THE SUNLIGHT MAKES a way through the curtains, causing Daniel to slowly stir awake. He opens his eyes, blinking several times as he wonders where he is. "Where will you be sleeping then?'' Max asked, dumbfounded as he was. I remained silent and just stared at him. I could imagine the wheels in his brain circling, trying to find out where exactly I will be sleeping. I found myself adoring the moment when Max's face lit up, knowing he had found the answer. ''Ooh,'' Max realised, his eyebrows rising. I failed to suppress my smile and the corners of my mouth curled in a smile. ''If you don't mind,'' I added, my smile disappearing. It was then that I felt my heartbeat accelerate. It was not excluded that I misinterpreted the signs. I could hear my pulse pounding in the veins of my neck. It felt like an eternity when Max's finally opened his mouth to speak. ''No, I do not mind at all,'' he said and there I could see it, the corner of Max's mouth curved into a small smile. He tried to hide his smile, but I found it more adoring. A relief fell off my shoulders. Daniel stares at the ceiling with a smile plastered on his face. His eyes travel to the sleeping figure next to him, resting on his face. He looks so peaceful, Daniel smiles. ''It is rude to stare, you know?'' Max's raspy voice fills the room, causing Daniel to have a scare. The Dutchman opens his eyes and gazes into Daniel's eyes. Max's smile causes Daniel to smile as well. "I apologise," says Daniel sincerely, causing Max to chuckle. "Did you sleep well?" he asks. Daniel nods, "I did, actually."
     "CHARLES! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" "DELILAH, I'M A TERRIBLE COOK!" The loud voices of Delilah and Charles are heard in the bedroom. Max groans and plants his face on the mattress. It causes Daniel to chuckle and throws off the blanket. "I will check up on the kids," Daniel grins. He stretches before he leaves the bedroom. While Daniel makes his way to the kitchen, Max could only giggle finally now realising that they might be becoming something. Daniel walks around the corner, only to see Charles in an apron and a horrified expression on Delilah's face. Daniel loudly wheezes while he leans backwards with his hand on his chest. ''You shouldn't let Charles into a kitchen,'' Delilah mentions to Daniel, who fails to stop laughing. Charles feels a heat creeping up his neck as he steps backwards. ''Charles, why don't you set the table?'' Delilah asks with a small smile, ''no offence, but otherwise, we waste delicate food.'' Charles shrugs, giving in.

''Oppa,'' says Delilah, stirring the food on her plate. She feels a slight knot in her stomach, having no idea how Max would react to this idea. ''Jeonghwa,'' Max replies, leaving Charles confused. He glances at Daniel, who smirks because he knows that Jeonghwa is also the name of Delilah. He winks and proudly smirks. ''I texted Aeron last night,'' she breathes, feeling her heart accelerate, ''and he eventually asked if he still had a shot with me.'' ''Pff,'' Max scoffs, ''stupid idiot.'' ''I said no and lied about seeing someone,'' Delilah slowly continues, ''and-'' ''And then I suggested Delilah and I pretend to be fake dating,'' Charles finishes her sentence. All eyes shift to Charles, who feels suddenly self-conscious. Delilah sends him a faint smile while Max clenches his jaw. ''What?'' he simply asks. ''Yeah, it is to fool him and her fath...'' Charles' voice fades, realising he has made a mistake. Both Delilah and Max feel a cold grasp around their heart. Max's eyes shift to Delilah, who happens to stare at her plate. ''Jeonghwa, why did Charles include father?'' Max questions in a sharp tone. His hand curls into a fist, his knuckles withdrawing blood and turning white. ''I did not,'' Charles desperately tries, yet Max sends a glare in his direction. ''Jeonghwa,'' Max asks concerned. ''It's nothing,'' Delilah mutters, ''father wished a son-in-law just like unnie.'' Max raises his eyebrow, not trusting the situation. His eyes shift to Charles, who seems to find his plate interesting as well.
