melchior is guiding me through the house.

— We could have gone to a restaurant. You didn’t have to do this at your house.

— Come on. Dinner at home is much better. It’s more intimate and welcoming. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right. Your mother won’t even suspect our relationship is fake. She’ll think it’s solid and mature. After all, I brought her to dinner at my house.

Damn it! Adam was right. Dinner at his house was perfect. My mother wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

— Unfortunately, that actually makes sense. — I reply against my will.

— What time is your mother arriving?

— Soon. I offered to pick her up, but she refused to come with me. She said I shouldn’t worry. She’s so difficult. She’s definitely doing all of this just to make a grand entrance…

— She’ll have to work hard to make a better entrance than yours.

I try not to smile at his comment, but it’s impossible. While I laugh, he doesn’t move a muscle. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice he’s watching me. Adam takes me to the kitchen, where three chefs are preparing some kind of fancy meal.

— You hired people to make dinner? — I ask when I notice they’re all wearing uniforms.

— Only the best for my girl…

— This is too much… You didn’t have to…

— Shh… — His hands cup my cheeks. — Of course I did. I came to your house and had one of the best dinners of my life. I think it was time to return the favor…

— We made lasagna. — I retort, because Adam had to be insane. — This is a buffet.

Adam shrugs.

— That’s because I don’t know how to make lasagna. — he says simply, and before I can argue, Kalon appears on the other side of the kitchen. He looks at the two of us standing close together and at the bustling chefs in confusion.

— A dinner, little brother. Can’t you see? Is work frying your brain cells that badly?

Kalon stares at him without amusement.

— Not as badly as alcohol fries yours.

— We’re in the middle of something. If you could go upstairs and pretend we’re not here.

The corners of Kalon’s lips curve upward, revealing a dimple I hadn’t noticed before.

— Actually, I’m kind of hungry… — He lifts his head to watch the food being prepared.

I notice Adam rolling his eyes when the doorbell rings.

— That must be my mother. — I say, sensing the tension between them. The Melchior brothers look at me.

— I’ll get it. — Adam steps forward, leaving me alone with his grumpy brother.

— So, when did it go from “I’m not with Adam” to your mother coming over for dinner at his house?

The fact that he’s so perceptive irritates me.

— We’re not together. — I reveal, trying to glance around to find my mother and Adam, but it’s useless.

He wrinkles his nose. — Terrible liar.

— Adam is helping me… — I explain nervously, glancing around before pulling him behind the counter. Kalon startles when I suddenly grab his arm. Apparently, he’s not used to physical contact. Even so, he says nothing. — It’s complicated.Your brother is pretending to be my boyfriend to get my mother off my back. So please, feel free to mess with him as much as you want. In fact, I’d appreciate it. Just don’t ruin everything tonight.

He blinks rapidly, looking at me with a skeptical expression. Inevitably, my eyes wander because looking at Kalon is unsettling.

— Here she is. — I hear Adam’s voice from the other side.

— Mom. — I walk over to her, and she pulls me into a hug. Taking advantage of the moment, she whispers: — Your boyfriend really is a Melchior.

Kalon narrows his eyes.

— And you must be the mother.

— You can call me Eliane. — she says with a smile, extending her hand.

— Pleasure to meet you. — he greets her. — Akermisia has spoken a lot about you, but it doesn’t do you justice in person. I can see where she got such beauty from…

Oh, they had to be kidding me. Two troublemakers? What had I gotten myself into?

— What do you say we sit down? Dinner is about to be served. — Adam gestures, and I nod much too quickly.

— Perfect.

— So, is it just the two of you living in this house?

— Our parents are always traveling because of the companies overseas… — Adam explains casually. — So yes, it’s basically just us. But to be honest, I spend most of my time at the university.

— Why didn’t you tell me things were this serious, dear?

— Believe me, I was surprised too when I found out about this relationship. It’s like they officially announced it today. Can you believe that? — Kalon comments. — These young people…

— I was going to tell you. — I end the subject.

I use the white wine as an escape. Beside me, Adam notices that I’m nervous. Secretly, under the table, he places one of his hands on my thigh, stroking my skin until goosebumps appear, then gently squeezing the inside of my leg as an inevitable blush spreads across my face.

I want to remove his hand, but my mother is already looking at me with her next comment ready.

— Well, I was wrong after all. You seem very happy in Austin. But if you want to go to London…

— Eliane… — Adam interrupts in a gentle tone. — concern is natural, but don’t worry. Akermisia is in good hands. I’ll take care of her. That’s a promise.

For a moment, while his fingers rest at the edge of my dress and his eyes remain on my mother, I let myself be shaken by those words. He was a good liar, I try to convince myself. But it’s not enough. When he turns and looks at me with that captivating gleam in his eyes, I believe him. Damn it, I believe him so much that my cheeks turn red.

Red berry meringues fill my vision. My mother abandons her questions because she seems convinced enough. Her eyes find mine, and she looks at me as though silently asking if I’m truly happy. I nod and tell her yes.

And surprisingly, that is the first truth of the night.