Not so fake love

Part 2

The night dwindled down and soon only the wedding party and a few guests remained. Unfortunately Marco and Lily were part of that remaining few. Colin and Pen continued to play up their relationship whenever they noticed one of the pair were near. "I think Lily may murder me if she finds out my room number!" Pen said. Colin glanced up at the woman leaning drunkenly on the bar. She was glaring daggers over in Pens direction.
"Yeah well your Marco has been seething at me ever since I took your hand earlier." Colin grinned pleased with their little play.
"Don't call him my Marco. He's a sleaze." Penelope responded.
"Well then seems neither of us will survive the night. Then again they probably think we're in the same room." He winked jokingly and while Pen laughed he felt satisfied as a blush crept up her cheeks.
"So only one of us will have their throat slit. Wonderful! I've got a fifty fifty shot of making it to tomorrow." Colin gasped mock offended.
"So you'll leave me to perish! Pen I'm wounded!" She laughed lightly shoving his shoulder. He pretended to dramatically fall back grabbing Penelope for support.
"If it's a choice between life and death. Well dear Colin I'll weep at your funeral." Colin chortled.
"You know Daphne would have our heads if we miss the week trip she's planned for us all." Daphne had booked them all in for a week long getaway to celebrate El and Phillips new marriage. 7 days of culture and good food. It was what Colin was really excited for, considering he's been to multiple weddings due to his large family and they had become rather a repetitive experience. But a week of adventure was really up his street. He could not wait to share his favourite Italian delicacies and destinations with Pen who had always taken such an interest in his letters and tales of his travels. I mean he was excited to show his family as well but Pen had always been the one who made him feel listened to and appreciated his ventures around the globe. Pen and Colin continued their act dancing together and laughing together just normal for them really except every now and then they would lock eyes and just gaze at each other. Some of the time it was purposeful but each found their eye line swimming back to the other. Lily and Marco continued to glare at them both sipping their drinks bitterly. Until finally they separately headed out.

"So you two what's going on with you tonight? You've been awfully... close." Benedict leaned over as the other siblings and Violet perked up out of interest. "Anything you two wish to share with the group?" Penelope giggled and Colin gazed at her unbeknownst to the pair, lovingly.
"Oh it's nothing like that! Colin just helped me out with an ex. Marco he's really handsy; a right pain to be honest. Colin pretended to be my boyfriend to get him off me." Penelope smiled gratefully up at Colin who looked back at her with equal gratitude.
"Yeah and Pen did the same. You forgot but Lily from your work and I hooked up on and off a couple years ago and she's been really clingy ever since even after I've told her I'm not interested! Pen and me. It was just for the night." Pen tried not to let her heart sink after that.
"Yeah we're back to just friends and only friends now they've left the wedding." Colin felt his heart shatter slightly as she said that. The family all nodded and began to finish their drinks and appetisers, meanwhile El and Phillip swallowed awkwardly. "El..." Pen said warningly.
"I'm so sorry you two they're joining us for the rest of the holiday. We had some spare spaces on the trip and they offered. I'm sorry Colin I completely forgot about Lily and Pen I didn't know about Marco!" Pen and Colin turned bright pink as they made eye contact. The family all shared a knowing glance.
"Seems you two will have to keep your little charade up for longer than one night!" Benedict laughed gleefully. "Don't worry we'll keep your little secret." He grinned like a mad man as Pen and Colin continued to turn more pink. Daphne stood up only swaying slightly seems the determination of wedding planning sobered her up a bit. "Right everyone, bed! The boat leaves at 9am tomorrow!"

"Except you two newly weds can sleep when we're on the boat I'm expecting no sleep from either of you all night!" Benedict laughed until he was silenced by a side eye from his mother. People began to stand and make their way back to their rooms. As Francesca and Micheal left the lift Pen and Colin were stranded all alone as they ascended two more levels. Neither spoke until the silence became too much.

"Well..."
"So..."

They spoke at the same time which made the awkwardness lessen a little as they both laughed to themselves. Colin went on to speak "well I guess we're girlfriend and boyfriend for a bit longer then aren't we?" He nudged her and she laughed a bit more.
"Yeah I guess we are babe." She teased. He snorted. They both made their way to their rooms.

"Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow bright and early, girlfriend."
"Tomorrow it is, boyfriend."