Chapter 13:

   Shally kept silent for seconds looking at Gerard then burst laughing without stopping for like 5mn, she was just laughing from the heart not being able to control it or even talk, Gerard tried to make her stop but he ended laughing with her; she finally stopped and turned serious for a minute: "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to laugh on this but..." Shally had a mad laugh again, whenever she remembers the sentence 'our names start with the same letter' she laughs without being able to stop until her stomach ached; she finally stopped laughing: "I'm really sorry but it was so funny, what a strange reason to fall in love with someone. So now I need to find someone whose name starts with 'S' then, (Laughing) oh my god! I didn't laugh this hard since a long time." Shally finally stopped laughing and turned to carry on her work but then she turned at Gerard: "Can I ask you a question?" Gerard felt curious to know the question: "

× Yup, sure.

× Who is she?

× (Not understanding) Who is who? Gwen?

× No I'm not talking about Gwen, I'm asking about the one who made you end up in this situation.

× What situation am I in?

× (Sighed) Are you dumb or you're playing it dumb?

× (With an annoyed face) Maybe if you talked clearly I'll understand what you want to say.

× I'm talking about you refusing to get married or have a woman in your life to the point to lie on your mother about it, I'm asking about the one who broke or hurt you this much that you don't give a chance to any.

× (Smiling ironically)You miss understood the subject, no one broke me, no one hurt me, I've never had any woman in my life, at all.

× (Surprised) You don't expect me to believe that, do you?

× And why's that?

× You definitely don't look as someone who never had a woman in his life.

× And what kind of man I look like? The rich man who passes each day with a different new woman, enjoys the time, takes advantage of her then disappear?

× (Hesitating) Kind of, yeah.

× Sorry to disappoint you but I don't like to lose my time with women, I have more important things to do.

× It's really hard to believe that but I'm sure that there is a reason for that, there must be."

Gerard kept silent and was thinking: "You're right, there is a reason which is all women are gold diggers so I don't want any in my life but I can't tell you this otherwise my lies will be exposed." Shally was waiting for an answer but she saw that Gerard was in deep thoughts so she asked:

× "So? Are you thinking about the reason or what?

× Hm? No, there isn't any reason.

× (Suspicious) I don't believe that but it seems that you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to."

Gerard tried to smile to Shally to look normal but in reality he was concerned, after thinking about all the lies he did and the game he played on Shally, he didn't know how to fix things without being exposed, he's inside a mess and he doesn't know the way out, he was feeling some regrets for lying to her after he got to know her, he maybe knows her for five days only but he did enjoy her company and felt good around her, he again changed the subject: "

× What about you? Why didn't you accept that guy from the old people's house? He wasn't looking like your prince charming or he wasn't rich enough?

× This is the third time you ask me if I'm still single because I didn't find a good rich man to hunt, it starts to bother.

× I'm so sorry, it's just...comes out like that.

× It's fine, don't mention it again.

× So? Will you answer my question?

× I'm actually surprised that you remember that guy, I myself did forget him. Back then I wasn't looking for a man, I was so busy working to have money and honestly I don't like that kind of person.

× And what kind of person he is?

× The kind who thinks he has rights on me and allows himself to do things that a boyfriend would do even though I rejected him before, he even dared to kiss me...and in front of my parents.

× (With widen eyes) Wow?! What courage. And? How did you react?

× (With pride) I slapped him and told him never to dare do it or even think about it again.

× (Laughing with joy) The poor guy, he'd never look at a woman again."

After that, Shally carried drawing and Gerard carried the movie. Few minutes later, Shally felt bored then jumped asking: "Where can I find your mother?" Gerard looked at her with surprise: "

× My mother?

× Yeah! Why are you so surprised? Can't I ask about her?

× It's not that, I just didn't expect you to. She's probably in her office.

× And...Where can I find this office in this big labyrinth?

× (Laughing)You go down, turn to the right then to the right again then turn left. Can I ask you what you're going to do with my mom?

× Just have a talk, I'd like to have some rest from work so I thought of a chat with your mother."

While Shally was walking toward the door, Gerard murmured to himself: "You have the time to talk to my mother but you don't have time to watch a movie with me" Gerard thought that Shally didn't hear him but she actually did so after she opened the door to leave and before closing it, she teased him: "I heard that!" she closed the door then opened it again and added: "And stop being jealous of everyone I spend time with" and closed the door again so Gerard shouted: "I am not jealous of anyone." Shally heard him from outside the door biting her lips and smiling all alone feeling so happy, she then hit her forehead with her hand after realising that she was smiling alone like a crazy person.

After getting to Margret's office, Shally knocked on the door and opened it: "

× Aunt Margret? Can I come in?

× (Surprised) Oh Shally my darling! Come in, please. I'm surprised and happy to see you here.

× Thank you. I was feeling a bit tired of working so I thought to come and have some time with you, If I don't bother you of course.

× No not at all, I was just looking at some things of the company but I'd love to have some time with you, what about some coffee?

× I'd love to."

Margret and Shally went to the living room to have some coffee and chat, Margret asked her about how things are going between her and Gerard and Shally reassured her that everything is fine, even though she was feeling sad for lying to her but she didn't dare tell her the truth, she was just hoping that Gerard will tell her soon and to change the subject, Shally asked Margret to tell her a little about her, Gerard's father and Gerard too.

   The next day and after work, Shally arrived to Gerard's room but he wasn't there, Shally put her things on the desk and wondered where Gerard could be. Not feeling in a mood to work, Shally left the room. Later, Gerard got out of the shower expecting to find Shally working but she wasn't there, in the beginning he thought she didn't come but then he saw her things on the desk so he knew that she may be somewhere in the house but then he realised that there was music coming from somewhere of the house, Gerard called a servant: "

× Jonathan? Where does this music come from?

× The kitchen, sir.

× (Surprised) The kitchen? Since when do they play music in the kitchen?

× It's not the workers sir, it's Miss Shally.

× (Astonished) Shally? What is Shally doing in the kitchen with music?

× She came and asked to prepare a chocolate cake, we told her that we'll prepare it for her but she said she wanted to do it herself; she then put music, started preparing the cake and dancing and this isn't all, your mother came to see what was going on and was surprised like you but then Miss Shally convinced her to prepare the cake with her, now they are in the kitchen preparing a chocolate cake and dancing."