The Forged Fiancé
3. the walk home
“Hurry up now – you don’t want to be left behind do you?”
The words Louis spoke struck me as somewhat callous but never the less also concerning. It hadn’t been more than a few minutes since we walked out of The Last Voyage and already, he was dictating how unassumingly things could be – leaving me to totter paces behind him as he made his way up the street with long, rhythmic strides as my luggage was dragged behind him with ease. Placing my hands behind my neck with a sigh and pushing my fingers through my hair with frustration, I found that I had the opportunity to now think about what I’d just agreed to. Letting my eyes wander around the narrow city street we walked through getting caught on the lights which shone above us, like a klutzy child, I walked into my own luggage, tripping over my bad footing which saw me hitting the side walk quicker than I could have imagined.
“So you get dumped by your fiancé and can’t walk like a normal human being. I’m starting to see a pattern of patheticness here”, he smirked jovially with a glint in his eyes before looking over past my head.
“Here.. give us your hand.”
“No I’m fine”, I refused the offer, trying as hard as I could to remain independent as I pushed myself up.
“Pippa, don’t be so stubborn”, Louis stated quietly as if it were only to be a secret kept between the two of us, “Give me your hand.”
Reluctantly, I gave in to the demand, being pulled up swiftly back onto my feet before an arm was wrapped around my waist and I was tugged in rather close to Louis – close enough that for the first time tonight, I’d finally gotten the opportunity to see his eye colour properly.
“What am I ever going to do with you?”, he asked with a rather loud whisper, keeping me close. I could feel his breath snake gently down my neck as he brought his face closer to mine and sure enough I panicked not knowing what his intentions now were.
“Louis, you’re too close.”
“Kiss me.”
“WHAT? NO!”
“Just do it.”
“No!”
“Phillipa...”
“Louis....”
“Ah, Mr Tomlinson--.”
A third voice breaking into our conversation was enough to stall our first quarrels a middle aged man dressed eloquently from head to toe in a black suit made his way towards us. I barely had enough time to separate myself from Louis and brush my dress down into a presentable manner after my fall before he took my right hand in his own; kissing back of it gently like a fairytale prince would.
“..and you must be the new addition in his life?”, he man asked in a questioning and upfront manner. Feeling tension between the two of them kick in almost immediately, I pulled my hand back from the stranger, rubbing hard from where his lips had brushed and bit my lip unsure of what to say.
“Louis.. I don’t believe you’ve introduced me to this man before”, I muttered completely flustered feeling my cheeks turn a bright, strawberry pink.
“Phillipa, this is Mr Joseph Daniels – vice principal of St Bernadettes.”
“Oh..”, I forced a smile, “The one you’ve told me about. Well, it’s a pleasure to finally put a face to a name Mr Daniels”, I continued trying my best to play character.
“No Mrs Tomlinson, the pleasure is all mine”, Mr Daniels added to conversation.
I was taken aback momentarily of the new name and title I’d need to learn to respond to. No longer would I be Ms Monroe but for the next few weeks Mrs Tomlinson. For reasons unknown, I felt a light wash of sweat creep across my forehead and onto the palms of my hands in a nervous fashion. Looking between the two men, I again, bit my lip, this time though harder and more obvious that before.
“So how long have you two been married now?”, Mr Daniels kept the conversation going for petty details.
“Um...”, I mumbled.
“We put our registration papers in the other week”, Louis chimed in helping the small talk roll on, “Phillipa’s been away on business though the last two weeks so seeing her now --- this whole ordeal still seems so surreal.”
The smile he flashed me was a mix of ingenuity and cruelty. I knew that the two of us would be playing a game with each other; I knew, more than anyone else that keeping up this kind of charade would be rather difficult yet necessary and more so for my sake that anyone else’s, yet a part of me wished, that just now – the smile I’d received had of been warm.
“Well, I shouldn’t keep you two – I’ve been told those in the honeymoon stage of their relationship tend to have lots to do”, Mr Daniels wearied, pulling on the arms of his jacket, “Tomlinson – do make sure that Phillipa here accompanies you to the faculty dinner next week. I’m sure the staff will be very curious to meet her.”
