Will you be my fake boyfriend? 

I stared at him, wide eyed, not believing I actually said those words. An expression I wasn't sure of masked his face. He opened his mouth partly as if to say something and his ringtone interrupted. A wave of relief washed over me because I didn't know what to do after uttering those words. But the strange thing was that I really meant what I said. 

Will you be my fake boyfriend?

It was funny how my own words kept resonating in my ears. He arched his eyebrows,his face contorting into a small frown I didn't seem to understand.

"Alright. Sure"
He said and hung up.
He sighed and looked at me.

"I'm so sorry Emily but I've got to go. Duty calls. My dad wants me to catch up on some important work for our investors. It's really urgent".
He gave me an apologetic smile.

" It's okay Ornaldo. Your work is important too"
I said and edged away a bit from him. He got to close to me and I feared that if we got closer, our lips would meet.

"So are you"
He said and stared deep into my eyes. I dropped my gaze. I couldn't look inside his eyes. This was too awkward for me.
I sprang up from the couch suddenly to cut off his intense gaze on me.

"Let's get going now"

I helped him put away the glasses and tray and then we head for The Woods' residence.

A few blocks away from The Woods' residence, Ornaldo stopped the car. I stared at him questionably,wondering what he was going to do next.

"Have you moved on,Emily?"
He asked,his state burning holes in my face.

"W-what do y-you mean"
I stuttered. Why on earth would he ask me such a question?

"As in,after Cole and when I disclosed my feelings for you"
He blinked back at me with expectant eyes.

"That was years ago Ornaldo. Why would you want to bring that up now? It's in the past"
I gulped and my mouth went dry. I could feel a lump forming in throat.

"Past"
He scoffed and turned to look at me again.

"My feelings don't really matter to you? Why do you think I came back here?"
He asked again.

"I thought you moved on. You even had a girlfriend. Was she not the one who came to the hotel the time you kissed me?".
I questioned him.

" Gwen was a mistake. It wasn't love. It was lust and infatuation. We broke up just a few days ago"
He said,his eyes drained of emotion.

I winced when he called her a mistake. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He called her a mistake! I felt a bit guilty, thinking that he had probably broken up with her because of me.

"And it was all because of you. I still love you"
He responded before I could even ask him.

"Just like I said before, I love you as a friend. You have to start embracing that fact!"
I snapped at him. I felt bad after doing so.

"I can see you care only about your feelings and not mine. Just open your heart. Don't be selfish Emily!"

I frowned and exhaled deeply. Did he just say I'm selfish?

"I'll fight for you Emily. I'll use whatever it takes to get you. "
He said. A look  of determination flashed across his face.

"Just take me home Ornaldo ".
I sighed and lay back in the car seat. I didn't have much energy for another argument. I was already worn out from the previous encounter with Ethan.

The short ride to my current residence was spent in silence,both of us absorbed in our own thoughts.

When we reached the Wood's residence, I muttered a quiet " thank you" and got out of the car, slamming the door very hard in the process. I did not even look back at him.

Once I entered the hall, I head straight to the balcony to grab some fresh air.
A small gasp escaped my lips as I saw them kissing.

**********

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