Song: Been Through - EXO
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"You are going to be my girlfriend"

I dropped the fork I was using to eat salad back in the container. My head slowly twisting to Blake standing on the right side.

What the absolute hell did he just say?

I was in the cafeteria, it was break time and since I had a heavy breakfast I didn't felt like eating much.

Blake had come out of nowhere and was now looking at me with a serious expression on his face. He pulled back the chair next to me and sat in it facing my direction.

"Not funny" I said rolling my eyes, picking my fork back again.

"Do I look like I am joking?" He asked.

I stared back at his face, no hint of a smirk or twitching. Was he really not joking?

"Then have you lost your mind?" I said.

I was convinced that this was either a set up or joke. Blake asked me to be his girlfriend like he was giving a statement about the printing machine. Besides this isn't even how you ask someone out. I wonder if Blake ever had a girlfriend. It would have been difficult to find one with the kind of attitude he has.

An annoyed look appeared on his face.

"I don't want you to be my "girlfriend" girlfriend, that is disgusting. I just want you to pretend to be my girlfriend for one night." He replied, using his hands to describe his real meaning.

What is wrong with him?

"Honestly, what is wrong with you?" I huffed, voicing my thoughts.

His words didn't make any sense, he was definitely toying with me to get a good laugh. I started packing my salad, deciding to leave before things get more ridiculous.

"Eva, I am serious. I need your help." He whined, resting his head on the table.

"What?" I asked, curious and surprise by his sudden change in tone.

He didn't reply to me for a few moments. Then sitting up straight he sighed, closing his eyes to compose himself. Was he actually serious?

"I have to go to this official gathering. And I need a date. Althought it would be great to have anyone besides you, I don't have time or energy to find someone else. So please help me out here." he said looking at me, hope in his eyes as if I would agree to him just like that.

"First of all Mr Blake, you need to start respecting me if you want me to give you favours. Second of all, I'm not doing that- whatever this is"

"But why?" He whined throwing his head back like a kid.

"Because I don't know what this is about. I can't be your pretend girlfriend and go out to a night event just like that. I don't know the details-"

"Okay, I'll brief you in on the necessary stuff" started Blake, cutting me off.

I gave him a look, making him realize his rudeness. He muttered a quite sorry, casting his eyes away from me. My eyebrows shot up in surprise. This was a first, Blake saying sorry for his rudeness. It must be important if he is trying to be this decent towards me.

Quite interesting indeed.

"My dad was a businessman before he died. This event is organized by a businessman who used to be his friend. He invited me and I have to go. All the people there know who's son I am, so I have to make an impression. I can't make them think that I'm a loser who sleeps in the park, the quite opposite of my dad" he said in one go, as if trying to be finished with it as quickly as possible.

I was stunned to hear that. Blake was the son of a businessman? Then why does he have no money to buy a house? Infact, if his father was a business owner, he should already have a house and a business to run. What was he doing working here?

So many questions swirled in my mind. My curiosity at its height. Who was Blake? I really did not know him at all.

"Why do you have to take a date? Can't you go alone?" I asked.

He gave me information he thought was fit for me. I did not want to pressure him into telling me more. No matter how much I was interested in hearing it.

"A date gives an impression that I am established and doing well." He replied.

"Do you really have to go?"

"Yes. Yes I do, I got this job due to his reference. I owe him for this so I can't say no to his request to attend."

What should I do? Should I go with him? Help him cause he did seem like in need. But wouldn't it be too awkward? And wouldn't I be a misfit there? The odd one looking out of place.

"Please Eva, it would be just for a few hours" he tried again. His voice desperate.

I huffed gathering my things again.

"What will I get in return?"

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Can't you just help a friend in need?"

"No" I replied. A deadass expression on my face.

"What do you want?" He asked rolling his eyes.

I took a few second to think through. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to take revenge from Blake for all the insults, rudeness and mean things he did to me.

"You will do whatever I ask you to do for a month" I said.

Instead of asking for something particular, I was going to take all of it.

"Hell no!!! I'm never doing that" he said with a scowl on his face.

"Okay fine, I'll be leaving then. Good luck findinga girlfriend" I said getting up from the seat.

His arm came and rested on mine, pulling me down to sit on the seat again.

