Jinhai was stunned when he heard her reply. He didn't know what to say.

'Him? She was thinking about him?'

Hei-Ran jolted back to reality when she saw his expression and then she realized what she had just said. Su Hei-Ran!!

"I..i..i mean, are you done with your call?" Hei-Ran tried to savage the situation. Her voice was shaky and her eyes were darting back and forth as she tried to avoid his intent gaze on her.

'How could she have spoken her mind out like that?!' She chided herself.

Jinhai also composed himself. Noticing her nervous expression, he knew she was lying. He had spent years with this woman and he knew her like the back of his hand.

His lips curved into a smirk, "Are you sure?" He asked smugly, cocking a taunting brow at her.

Hei-Ran bobbed her head not minding the knowing look on his face, "Yes" She hurriedly replied.

Jinhai gazed at her for a while, his gaze making her uncomfortable.

"Okay" He said. He would have loved to tease her more but he didn't think this was the time to. She seemed off. Her attitude of late has been quite strange, so teasing her now was completely out of it.

"Let's go" He stretched out his hand for her to hold.

Hei-Ran looked at his outstretched arm for a while before placing her hand in his. Jinhai flashed a smile at her and began to lead her towards the door.

Hei-Ran felt her heart race as they approached the door. She could hear the happy chatters of her family members from inside the house. Her palms slowly turned sweaty, anxiety was crawling over her skin.

Jinhai noticed how she was gripping the side of her gown with her hand and asked, "Are you okay?" Worry lines were on his face.

Hei-Ran looked at him, her heart was pounding really fast. Behind the door was every member of her family, they had come to celebrate her but for what? A lie?

Everyone was happy to know that she now had a boyfriend. Scratch that! That she had a fiance. But that wasn't true. She was lying to them. She was lying to her family that loved her and sort after her happiness. She could hear her mother's laughter through the door and it was so happy. She had never heard her laugh like that. But hearing it made her heart ache even more.

How was she going to face her mother when the truth comes out that they weren't dating, and that all these was a lie made up to deceive her? Her mother, father, aunt... everybody would be disappointed. How had she even started all these? It was Jinhai's idea but she had foolishly agreed. She had made the choice to deceive her family, how could she have done that?

"Hei-Ran?" Jinhai called when she zoned out again. She snapped her head to look at him.

Gripping his sleeves she pleaded, "Jinhai can we just go back?" She pleased with a small voice.

Jinhai cocked a brow at her. Why does she want to leave?

"Why?" He asked, even though he think he might have a clue on why she wanted to leave.

Why? Because she couldn't face them. She couldn't stand in there and sell this make believe shit to her family anymore, deceiving them with a fake relationship. What happens when the contract is over in a week time? Will she have to lie again, and face their looks of disappointment especially after she has seen how excited they are now? No she couldn't.

She might as well not waste their efforts, and happiness now. She will go back home well come back when the contract was over and maybe tell the truth, or maybe travel somewhere far where the embarrassment wouldn't follow her. But was telling the truth even an option?

No, she didn't think so. Telling them the truth wasn't even an option, because her mother would not even know how to look at her.

"Let's just go back" She said not bothering to explain to him.

Jinhai looked at her stoicly before replying, "No we are not." His tone was firm and stern.

Hei-Ran glanced at him with equally stern eyes, "Why?"

"Because we are already here" He replied.

"But I want to go back and you can't tell me what to do " Hei-Ran snapped as she pulled her hands away from him, but he was quick to grab it back, holding it firmly in his hands.

"Hei-Ran what is it? What are you afraid of?" He asked making Hei-Ran to look at him.

What was she afraid of? She was afraid of everything?

She was afraid of this fake relationship ending. She was afraid of being alone. She was afraid of disappointing her family and now she was afraid of him. Afraid of the way he was looking at her, afraid of the way his gaze was making her skin crawl with heat. Afraid of missing the things he was doing for her. She was afraid of everything! But instead of saying this out she said,

"Nothing"

"Then if you're not afraid, what's stopping you from going in there. They're all expecting you, expecting us"

"They're all expecting me to come tell them a lie. A lie that is making me sick. I can't do this anymore, I just want to go home" She said as tried to snatch her hand away from him but he refused to let go.

They were still both arguing when someone cleared her throat from behind them.

"Hello"

...

Hey lovelies, I hope you guys had a lovely weekend?

Well, welcome it's a new week already so happy new week.

So sorry for the delayed update. I'm tired of saying sorry so I'll just work better. I hope you guys you have a great week ahead.

Remember to always wear a smile and spread love wherever we go.

Have a most fruitful week. Stay blessed .

Love you.