“And it’s been going on since the two weeks we’ve been married,” Rachel said trying to sound as aggrieved as a wife who’d just discovered that her husband was having an affair. 

 Devin stared at her for some time and Rachel braced herself praying she wouldn’t give herself away.  She made a lousy liar and she knew that only too well. 

 “How can you be so sure?” he finally asked looking as serious as hell. 

 Rachel understood his reluctance for not believing her.  It would have been hard even to her to believe that Jake could be capable of adultery.  But she had repeated every word Jake himself had taught her.  He was supposed to be the villain in the story they’d invented. 

“Well, there have been signs.  Like he kept working late during the last two weeks repetitively.  I am never able to contact him at the office when he’s supposed to be there.  And once I caught a lady handkerchief in his jacket.” 

“And how do you feel about it?”

Oh bloody shit!  She was not prepared for lying more.  And she wasn’t one to lie so much.  Hated it in fact.  Damn that Jacob anyway for putting her in such an awkward situation. 

“What do you mean?” she asked hoping she sounded normal enough. 

“Well, you can’t blame me for asking.  You were not exactly over-enthusiastic about your marriage, were you? To the extent that you even relieved me of your responsibility if my memory is correct.”

“Yes but …hmmm…it’s kinda…complicated.  I…,” she stammered in a small voice. 

She hadn’t expected that question and her mind seemed unable to improvise. 

“Have you started to have feelings for my Jake, hey?”

 Oh no! Where did he fetch ideas like that? If he thought that she was secretly in love with his son, it would become difficult to end the marriage.  But, she didn’t seem to have much choice either. 

 “Not really,” she said uncertainly dismayed by the turning of the conversation.  Nothing was going on as planned. 

“It’s okay to admit the truth.  I promise I won’t say ‘I told you so’,” he said with his usual arrogance. 

“I…I guess so,” she finally managed. 

“I knew it!” he exclaimed enthusiastically.  “I’ve always known that you were in love with Jake.  Just needed a hand to give your love story the heave-ho! Pretty cunning thing, aren’t I?” he chuckled. 

The arrogant beast! Rachel fumed inwardly. 

“So what do you suggest I should do?” she asked stifling down the anger building up inside her and trying to keep a calm composure.

“Don’t worry.  I know my son very well.  He’s probably doing it deliberately trying to get your attention.” 

“Not again! Why was he so hell-bent on backfiring anything she was saying?

“I don’t think so. Why would he do something like that?” she asked opting for ignorance although she had a pretty good idea what he was getting at. 

“Maybe he’s starting to have feelings for you as well and is only trying to make you jealous.”

Jesus! That man was a hopeless romantic!

“Whatever,” she acknowledged with what she hoped was a hopeless gesture and stood up.  “I can’t go on like that.  I feel miserable, not to forget humiliated,” she sobbed sounding pathetic.  She was rewarded with a look of sympathy which made her skin crawl. 

“I understand.  I promise I’ll talk to him,” he answered squeezing her hands in a reassuring gesture. 

Perhaps, breaking the marriage might take a long time but it was definitely coming. 

“Oh thank you.  It’s really a relief to know that…” she swayed unsteadily and clung tightly to Devin for support. 

“Are you okay?” he asked, his face creasing in worry. 

For a fleeting second, she felt a pang of guilt for having to carry out such a deceiving drama.  But it disappeared as soon as it had come. 

“I’m alright,” she croaked while Devin forced her to sit. 

“Are you sure? You look so pale.  I’ll call Nash.”

“No, there’s no need.  I’m just hungry.  I’ll be fine in a moment.” 

“When did you last have anything to eat?”

Bingo! Now he was talking!

“Oh, I don’t remember.  I feel too wretched to eat anything.” 

“I’ll ask Olivia to prepare you something right now.” 

“Oh no please.  Don’t trouble her on my behalf.  Why don’t we go out for lunch?”

“Okay,” agreed Devin automatically not doubting that it was in fact a set-up. 

                                           **********************************

Where the hell were they? Jake pondered as he smiled absently at his companion in the restaurant.  He’d already got the missed call on his cellular phone, which was the signal that Rachel and Devin were on their way to this particular restaurant. 

It was actually part of the plan.  Devin should witness with is own eyes how ‘vile’ his son was.  And of course afterwards decide whether he was not fit for the Samaritan Rachel.  He didn’t mind playing the bad role.  In fact, he felt like a cad with Rachel. 

He straightened as he caught sight of them entering the restaurant and began flirting outrageously with the woman he was with.  Elizabeth was a mere acquaintance and had been obviously very surprised when Jake had asked her out. 

He knew the moment Devin saw him and did his best to appear casual.  He expected the instant frown that appeared on his face.  What he hadn’t expected was seeing his father march towards his table like some determined soldier. 

