Chapter 4~ Fake It or Go Insane

Elodie’s POV

The words land like ice water. A cold, sharp pain pierced my chest, making it impossible to take a full breath

I blink. “You… what?” The waiter brings in the food. They’d ordered before I arrived. When I look at the food I lose the little appetite left from the news they dumped on me. So this was the important thing my mother had to discuss.

“He’s a good man,” my father says, not looking at me. “Stable. Reliable. You’re not getting any younger, Elodie. It’s time to settle down.” 

“Father, I have important things to settle before I think of marriage and also to Luca. How can you agree with this dad?” He looks at me startled i called him dad. Since the year after Selena joined our family, I stopped calling him Dad always Father. Tears burn my throat. I pick at my fingers under the table.

“You know what i went through with luca, i know you don't care what happens with me but there is a reason he is my ex-boyfriend, what were you all thinking” my father doesn't say a word and begins eating his meal.

“Don’t speak to your father that way young lady we didn’t train you that–”

“So keeping quiet and allowing you to throw me into the fire is the way I should be. Did you ever tell Selena that” 

“That's because she is better and more successful at what she does. She doesn’t need to be told what to do unlike you” She reaches to pat Selena’s hair warmly. She hasn’t done that to me since Selena joined this family. 

Selena smirks behind her glass. “He’s excited. We told him you’d be thrilled with the proposal.” Her eyes shimmers with a dark, dancing delight.

My chest tightens. My fingertips tingle with shooting needle pains. I feel twelve again, watching them praise Selena for the littlest thing she does while mine got a “try harder.” Invisible. Always invisible.

“I am not marrying Luca,” I whisper looking at the table. I can’t look at their faces now, they’re making it painful for me to breathe. What a wonderful dinner this turned out to be for me.

Mother frowns. “Why not? You’re single. No prospects. The bakery which you claim to be important has failed. You are basically not doing anything currently” She says while eating her food, no one at the table cares that i haven't touched my meal, what they all care about is selling me out to just about anyone.

“Well, not everyone can juggle a business and a relationship,” Serena said sweetly, her diamond bracelet and ring flashing as she tucked her blonde hair behind her ear. “Some of us have priorities instead of a failing business.”

My mother laughs. “Oh Serena sweetie, not everyone can be you, who understands the importance of marriage and still has a professional career.” 

Serena smiles “You flatter me too much mom, we are talking about Elodie right now.”

Mine was the only face not amused. I look at my dad but his face remain neutral eating without a word. This is how it's always been. Serena and everyone else can mock or say hurtful things but when I react I am immature or emotional.

I am happy we booked a more private corner booth for this dinner if not i would been drowning in shame from those dining around us

I pressed a watery smile on my face. “Actually,” I heard myself say before my brain caught up, “I am seeing someone.”

Silence.

“To make it short, I am engaged,” I blurt.

The table goes still.

“Engaged?” Father repeats, like the word is foreign.

“Yes.” My voice shakes but I force it steady. “I’m already engaged.”

Selena leans forward. “To who?” 

My mother leans on her chair, eyebrows wrinkled as she narrowed her eyes squinting at me “Why are we not aware of this engagement”

I swallow ignoring Selena. “I wanted it private and I planned to tell you about it during this dinner but you sprung your decision on me”

“What is his name?” Selena chirped.

“I don't think–”

“Yes, Elodie, what is his name?” Mother smiles fakely, grabbing her glass of water.

My brain scrambled. I didn't expect to be asked his name. The restaurant went silent or is it just to me. The Christmas lights seemed to blink in slow motion, mocking me. I looked around the restaurant thinking of something. A name or someone. 

And then. My eyes caught my savior, right at the middle of the restaurant, sitting at a single table. With a woman. 

My next-door neighbor, Cassian Hart, in a navy blue 3-piece suit, cold and emotionless as ever, even with the woman he’s at the table with. Well who knows, the guy barely spoke more than five words since moving in three months. He did help me once but that doesn't count. 

Cold. Stoic. Probably allergic to emotions.

But right now? He was salvation.

“Cassian,” I said, too brightly looking away from him and back at my mum. “His name is Cassian.”

Mother’s eyes narrow. “Then bring him to the retreat. We’ll see for ourselves. Or we’re moving forward with Luca.”

“The retreat?” I choked. “I am not sure that will be possible mother he–”

“Of course,” Serena purred. “Wouldn’t want the family to think you’re making him up.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the words stick. They’ve already planned the wedding in their heads. Luca’s name on invitations. Me in a dress I don’t want and just like that, my stupid fake fiance had to become a real one.

I push back from the table. “I need air. You can discuss the retreat without me as I don't need to be here for that.”

my mother bristled. “How dare yo—” 

I leave the restaurant, not turning back. Snow bites my cheeks as I walk. My breath fogs. My heart is pounding so hard I feel it in my throat.

I end up in the courtyard between buildings. Cassian’s apartment light is on. He is back. Perfect. I stand there, snow soaking my boots, staring at his door. I don't know if this will work, but he is my only hope right now. Where will I find another guy named Cassian?

I march up to his porch and ring the bell. No answer.

Ring again.

It takes forever. The door opens. Cassian stands there, coat off, sleeves rolled up, eyes dark and unreadable.

“Cassian,” I say. My voice cracks. I clutch my scarf like a lifeline. “I know this might be too much to ask, but I need a favour. A big one.”

He blinked. “A favour?” 

I start picking at my scarf “Yes, I had to get my family off my back, and you happened to be there…”

I looked up to see his expression, but as always, nothing. I took a deep breath. 

“I may have told my family that I am engaged to you.”

A pause. Then—“You what?”

“I panicked!” I said quickly. “It was either that or accept the marriage proposal they accepted from my ex. Please, it’s just for the family retreat we’ll be having for a week. It will be over before you know it. Pretend to date me, be my very nice and supportive fiance and I will do anything you want. Please.”

He looks at me for a long moment. 

Then he says, voice flat, “No.”

The door slams.

I stand there, frozen. Tears burn hot tracks down my cold cheeks. The courtyard is silent except for the wind.

What now?