LOVE SOAKED

CHAPTER 13- It's a fake out

TRISHA

The offer hung in the air, a tangled web of lies and secrets. Asher's proposal - fake dating to escape his fiancee and appease his parents - was crazy, reckless, and most of all stupid, would anyone really buy this act?

Part of me wanted to laugh him out of town, but another, quieter part, couldn't ignore the spark of intrigue that flickered within me.

"So, what do you say, Trisha?" Asher asked, his voice laced with nervous anticipation.

I crossed my arms, studying him with a newfound skepticism. "This is insane, right? A fake relationship? Do you think I'm desperate?"

"Desperate?" he scoffed, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Trisha, if anything, I'm the one desperate.  But seriously, think about it. You get to stick it to your overbearing boss, and I get to finally be free of Anna and my parents' meddling."

"And what about my reputation?" I shot back. "My family and friends will see right through this. They deserve the truth."

A thoughtful expression settled on his face. "You're right. They do. How about this – we tell them the truth, but frame it as a… professional arrangement.  You help me out of a bind, and I help you launch your own architectural firm."

My jaw dropped.  "My own firm? You were serious about that?"

He grinned. "Dead serious. You're talented, Trisha.  You deserve your own space to shine."

The thought of escaping the stifling confines of VA architects, of finally calling the shots, sent a thrill through me.  But this whole charade still felt… precarious.

"Alright, Asher," I conceded, surprising myself with the words, "I'm in. But on one condition – a contract."

His eyebrows shot up. "A contract? Looks like you took my words seriously huh?" That asshole let out a small giggle but in the end he agreed.

"Perfect," I declared, a newfound sense of control taking hold. "There will be rules. Clear, concise rules."

I held up a finger, ticking off the points that came to mind. "One: Physical intimacy only when absolutely necessary for appearances. Public displays of affection only, got it?"

"Sounds reasonable for now," he chuckled.

"Two: We stay faithful to each other, no funny business, while this charade is on."  My voice hardened with mock seriousness.  "There will be consequences if you break this rule."

"Consequences?" he echoed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Like what? You'll unleash another round of colour full words?"

I threw a playful punch at his arm. "Maybe worse."
"Oh yeah? Like tie me up or something?"

"You're a freak."I responded unable to hold my laughter back.

"Oh Storm... you haven't seen nothing yet." He cooed

Regaining my composure after a few faulty breathes I replied " I don't plan to see anything at all ".

My attempt to act strong fell flat when I saw Asher smirk, like he could see through my brave facade.

Turning serious again, I added, "Three: No sex. This is strictly platonic, remember?"

"Crystal clear," he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. It was clear now..., he was mocking me.

"Four: No secrets," I continued, my voice firm. "We tell each other everything, no matter how uncomfortable."

"Agreed," he nodded readily.

"Five: We can call it quits anytime we want," I said, meeting his gaze. "Complete honesty about how we're feeling, no guilt trips."

"Deal."

"Six," I continued, holding up another finger, "except for my family and friends, and maybe one trusted friend of yours, no one can know this is fake. Ever."

"Fine," he agreed, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face.  "Though, I was looking forward to introducing you as my girlfriend to some of my colleagues.  They'd love you."

A warmth spread through my chest at the unintended compliment, but I quickly squashed it.

"There's one more," I said, a playful glint in my eyes.  "Consider it a pride preservation clause."

He leaned in, his brows furrowed in mock seriousness. "Go on."

"After we… amicably part ways," I said, emphasizing the last two words, "we both agree to a mourning period. Six months, maybe a year. No rebound relationships, no moving on to the next girl the second we're done."

He burst out laughing, the sound echoing warmly in the quiet evening air. "A mourning period? Seriously, Trisha?"

"Absolutely," I insisted, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "It's only fair. We gave the world a love story, the least we can do is give them a believable break-up."

He wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Alright, alright, you win. Mourning period it is. But," he added, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "maybe during this mourning period, we could… explore the non-physical aspects of intimacy? You know, long talks, late-night texts… and maybe the intimacy parts as well?"

The last few words came out as a whisper from his mouth, but I heard them and I could never unhear them, they were going to be itched in my brain even after this charade ends.

Ignoring the pang in my chest i just said," last rule Asher, no feelings involved." I said, turning away, wanting to crawl back to my bed but I waited to hear his response. When nothing came I looked behind to see him staring at the ground with.... disappointment? Sadness? Anger? I couldn't figure it out so I held out my hand to certify that a deal has been made, and without looking up he shook my hand and got into his car and left.

Since Asher decided to not join us for dinner, the responsibility of telling my parents of this whole fake dating thing.