Ariel is definitely amazing. She’s really talented and so humble and despite she never had any professional training, she can control and project her voice remarkably. She said that her mother taught her since she was a little girl but she’s never had a vocal coach since then. I think she doesn’t need one, but just to make the best out of her talent, Dad has decided to get her one. I’ve been the whole afternoon with them, seeing how she trains and does everything as told. She’s very diligent and hard-working so they progress so much in one afternoon. It’s mind-blowing and I can’t wait for her album. Dad is really serious and committed so I have faith this time, I actually think he’ll produce an amazing work because there’s no way Ariel could have a bad song. Plus, I listened to one of her songs —they were rehearsing it— and it was so… so beautiful. Heart-warming, natural, honest yet delicate and with a feeling of innocence that turns out so refreshing.
She’s not only talented, though. She’s really sweet. Her shyness makes her so cute and when I see her blushing I have this urge to hug her and promise her that I’ll protect her. I wonder if that’s how Harry feels, because he watches her as if she were the only girl on the planet, his smile is always present and his eyes show such devotion. I’m not the kind who wants a relationship or to be in love, all those things are irrelevant for me because I have real problems to deal with, but when I see the way they look at each other I do feel jealous.
Anyhow, spending the afternoon at the label with Dad, Ariel and Harry leaves me in a good mood so by the time I get home, without Father because he had to stay at the label for a meeting, I’m still smiling, anticipating the final result of Ariel’s and Dad’s hard work. In fact, I’m very eager to see her again. She’s so nice and cute, plus, Dad seemed more at ease with my presence there, although I don’t think they’ll need me. Ariel will get used to Dad and they’ll work together perfectly.
But nothing lasts forever and my good mood has to be ruined. I have to get a call from reality to remind me of the bad choices I’ve made so far.
Yes, I mean Liam.
It’s so easy to forget that I’m doing this, I mean it’s still quite new for me and as I’m so unwilling to this I kind of make myself forget, but I can’t escape reality for too long.
“Hello there!” a cheery voice says from the other end of the line.
“What?” I reply because just seeing his contact on the screen of my mobile pisses me off.
“And then you say I’m the rude one. Is that the way to talk to your boyfriend who has missed you the whole day?” I can totally hear the sarcasm in his voice and that makes me angry, but it’s worse because I know he’s right. I’m being the rude one this time, he did nothing wrong, as in right now, for me to react like that.
“I’m sorry,” I apologise feeling ashamed for the way I acted. I’m better than this, I can control myself. Unless he does something, I have no reason to snap. “What do I owe the pleasure of your call?”
Fight fire with fire.
“Oh, isn’t missing you reason enough to call?” I take a deep breath to give me strength to deal with him.
“Oh, silly me for thinking you could have another reason. I have missed you, too, beloved boyfriend.” It is disgusting how fake that sounds, but I think that’s the point.
“Then I have the perfect solution for us!” Liam carries on so cheerfully. He thinks all this is a game.
With my mobile still pressed against my ear I walk inside my room and sit on my bed. “And what would that be?” I ask.
“Go on a date with me,” he proposes and I blink. “Oh, are you so excited that you’re speechless?”
His sarcasm makes me wake up from the surprise. Okay, that’s it, I’m done with this little sarcastic game. There’s a limit for how long I can pretend to like him. Besides, it’s not even funny to play like this.
“Liam, that’s not necessary. The premier is in a few days. That’s going to be our date.”
Why does the word date give me the creeps? It is true that I’ve never been interested in dating or whatnot, but this is not normal, I’m reacting even more negatively towards it. I bet it’s because of Liam.
“Yeah but I think it’s necessary we go on another date before the premier. I mean, the media will confirm our relationship that day because no official statement has been made from the party, you know?” I nod although I know he can’t see me. “So it’s better if we go on another date, something more like girlfriend and boyfriend than just going to a party. You know, to make it more official so the media won’t start digging trying to find out if this is a scheme.”
“But it is a scheme,” I remind him and I hear him groaning in frustration, which amuses me so I have to fight the chuckles.
“We know that, but they can’t know it, remember?”
I make a noise that shows my clear reluctance. I really don’t want to go on a date with Liam. Spending time alone with him is my least favourite thing right now, so I prefer the premier where we’ll be surrounded by many, many other people.
“Come on, it’s just a simple date to show them we are together. I’m not asking you to make a porn with me.”
I gasp at his words. Really? Couldn’t he think of something less vulgar to get his point across?
“Liam,” I say with a warning tone.
“Belle,” he imitates and I roll my eyes. “Let me remind you that you signed to be my girlfriend. It is your duty to go out with me and be all lovey-dovey in front of people. Whether you like it or not, we have to go out.”
