Chapter 4

Practice Being My Boyfriend

Oliver's POV

"Let's get something straight," Noah said. "I'm not leaving until someone explains what's happening."

He sat on my sofa with his arms crossed.

Sebastian occupied the other end, looking perfectly comfortable. I stood between them. "You're both making this difficult." "No, Oliver. A dead man is sitting on your sofa. I think we're past difficult."

Sebastian raised his hand. "Technically, I'm sitting beside him." Noah stared at him. "Please don't encourage him," I said. "I'm just making an observation." "Keep your observations to yourself."

Noah leaned closer. "How long has he been here?" "Since yesterday." "And you didn't call me?" "What exactly was I supposed to say? Hello, Noah, there's a dead man eating my pasta?" "Yes! That's exactly what you were supposed to say!"

Sebastian laughed. I pointed at him. "You're enjoying this far too much." "Your friend is entertaining." "He's usually not this loud."

Noah threw a cushion at me. I caught it. "Can we please discuss something useful?"

"Fine," Noah said. "What happens now?"

I looked at Sebastian. He shrugged. "Good question." I sighed. "First, we need to understand the watch. Second, we need to find out who sent that message. And third, we need to make sure nobody else finds out about this."

Noah nodded. "Agreed. Especially the person sending those messages. We don't know what they want, and I'm not comfortable with someone knowing where you live."

Sebastian's expression became serious.

"Neither am I." Noah looked at him. "Then perhaps you should explain why someone is demanding your watch." "I wish I could."

That answer silenced us. Noah picked up the pocket watch from the coffee table.

Sebastian immediately sat forward. "Careful."

Noah examined the silver casing. "What's so special about this?" "I don't know," Sebastian answered. "But I can feel it when it's close." Noah placed it back. "Then nobody touches it without a reason."

I nodded. For the first time since Sebastian appeared, I felt like I wasn't handling everything alone. Then my phone vibrated.

Mum. I opened her message. Mum: Oliver, don't forget Sunday lunch. I want to meet Sebastian properly. And please tell him he doesn't need to bring anything. Just himself.

I showed Noah. He read it and burst out laughing. "Oh, this is perfect." "It's not perfect." "Your imaginary boyfriend is coming to Sunday lunch." "He's not imaginary anymore!" Sebastian leaned over to read the message.

"Your mother seems excited."

"She's excited about a man she has never met."

"She'll meet me on Sunday."

I looked at him. "You can't be serious." "Why not?" "Because you're dead!"

Sebastian smiled. "Your mother doesn't need to know that."

Noah slapped his knee. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but he's right." I turned back to him. "Don't encourage him." "Oliver, think about it. Your mother wants to meet your boyfriend. You've got a boyfriend. What's the problem?"

"Everything." I said. Sebastian stood. "I can help." "With what?" "Being your boyfriend."

I laughed. "You don't even remember your own life." "That doesn't mean I can't remember how to be charming."

Noah nodded thoughtfully. "He's got a point." I looked between them. "Have you two formed an alliance?" "Possibly," Noah replied. Sebastian offered me his hand.

"Shall we practise?"

I looked at his hand. Then at his face. "Practice what?" "Being a couple. Your mother will ask questions. We should have answers."

Noah grinned. "He's right. Let's start with how you met." I rubbed my forehead. "This is ridiculous." "How did you meet?" Noah repeated. I cleared my throat. "At a business event."

Sebastian looked at me. "What kind?" "An important one." "That's not an answer."

"Fine. A charity event." "What charity?" I looked at him. "Do you want to be my boyfriend or investigate me?"

Noah laughed so hard he nearly dropped his phone. Sebastian stepped closer.

"Let's try again. Where did we meet?" I hesitated. "At a charity event in London."

"And what did I say to you?" "You complimented my suit." Sebastian glanced at my clothes. "That would have been difficult." "What's wrong with my clothes?"

"Nothing. I was imagining something better."

Noah made a choking sound. I threw the cushion at Sebastian. He caught it. "See?" he said. "We're already convinced." I tried not to smile. It didn't work. For a few seconds, the apartment felt almost normal. Noah was laughing, Sebastian was teasing me, and I was beginning to forget that the man standing in front of me had been dead for seventeen years.

Then Sebastian looked at me. "Oliver?"

"What?" "Do you really want to do this?" His voice was quieter now. I understood what he meant. The pretending. The family lunch. The possibility of people becoming attached to someone who might disappear.

I looked down at the watch. "I didn't ask for any of this." "I know." "But you're here now." He studied my face. "And that makes a difference?" I didn't answer immediately. "Yes," I said at last. "It does."

Sebastian's face softened. Noah stood up.

"Right. I think I've had enough romance for one evening." "Nobody is being romantic," I protested. "Of course not." 

He picked up his jacket. At the door, he turned back. "Oliver, call me if anything happens. Don't reply to that unknown number, and don't hand over the watch to anyone." "I won't." "Promise me." "I promise."

Noah glanced at Sebastian. "Look after him." Sebastian nodded. "I will." After Noah left, Sebastian walked himself to the kitchen. "Your friend cares about you." "He's been annoying me since university. It's practically his job."

Sebastian smiled. I picked up the pocket watch and placed it carefully on the table.

"One more thing." He turned. "What's that?" "On Sunday, don't embarrass me."

He gave me a charming smile. "I make no promises."

I shook my head. Then he reached for my hand. His fingers closed around mine, warm and surprisingly gentle. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll make your mother like me." I should have pulled away. Instead, I let him hold my hand for another moment. Then the pocket watch began ticking.

Sebastian released me. His smile vanished. He looked at the watch. "What's wrong?" I asked. He didn't answer. His eyes had gone distant. A faint sound escaped his lips. 

"Wait..."

I stepped closer. "What is it?" He pressed a hand against his forehead. "I remember something." "What?" "A door slamming."

His breathing became uneven. Then he whispered, "Someone was calling my name." "Who?" Sebastian looked at me. For a moment, he seemed genuinely frightened. "I don't know. But I remember what they said."

I waited. His voice dropped. "They told me I wasn't supposed to die."