A GAME OF DARES C6
2115 Words
“Yeah. Is that an issue?”
His mom raised an eyebrow, “What’s going on? She doesn’t know who you are? I thought you’ve been together for months?”
Tisha paled and he became concerned. “Tish? Is there a problem?”
She helplessly glared at him and hissed, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Is that really important? What would have changed if I told you?” He hoped she wouldn’t change her mind. A lump suddenly formed in his throat as he became nervous.
“Look, you’re way out of my league. You’re what? A millionaire?”
“Billionaire, actually.” Colin replied from the side. Callum glared at his brother. He was not helping.
Her face paled even more. What has she gotten herself into? She felt so small in front of them all.
“I’m a nobody. I have nothing. I don’t belong here.” s**t. She felt like she should worship the ground he steps on, knowing who he was and realizing how much he was worth. She felt uncomfortable and felt like fleeing. She suddenly stood and he followed, covering her from his family’s gaze.
“Tish, calm down. It’s not like that. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to see me for my money. I want to be seen for who I am. Please, won’t you stay?”
“I . . .” She looked at him and saw his pleading expression. Why must he look so defeated? Like a puppy needing to be rescued?
“Can I use the restroom?” She needed time to process this new and shocking information.
“Sure.” With a nod to his family, he escorted her out of the dining hall. She looked unsettled.
“Don’t freak out on me.” His words seemed to trigger her.
“You could’ve told me much earlier. I wasn’t prepared for this.” She sounded frustrated and his heart clenched.
“Does knowing who I am make you like me less?”
Tish shook her head and she bitterly smiled. Her mind seemed to work in overtime.
“Everyone’s going to call me a gold-digger.” That was her main concern. If they continue seeing each other, people are bound to call her names.
“You don’t need to care about what others say. You and I both know the truth.”
She groaned and complained, “You already know that I hate it when people accuse me of anything I’m not.”
He sighed, getting slightly frustrated, too. “I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
She began to tear up and he felt helpless. All he could do was to hug her.
“We’ll figure it out. I’m truly sorry. I just enjoyed how you interacted with me without knowing my background. It was my fault for hiding it from you. Won’t you give me a chance?”
“Do you want me to send you home?” He was assured when he received another glare from her.
“I hope they won’t mention it.”
“I’ll tell them. It was my fault, anyway. You can just be yourself. They already like you.”
Returning to their seats, Callum issued a few requests.
“Of course, dear. You haven’t even touched the dishes, eat up.”
The table was quiet for a while, and then his mom started asking questions. Tish still felt embarrassed, knowing the rest of them were loaded. It took at least half an hour more before she began relaxing in their presence again, with the help of some wine which Callum poured for her. His dad didn’t say much and his brother would interject from time to time.
She felt more assured when Callum taps her knee every now and then. When they were almost done eating, that’s when the men began talking about business. She sat there attentively listening to their discussions. She and his mom were enjoying the desserts as they talked about their respective companies. Overall, it was a nice meeting. They didn’t seem like judgmental people. Still, she felt inadequate.
Before they left, his mom pulled him aside and whispered something to him. Tish heard him cough. Despite her curiosity, she didn’t ask him what it was about. She wondered if they’ll break up soon. Maybe they didn’t like her after all.
She was exhausted, so she slept in the car. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her temple. Instead of her house, he brought her to his place.
When she woke up the next day in an unfamiliar place, she was even more surprised to hear an unexpected proposition from him.
“What?” She felt like she hasn’t fully woken up yet. She sat on the bed while he’s standing on one side. They haven’t done anything last night, so she’s still fully clothed.
“Move in with me.”
“Move in . . .? Where?”
She thought they were simply in another hotel suite where they usually meet up during weekends.
“Here. In my house.”
She visibly gulped and looked around. Yeah. Somehow the place felt like a home than a hotel room.
“This is your house?”
“Yes. Do you want to look around?”
“You didn’t bring me home?”
He was momentarily stumped. “Uh, it’s the weekend?”
She supposed that meant they should be in a hotel, but he decided to bring her here instead. Her place wasn’t an option.
It felt weird, though.
“Why did you bring me here?” Though he knew where she lived, he hasn’t stepped foot in her apartment. And this is her first time at his house. It was quite a shift from their norm.
He was silent for a while. He coughed before speaking, “We’re dating now, aren’t we? It should be normal for us to start living together, no?”
“We’re dating?” She had to confirm that one.
“Aren’t we?” Her reply made him doubt their relationship status. They haven’t really talked about it, have they?
“Have we gone on a date, though? Was last night a date?”
Ah. So, it was this. He was relieved to understand her train of thoughts.
