4| Fake dating rehearsal

LISA

My head was still heavy from yesterday. I sat on the edge of the bed for a while, rubbing my eyes gently.

Then it hit me.

The pregnancy.

Brian.

The hospital.

I swallowed hard, reached for my phone, and dialed the doctor’s number.

She picked up on the third ring.

“Hello? Lisa?”

I took a deep breath. “Doctor… I need a favor. A very big one.”

Her voice softened. “Are you alright? You sound shaken..”

“I’m fine,” I whispered. “I… I just need you to lie for me.”

There was a long pause.

“Lie… about what exactly?” she asked.

“If Brian ever asks you about my pregnancy,” I said slowly, “please tell him it came… from IVF. Tell him I did IVF in the hospital. That it didn’t involve… anyone.”

The doctor gasped a little. “Lisa… IVF? You want me to say that?”

“Yes,” I said, voice breaking a little. “Please. I need him to believe it. I don’t want him or anyone to know the real way I… I…”

My hand began to shake, remembering the stupid mistake that brought me here.

The doctor sighed deeply. “Lisa… you know lying about medical records could affect my career. It’s dangerous. If the truth comes out…”

“I know,” I whispered quickly. “I know. And I’m sorry. I just… I’m in a mess. Everything is confusing. I don’t want drama. I don’t want trouble. I don’t want Brian to ask questions. And he is ever to find out later on… I’ll try my very best to convince him trust me.” I said calmly.

The doctor stayed quiet for a moment.

Then she said softly, “You’re alone, aren’t you?”

I pressed my lips together. “Yes.”

Another long breath from her side.

“Fine,” she said quietly. “I’ll help you. But only because of your situation. And only if Brian asks. I will not lie to more people.”

Relief washed over me like warm water.

“Thank you,” I exhaled. “Thank you so much.”

“Take care of yourself, Lisa,” she said before hanging up.

I dropped the phone and covered my face with both hands, letting out a shaky breath.

A few seconds later, I dialed a second number…Raya.

She answered quickly.

“Lisa? Why are you calling so early? Did something happen?”

I let out a small laugh. “Something happened, something big.”

“Oh no…” Raya groaned. “What did you do again?”

“I didn’t do anything. Or… maybe I did. I don’t know,” I said. “I confirmed the pregnancy… “ I said telling her about Brian too, the fake dating contract and how it all happened.

There was a short silence.

Then Raya exploded.

“LISA! WHAT?!”

“Calm down…”

“No! Don’t tell me to calm down! How? When? Where? With who?!”

I rubbed my forehead. “I told you before… it was… you know… the condom.”

“I thought you were joking!” Raya shouted. “Lisa! Oh God.”

“I wish I was.”

Raya sighed loudly. “Okay. Okay. What now? What did the doctor say?”

“That I’m really pregnant.”

“And who again… yes Brian? Does he know?”

“No. And he won’t,” I said quickly. “He must never know the truth.”

Raya’s tone softened. “Oh Lisa… I’m worried about you. You sound tired. And sad. And confused.”

“I am,” I whispered.

“Do you want me to come over?”

“No,” I said softly. “I just… needed to tell someone. I didn’t want to keep it all in my head.”

“Alright,” Raya said gently. “Call me anytime, okay?”

“I will.”

We hung up.

I tried to calm myself and just then a smile came across my face as my thoughts drifted back to earlier that morning before Brian left for work.

**EARLIER THAT MORNING**

I woke up early, mostly because I couldn’t sleep. I went downstairs to the kitchen to make coffee.

A few minutes later, I heard slow footsteps coming towards the kitchen.

I turned to see Brian walk in.

Half asleep.

Hair scattered in every direction.

Shirt rumpled.

Eyes half open like he was still dreaming or maybe sleep walking.

One sock missing for some reason. He really looked like a kid right now.

I froze, staring at him like he was some wild animal.

“Uh… good morning,” I said.

But the way I said it…

Good.

Morrr—niiing.

It sounded like something from a cartoon.

Brian stopped and looked at me with one raised eyebrow.

“What was that?” he asked.

“What?” I blinked innocently.

He rubbed his eyes. “The way you said good morning. Why… why did you sound like that? Are you okay?”

I cleared my throat. “I’m trying to get used to a better version of Adrian.”

Brian dropped his hand from his face and stared at me.

“Don’t.”

His voice was flat.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t compare me to Adrian. We only share a face. Nothing else.”

I looked down, embarrassed. “Sorry… I didn’t mean it that way.”

He sighed lightly, then took the mug of coffee I handed him.

“Thank you,” he said.

“You’re welcome.”

We went to the living room. He sat on the long sofa, and I joined him after a few seconds.

“So…” he said, sipping the coffee, “we need to practice.”

“Practice what?”

“How we’ll act in public if we go outside together.”

I blinked. “Why?”

“Well…” he said, leaning back, “you said you don’t want attention. You want people to think we’re normal. So we practice.”

“Oh…”

He cleared his throat.

“Okay. First. Names. What do we call each other outside? Lisa? Babe? Honey?”

He made a face. “Definitely not honey.”

I laughed loudly. “No, never honey.”

“Good,” he said. “So?”

“You can call me Lisa,” I said. “I don’t think I’m ready for… babe.”

He nodded. “Fair enough.”

“And I’ll call you… Brian,” I said.

He smirked. “Very romantic.”

I slapped his arm softly. “Shut up.”

He set the mug down and faced me.

“Next. How do we walk together? Hand holding? Arms linked?”

I stared at him, cheeks getting warm. “Uh…”

He lifted his hand. “Relax. It’s just pretending.”

“I know,” I muttered.

“Okay,” he said, standing. “Try holding my hand.”

I stood up too, awkwardly and touched his palm slowly.

Our fingers linked, we both froze immediately… then we burst out laughing at the same time.

“This looks so fake,” I said.

“Yes,” he agreed. “Very fake.”

“Maybe we should try walking like this,” I suggested.

We walked two steps together.

Then his sockless foot slipped slightly on the tile and he almost fell.

I screamed which made him laugh, making me laugh even harder.

“This is terrible,” he said.

“We suck at this,” I added.

“We do.”

He looked at me for a moment and he let go of my hand gently.

“Okay,” he chuckled. “Enough practice. I’m going to be late.”

I nodded. “Alright.”

He ran upstairs . “If you need anything, call me. And don’t go outside.” He said before entering his room.

“Okey I won’t.” I said… I didn’t know if he heard me or not though.

** End of flashback **

I smiled as I remembered how childish brian acted this morning but then my mind drifted back to Adrian. I know him. If he is to ever find out I’m with his step brother he might return.

Not because he loves me but because he sees me as one of his properties and that was one thing I hate about him.

One thing I knew for certain was… I’m never gonna settle for less anymore. He hurt me and I was ready to make him pay for all he did to me.