Jessica was surprised that she had enjoyed the evening. Andy almost could not take his eyes off her, making it difficult to concentrate on keeping up with the charade but Mr Williams was a very down to earth man, and she found herself relaxing, forgetting the pretense.

When they finished eating, they went to the sitting room to relax. She was about going to sit on the single seater when Andy pulled her to sit with him on the long couch. At first his touch shocked her, then, remembering that they were not alone, she relaxed. Andy could not keep his hands to himself, and he was becoming jealous of his father, who seemed to have the ability to make Jessica laugh. The small curved couch was small and when they sat down, they were so close to each other in a disturbing way.
“You two seem like you just met yesterday. I am almost invisible” Andy’s dad murmured. “It certainly feels like yesterday” Andy said looking at Jessie who did not look at him. Mr Williams looked at them curiously. “Tell me how you two met” Jessica stopped short. “Why don’t you tell dad the story Drew?” she gave Andy a dazzling smile that turned his heart. “No, you tell him honey” he said, too distracted to think about a story. She placed her palm tenderly on his chest and his heart raced. “Oh, c’mon now, you are a better story teller”.

That moment, Andy knew that whatever she wanted she would get. His dad was looking at them with curiosity. “I was sitting with Jeremy at the balcony of his house when I saw her taking a stroll. She was dressed in this disgustingly big dress that was big enough to fit into an elephant” he grinned. Jessica frowned and moved, leaving Andy’s arms. “That is the sexiest thing you ever said to me” she looked hurt. He tried to pull her back into his arms but she did not accept. “You never told me you hated my cloth. I am flattered”. “C’mon baby, those clothes do nothing to attract the opposite sex” “So what attracted you then?” It was Andy’s father that spoke. Jessica raised her eyebrow, expecting an answer.
Andy swallowed and almost said ‘desire to be free from a planned marriage’ but caught himself in time.

“I can’t pinpoint what it was. Maybe it is her striking face” he noticed for the first time that instead of black pupils, her pupils were a shade of dark brown. He swallowed heavily. “Or her long black midnight hair which makes my fingers itch with desire at the sight”. Andy was gazing so intently into Jessica’s eyes until she was almost fidgeting. The room suddenly seemed too suffocating as heat washed over her.

Andy’s dad coughed loudly and they both jerked. “My son is in love; that is a miracle. I guess I have you to thank Jessica” Jessica almost laughed at the statement. Andy, in love with her – Jessica – it was so hilarious. Andy’s father looked at his wrist watch and stood up. “Wow, it is so late. I should go home”. Jessica felt the daughter-in-law instinct grabbing her.

“Why don’t you spend the night dad, you had a long journey and must be tired.” “You are right. I am fagged out”
“Let me get the room ready sir” she said and turned. It was as she arranged the bed that the implication of what she had just done dawned on her. The room she usually slept was just few steps from the guests’ room. Her father-in-law would definitely get suspicious if she was sleeping in any room apart from the masters’ bedroom with Andy. She regretted her suggestion now and tried to look for a way out. She could sneak into her room very late and wake up very early, before anyone. She groaned. After ensuring that her father-in-law was fully settled in the room, she walked into the sitting room, where Andy was. “You do know the implication of what you just did right?” Andy asked instantly. She exhaled. “It was out of my mouth before I could think but it does not change anything. I would still sleep in my room and wake up very early”. Andy shook his head. “It won’t do. If I still know my dad well, he accepted staying over so easily, meaning, he might still have doubts. He is cunning when he feels suspicious. He knows I have given up on love and won’t easily take the fact that I am in love” Andy was sure of it.
Jessica thought she and Andy had a thing in common at last; they had both given up on love. “So what do you suggest?” He swallowed. “You would have to sleep with me in the masters’ bedroom” he dropped. Her eyes widened. She has been terribly aware of Andy, the last thing she needed was to stay locked up in a room with him. “You can’t be serious. We could work out a story if he discovers that we are not together. We could say that I am indisposed and needed to be alone. Something”. She searched her brain for what that ‘something’ could be. “Anything”. “It won’t work. He would know that something is fishing. I promise to be a perfect gentleman. You can take the bed while I take the floor. That is the only reasonable solution.”

She looked at Andy like he was a three headed monster. “You’ve got to be kidding me”…………….