A Beautiful Misunderstanding

"Let's fake a relationship," he said lowly.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "And what are we going to do then?"

"Like, we can go on dates and stuff–like pretend we're together," he explained.

Essie frowned, not really knowing what Zac was implying. "So, you mean we pretend to actually be a couple? Like one of those reality shows?"

"That's right!" Zac gave her a thumbs up. "I know that you haven't been in love before, so I'll make sure to make this experience unforgettable."

'Why are you being so kind-hearted? What are you thinking?' These thoughts raced through Essie's mind as she stared at him reproachfully. "If you really want to play couple, then you could ring Mandy up. I'm sure she'll love that." She scoffed.

His smile faltered and he tightened his grip around her waist. "Do you really want me to find another woman?"

Her lips curled. "Well, that's your business, isn't it?"

"Really?" Raising his eyebrows up in the air, he stared at her like an artist looking into the person's soul. "Then why were you so angry when I was with Mindy?" he asked.

"I'm not. I was just defending Mandy's honor." Essie lowered her head unconsciously as a blush coated her cheeks. She didn't know why she was so flustered by his question. Her hands fidgeted. He didn't allow her to brush it off. Zac grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" she answered decisively, without giving herself time to think. However, there was a mysterious ache in her heart that she just couldn't express. Instead, she decided to bury it, hoping that she wouldn't be able to feel it in the future.

A hint of disappointment flashed across his face. Frowning, his eyes darkened similar to a deep abyss. "Since you're being so generous," he snapped coldly. "I won't let you down." Without giving her a chance to reply, he let her go and strode straight to the doorway.

Essie's jaw dropped. Was he really going to do it? Thinking of him holding another woman in his arms, the mysterious feeling she had buried started to spread like wildfire. She ran up to him. "Hey!" she called. "I didn't say I wouldn't play pretend. There are just rules that we need to abide by."

He finally stopped. "What rules?"

Are we clear?" She placed her hands on her hips and glared up at

about touching her. As for sleeping on her bed, that's fine as well, since she didn't say anything about sleeping on

parents were about to play that she was about to stop

a video he had snapped to his wife and reported to her. Lucy's eyes were practically burning with fury when she saw lots of women getting out of the room one after the other. "I have to remind Essie to keep an eye on Zac. There

she should do it secretly. Suspicions like

in order to convince

too far last night. Just trust me, okay? My husband is not that kind

in identifying those types of people. Besides, as the saying goes, spectators see more than the players. Since you're already in this marriage, it's inevitable for you to

hide his nature if he's truly a cheater," she persuaded. "How about

honestly couldn't agree more with their daughter.

planned

proud son-in-law acted as if he was their doting son.

to best actor of the year if he kept that up! He was great at

and Lucy

at all. Plus,

"He works steadily, but he isn't a workaholic. Some people sometimes suck up too much to their

important thing is that he's kind to Essie," she said

already charmed the pants off my parents. Has my parents

are you sure you're not over-exaggerating? How can you tell that

forehead. "Have you forgotten what my

that you major in psychology, but

his eyes or the little movements that he makes. Okay. For example, when you crossed the road, didn't you notice that he would naturally walk at the outer lane for your safety? When we were at the farm, he

it for a while, Essie

son-in-law, that her judgment about the man actually being sincere was wrong. He was only pretending to