“Yes sir..”, Louis responded in a rather deflated manner. Unsure of whether or not to say a farewell or just keep on walking, Louis took my hand without muttering a word directly at the vice principle and continued guiding me along towards his place as if I were the exact same as the luggage he tugged behind him with his other and.
Standing in the middle of the living-room, I was shocked to see the interior of an apartment this size. What I’d been living in back in Tokyo was big enough for a single bed, a tiny half kitchenette and a bathroom tucked neatly into a corner – this place was so spacious Louis had two full size couches in the living-room and an eight seater dining table just outside of the kitchen.
“Are you sure you live here alone?”, I asked with a raised eyebrow, my hands neatly crossing and wrapping around my waist. I was met with nothing more than a nod in total silence as my luggage was wheeled into a room; the first door on the left from the entry.
“Okay, a quick tour”, Louis announced, clapping his hands and rubbing them together, “This is home, treat it like your own, kitchen and dining are straight ahead, the bedroom is the first door on the left, second door on the left is the study – don’t go in there and the door on the right is the bathroom and laundry. Through at the back of the kitchen you’ll see two glass double doors – they lead out to the balcony. Any questions?”
Shaking my head instantly once he had finished speaking, I let my eyes wander around as I processed all the information he had just told me. Living, dining, bedroom, no access to study, bathroom and laundry on the right and balcony through the kitchen.
“I might um.. get ready for bed if you don't mind”, I mumbled nervously. A part of me wished right now that I hadn’t agreed to this deal. I could have possibly been better off out on the streets or with tourists in a hostel.
“Did you want me to make you a tea? Or coffee if that’s more your style?”
“Oh, no thank you”, I declined, “I’ll just head to the bathroom and brush my teeth. It’s been a long day.”
“Tell me about it.”
Rummaging through my luggage and sorting my belongings out neatly back into my suitcase after the trip knocked everything about, I headed to the bathroom – faucet running and toothbrush hard at work for a minute before I felt a presence standing behind me.
“You know.. you’re rather tall for a girl”, Louis pointed out leaning up against the bathroom doorframe. Spitting out the toothpaste which had foamed in my mouth, I turned to face him before replying.
“That’s because for a guy you’re rather short.”
“Hey.. I’m letting you stay at my place – hold off on the insults.”
Rolling my eyes hard, I turned back to the sink and continued brushing my teeth. Watching as he fidgeted through the mirrors reflection, Louis took my shoulders dropping as a new opportunity to speak.
“So.. I guess tomorrow we’ll sort out the contracts ground rules.”
“Ground rules?”, I queried not to worried. They couldn’t be any worse than the situation we’d both found ourselves in.
“Mhmm..”, he mumbled, “Either way – goodnight.”
“Wait..”, I muttered spitting out some more toothpaste foam into the sink, “Where am I sleeping tonight?”
“Oh um, I guess.. first one who gets to the bed claims it.”
Quicker than I could have imagined, Louis was gone like a flash of lightning. I could hear his footsteps power away from the bathroom and then stop suddenly. I knew fully well I’d be taking the couch either way. Not bothering to waste time playing silly games – I washed my face and applied a face cream as I always had trying to create some kind of consistency in my life and hiding behind the bathroom door, changed into my pajamas tossing the clothing I was wearing into the laundry hamper. Making a mental note to do the washing in the morning, I headed out into the living room to stake my spot on the couch.
The light was still on when I wandered in, football playing on the tv being the only noise which encapsulated the room as a lounging Louis was sprawled along the couch with a tv remote in his hand.
“Louis, do you want me to turn the lights off?”
I got no response from him until I crept up closer and noticed that his eyes were shut. I couldn’t have taken that long in the bathroom getting ready could have I? Prying the remote from his grip gently and turning the tv off, I noticed that he didn’t move an inch – his chest rising and falling deeply as if he’d been asleep for some while now. Pulling a throw which was over one end of the spare couch, I covered him gently and retreated to the bedroom turning out the light on a rather exhausting day.
