Attached Strings √

Chapter 23

Chloe's POV

"Now this, Paul, is my favorite time of the day." I whispered to him.

"And what time is that?"

"Payback time." I smirked.

Before he could reply, Karen and Dan joined us on the table and I couldn't help but admire their perfect timing. Paul was seated right beside me and his parents sat on the opposite side. "So tell us," Karen began, "how did you guys meet?"

Ah! Just the question I've been waiting for.

Paul saw my devilish grin and he quickly spoke, "We met at school and we immediately hit it off."

"It was love at first sight," I supported.

"Yeah. From the moment I saw her, I just knew that I wanted her. I was captured by her ocean-blue eyes - they were intriguing and they still are. When our gazes locked for the first time, I felt things I'd never felt before. Looking into her eyes, I experienced a bundle of foreign emotions," his eyes bored into mine. I felt imprisoned by his captivating brown eyes. I wanted to look elsewhere but I couldn't, his eyes kept mine in place. "I didn't want her like I wanted other girls." His voice was so low, it was like he was speaking to himself. Was he still acting? "I knew that she was what I needed to become a better person and from that day onwards," he paused and I was still under his gaze, "I made it a point to make her mine." He kissed the back of my hand.

I was awestruck. That sounded so real, I almost believed him. I had to give it to him, he was good. I could feel my subconscious clapping her hands for him and I ignored the goose bumps I got when his lips made contact with my skin. I found myself wishing that he had meant all that he was saying. I wanted to kiss him, to feel his hands all over my bo-

Chloe, focus!

Oh, yeah... the plan. I had to go on with my plan and I sensed that Paul knew I was up to something but he didn't know what that something would be or when it would come. "Aw, Danny. They're truly in love," Karen spoke. Paul gave me the don't-mess-this-up look and since I was in no mood to be abiding by his looks, I said:

"Yeah, we're so in love you'd actually think that we're faking."

Paul's parents laughed and I joined them. Paul, on the other hand, was wide eyed. He didn't know how to react. He tried laughing too but what came out was only a series of coughs. "Are you okay, baby?" I asked innocently, pouring him a glass of water. After drinking the water and getting his breathing back to normal, he asked:

"Sweetheart, have you forgotten about our agreement?"

I, of course, replied: "Not at all, babe. Why do you ask?" I asked him, acting like none the wiser.

"Then what are you doing?" He decided to respond to only the first part of my response and completely ignored the latter.

"Oh, you know, returning a favour." I was enjoying this.

"How long have you been dating for?" It was Paul's father who asked this time.

"Three months," Paul hurried before I could say anything but I wasn't going to let him win. I was still determined to make him pay for all the pranks he pulled on me. Thus, I spoke:

"Three months but it feels like it was just two days ago when he asked me to be his girlfriend."

"Sweetheart, your jokes could make people suspicious one day." Paul muttered.

"In those three months, he's never cheated?" His dad asked.

"No. He's never brought any girl here and I've never had to wear earplugs because of his and a girl's noises," I looked at Paul and flashed him a smile, "He's been the perfect boyfriend."

"Oh, Paul. I'm so proud of you, dear," his mother took hold of Paul's hand. "And you," she turned to face me, "you are truly a blessing to this family."

A blessing, me? Please, I'm just an actress here.

Of course I didn't say that out loud because I'd finally decided to give Paul a break and diverted my attention to the scrumptious food that lay before me. Minutes after, we were all done with eating and Paul cleared the table.

"My goodness!" Karen exclaimed, "I never thought I'd live to see this day - my own son washing dishes," his mother was amazed.

Don't be so impressed, it's only because it's his turn to do the dishes, I wanted to say but I thought against raining in his parade.

While Paul was busy in the kitchen, his father joined him and Karen took that opportunity to ask, "How did you manage to change him in just three months?"

He's just following the rooster.

"I don't know either but I guess he's just determined to make this work." I was being honest. I, too, didn't know how I managed to get him to do dishes. I mean, he could have just as easily told me to shove the timetable and I wouldn't protest because I lived there for free and washing dishes should've been the least I could do. A part of me wanted to know more about this but another part told me to just let it go and I did.

A few minutes later, Paul and Dan returned from the kitchen and Karen stood up from her seat. "Honey, we should get going."

"You're leaving already?" I asked them. I was enjoying their company. "Yes, we're tired. It's been a long day for us."

"Relax, sweetheart," Paul snaked his hand around my waist, "We'll be visiting them tomorrow."

I nodded but my attention was no longer focused on the fact that his parents were leaving. My mind was on a certain hand that lay on my waist. I stole a glance at Paul and he looked unaffected by this and that stung.

He's pretending, what did you expect?

I knew we were only a fake couple but I hadn't expected him to be so numb - I thought he'd at least feel something for me. I hated this. Why couldn't I be just as numb as he was? Why was I the only one feeling those things?

I'm not going to feel anything for him anymore, I vowed to myself. I could hear my subconscious laughing as if I'd said the most ridiculous thing ever.

"See you tomorrow," Dan said.

"Goodnight, sweetie." We exchanged hugs and they left. We waved at them as they drove off - a guard had already brought another car for them - and they left.

A/N: You know the drill: vote & comment.

-Nikita