Chapter thirteen:

"No, Fiona. We're not making it public yet. We just made my friends believe that we had a one night stand. I have to take this slow or else they'll doubt it," I murmur, making sure that no one hears me.

"Hold up. You're telling me that your friends don't know about the contract? That's terrible. You can't keep such secrets from them. What will happen when they find out?" She says through the other line.

"Nothing because they won't find out. Sl—Nora and I have agreed to keep this between us. I don't want my family to get involved." I sigh.

"You mean, your friends?"

"My friends are my family—read the room, Fiona!" I whisper-yell.

"Fine but make it quick. The agency won't sign the contract until you and Nora go public."

"Yeah. Just give me a few weeks."

"You got it. Also, we both have to come to my wedding as a couple." I could feel her smile.

"Isn't your wedding private? There will be no paparazzi," I say as a matter of factly.

"Oh, yes--there will be. I'm surprised Nora didn't call yet. She is being followed everywhere. Plus, she is my wedding planner so, she is..." Fiona pauses, looking for the right word.

"Kinda screwed."

"Uh-huh." She laughs smugly and cuts the call. I roll my eyes. This was my least enjoyed conversation between us. I don't like her being a part of this but I can't help it. Sloane messed my life. She is just facing karma.

Oh, I fucking love that.

"What was that about?" The door opens. I turn around to see Charles walk in with a key in his hand. "Who is screwed?"

"A nemesis," I blurt out.

Charles chuckles. "You have a nemesis?" He almost sounds unconvinced.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?" I try to change the subject. Me having a nemesis is unbelievable for him.

"Oh, ah. The baby was kicking. She wanted me to stay. It's her first day of maternity leave. Take care of her, please. I have to leave urgently."

I furrow my eyebrows. "You're talking as if I'm a toddler who keeps troubling her."

He smiles. "You kinda are a toddler. And please don't bring up about Amber. You know how it always ends up."

I huff. "Believe me, she is is the last person I would ever talk about."

Charles shrugs and whispers something that fails to fall on my ears. I don't bother asking. He turns away and leaves. I sigh and pull my laptop out. I sit on my desk and begin typing words. To make Sloane and I believable, I need to add some fake background story and plot.

•••

I stretch myself. I've been typing for out two past hours and my head is exploding right now. I blink my eyes and get up from the chair. I turn to leave and almost bump into Ellie and her swollen belly.

"What are you doing here?" I groan. She sits on my bed.

"Checking up on you."

I slump my shoulders. "You are pregnant, not me. I should check up on you." Authority placing my tone.

"Well, you may not be pregnant but you are a baby. A whiny toddler sounds perfect," she giggles.

"Oh, God. Charles and you are a match made in heaven." I shake my head in disappointment but humour was evident in my voice.

"Caleb, I want to talk about you something."

I yawn, feeling exhausted but I decide to talk to her. It's my duty to take care of her. I may sound like a sappy person but yes, Ellie is my family and I'd do anything to protect and help her.

"Yes, yes. You can name the baby Caleb, if it's a boy," I tease.

"Oh, my. I would never name my kid after a whiny toddler." She laughs. I laugh and pull my chair in front of her to sit on it.

"What do you wish to talk about?" I speak, sounding serious this time.

She takes a deep breath. "Please don't get mad at me."

Sloane. That's what this is all about.

"It is about Amber." She swallows. My expressions remain unflinching. I peer at her uninterestingly. She bits the inside of her mouth.

"Are you really trying to reconnect with her or was it just a lie that you told me while keeping tabs on her?"

I lean back. I thought she had forgotten about that day when she had barged into my room and seen the files about Sloane. I had lied about me trying to rekindle what Sloane and I have.

"It wasn't a lie." I gulp. "Yes, I want to be with Amber. When I met her at the airport, the hate vanished away. I thought of us growing older together, so I thought I'd see what she is upto.

"But, I didn't expect her to show up at the pub two days ago. We both were drunk and it kinda just happened. I don't even remember half of it. All I remember is sobering up when you both walked in and Amber hiding behind me."

"Woah...that's a lot to process."

It's a lie, Ellie. I'm sorry for doing this.

"What are you going to do next? Will you still try?" She laughs hopeful.

"Maybe."

She smiles. "I hope you do."

(A/N: Wow, I'm doing this after a long time. All I wanted to say is, thank you. I appreciate all the silent readers reading this book as well. Honestly, I didn't think many people would read the sequel to Never Before but I'm glad you guys are. Thank you and sorry for the slow updates. I'll try to be more frequent.)