The Contagious

3°

Alleia surveyed the house, a familiar yet somewhat distant place. "When was the last time I set foot in this house?" she queried, her eyes darting around as they traversed the threshold into the living room.

"Last year, I believe," Nicholas responded, a hint of passive accusation in his tone. "It's peculiar, given you're my fiancée and all this while, you haven't been to my house," he remarked, subtly insinuating a sense of disappointment.

"True, but without the commitment of marriage, it just didn't feel right for me to intrude," Alleia replied, a tinge of unease flickering in her voice.

"But you're my betrothed; we can act like a married couple," Nicholas asserted, edging closer, his proximity making Alleia visibly uncomfortable. Before the situation could escalate, a timely intervention arrived in the form of Nicholas's mother, Alleia's prospective mother-in-law. Her entrance rescued Alleia from the awkwardness, offering a momentary reprieve from Nicholas's increasingly discomforting behavior.

Throughout the year, Alleia had observed a shift in Nicholas's demeanor. His behavior had evolved, becoming increasingly affectionate in a way that made Alleia feel uneasy and intruded upon. This transformation had been noticeable, and it left Alleia on edge, pondering the change in her fiancé's conduct.

"Look at this! Two love birds," Nicholas's mother chimed in with a delightful smile as she approached Alleia for a welcoming kiss. "Shall we head to dinner? The night won't stay young forever," she added, taking Alleia's arm and walking towards the dining room, Nicholas joining them.

"I can't wait for both of you to get married so I can play with smaller versions of you," Nicholas' mother quipped, momentarily causing Alleia to fall silent, glancing at Nicholas.

"One day, mother," Nicholas replied, pulling a chair for Alleia, inviting her to sit beside him.

"Thank you," Alleia expressed her gratitude.

"No problem, my love," he added with a smile.

"Now, who do we have here? Our favorite person," Mr. Hawthorne, Nicholas's father, entered the dining room, still in his work suit. "Alleia, how are you? I heard you've been busy lately," he asked, a warm smile on his face.

"I'm fine, thank you. A bit busy but manageable," Alleia replied. "And you, Mr. Hawthorne? I heard it was a great win for the tender last time?"

"I'm very well, my dear. It's an easy win when the competition doesn't involve you," he chuckled, and they all shared laughter and conversation throughout the dinner.

The dinner commenced in the warmth of the household. Alleia found solace in engaging conversations with Nicholas's family, a temporary distraction from the recent discomfort. Yet, she couldn't ignore the occasional probing glances from Nicholas, hinting at further discussions about their relationship. 

Amidst the culinary delights and familial banter, the topic of marriage subtly surfaced. "So, Alleia and Nich," Nicholas's mother began, her eyes filled with an unmistakable anticipation, "have you two given some thought to the wedding?"Alleia exchanged a cautious glance with Nicholas, their eyes briefly meeting before she offered a diplomatic response. 

"We've discussed it casually," she replied, choosing her words carefully, 

"but with work and other obligations, we haven't finalized any plans yet."Nicholas interjected, a touch of assertiveness in his voice. 

"I think it's about time we set a date. Don't you agree?" he directed the question towards Alleia, his eyes searching for her compliance. 

Alleia felt a pang of discomfort. "Of course, but I believe a wedding is a significant event. We should take our time and ensure everything is planned thoughtfully," she responded, her tone gentle but resolute.