Chapter 12

Arriving back home with a sleeping Miracle, I put him down gently onto the bed before walking out to Seb's room. Why am I waiting for him to come out? He is probably asleep anyway.

I turn and head back to my room. Stroking Miracle's soft hair, I sit beside him. It's almost the time of month when my mother sets me up on a blind date. Will Seb really pretend to be my boyfriend? The more I think about it, the more I am worried. Will she even believe us after all the years that we have protested against our parents sharing the idea?

Tasting a metallic liquid in my mouth, I wince as I realise that I accidentally bit my lip too hard. "Damn." I mutter quietly before stepping out of my room.

I head to the bathroom and wash my mouth. I can't help laughing at my pathetic appearance in the mirror. So many problems have appeared one by one since I quit my job and they don't seem to be leaving any time soon.

"What are you doing?"

My eyes widen and I glance at the doorway. I didn't bother closing the door. Seb is standing in only his boxers. He must have woken up from his sleep.

"I was washing my mouth." I say, before walking out of the bathroom, pass him.

"Wait Eva." He grabs my arm, stopping me.

"What?" I ask curiously. My eyes travel to his six pack and I quickly use my free hand to cover my eyes, "Can't you put a top on first?"

"Why? Is it effecting you?" His voice is close to my ear. "Do I effect you Eva?"

In embarrassment, I push him away, "Stop it Seb. I'm too tired to talk to you. Let's talk in the morning." I fake a loud yawn and walk away.

"Fine. But it might be too late by then." He says, his arm against the doorframe.

"Stop acting like a drama queen and just tell me." I say.

"Your mum is visiting tomorrow. She didn't tell me a time though."

My gut instinct was correct. Mum has already moved onto her next target. I wonder which poor man she chose this time.

"I can tell from your face that it's that time of month again." He chuckles.

"Is it funny to you?" I groan, "Where does she find all these men from? It's like she has some kind of secret interface where she stores all the details of these poor men who she has targeted. Hold on, how does she know I'm here?"

"I've always admired her knack of finding out things. Are you sure she isn't lying that she wasn't a detective in the past?" He asks in amusement, finally sliding a top on.

Bending my finger, I beckon him toward me. "Come here."

Seb looks confused as he walks closer to me. Grinning mischievously, I wrap my arms around his neck and flutter my lashes at him.

"But this time, I have you to save me." I whisper seductively.

I hear him gulp nervously as he stares down at me with wide brown eyes. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"Tell me how she knows I am here and I will consider letting you off easier." I stand on my tiptoes so I am almost the same height as him.

"I... don't think this is a good idea..." He mutters, his ears tinting red.

"What? Are you embarrassed that I know you spilt the beans to her?" I lean my face closer to his and smirk, "What should I do with you huh?" As an idea pops into my head, my eyes brighten. Turning my face slightly, I stretch my neck and stop when I am almost touching his nose with mine. He gulps loudly and I grin. Is he uncomfortable?

Abruptly, he pushes me away and I frown. Is he angry that he has to act as my boyfriend? I thought he was fine with it before.

"What's the matter? I was just teasing, you didn't have to push me so hard." I mutter.

"I didn't mean–"

"I'm tired." I yawn again and walk back to my room. Miracle is still sound asleep. I climb into bed beside him and switch off the lamp.

Why am I feeling disappointed? Is Seb uncomfortable and awkward around me because he is going to act as my boyfriend? Usually, he would play along with me and tease me back. It's not like the fake boyfriend has to be Seb. I was originally going to ask Jason anyway but Seb himself stepped in. Why is he changing his mind now? I don't understand. We live under the same roof but Seb keeps feeling stranger and stranger to me.

***

Sure enough, my mother is punctual as always. Seb must have told her that I am living with him for now so she doesn't question further about it.

"I'll prepare some snacks for you Mum. You must be tired." I say quickly and walk to the kitchen whilst she sits with Seb in the living room.

I sigh. Fortunately, I left Miracle at a neighbour's for the time being. But I need Seb to play his role now. We haven't spoken since last night. I am still not sure why he is angry.

"Let me help you Eva." His voice sounds sweeter than usual and I have to stop myself from gaging. Does this mean he has forgiven me for whatever he was annoyed with me for?

"Hey, what are you doing?" I hiss as he reaches over me.

"Helping my girlfriend." He grins and winks before standing behind me and grabbing the biscuits from the top shelf which I can't reach.

Why is my face heating up? I can feel his body flush against my back. "H-hurry up." I whisper urgently. My mum will probably come over any second if she suspects anything.

"Are you scared she will see us?" He smirks and I stiffen as his arms wrap around my waist from behind, "Won't it help us show her our relationship?"

"What relationship?! We don't have a... wait, you're actually right!" I say, after realising that he has a good point.

Excitedly, I turn around and grab his hand, "Let's show her!" I whisper enthusiastically. I will do anything for her to stop sending me to see random strange men every month.

Seb looks surprised at my sudden change of behaviour but I drag him out of the kitchen, our hands still together.

"You took your time Eva." As expected, her eyes skim down to our clasped hands. "You even forgot the snacks."

"Snacks?" I groan. I forgot the biscuits in the kitchen.

"I'll get them." Seb says gently before smiling at my mum reassuringly and returning to the kitchen.

I smile awkwardly and sit opposite her on a chair. "How have you been Mum?"

"Oh you know how to ask? I thought you even forgot you had a mother. You haven't called me to ask at all."

"Mum, you know how busy I am." I lie. Well, it's not a complete lie. I am usually busy with Miracle.

"How is work?" Mum asks, her brown eyes scrutinising me.

"I-it's alright." I say. She won't press me about it right?

"Seb mentioned that you will be staying here for a while. What happened to your rented place?"

Seb must have only told her vaguely that I moved in. Looks like I can still trust him a bit.

"That place had a leak... and the landlady refused to get it repaired so I moved here until I find a new place." I speak convincingly. I went over this response a hundred times last night. I should win an Oscar.

"Darling, why don't we tell Aunt the truth?"

Both my mother's and my head snaps towards Seb who places the platter of biscuits in front of Mum. "Wh-what?" I stutter anxiously. What is he saying now? Does he actually want to expose me?

"Darling?" Mum says slowly, glancing between Seb and I.

He grins and walks over to me, gently lifting my hand with his. "I wanted to let you know the truth today Aunt. Actually, Eva and I, we're dating."

My mouth hangs open as I hear his words. Why is he being so straight forward?!

"You two are dating?" Mum sounds doubtful as she stares at us.

"Yes." Seb says confidently, keeping ahold of my hand. "I wanted to tell you earlier, but Eva kept stopping me."

"Hey, when did I..."

"I don't believe it."

My mother's voice causes us to widen our eyes as she stares at us. We haven't even started and it's already over?!

"Definitely the main boss." I mutter. She really would be the last main boss in a video game.