CHAPTER 4- Putting On A Show

"Would you just relax?" Noah asked in a nonchalant manner as we stood in the outside my parent’s house, discussing our forthcoming encounter with my parents. While I was instructing Noah on what to say and what not to say, I couldn't help but notice his growing annoyance, evident from the multitude of eye rolls he directed my way.

"It's going to be fine, alright?" he reassured, gently cupping my face in his hands.

In that fleeting moment, our eyes remained locked, something undeniably special transpiring between us. However, as quickly as it occurred, we averted our gazes, and the moment dissipated.

Noah cleared his throat, running his hand through his hair. "I'm going to make him believe that we are deeply in love, okay? Stop worrying so much."

I nodded, still flustered from the encounter. "Okay."

To my surprise, he reached into his jacket pocket, extracting a box that revealed a breathtaking and undoubtedly expensive ring. Taking the ring out, he delicately grasped my hand.

"You should probably wear this," he suggested.

I was taken aback, to say the least. "Um, Noah... You really didn't have to get me a ring, let alone one as extravagant as this."

"You don't like it?" he inquired, his face displaying a hint of disappointment.

"No! It's not that," I hastily replied. "The ring is undeniably stunning; it's just that it appears quite expensive, and I can't help but wonder about the cost."

Noah chuckled. "Isabela, you should know by now that money is of no concern to me."

Still awestruck by the ring, I nodded.

"Shall we?" he asked.

"Oh, yes, of course," I replied. "Let's get this show on the road."

As we made our way into the house, I intertwined my fingers with Noah's, holding onto his hand. I noticed him glance down at our entwined hands, a look of unfamiliarity crossing his face.

"Oh, why hello there, Noah!" my mother exclaimed. "It's been so long since we last saw you. What a delightful surprise."

"I'm sure it is," Noah muttered under his breath.

My mother smiled before turning away. "Honey, come see who's here!"

It didn't take long for my father to enter the living room. To say he was astonished would be an understatement upon seeing Noah standing there.

"Noah, my boy!" he exclaimed, his smile reaching ear to ear. "It's so good to see you!"

With his free hand, Noah shook my father's hand, while I maintained a tight grip on his other hand.

"It's good to see you too, Adam," Noah replied, smiling.

"Please, take a seat and make yourself at home," my father insisted.

Noah and I sat across from my parents.

"Noah, it's been years since we last saw you. How have you been?" my father inquired.

"I've been fine," Noah cleared his throat before continuing. "Actually, I'm here to talk to you and Sarah."

"Talk to us?" my father raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, about Isabela and me," Noah replied, moving closer to me.

Observing my interlaced hands, my father connected the dots, a wider smile gracing his face. "Are you two together?"

Noah cleared his throat once more. "Actually, it's more than that. I came here because I wanted to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage. Mr. Coleman, I'm deeply in love with her, and I'd love to officially make her mine."

What an act! It almost convinced me if I didn't know it was a complete lie.

My father erupted in joyful laughter. "This is amazing! You have my full support. Sarah, what do you say?"

I exchanged a glance with my mother as she nervously smiled. "Only if it makes Izzy happy."

"I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else," I forced a smile, planting a chaste kiss on Noah's cheek.

My father rose from his seat, a perpetual grin adorning his face. "Noah, you have no idea how many times your father and I dreamed of our children getting married."

Noah politely smiled, but I noticed a hint of unease at the mention of his father.

"Now, come on over here and give your new dad a hug," my father exclaimed, chuckling.

Noah obliged, releasing my hand and relinquishing his warmth. It was quite comical to witness his discomfort as my dad squeezed him tightly.

"There's no one I'd rather entrust my dear Izzy to when I walk her down the aisle," my father said. "Take good care of her now, you hear?"

"Of course, sir," Noah replied with a smile.

My eyes met my mother's, and we exchanged a knowing look. There was a mixture of relief and apprehension in her gaze, as if she understood the complexity of the situation. We had both been caught up in this elaborate charade, knowing that the truth would eventually come to light.

But for now, we played our parts, navigating the delicate dance of deception. As Noah and my father engaged in lively conversation, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. The weight of the lies we were weaving hung heavily on my shoulders.

Yet, amidst the pretense and uncertainty, there was a flicker of hope. A glimmer of possibility that this fabricated love story could somehow transform into a reality. And in that moment, as my mother and I locked eyes, we silently vowed to support one another, no matter the outcome.

As the evening progressed, laughter filled the air, disguising the underlying tension. We shared stories, jokes, and dreams, all the while carefully maintaining the façade of a blissful couple. It was a delicate balancing act, requiring impeccable timing and flawless execution.

But as the night drew to a close, and Noah and I bid my parents farewell, I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. Would this charade crumble under the weight of its own deception? Or would it somehow evolve into a genuine connection, founded on more than just a performance?

Only time would tell. And as I walked hand in hand with Noah, the weight of our shared secret pressing against my chest, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.