“Jake! What a pleasant surprise! Or should I say what a coincidence?” he sneered. 

Rachel followed and her surprised exclamation ‘Jacob’ could have won her an award.  But she’d been working hard for her role.  Had actually been practicing in front of her mirror and had looked so silly that Jake had howled with laughter. 

“How come you’re both here?” he asked and praised himself as how casual his voice sounded. 

So far so good.  Everything was working out as planned. 

“Well, you see, I’ve been wondering about that too.  It seems too much of a coincidence for us to be meeting at the same place and same time.  Especially after what Rachel had told me.  Anyone would think that it was planned!” he drawled with so much sarcasm that Jake flinched. 

“What do you mean?” asked Rachel in a small voice joining them on the table beside Devin.  

“Oh you both know what I mean,” he replied confidently looking at them in a reproving way that made Jake feel he was six years old again.  

He turned towards Elizabeth who had been following the conversation with a puzzled look.  Not that Jake could blame her.  He was feeling like a rake. 

“Jake didn’t introduce us, did he?” Devin continued talking to Elizabeth, making as if he didn’t exist.  “He’s been forgetting his manners lately.  I’m Devin Crighton, his father.  And this is Rachel Crighton, his wife.” 

“His wife?” Elizabeth exclaimed.  “He hasn’t told me that he was married.” 

Oh blast it! Exactly what he needed.  Why hadn’t his father shut his big mouth? This was getting even worse than he had expected. 

“It must have slipped off my mind,” he dismissed and could have bitten his tongue when he caught the stricken look Rachel gave him.  Oh hell! He’d forgotten about another detail.  They had agreed that the women he was supposed to date should have been involved in the conspiracy as well.  But he had found it too complicated to explain things and had simply asked her out – on a friendly term, of course.  But Rachel wouldn’t believe him now. 

Lord! He was in a real mess and it was all thanks to his dad again. 

“What a handy omission,” the object of his thoughts scorned.  As if he had not done enough!

Jake refrained from any comment and the meal continued over a tense silence.  He breathed a sigh of utter relief when it was over.  

“I need to talk to both of you,” Devin said just when he’d thought the worse was over.  “Why don’t you and Rachel drop in tonight?”

                                                         **********************************

“You did what?” Ash exclaimed incredulously.  “Jake…”

“Oh, please Ash.  Spare me the lectures.  I’ve heard enough from my father the other day,” Jake grimaced as he sipped his iced tea. 

“How do you even think of stuff like that?”

“It was Rachel’s idea!”

“No wonder it was such a big fiasco! What did your old man think of the whole thing?”

“In the beginning from what Rachel told me he was buying our story.  But the restaurant episode was too much of a coincidence.  Well, I can see why now.  First, he had not been out with Rach for a long time and seeing me there was what confirmed his suspicions.” 

He shook his head ruefully.  He still couldn’t believe it yet that he’d done something so foolish.  He was no longer a teenager for Heaven’s sake to put up a drama like that.  Back then it had seemed the perfect solution.  But now? 

Maybe if they had taken things more slowly, the whole set-up would have been more credible.  They should have postponed the ‘flaunting’ for a later date.  But they’d been in such a hurry that neither had stopped to weigh out the consequences. 

And now it was too late.  Oh he was quite sure about that.  Devin had been pretty clear about it.  No more trying to fool him.  He would be able to read into any of their conspiracy immediately anyway, he’d assured them.    

He chuckled despite his current mood.  “You should have seen him in action.  He was so angry – he raked at us for hours about the same topic and the only thing he really said was ‘how could you?’  He’s never going to forgive me for that.” 

And to top it all, he had been getting the cold shoulder from his wife as well since the whole damned thing happened.  It was because of the handy omission, of course.  He’d acknowledged his mistake and had already apologized-to both women in fact.  It had been easy to deal with Elizabeth since there had been anything serious going on.  Rachel however was still distant.  She’d resumed her work and was doing her best to avoid him since the incident. 

“Tell me,” Ash was saying.  “Is it such an ordeal to be married to our Rach?”

“But we can’t remain married,” he answered evading the question. 

“Why not? What are you expecting? Love?” Ash drawled cynically. 

Ash had always been bitter about love and marriage and Jake still wondered what could be the actual reason behind it.  Although he didn’t nurture any beliefs about such foolish notions as love, he was no cynic.  So what about Ash? As far as he knew, there had never been someone permanent in his life, so it could not be because of a broken heart. 

“Not really,” he answered truthfully. 

“So what’s bugging you? You’re married to someone beautiful, successful and more important is that you share a good relationship.  I’m sure she’ll make a faithful wife if you give her the chance.”

Jake sighed.  “She’s a virgin,” he finally announced as if that single sentence explained everything. 

“So?” asked Ash incomprehensively. 

“Well, don’t you think she deserves someone better than me? She’d been saving herself for her husband.”

