Chapter 4 (Fake Girlfriend)

The silence in the Porsche car felt intense. Nick sat behind the wheel, right next to Luna. His jaw hardened, his gaze pierced to the road that stretched out from the car window.

The dark suit that Nick wore fell perfectly on the man's tall body. It looked neat, expensive, and almost flawless—like the life he had always controlled with precision.

The alternating street lights reflected a stern shadow on his face, clarifying the jawline and the cold, unpredictable look of his eyes.

Luna, the woman occasionally stole glances at the man beside her.

Until he didn't realize when his gaze was held for too long. The look in his eyes that was originally only a glance, turned into a full stare.

His mind was busy wandering around at the figure beside him. There was something about the man that made him both uncomfortable and curious—the way he was silent, the way he controlled the space without needing to say anything. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna was still staring at Nick with a full gaze, judging every detail: the tie tied neatly, the expensive watch wrapped around Nick's wrist, to the calm and arrogant demeanor that was too perfect to be called ordinary.

"He's still quite handsome for the size of a 33-year-old man. But no one wants to be with him? To the point that she needs someone to pretend to be her date..." Luna dialogued in her heart with eyes still staring at Nick.

"Hmmm... Is it possible that this old man is abnormal? Does he not like a woman?"

"But it seems impossible. It's impossible for an authoritative man to seem to like a man too."

"You're not tired of looking at me like that?"

Nick launched the sentence without looking up, as if the man didn't need to look to know that he was in the limelight.

As for Luna, the woman swallowed her saliva.

His face warmed, his fingers reflexively gripping the bag on his lap. He turned to the window, pretending to be busy with the glowing city lights out there.

"We're going to my mother's house. Your job is only to pretend to be my woman in front of him."

"Be natural, don't look like you're acting. Don't mess with it, Luna." Nick continued.

"A regular meeting, isn't it?" Luna asked.

Nick nodded.

"You just have to stand beside me and smile. The rest is left to me to take care of." Nick explained.

“Baiklah, Pak Nick.”

Nick sighed at how Luna called him.

"My name is Nick Luton, call me Nick or Nicky. Do not use Mr. or Mr. frills. Just Nick or Nicky." Nick warned.

Luna just listened silently.

"Luna."

The woman reflexively straightened her shoulders.

"Y-ya, Pak Nick?"

The man's eyebrows were raised slightly.

Not annoyed, more to disagree.

"I told Luna, don't call me that," Nick said lowly, his tone controlled.

Luna swallowed a spit.

"Sorry, sir—"

Luna was silent to herself, her face heating up.

Nick sighed softly, barely audible. He shifted his sitting position closer, too close that Luna could smell Nick's neat and expensive masculine scent.

"Call me Nick." Then after a short pause, the man added,

"Or Nicky. Without any frills."

Luna opened her mouth, then closed it again. His heart was beating chaoticly.

“Ni... N—”

The sound is stuck.

"I... I'm not used to it."

Nick observed Luna's nervousness for a moment, then—perhaps because he was too reflexive, maybe because he was too patient—his hand lifted and gently brushed Luna's cheek, as if to calm her down.

"Calm down," he said quietly.

"No one needs to—"

"Hac—CHII!"

The sneezing just bursts.

Silence.

Luna's eyes widened when she realized that her sneeze was right on Nick's hand that was still attached to her cheek. His face was instantly pale, then flushed drastically.

"Oh—I—I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she said panickingly, she hurriedly pulled the tissue out of her bag.

Nick stared at his own hand for a few seconds. Then something that Luna didn't expect at all—she chuckled softly. Briefly. Restrained. But it's real.

Nick tried his best to manage his emotions.

"Calm down," he said as he accepted the tissue with an almost intimidating calm.

"At least now you don't look like you're acting."

Luna was silent, she was still embarrassed to death. He was lucky because Nick's emotions were not turbulent because of his actions.

"I'm really sorry, sir—"

Luna gasped.

"Nick."

The corners of the man's lips lifted slightly when Luna finally called out his name.

"Try saying it again." Nick Painted

"Nick, my dear Nick, dear, dear Nick..." Luna called Nick like she was indeed Nick's woman. He is very deep in his role so as not to lose his job.

"Good." Nick nodded his head.

The Porsche car was still driving, taking them to a place where Luna didn't even know it.

***

The mansion's black iron gates opened slowly, letting a shiny black Porsche drive gracefully over the gleaming white marble walkway, the reflection of the garden lights dancing on its perfect body, until the car came to a stop right in front of the majestic European-style building with its tall pillars and golden light emanating from the windows, as if the entire mansion bowed down to welcome the owner's arrival with an undeniable aura of power and luxury.

Luna was silent.

His eyes swept the entire scene before him—vast, quiet, and too beautiful to be called home. He swallowed his saliva, his chest feeling tight with awe mixed with nervousness.

"This... Your mansion?" Luna asked who got out of the car first without waiting for Nick.

"Yes." Nick answered briefly.

"Ekhheem..."

Nick was gone.

“Ek-ekhemm...”

The Luna nodded.

While Nick didn't say anything.

Just stretching out his arm—elbows bent slightly—a simple gesture but full of meaning. Her gaze glanced at her arm, then returned to Luna's face, as if to say: now.

Luna was stunned for a moment.

"Hm? What's wrong with it?" Luna's mind

"Nick, has your illness recured?" Luna asked.

Nick replied to Luna with the same position and swung his arm giving the woman a code.

"Let me check on you." Luna's hand moved to touch Nick's forehead, confirming if the man was okay.

Nick sighed. He was very tired of Luna's innocent behavior.

"You stupid girl!" Nick muttered slowly.

Without further ado, Nick immediately held Luna's hand tightly.

They stepped towards the main door of the mansion, the light of the lamp elongated following his lady's footsteps.

***

The aroma of warm dishes fills the mansion's main dining room. The long mahogany table was perfectly arranged—glittering silver cutlery, slender candles lit quietly, and fresh flowers neatly arranged in the center of the table. At the end of the room, an elegant woman stood giving directions to the kitchen staff in a soft but firm voice.

That's Donna Hylie Lancaster—Nick's mother.

She wore a beige house dress, simple but obviously expensive. His hair was neatly bunched, his attitude was elegant, as if every movement had become accustomed to being judged and respected.

Footsteps were heard from the direction of the foyer.

Donna turned her head just as Nick and Luna entered the living room. His hands stopped in the air, his eyes immediately observed—not with a sharp gaze, but with a calculating look.

"Nick," he greeted. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Nick stepped forward, still holding Luna's arm.

"Mom."

He stopped in front of the woman, then tilted his body slightly towards Luna.

"I want to introduce someone." Nick said tightening his grip on the woman beside him.

Luna swallowed a spit, trying to keep her posture as graceful as possible.

"This is Luna Henderson, she's my girlfriend." continued Nick in a steady voice.

Donna turned her gaze completely to Luna. His gaze was soft, yet it felt penetrating.

"Luna,"

"It's nice to finally meet you." Donna said with her friendly smile.

Luna bowed slightly, politely.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Donna."

Nick glanced at Luna for a moment, barely visible, then looked back at her mother.

"Nick, to be honest, I'm so happy."

"About?"

Donna smiled wider.

"Your partner is a woman." Dona said and then sighed a little.

"My mother was worried. You're too introverted, too focused on work, and never bring anyone along. I wonder if you are still normal or not."

Silence for a fraction of a second.

Nick fell silent, his eyebrows raised slightly.

"Mom!"

But beside him, Luna choked on laughter—she hurriedly lowered her head, covered her mouth with her hands, her shoulders shaking slightly in amusement.

"Luna."