As the weeks started passing by, Alec and Beth adjusted back into their lives. The two hadn't told anyone about the wedding, nor their mothers had spoken about it with anyone. They both hardly even saw each other at the house. Most days Alec would return home late from his office or worked the entire day in his study while Beth spent maximum of her hours at the hospital.

Even when the two would be at home, the only time they meet would be during meals. With Beth living upstairs, while Alec on the lower floor, they never saw each other even though they lived in the same house. Meals usually were a quite affair in the house. The only one who spoke was Mrs. Norris or the cutlery. Beth and Alec hardly ever interacted with each other. The only time they spoke to each other was when Alec had to go out of station for a meeting. That was the only day, the conversation had Ten more words than good morning, nine more than usual by Alec and one more than usual by Beth.

Nobody had realised when the month ended or the next began. It wasn't until one day when Alec returned home, that he realised how far the two had come together.

That day when Alec entered his house, he was greeted with the one man he stayed clear of, Lewis Hosley. He could hear the laughter and chatter in the drawing room. When he entered the room, Beth instinctively got up and walked towards him.

"Darling, welcome home." She gave him a peck on the cheek. Alec replied after a beat. "I didn't know we would be having some company."

"Mr. Mason, the fault is mine. I came unannounced."

"Counsellor, how do you do?" Alec spoke as they shook a firm handshake.

"Great and how couldn't I? Your wife's company is so pleasant."

Alec wrapped his arm around Beth's waist, not just put on a show, but also to remind Hosley who she was. "Yes, she is quite a lovely person to have around." Beth stood a little uncomfortably in his arms and he too realised it was getting a little awkward for them. As soon as he realised her, she quickly said, "Let me get your coffee. I think Mrs. Norris has already prepared it." She walked towards the kitchen, a little more quickly than she should have.

"So, Mr. Mason, how was work?" Hosley asked as he sipped his beverage.

"Good." Alec had to be careful in answering in his questions. He had ran a background check on Hosley and one thing was clear he was very clever and cunning.

"Well you know what I find funny your house Mr. Mason?"

"What?"

"There isn't one picture of Beth and you in this house." He stands up and walks towards the shelves. He picks up Melissa's and Alec's wedding picture and looks at it. "Not even a wedding picture. All the pictures are with your first wife. I can't see any pictures of Beth and you together." He smirks.

Alec could feel the tension rising in the air. He was right, there aren't any pictures with Beth. How could there be? They hardly ever spent time with each other. They avoided confrontations wit each other as much as possible and their wedding was so dramatic, there was no chance they would have got a picture clicked of that.

"It is kind of funny, isn't it?" Beth answered while Alec was trying to form an answer. She set the cup of coffee in front of Alec and continued "Well, the truth is, I am not very fond of getting pictures clicked."

"Not even a wedding picture?" He asked menacingly.

"Well, I guess that was one mandatory picture but the thing is, I had left as soon as we were declared husband and wife. Emergency in the hospital." She shrugged.

"I heard you both got married in the hospital." He kept the picture back to its original place and Alec breathed a little.

"Yes." This time he replied.

"Not a big ceremony. Why?"

"Well, we both have busy schedules, so we decided to carry out the ceremony in the chapel of the hospital. Just a few close family and friends."

"Who all were there?"

The conversations was beginning to feel more like an interrogation.

"Just our mothers." Beth answered again.

"Interesting. Well thank you for giving me such a lovely company Beth." He shook hands with her and then stood in front of Alec. "I hope next time get a chance to talk."

"Hopefully." Alec shook hands to bid goodbye.

As soon as they heard the door close, Beth collapsed on the couch.

"Holy, that was intense." Beth said.

"Why didn't you tell me he was here?"

"What?"

"Why didn't you tell he was here? Why was I not told about this? I enter my house and what do I see, you both are cracking jokes with each other! Do you even realise what you could have done?" Alec could hear his voice rising.

"Why are you shouting?" Beth winced.

"Well, why didn't you tell me he was here?"

"Well, if he would have given me a chance to even get up, I would have told you!"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Beth rolled her eyes. "I was asleep when he came. I was so tired that I had actually fallen asleep on the couch when Mrs. Norris came and told me a counsellor from the D.A's office is standing in the foyer. I ran upstairs, cleaned up a little and came down to meet him. And until you came, he hasn't left me alone for even a minute."

"You could have just called me, Beth. Or a text would have even done the job."

"I could have but my phone is at the service centre for past two days, it wasn't working properly and needed some repairing." Beth said in 'as a matter of fact' tone.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"How could I when we hardly ever see each other?"

Awkward silence stretched between them.

"Look," Beth finally spoke, "I think it's time to stop avoiding confrontation with each other. I mean, next time when Hosley will come, I am sure he will be more curious. Today, somehow we managed it but we still have to be careful. He is onto us. He knows, this marriage is fake, but we still have to prove him wrong for at least one year."

"I think you are right. Sorry for shouting at you. I didn't know about your phone."

"It's alright."

"So," he sat down next to her. "Let's start with the basics. Your favourite colour?"

"Oh god, we are starting from that level right?"

"I guess? What level were you thinking?"

"No, this level is fine too." She smiled a little before answering. "Royal Blue."

"Beige." He replied.

Beth looked around the room and looked at the pianoforte. "You play?"

"Sometimes. You play anything?"

"I don't like to." She shrugged. "Can you cook?"

"Not so much actually. You?"

"No, don't like to do that either. Your wife, Melissa, she designed this apartment I heard. Mrs. Norris told me."

"Yes, she was an interior designer. That is how we met." Alec didn't like where the conversation was going. Beth could sense he wasn't comfortable with talking about her.

"Mrs. Norris plans on cooking pasta tonight I guess."

"Oh." This was probably the most awkward conversation Alec had ever had. He was rehearsing every word in his mind five times before he said it. He saw Beth yawned. He too was tired. It had been a busy day. He too yawned and then took a sip of the water before continuing to speak. When he turned towards Beth to ask her another question, he realised she had fallen asleep. Her head was resting against the backrest and the cushions and single strand of hair fell on her face. He smiled. Before he could realise, his eyelids too were closing and resting his head against the cushions, he too fell asleep.

****

Happy Easter everyone!

So here is the new update that you were waiting for. Finally, those two are starting to start out as friends again, aren't they? It feels nice to see something positive come up. But, of course, when things begin to work out, something always goes wrong right? I guess I gave you all clue for the next chapter. Wait for it.... (Can't promise any quick updates though).

Also this chapter is dedicated to @ErzaAisy . Thank you for reading my books and supporting them. I hope unlike the last ones, this one won't make you sad.

Until next time guys,

Cheerio! xo

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