“You’re her husband Jake,” Ash pointed out in a voice that made him want to grit his teeth. 

“Yes but not of her choice,” he delivered harshly. 

“Aaah,” drawled Ash right back at him. 

Jake scowled at him.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that your ego is speaking again.”

Jake’s scowl got fierce. 

“Look, I’m only telling you what I would be feeling had I been in your place.  Hey, stop looking at me like that; I’m your best pal.”

“Sure thing.  I’ve still not forgotten the small favour you did me on my wedding night.”

“Oh, that,” Ash dismissed lightly.  “Was just a joke.”

“Okay, so my ego is hurt.  What about it?” Jake asked.  Maybe Ash was right again. 

“So instead of ending the marriage, why don’t you give it a try?”

“Do you think so?”

“Not if you don’t want it.  But from what you’ve told me I can guess that you do want to try.” 

“I do.  I do,” he said more firmly the second time.  “But how?”

“I don’t know,” Ash shrugged nonchalantly.  “How about starting on a date for example?” 

                                                **********************************

“Dinner?” echoed Rachel incredulously in case she’d heard wrong.  “You want to take me out to dinner?”

“Yes.”

She stared at the man before her as if he’d grown two heads.  What was he up to? She’d thought that since the plan had been a flop, Jake would want as little as possible to deal with her.  And they were supposed to be living their lives separately. 

“Why would you want to take me out to dinner? Is it another of your plans?” she snapped and had the satisfaction to see Jake flinch. 

“No it’s not.  I’m offering an olive branch,” he said appearing contrite. 

“Are you asking me out because you’re feeling guilty?” she couldn’t help asking although she didn’t want to know the answer. 

Jake approached her and lifted her chin with his thumb and forced her to meet his eyes.  “I’m asking you because I want to,” he answered sounding sincere. 

Pity she couldn’t read his mind but his hazel eyes held an unusual glint of honesty and finally she gave in, inwardly cursing herself for her weakness.  She simply couldn’t resist those eyes.  A real sucker!

Jake’s smile seemed to light his face.  “Thank you.  You have about one hour to make yourself a pretty thing,” he said tapping her nose playfully before letting his hand fall on his side. 

“But not as pretty as Elizabeth,” she retorted back, the words out before she could stop them. 

She tried to escape but Jake caught he wrist as she passed him and yanked her to him.  “Are you jealous?” he asked appearing delighted by that thought. 

“What’s that?” she asked in a sarcastic voice.  “The word’s not in my vocabulary.” 

“Uh-uh? Well I’m glad because there is absolutely no need.  Elizabeth is only a friend.  And the only reason I didn’t tell her about us was because it was too complicated to put into words.”

Rachel however was only half listening as her heart lurched frantically over a word he’d used.  ‘Us’.  Was there an ‘us’? The possibility made her strangely happy and cheerful. 

“I did not ask for an explanation,” she said instead trying to still her poor pounding heart, glad that her voice sounded steady enough. 

“I know.  I only told you because it makes me feel better.” 

Rachel’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ as no words came out of it.  Jake’s thumb was caressing her wrist making small circles and her skin burned under his touch.

It’s been two weeks since he had not touched her and Rachel felt starved.  Not one night had gone without her dreaming about him kissing her, touching her body. 

Her pupils dilated now as Jake encircled her waist with his other hand and drew her closer. 

This time, the kiss held a certain tenderness that made her want to cry.  She responded with a ferocity that stunned her and it was over too soon. 

Jake drew back tugged a tendril of hair behind her ear and said gently.  “Be ready in an hour.”

Rachel was breathing hard as if she’d run for hours.  What was wrong with her? She didn’t want to start anything with Jake knowing that their passion would last a matter of days only.  Moreover, she could not sleep with a man she did not love no matter how much she wanted him.  Even if that man was her husband. 

She had never thought before that she could desire someone without loving him.  The truth was so far from the ideal ethics she’d imposed on herself.  She’d always bee proud of not feeling the need to sleep with someone just for the heck of it.  And now it was shocking to realize that it had been from lack of opportunity rather than a contest of will. 

“Are you ready?” Jake asked a moment later. 

“Yes, you can come in,” she shouted back fastening the clasp of her necklace and examining the final effect in the mirror. 

Inadvertently, her eyes collided with Jake’s and he stared at her with such blatant sexual awareness that she felt her knees wobble-yet again.  She pressed a hand to her chest to fight against the unfamiliar feelings and averted her eyes. 

“Shall we go?” she asked unevenly.

“Would you believe it? You look almost as good as Elizabeth!” he teased her as they climbed down the stairs and the tension between them loosened.  Rachel let out a breath of relief and couldn’t help feeling glad that their easy relationship was back.  That she could handle. 

“Thank you, my master,” she acknowledged making a theatrical curtsy. 

