STAGED AFFECTION
(Episode 4)
As we discussed for some time, I told Nichelle’s mom that I would be leaving them now, and I needed to rest. She said it was fine, that soon they would start making a meal. I nodded, trying to appear tired, and left the living room.
But instead of going straight to the room, I waited at the top of the stairs, curious to know if Nichelle’s mom had anything to say to her. And then I heard it – Nichelle’s mom telling Nichelle that I was a sweet, handsome young man, and that she was happy Nichelle had found a good man.
Nichelle was smiling at her mom, agreeing with her. “Yes, mom, he is. Honestly, I thank God for giving him to me.”
I was shocked. I knew that Nichelle was lying to her mom, that we were all staging this whole thing. But she was making it sound so real, so convincing. I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that we were deceiving Nichelle’s mom.
I tried to push the feeling out of my mind, telling myself it was just a contract. But it was hard to shake off the feeling that we were doing something wrong.
I took a deep breath and went inside the room, trying to clear my head. I lay down on the bed, thinking about the conversation I had just overheard. Nichelle was good at this, really good. I just hoped I could keep up the act.
As I lay there, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next. Would Nichelle’s mom start to suspect something? Would we be able to keep up the charade for two whole weeks?
I didn’t have the answers, but I knew one thing – I had to be careful. I had to make sure I didn’t slip up, didn’t reveal the truth.
I closed my eyes, trying to relax, but my mind was racing. This was just the beginning, and here I’m feeling like this.
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Just as I was laying on the bed, minutes later, Nichelle came in, her face changed. She looked stern, her eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing?” she asked, looking at me with a hint of annoyance.
I was surprised, unsure of what I had done wrong. “What?” I asked, trying to sound innocent.
“I told you not to sleep on my bed,” she said, her voice firm. “Remember the deal?”
I sat up, trying to reason with her. “It’s not night, alright? I’m just resting.”
But she cut me off, her expression unyielding. “I don’t care. Just don’t sleep or sit on my bed. Got it?”
I looked at her for a moment, trying to understand why she was being so strict. “Are you really being serious now?” I asked, trying to sound calm.
She nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. “Yes, I am. Don’t test me on this.”
I looked at her for a moment longer, then nodded reluctantly. “Fine,” I said, getting up from the bed.
I lay down on the floor, trying to make myself comfortable. “Are you satisfied now?” I asked, looking up at her.
She nodded, her expression softening slightly. “Yes, I am.”
With that, she turned and left the room, leaving me to wonder what had just happened. Why was she so insistent on me not sleeping on her bed? Was it really just about the deal, or was there something more to it?
I lay there for a moment, trying to make sense of it all. But the more I thought about it, the more confused I became. I just hoped that the rest of the two weeks wouldn’t be as tense as this.
To be continued…