"What do I have to do?" He asked with a bored and annoyed voice.

I was loving this.

"Nothing much. Just getting prints for me or bringing coffee for me. Small tasks"

"One week only"

"Three"

"Two"

"Two and a half. Final." I said leaning back on the seat.

"Okay fine, just please pretend to be a good girlfriend" he gave in, irritated by his defeat.

I gave him the biggest smile I could.

"I am the best girlfriend anyone could have"

Rolling his eyes, Blake stood up and left. I stared at his retreating back and couldn't help but smirk. This is going to be fun.

.....................................

I was walking in the garden when Henry came back from office. His coat still crisp and face exhausted as he stepped out of the car.

"Tough day?" I asked walking towards him.

"You have no idea" he replied with a smile.

I smiled back at him as we both headed inside. Henry was a great husband. He really was. The way he was managing his business and taking care of mom was appreciable. I would not be worried leaving mom in his hands because I know he would take great care of her.

"How's your mom?" Henry asked placing his suitcase on the chest of drawers while he took off his coat, placing it gently on the coat hanger in the hallway.

"Better than before, just gets tired easily. She is sleeping right now" I replied.

He nodded his head at my words and walked towards the kitchen.

"Have you eaten?" He asked from inside. The sound of fridge opening and closing echoing out in the hall.

"Not yet"

I walked after him. Entering the kitchen I saw him sitting on the high stool next to the counter, drinking a glass of water. There was a water bottle placed beside him.

I took a glass and poured myself some water too. Suddenly feeling thirsty after realizing I haven't hydrated myself in hours.

"What's in dinner-" started Henry but was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing.

He took out his phone from his pocket. Placing it near his ear after answering it.

"Hello?"

I walked towards the fridge taking out the dinner to heat it for myself and Henry. Mary had made salmon today and just by looking at the food I could feel my mouth watering.

"Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't call you back. I have been busy this week with work."

Moving towards the microwave I opened its door, placing the dish inside and closing it.

"Yes, the apartment is at the Lakers street-"

My ears perked up at what Henry said. Pressing the buttons I turned around and looked at him. I knew the apartment at Lakers street, remembered it quite well. Had memories with the person who used to live inside it and got kidnapped once on my way to it.

Henry was talking about Kaiden's apartment, where he used to live alone.

"I can ask my assistant to book an appointment next week? We can go visit the place together and then you can decide."

I walked back towards the counter. Sitting across from Henry. He ended the call after few more minutes. Drinking the water left in his glass.

I wasn't sure how to ask him what this was about. It was none of my business obviously. But the talk had piqued my interest. Henry looked at me, probably reading the curiosity right off my face.

"I was thinking about selling Kaiden's apartment. It has stayed vacant for years now with no one to take care of it."

"Oh" I exclaimed, nodding slowly to his words. This made sense now.

"Have you talked to Kaiden about it?" I asked carefully.

Kaiden was still a very touchy subject between me and Henry. He still felt guilty for what Kaiden did and didn't even talk about him with mom. Kaiden's arrest was hard for him. He was his only child after all.

"I haven't seen him in years. Went to see him only the first few months." He sighed, looking down at the glass in his hands.

I was surprised to hear that. I had assumed that Henry did visit Kaiden every now and then. No matter how angry he is with Kaiden for what he did, he was his family. But I guess I was wrong, it wasn't like what I had thought.

"Seeing him there, in that criminal uniform saddened and angered me to no extent. It wasn't easy seeing him there Eva, struggling and having a hard time adjusting. I wanted to help him but couldn't, I have never felt that helpless in my life before."

I could hear the pain in Henry's voice. Pain that he had kept inside for too long. It hurted me to see him like that, see him go through this for so many years, see him lose his only son.

"Ever since his mother died I had always tried to do what's best for him. To keep him safe, loved and provided. I promised myself that I would never lose him like I lost his mother. But I did lose him and it was all my fault. I didn't do a good enough job as a parent. Didn't look out for him and focused on my work more than him. I failed him as a father."

"Its not like that Henry. Don't ever think like that. What happened was not your fault and how Kaiden turned out to be was also not your fault.  You are a great father, never doubt that."