“You’re welcome, slave.”

And on that same light banter mood, they reached the restaurant which Rachel noted gladly was an Indian one.  She’d never been to an Indian restaurant before and told Jake so. 

“Haven’t you? Well, I’m glad that it’s your first time. You can give your opinion.  I relish Indian food.”

“I didn’t know about that.”

“Well, when I went to India I tried any dishes and Olivia always tried to pacify me with Indian dishes after Dad and I fought.”

“Oh, did she? Maybe I should steal some of her recipes,” she teased then bit her lip. She hated cooking. Usually. How could she have thought of that?

She couldn’t however deny the absurd feeling of pleasure that filled her when Jake beamed at her. “Would you? I would really appreciate it.”

She flushed crimson and quickly changed the subject by asking him to advise her on the menu about which she knew nothing.  Finally, they both decided for ‘Akkha Murghi’, a chicken based dish along with some chutney. 

At her first taste, she huffed “It’s spicy!” and Jake chuckled at the expression on her face.

“You said it. But it’ll be ok on the next bite. It’s only because you’re not used to it.”

And surprisingly, he was right.  It felt delicious, her tongue having gotten used to the spicy taste.

“Hmmmmm,” she murmured appreciatively. 

Jake seemed to enjoy her delight.  “That’s what I like about you.  You seemed to get so much joy from a mundane activity such as eating.” 

“I should tell you, Jacob.  When I eat, my other senses-except my taste obviously-are blocked!”

“Oh, I know,” he drawled looking at her tenderly. 

“How?” she asked her eyes round with surprise.

“Dad once told me that he’d been talking to you for a long time and you didn’t have a clue about it.”

She giggled.  “Oooops!”

“Oooops indeed” and they laughed together. 

Rachel felt light-headed.  He was so fun to be with and was so attuned to her feelings.  Was it because they had known each other for so long or was it because they were simply well-suited? A bit of both, she finally concluded after some thoughts. 

“Excuse me,” a beautiful lady interrupted them addressing Jake directly.  “Can I have an autograph, please?”

Jake blinked and shook his head.  “I’m sorry. I think you are mistaking me for someone else.”

She fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously and Rachel gritted her teeth.  What the bloody hell…? It seemed that the “sorry lady” had taken Jake for a movie star and was bending her near bare chest in the face of her husband. 

She watched fuming as the disappointed ‘fan’ apologized for the slight misunderstanding and made no indication of going away.  And Jake damn him did not seem to mind her advances all but was instead on his most charming self-his most flirtatious self. 

Jake was trying to involve her in the conversation as well but she remained unresponsive hoping that the ‘woo-man’ would finally take a cue.  By the time she left, Rachel’s appetite had vanished and she pressed her lips to prevent herself from blurting out something dense. 

“What a charming lady,” remarked Jake looking at her as if gauging her reaction.

Determined not to show him how much she was affected, she just nodded and continued with her food which now tasted like sawdust.

“What’s the matter?” Jake finally asked breaking the silence. 

“I was just wondering… what a convenient mistake that was,” she said unable to hide the sarcasm. 

“It was not deliberate if that’s what you’re implying.” 

“What makes you so sure?”

“Firstly, I do resemble that actor.  Many people have pointed it out to me.  And this is a classy restaurant with many big personalities around. So it was a plausible mistake.” 

She hated it when she was wrong and especially when Jake was right.  “Why are you defending her anyway? It was only an excuse to talk to you.” 

“Well, I’m flattered,’ Jake answered smiling broadly his chest heaving with male ego.  “And stop scowling or I might think that you’re jealous again.”

“Nonsense!” she quibbled instantly which made it sound even more obvious. 

Well, he was free to think what he wanted.  She was definitely not jealous.  Hell, why would she be? Because you’re in love with him, silly, her conscience whispered to her. 

“Oh, you wouldn’t know.  It’s an illness affecting mostly women.  Makes them do terrible things.  Take your case.  If you hadn’t been sick with that disease, you wouldn’t have been rude to our guest by ignoring her,” Jake teased but Rachel had not heard anything. 

She was too busy absorbing the appalling discovery she’d just made.  She loved Jake and always had.  What she’d thought was a simple infatuation had grown into a strong feeling and had never really go away. 

Everything was crystal clear now like a jigsaw puzzle fitting in place.  The desire she’d always felt whenever he touched her which she had thought was mere irritation.  The hurt she’d felt when he had started avoiding her when Devin had been trying to fix them up.  It had not been a mere ego thing as she had thought initially but something deeper.  To call him Jacob had been a desperate way to show him she hadn’t cared.  But she had.  And still did. 

Oh God! What a fool she was for not having understood such a simple thing.  What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t keep him tied to the marriage knowing that it had not been his choice-and probably never will.  It would not be noble of her. 

She should think of something to end their marriage and it had to be quick.