I hate that he’s right.
Before I just agree, I remember that I made a decision before: that I was going to try to make him human again. If I’m going to teach him some manners, I have to go out with him, spend time with him. I can’t train a dog if I don’t spend time with the dog, right? It’s the same here and yes, I do feel bad for comparing Liam to a dog. That’s so unfair for all the dogs in this world.
“Fine, we’ll go on a date before the premier. What about tomorrow? I don’t have work and Sunday is a good day for a date,” I propose.
“I like it when you cooperate, Belle. Tomorrow’s perfect. Then we’ll meet in—”
“Oh no. If you want to play to be a boyfriend, you’re going to do things right. Don’t you want the media to buy it? A boyfriend won’t just meet his girlfriend at some place, he picks her up because that’s the gentleman’s way. So if you really want to go on a date, you’ll come here to pick me this time.”
“Aren’t we in the twenty-first century? Aren’t you a feminist? If you wanna be treated like men then you can—”
“Oh no, chivalry doesn’t go against feminism, so don’t play that card. Especially if you don’t even have clear what feminism is,” I spat. “Having manners doesn’t put you in a higher position for being a man, it just means you are a nice person. If I were the one asking you out, I would be the one picking you up. Now, who proposed the date?”
He doesn’t reply and I smile because I know I’ve won.
“Fine. I’ll pick you up at noon tomorrow and we’ll have lunch together, okay?”
By now he has lost all the sweetness and sarcasms. I know he’s annoyed and that gives me satisfaction. This relationship is so dysfunctional, that’s why it’s a good thing that it’s fake.
“Fantastic. I’ll be waiting for you, dear. I’m so excited!” I chirp and a giggle escapes from my lips when I hear him groaning again.
When he hangs up I can’t wipe the smile from my lips because I feel victorious. If he wanted to ruin my mood with all his fake excitement and sweet-talk, then it backfired on his face. I’m sure he’s the only one feeling bitter right now.
Now, I’m sure this is not something the label organised, it’s Liam doing and if it’s for lunch I doubt it’s going to be something formal so I’ll just wear something casual. I wonder where we’ll be going and if it’s only going to be having lunch together. I hope so. I don’t want to spend too many hours in his company.
•••
Dad is smiling at me when I come out of my room. I’m wearing just normal clothes. My skinny jeans with a long grey jumper with spikes on the shoulders, my black high heels and my black jacket is in the hand. I’m just waiting for Liam to pick me up.
“You look lovely, Belle,” Dad says with a big smile and approaching me to kiss me on the forehead. “I’m glad that you’re having fun despite I made you do this.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Dad. Liam is quite nice once you get to know him,” I lie shamelessly. I won’t let my father know my true feelings.
At that time my phone buzzes telling me I have a new message and when I check it out, I see it’s Liam.
I’m outside. get out —Liam
I sigh before I reply. I don’t let my dad see the text, though.
No. You come here and pick me up like a gentleman. You have to at least greet my father. Don’t be rude, Liam. I won’t go out unless you knock at the door —Belle
It might sound bossy or even like I am a spoiled brat, but if I’m teaching him some manners, I have to be tough. The point is that later I won’t have to tell him to come to pick me up because he’ll know that’s what a gentleman should do.
Liam doesn’t reply and I’m about to text him again, wondering if he just left, when I hear the doorbell.
“That must be Liam, I’ll go get it,” Father says and I can see he’s excited. I’ve never dated before, at least not in this official way, so Dad never had a chance to meet the boy and try to look intimidating. He has missed that part of his fatherly job. “Liam,” he greets my fake boyfriend after opening the door. “It’s good to see you.”
“Hello, Mr Reed,” Liam replies politely shaking his hand and I smile. He sounds kind of forced, but my dad doesn’t realise. “I came to pick Belle.”
I giggle under my breath as I walk towards the door. This looks so teen-like and I realise I’m going a bit overboard, but I don’t regret it. It’s fun to see Liam in this position.
“Hi there,” I say and Liam notices me then. He looks at me from head to toe and doesn’t look surprised, but he nods so I guess he approves of the outfit. He’s dressing similar, with jeans, a shirt and a leather jacket. “I’m ready, let’s go?”
I kiss my father goodbye, then Liam shakes hands with him before we actually walk out. I’m smiling widely because I did it, I got Liam to properly pick me up. Now we can go on our fake date.
-:-:-
Well... what about 1K votes for an extra update ;)
Dedication to @emotionallymaimed! Thank you for such an amazing comment.
Bel, xx