LIORA

I finish up my work at the office, feeling the weight of the day slowly lifting off my shoulders. As I glance at my phone, I see a video call from my mom. I sigh, hesitating for a moment, and then decide to answer.

Our relationship has been strained, and distant ever since my dad died. When I moved to New York for my job, I didn't contact my mom much, and by doing that she told me she realized how she has been treating me without love or care. So, she wanted to make amends by being there in my life and by taking care of me.

But things have been changing; my mom has been calling me every 3-4 days, trying to bridge the gap she herself created. It's a sudden change, and initially, I feel a bit uncomfortable. I can't shake off the frustration of why it took her so long to realize. But then again, she's making an effort to bridge that gap, and I can't ignore that.

"Hey, Mom," I greet her as her face appears on the screen.

"Hi, sweetheart!" she exclaims, her excitement evident. There's a little disturbance in the background, and I realize she's not at home. "Guess where I am!"

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Where are you?"

"We're at the exhibition, Maya and I. You remember Maya, right? Our friend and neighbor?"

I nod, remembering Maya. It's been a while since I've heard that name.

"We're exploring the Worlds of Myth and Magic exhibition. It's so much fun, Liora! Maya and I have been crazy about this stuff lately, so we decided to check it out," she shares, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

I can't help but laugh at her infectious excitement. It's a side of her I haven't seen in a long time, and it's genuinely heartwarming. After Dad passed away, she immersed herself in work, trying to cope and support the family.

After my dad passed away, she buried herself in work, avoiding grief and shutting herself off, not just from me but from life itself. She rarely allowed herself moments like these.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Mom," I say, genuinely happy for her.

She moves to the side, and I can see glimpses of the exhibition in the background. "You know, when you were little, you loved this kind of stuff. I wanted to show you around, so that's why I called."

A wave of emotion washes over me, and I feel tears welling up in my eyes. It's been so long since someone remembered those little details about me.

"Thank you, Mom," I manage to say, my voice choked with emotion. "But you enjoy it with Maya. When I visit Seattle, we can go together, okay?"

Her face lights up with joy at my words. "That sounds wonderful, sweetheart. I'd love that. Take care, and we'll talk soon."

We exchange goodbyes, and as the call ends, I can't help but reflect on the positive change in our relationship. I'm grateful for the effort she's putting in to bridge the gap that formed over the years. It's a small step, but it means the world to me.

The clock on my phone reads 6, signaling the end of another day that I'm dreading. The weight of an impending decision hangs over me. I glance at the screen, contemplating calling Zoey, but quickly dismiss the idea. Her solution would be to pay off whatever trouble I'm in, undoubtedly involving her father, and I can't bring myself to burden them like that. No, I need to find another way.

The idea of becoming his fake girlfriend pops into my head. It seems like a simple solution – just a few public appearances, some dinners, and posting an article about us being in a relationship. How hard could it be? I just have to guard my heart and ensure I don't actually fall for him. The mere thought of such a thing makes me laugh. Falling for him? That's beyond insane.

I exit the office, standing on the curb, waiting for a cab. A car pulls up, and to my surprise, it's Dexter. He offers me a ride home with a smile, but I fake politeness and decline. He mentions his grandpa being nearby, expressing concern that if he sees me going alone, suspicions might arise. Reluctantly, I climb into his car, providing my address. A free ride doesn't sound bad.

For a moment, there's an awkward silence. Dexter breaks it. "Did you decide?" he asks.

"Yes," I reply slowly.

His eyes fixate on me, pressing for details. "What's your decision?"

"I'll be your fake girlfriend for two months," I state, matter-of-factly. I decide to lay some conditions. "No kissing and... you know, no intimacy."

Dexter shakes his head and says, "The first condition doesn't make sense, and it won't look real without it."

"People won't care much whether we are kissing or not; holding hands and hugging are enough to make them gossip," I argue a little.

I'm not gonna lie and say kissing him doesn't affect me. I love the kiss we shared in the morning, and I won't ever reveal that to him. But the idea of kissing him is bad. It's better to end this after two months without much intimacy and maybe feelings.

Dexter remains unconvinced. He says, "His grandfather would suspect them, and what's wrong with kissing? We already shared a kiss this morning only."

Dexter brings up our shared kiss again, making my cheeks warm. "Stop mentioning that kiss," I snap, to which he just laughs.

I come into his words, and I agree, "Fine, let's do it."

This is what he does to me. How am I going to survive these two months or after that if he has this effect on me?

Dexter declares, "We finally have a deal?"

"Yes," I confirm, adding my own conditions, "After two months, forget about all this, and never mention it again. You'll be the boss with your own work, and I'll just be an employee working for you."

Dexter agrees, and we arrive at my house. I extend my hand for a handshake, stating, "Remember the conditions."

He takes my hand, pulling me toward him, saying, "You're my girlfriend, sweetheart. We do hugs and shit, not handshakes."

My heart races and tingles spread through my body. I like how his body feels around mine, but I quickly dismiss those thoughts.

"Fake, Dexter... fake," I mutter, attempting to convince myself more than him.

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With love,
flwenzi ♡