I knew Henry felt like he was a failure as a parent. That whatever happened, happened because he was not a good father. But he was wrong. Kaiden's wrongdoings were his fault, nobody elses. He was responsible for what he did not Henry.

"Thankyou Eva" said Henry with a smile.

"Last time I visited him we got into a huge fight. I stopped visiting after that"

"Don't you think you should go see him again? Its been five years, hopefully he is a changed person by now. Someone who learned his lessons and regrets his actions" I said optimistically.

I didn't hate Kaiden, never did. All the time I had spend with him was good. I never felt scared or uncomfortable, neither did he do anything that could have raised red flags for me. It was just that one hour in Carter's house that showed a completely different and dangerous version of him.

I still wish good for him.

"I hope so too. Fifteen years should be enough to change a man" replied Henry with a thoughtful look.

Fifteen years of imprisonment was a long time. By the end of it Kaiden should be a changed man.

The microwave dinged, signaling that our food had heated up. As I was about to stand up and get our food a thought crossed my mind.

"I have a friend" I said to Henry, sitting up straight and alert.

Henry looked at me with confusion.

"Oh-kay" he said with a laugh.

"He is currently homeless and in need for a place to live. Maybe you can rent Kaiden's apartment to him? But only if you want to."

Blake had crossed my mind out of the blue. If Kaiden's apartment was empty and not in use maybe Blake could live there till he finds a place of his own.

"That's a good idea. We can do that. If you trust him enough, I can let him stay in the apartment." Replied Henry thoughtfully.

Blake wasn't a bad person, he just had bad circumstances. My first experience with him might have been unpleasant but that did not define him as a person.

"I do trust him. But I before anything I want you to know that he is short on money, it might be hard for him to give rent for a place like that"

Kaiden's apartment was a luxurious apartment. Blake could probably never afford something like that, even I can't. But if Henry could lower the money maybe he could have a place for himself.

"That is not a problem. I already have enough money. I can lower the rent to whatever is affordable for him. In return he will take care of the place."

I nodded at Henry's words. Gratefull for his kindness. This was great. Blake no longer would have to stay on the streets. He could sleep comfortably in a bed now.

"I'll talk to him and let you know"

....................................

It was twelve at night when my phone rang on the nightstand. I had just finished brushing my teeth and was planning on going straight to bed.

Walking over to where my phone was I picked it up and saw Ally's name flashing on it.

"Hey" I said answering it.

"Hi. I hope you weren't sleeping" she spoke.

Her voice seemed tired and hoarse. As if she had been screaming before calling me.

"No I wasn't. Everything okay?" I asked, worry starting to take over me.

I hoped she and Drake did not have another fight. I hope she was okay.

"Everything is fine, I mean its the usual." She said in a small voice.

"But you don't have to worry. The reason why I called was to ask if you will be free tomorrow." said Ally before I could ask her anything else.

"Yeah, yeah I am" I replied unsure of whether she was okay or not.

"Great then! Come over to my house in the afternoon and we can spend some time together" she said excitedly.

A smile made its way across my face at her enthusiasm.

"Yea, sure. I'll see you tomorrow then" I replied

"Yes you will. And Eva don't worry, this time it will be just you and me"

..................................

Hello everyone!!! How are you all doing? I hope good and if not I hope you feel better after reading this chapter.
Here is a carter-less update for you all. This is actually a filler chapter to give some volume and depth to the book. I find these chapters very important for the progress of the story. In the next update however, there will be drama. A LOT of it. I hope you look forward to that.

Before I end my note I wanted to ask if you all will be interested in doing a Q & A session with me. Two weeks back, a profile asked me for an interview. It was very interesting and enjoyable for me to do that, reading the questions and answering them. Sadly that interview will not be uploaded anytime soon (I will let you all know when it is up) This made me think of doing a question and answer session with my readers.
So if you are interested and have any kinds of questions you want to ask me please write them in the comments section of this chapter. They can be about anything, me as a person, about the book or completely general. I will answer and upload them soon.
That is all from my side today. Hope you all like the update. See you on monday.

Comment and vote.

Love,
S. Maham Fatima

P.S: this song is from one of my favourite musical artists in the world. You should definitely check them out. All of their music is great but I will leave a few suggestions for you:

1. Loveshot
2. Call Me Baby
3. Monster
4. For life
5. Universe