He smiled at her. “I can take you out tonight. Will you go on a date with me?”
Somehow, it sounded really official and she grinned. “Sure.”
He bent over and leaned close to kiss her on the lips. She welcomed it and soon, it became heated. Her back hit the bed as he got on top of her. She groaned when he began to caress her body.
“Wait, I need to wash up. And I’m hungry.” She has her hands on his chest, trying to push him off. He was panting and the sight of him almost melted her. He looked so hot and sexy.
“You’re such a tease.” He sounded helpless.
“You can have me after we eat. I’m starving.”
“Can’t have you lose more energy.” He muttered before getting up and helping her on her feet.
She looked around as they made their way towards his kitchen.
“s**t. You have such a big house? How many rooms are there?”
“Probably a dozen bedrooms. I don’t recall the actual number.”
“Why are there so many?”
He shrugged, “Just trying to maximize the space, I guess. It would be weird to have large empty spaces in a house.”
“Hmm. You have staff here?”
“Yes. I told them to take a day off. You’ll meet them tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow’s Monday?”
“Aren’t you moving in?” He was back to that point.
“Uhm, today?”
“Yes. If you agree, I can have my people to get your stuff for you. You don’t need to bother with the process. It will be done neatly.”
Tish took a deep breath and tried to do some quick thinking. “Can I say no?”
Callum pursed his lips, obviously displeased with her question. “Why? Do you not like this place? Do you want a different house? I can call my realtor if you have specifications. Do you want less rooms? Is there a specific area you prefer?”
Her eyes widened at his response. That was not . . . how did he . . .?
“That’s not it. I have work. My place is closer. It’s just more convenient for me.”
“So, you would prefer a house in that particular area?”
Her mouth hung open. That’s not what she said, alright?
He took out his phone and was prepared to call someone.
“Callum! Seriously?” She couldn’t believe him.
He frowned. “What?”
She couldn’t help but slap her own forehead in frustration.
“You plan to buy a house?”
“Yes. One you would prefer to live in.”
“How about this one? How long have you lived here?”
He shrugged. “I can still keep this one. I’ve lived here since I moved out from my parents. I was twenty-two.”
Her mouth remained open in awe.
“Wouldn’t that be wasteful? Having this house and getting a new one?”
“But you don’t like this one.”
Ugh. She couldn’t take it. How easy was it for him to decide on buying a house? He didn’t even need to think too much of it.
“Are you okay?” He saw how she seemed agitated.
“Will you please slow down?”
He stopped and gave her some space.
She took deep breaths as she paced the dining room. He decided to fix her a simple breakfast while considering the options.
“My lease would end at the end of this year.” She recalled.
“You don’t need to worry about that. When you move in with me, you know I’m not gonna charge you rent, right?”
“Why are you so wasteful? I still need to pay the monthly rent until the end of this year.”
“Oh. Is that your concern? I can pay the rest for you.”
“No! Why do you keep missing my point?”
“What was your point?” He realized they’re not on the same page.
“If I’m going to pay rent, then I have to live there.”
“And I told you I can pay the rent.” He repeated.
“I don’t want you to pay anything for me.” There. She spelled it out for him.
“I would feel uncomfortable if you do.” She added as he was about to argue.
He sighed. If it’s like that . . ., what can he do?
They stared at each other for a while, both trying to come up with a resolution.
“How about . . . you move in with me until the end of my lease?”
He raised an eyebrow at that.
“Probably not. My apartment’s tiny.” She shot her own suggestion down. It was stupid.
“No. That could work. I’m fine moving in with you.”
Her lip twitched. “Are you sure? I don’t have people working for me at home.”
“No. It’s a great idea. I’d like to experience what your life is like. I’m sure we can manage.”
Shit. Her suggestion was quite impulsive. Why did he take it seriously?
“Are you sure? Won’t it inconvenience you?”
“It’s fine. Now, eat. Do you want coffee?”
“Coffee sounds great.”
Later, she was dumbfounded with how fast he moved in with her after they went out on a date. She was embarrassed but he didn’t seem to care how ordinary her place was.
“Don’t argue with me on this one, but I think you need a new bed. I’ll buy you one tomorrow.” They made love in her bedroom but the bed kept creaking in time with their movements. It was somewhat distracting, especially knowing she has neighbors. It was another thing she failed to take into account, neighbors. As far as she knew, there are no children in her neighboring units. She’s thankful of that fact. Still, she didn’t like knowing that her neighbors could hear their nightly activities.
It only took a week before she gave in and told him she would rather move in with him. Her decision pleased him greatly.
- Writer
