Arranged •{ONC 2020}•

《 Chapter Seven 》

Ashlynn didn't speak to Wesley at all, and she purposefully zoned out in meetings thinking about the Thanksgiving feast she'd be enjoying next week. Mountains of mashed potatoes, tender turkey, pumpkin pie, and apple cider. She could taste it already.

When they got home on Thursday—in separate cars—Aunt Leah was waiting for them in the entrance hall. "Coats off, shoes off, and come with me."

They obeyed out of respect, and only protested when she made them sit together on a couch.

Aunt Leah sat opposite them in a recliner. "Now then. Since you've both had time to reflect since Sunday, I believe apologies are in order." They opened their mouths in protest and shut them immediately at the withering look she gave them. "You are both in the wrong here, and you are adults. Pouting and acting butthurt is what children do. If you make mistakes, you must own up to them. Which is why I must apologize to the both of you for starting this mess. I only stepped in because it was necessary; you won't be able to fool people if you act like this all the time. And with the holidays coming up, you two are going to be spending a lot of time together around other people."

That's right, Jamison is coming. Thanksgiving meant Aunt Leah's son, Jamison, and his family would be coming to stay for a few days. In other words, Ashlynn and Wesley would have to keep up the act for more than eight hours a day.

"You're right," Wesley admitted, the frown falling from his face. "I went too far, and for that I apologize. But I'm still upset that you were going behind my back to meet with a guy."

"He's just my friend." At a look from Aunt Leah, she continued, "I'm sorry for...being rude about your, um, ex?"

"Good enough," Aunt Leah said, although she was clearly dissatisfied. "On to more pertinent issues. Thanksgiving is next week, and my son Jamison and his family will be spending a few days with us. This means that you two will have to play nice for at least three days. Think of this as a warmup for Christmas."

"What's happening at Christmas...?" Wesley asked, nervousness making his voice a higher pitch.

"They'll visit again. For two weeks." Aunt Leah smiled innocently, although the glint in her eyes was anything but innocent.

"Oh."

Ashlynn stared at the floor. She was starting get familiar with the patterns in the hardwood boards. Keeping the company really didn't sound nice anymore if she had to spend more time with Wesley.

"So, starting tomorrow, I want the two of you to spend time outside of work together. Take a walk, go out for dinner, watch a movie, anything that will help you understand each other. Jamison is no fool, and he's already very suspicious of this whole arrangement. You," Aunt Leah looked pointedly at Wesley, "are going to have to convince him that you married Ashlynn out of love, not guilt. And you, my dear, need to cooperate."

"Can't we just tell him?" Ashlynn whined.

Aunt Leah shook her head. "If he finds out, Lucy will find out. And, as much as I love her, she leaks like a sieve and it'll be in the news before you know it. The company will take a hit and, to put it bluntly, this will have all been for nothing."

Ashlynn and Wesley shared a look. They'd come too far to give up now. "Alright," Wesley turned back to Aunt Leah. "We'll do it."

"I know you will," Aunt Leah said with a smile. Smoothing her skirt, she rose to her feet and headed towards the hallway. "I'll let you two decide what your plans are. Oh, and one more thing!"

Ashlynn rolled her eyes. "What?"

"When Jamison gets here, the two of you will have to share a room. It would be awfully suspicious if you didn't sleep together." Ashlynn could hear the mirth in her aunt's voice, and her chest filled with dread. "You'll move your belongings into his room on Sunday, Ashlynn."

On that awful note, Ashlynn and Wesley were left alone—not considering the big elephant which had just made his way into the room.

Wesley was wise enough to keep his mouth shut, but Ashlynn didn't even try to rein in her tongue. "There is no way I'm sleeping in the same room as you for a week, let alone the same bed!"

Well, now he had to say something. "I'm not exactly looking forward to this either, Ash, but I'd rather stay on your great aunt's good side."

"My name is Ashlynn."

"Alright, Ashlynn, what kind of movies do you like?"

She arched her eyebrow at him.

"I'm not kidding. What kind of movies do you like?"

"Good ones."

It was Wesley's turn to arch his eyebrow.

"Action."

"Alright. Tomorrow, we'll go see an action movie." And with that, Wesley fled the room.

Ashlynn was left alone (with the elephant). Part of her wanted to break something—rather, someone—and part of her wanted to get a drink. But the club was off limits for the time being, and the someone whose face she wanted to break had just ran away.

Annoyed, she went up to her room. It wasn't very late in the evening, but she just wanted to sleep. At least in her dreams she could go on dates with people who were actually interested in her instead of people responsible for fifteen years of misery.

Only 130 days to go.

And then she'd never have to see his face again. Or his blue eyes.

Still wearing her office clothes, Ashlynn drifted off to sleep, and dreamed that all the theaters in town would be closed the next day.