Love in a spotlight

Sophia offered a possible explanation, "You know my brother. Maybe he wasn't ready for marriage?"

Amelia's response was immediate, "Not ready? He's already 32!"

Sophia cautioned, "Mom!" Sophia's tone softened slightly, "That's your view. But maybe your brother didn't bring the girl around because of that."

Sophia elaborated, "What I mean is, maybe they haven't been together for long. If my brother introduced her to you, you'd say 'get married' and it might put unnecessary pressure on the relationship."

Amelia's expression changed, and she nodded in understanding. "That makes sense! Okay, I understand."

With a newfound perspective, Amelia hung up the phone in a better mood.

After Sophia hung up the call with her mother and immediately dialed her brother's number to discuss their mother's behavior. She played it cool, hiding the plan she, Natalie, and her mother had hatched.

Caleb remained silent as Sophia suggested he should at least do something or let their mother know he was seeing someone. But Caleb's response was stubbornly evasive.

"I'm not seeing anyone," Caleb said flatly.

Sophia's frustration grew. "Caleb, come on! You need to do something. This is affecting Mom's health. We can't just sit back and do nothing," Sophia urged, trying to reason with her stubborn brother.

The next day, Caleb went about his usual routine, busy with work throughout the morning. Before lunchtime, he had a meeting with Abigail. However, Abigail sensed that Caleb was slightly off, which was unusual for him.

"What's wrong, MD?" she asked.

Caleb's intense gaze made Abigail slightly turn away, touching her face. "Is there something on my face?" she asked.

Without a word, Caleb stood up and walked out, indicating the meeting was over. Abigail gathered her belongings and followed him out. As she exited the door, she bumped into a hard body, losing her balance momentarily. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her.

Abigail's eyes widened as she found herself face-to-face with Caleb for the first time. His proximity took her breath away. "Wow, his eyes are so pretty," she thought, before quickly snapping back to reality.

She freed herself from Caleb's grasp. "MD, why did you stop suddenly?" she asked.

Caleb, with his hands in his pockets, asked, "Why don't you have lunch with me?"

Abigail's eyes narrowed slightly. "Lunch?" she repeated.

"Follow me!" Caleb said, walking ahead without waiting for Abigail's response.

Abigail savored each bite of her food, oblivious to Caleb's gaze. But as she felt his eyes on her, she looked up and asked, "Aren't you going to eat?"

Caleb's expression remained unreadable, his arms still crossed. But at Abigail's question, he slowly uncrossed his arms, picked up his spoon, and began to taste the pasta, his eyes never leaving Abigail's face.

Abigail continued eating, seemingly carefree, until Caleb's question caught her off guard.

"Can I ask you something personal?" Caleb asked, his tone neutral.

Abigail reached for the dumplings, her expression open. "Yes, anything you want."

Caleb's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "Are you seeing that guy Ethan?" he asked abruptly. Abigail's spoon halted mid-air, her eyes widening slightly. Caleb's gaze didn't waver.

"I want an honest answer," he added, his voice firm but controlled.

Abigail's eyes narrowed slightly. "No, why do you ask that?" she asked tensely.

Caleb's expression remained calm. "Then, may I ask you for a favor?" Abigail nodded cautiously, taking a sip of water.

"Go out with me," Caleb said, his words dropping like a bombshell.

Abigail choked on the water, her eyes widening in shock. Caleb handed her a tissue, and she took a moment to compose herself. "You're kidding me, right?" Abigail asked, her expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "Haha, it's not funny at all," she added, her laughter dying down.

Caleb's face remained serious. "I said it's not meant to be funny. I'm asking for a favor. I want you to act as my fake girlfriend."

Abigail's appetite vanished as she stared at Caleb, incredulous. "What are you saying?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

"Just pretend to be my girlfriend for five months," Caleb requested firmly, his expression unwavering.

Abigail's eyes searched his face, seeking answers. "Why?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Caleb's response was curt. "Unless you're going to do me the favor, don't ask me why."

Abigail felt a spark of irritation at his snappiness. "He's asking me for a favor, but acting so snappishly," she thought, her mind racing with questions and doubts.

Caleb placed an invitation to an international fashion show on the table. "All you have to do is accompany me on dates from time to time," he explained.

Abigail's eyes widened as she gazed at the invitation, her throat constricting slightly. "Are you trying to---" She burst into laughter, but Caleb's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing.

"Abigail Tanner!" Caleb called out, his voice firm, making Abigail's laughter cease abruptly.

Composing herself, Abigail said, "I'm sorry. Even though it's fake, acting as your girlfriend is a no for me."

Caleb nodded and began eating, while Abigail felt uneasy and excused herself to the washroom. When she returned, Caleb had settled the bill and was waiting by the door.

"Can you drop me off at the bus station?" Abigail asked. As they approached Caleb's car, Abigail's phone rang. It was Harper, asking her to grab dinner. Abigail asked Caleb to wait for a minute and quickly stepped away.

Caleb waited, but as the minutes ticked by, he grew impatient and called Abigail. However, her phone rang in her bag, unnoticed.

Just then, Abigail returned and hopped into the car. "Oh, my phone is ringing!" she exclaimed, before noticing Caleb's stern expression.

"You took so long, so I called you," Caleb said.

Abigail apologized as she silenced the call. Suddenly, Caleb grabbed her wrist, his eyes narrowing.

"What?" Abigail asked, confused.

"Croakcroach," Caleb said, his voice low. "That's the name you saved my number under."

Abigail's eyes widened as she nervously freed herself from his grasp. "No," she denied, her voice trembling slightly.

Abigail sensed the danger lurking in Caleb's eyes and slowly apologized, "I'm sorry."

Caleb's voice was laced with sarcasm. "So, I'm Croakroach."

Abigail apologized again, feeling a surge of fear. She wanted to escape, to jump out of the car. As if reading her mind, Caleb said, "Get out."

Abigail's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?" she muttered, but when she met Caleb's gaze, she knew she had no choice.

Slowly, Abigail opened the door and stepped out of the car. She stood there, feeling stunned and foolish, as the car disappeared from her sight.