Chapter 8

The cab arrived before the mansion, Samuel and Isis looked at each other and hissed at each other almost at the same time.

The cab driver looked at the teenagers, who hasn't spoke a word of friendship to each other since they entered the car than to throw tantrums and hurtful words once in a second.

"We're here" announced. Isis got out, Samuel stayed back to pay the bills before hoping out.

They both stood before the gate, Isis smirked sadly. "Not in a thousand years did I imagine myself doing this shit with a scumbag like you"

He snickered. "You talk like it was my idea?" He pulled her arm. "Hey, I'm helping you to break my dad and your mum, you should treat me better"

With her arms crossed over her chest, Isis raised her eyebrow and bullied him back. "Helping me?" she scoffed. "Admit it, you don't want this marriage, so get your tiny cock together and pretend properly!"

Samuel shrugged and faced the gate. "You're free to ask to see my cock. You can also call me 'fish boy' just anything to get you annoyed till you disappear from my sight"

Isis gritted her teeth in anger. "Samuel Armani did you have a death wish?"

Samuel laughed at her petty anger and walked off, while she trot after him.

Samuel agreed to the fake dating scheme, as he also figured out that it's the only way his dad would break up with Nora. The hatred between the two wouldn't shake because of this, but Isis draw the lines and rules of how to live under the same roof whole pretending.

From upstairs, Nora and Max looked down and saw the children coming back from school together. Nora was the first to heave a sigh of gratitude. "I never thought Ice would get used to her brother so easily"

Max was massaging her back slowly also smiled. "I know Sam is a good boy. He doesn't stay angry for too long"

Isis and Samuel got into the grand foyer and she was still ranting about this and that, but he shut her up. "Will you quit talking like a radio and get into act?"

"Oh" She move closer to him. "The thought of me standing this close with you makes my skin crawl"

"Not as much as I'm currently feeling repulsed baby girl" He chuckled and grabbed her hand and held it, before opening to the door.

Isis was taken aback. "Why did you..."

"Get in the act Ice!" He scolded silently and they moved into the living room, holding hands. Nora. and Max were nowhere to be seen, Isis snapped her hand away. "I need a full bar of soap to sanitize my hand from your touch"

"Better buy the soap company then. You'll touch me more than you imagine"

Still bickering, Nora and Max descended the stairs. Samuel was the first to notice this and quickly grabbed her hand again. Isis struggled to free her hand from him but he held on firm, with a plastered smile.

"My little munchkin is here!!" Nora cried, making Isis quick composed herself, still holding hand with him.

The parents hasn't noticed that they're holding hands, Max also smiled. "How is your first day at EPC young champ?"

"Not bad Dad" Samuel beamed. "Ice really helped me get used to things and I signed up for the swimming class immediately"

Nora's joy knew no bounds. "That's my munchkin. I know she wouldn't ghost..." She stopped, just noticing that they're holding hands.

"What...." She passed and looked at Max. "You guys are best friends already?"

Isis and Sam looked at each other and quickly disengaged their hands just like they'd practiced. Isis jog to Nora's side. "It's not a bad thing to hold hands with my brother right?"

"That's actually a very good progress" Max complemented, spreading his hand for Isis to hug him which she did and was guided upstairs by Max himself.

Sam bowed slightly to Nora, she took his school bag and also escorted him upstairs. Before dashing into her room, Isis stopped. "Is it okay if I learn swimming from Sam when we're at home?"

Max's face lit up. "Absolutely. I can even teach you myself"

Nora and Samuel stopped since they're on the same hallway. Nora walked over to Max and pulled him away. "We should let the kids do their thing. You can teach me that"

They both laughed and left the two sworn enemies who both shoot a 'fuck you' sign at each other. This their plan No 1 successfully executed.

~~~

Isis and Nora were preparing dinner when Samuel came in.

"What are you preparing, aunt?" He greeted, approaching Nora with a smile that doesn't seem to ever leave his face.

Nora pulled him into a hug. "I think some rice and veggies would do for tonight?"

He smiled again, and clicked and eye contact with Isis, signalling the commencement of Plan No 2.

Since she was washing the plates, Isis purposely dropped a plate, making Nora jerk up in fear. "Ouchh" She whined, a shard of injured her finger.

However, before Nora could reach out, Sam was already there. "Hey. You okay?" He helped her up and gently blow on the wound.

Max seems to hear the crash too an came rushing. "What happened?"

Nora quickly pulled him over, and gestured to Isis and Sam, who was massaging the small wound. The parents looked at each other, as if asking if this is right but shrugged.

When Sam felt he's made them watch enough he released her hand, his voice still tender. "Let me help you with a bandage. Aunt and Dad can clean the mess"

Max dashed his son a sharp glance. "I should....."

"Dad. My sister is hurt"

Isis didn't say anything but kept whining over the little wound. Max heaved a sigh and gave up.

Sam and Isis left the kitchen, before Nora and Max looked at each other abruptly. "Where did this sudden sister-brother strong bond come from all of a sudden?" Nora was the first to ask.

Max has bent down to pick the broken plate. "This is more better than fighting"

"I can't agree more"