     ''So, that is the plan,'' Delilah breathes, looking up from her plate. She then glances aside at Charles, ''Charles and I will pretend we are dating. We will come to terms on arrangements and we will fool father and Westfall.'' ''Okay,'' Max agrees, ''I'm sorry for freaking out earlier. I am just worried for you.'' Delilah flashes him a smile and says, ''I know and I am grateful for it.'' Max turns to Charles and says, ''I'm sorry I glared at you that way.'' Charles nervously chuckles and nods, ''if looks could kill ... I would have been dead indeed.''

After breakfast, Charles and Delilah spend time on the balcony. "We must be seen in public, starting the rumours and eventually appear madly in love," Charles comments, ''but we should set some rules as you said.'' Delilah nods, staring at the waves of the sea. She tears her eyes off the sea and glances at Charles. ''No kissing unless it's an emergency,'' says Delilah, causing Charles to tilt his head. ''Will it not be weird if a boyfriend doesn't kiss his girlfriend and visa versa?'' he questions, genuinely confused. ''I respect that decision though,'' Charles adds quickly, ''I just wondered.'' ''A kiss on the forehead is alright,'' Delilah explains and sighs, ''I never had a boyfriend before and I don't want the first time to be fake.'' She lowers her eyes in embarrassment. ''This is a hopeless idea,'' she mutters. Charles places his fingers underneath her chin and gently forces her to look at him. ''That is understandable, Delilah,'' Charles reasons, ''we can think of other reasons but the kiss on the forehead is alright.'' Delilah sends him a faint smile. He is too sweet, I will cry, Delilah thought. Her heart jumps while a heat creeps up her neck once Charles gently caressed her cheek with his thumb. ''May it ever occur that we need to share a hotel room, it will need two beds,'' Delilah whispers. ''Accepted,'' Charles replies and releases his grip on her cheeks. ''If I ever reach the podium, it will be a must that you'd be there,'' Charles continues, ''even if Max or Alex are not on the podium. Although I hardly think Max misses a podium, you get my point.'' ''What about family occasions?'' Delilah questions. ''We sit next to each other,'' Charles sums up, ''and ... we could hold hands here and there. A hug, a kiss on the forehead. How does that sound?'' Delilah nods, ''sounds good.'' Charles thinks of one more reason, yet he doesn't dare to speak the words. Is actually falling in love with the other off the table? He opens his mouth but it is not his voice that speaks. "How about falling in love with the other? Along the process?" Delilah questions. The words Charles didn't dare to speak. "I don't know," he answers, yet he wants to say it is possible for them. "I think it should stay off limits?" Delilah questions, "this is an act of fooling and deceiving." Charles feels his heart sink, yet he has not the heart to speak up. So, the Monegasque silently agrees. Delilah nods, ''so, to summarize this all ... No kisses on the lips, two beds in a hotel room, me supporting you on the podium, casual around family and actually falling in love is not an option.'' ''Yeah,'' Charles nods, ''that is about it and it stays a secret.'' ''Okay,'' she murmurs.
     ''Shall we plant a rumour this afternoon?'' Charles asks, trying to hide his grin. ''It sounds mischief,'' Delilah chuckles, ''which makes it even more exciting." She wasn't lying, it felt exciting. A jolt through her body by the thought of fooling the world into thinking that they are courting. She rises from her stool and walks away when Charles asks one more question. ''What about names?'' he asks, ''what do I call you?'' Delilah stops in her tracks to think before she glances over her shoulder. ''I do not mind, whatever you will come up with,'' she says. Charles nods and watches her leave before gazing at the sea. Ma Cherie?
     ''Came to terms?'' asks Max curiously, causing Delilah to nod. ''We approximately have four to five rules,'' she explains, glancing around the room. ''Where is Daniel?'' ''I heard my name.'' Daniel's deep voice fills the room as he sticks his head around the corner. His hair is wet and he has a towel on his waist. Max casts a glance at Daniel and his breath hitches at the tantalising sight of the Australian. Delilah, and Daniel as well, catches Max staring and flicks his head. "Auw! Verdomme!" Max curses, his hand caressing his head. Both Delilah and Daniel laugh. "It is rude to stare, brother." Daniel's words only made it worse, "nah, Max is allowed to."