The words Louis spoke struck me as somewhat callous but never the less also concerning. It hadn’t been more than a few minutes since we walked out of The Last Voyage and already, he was dictating how unassumingly things could be – leaving me to totter paces behind him as he made his way up the street with long, rhythmic strides as my luggage was dragged behind him with ease. Placing my hands behind my neck with a sigh and pushing my fingers through my hair with frustration, I found that I had the opportunity to now think about what I’d just agreed to. Letting my eyes wander around the narrow city street we walked through getting caught on the lights which shone above us, like a klutzy child, I walked into my own luggage, tripping over my bad footing which saw me hitting the side walk quicker than I could have imagined.
“So you get dumped by your fiancé and can’t walk like a normal human being. I’m starting to see a pattern of patheticness here”, he smirked jovially with a glint in his eyes before looking over past my head.
“Here.. give us your hand.”
“No I’m fine”, I refused the offer, trying as hard as I could to remain independent as I pushed myself up.
“Pippa, don’t be so stubborn”, Louis stated quietly as if it were only to be a secret kept between the two of us, “Give me your hand.”
Reluctantly, I gave in to the demand, being pulled up swiftly back onto my feet before an arm was wrapped around my waist and I was tugged in rather close to Louis – close enough that for the first time tonight, I’d finally gotten the opportunity to see his eye colour properly.
“What am I ever going to do with you?”, he asked with a rather loud whisper, keeping me close. I could feel his breath snake gently down my neck as he brought his face closer to mine and sure enough I panicked not knowing what his intentions now were.
“Louis, you’re too close.”
“Kiss me.”
“WHAT? NO!”
“Just do it.”
“No!”
“Phillipa...”
“Louis....”
“Ah, Mr Tomlinson--.”
A third voice breaking into our conversation was enough to stall our first quarrels a middle aged man dressed eloquently from head to toe in a black suit made his way towards us. I barely had enough time to separate myself from Louis and brush my dress down into a presentable manner after my fall before he took my right hand in his own; kissing back of it gently like a fairytale prince would.
“..and you must be the new addition in his life?”, he man asked in a questioning and upfront manner. Feeling tension between the two of them kick in almost immediately, I pulled my hand back from the stranger, rubbing hard from where his lips had brushed and bit my lip unsure of what to say.
“Louis.. I don’t believe you’ve introduced me to this man before”, I muttered completely flustered feeling my cheeks turn a bright, strawberry pink.
“Phillipa, this is Mr Joseph Daniels – vice principal of St Bernadettes.”
“Oh..”, I forced a smile, “The one you’ve told me about. Well, it’s a pleasure to finally put a face to a name Mr Daniels”, I continued trying my best to play character.
“No Mrs Tomlinson, the pleasure is all mine”, Mr Daniels added to conversation.
I was taken aback momentarily of the new name and title I’d need to learn to respond to. No longer would I be Ms Monroe but for the next few weeks Mrs Tomlinson. For reasons unknown, I felt a light wash of sweat creep across my forehead and onto the palms of my hands in a nervous fashion. Looking between the two men, I again, bit my lip, this time though harder and more obvious that before.
“So how long have you two been married now?”, Mr Daniels kept the conversation going for petty details.
“Um...”, I mumbled.
“We put our registration papers in the other week”, Louis chimed in helping the small talk roll on, “Phillipa’s been away on business though the last two weeks so seeing her now --- this whole ordeal still seems so surreal.”
The smile he flashed me was a mix of ingenuity and cruelty. I knew that the two of us would be playing a game with each other; I knew, more than anyone else that keeping up this kind of charade would be rather difficult yet necessary and more so for my sake that anyone else’s, yet a part of me wished, that just now – the smile I’d received had of been warm.
“Well, I shouldn’t keep you two – I’ve been told those in the honeymoon stage of their relationship tend to have lots to do”, Mr Daniels wearied, pulling on the arms of his jacket, “Tomlinson – do make sure that Phillipa here accompanies you to the faculty dinner next week. I’m sure the staff will be very curious to meet her.”
“Yes sir..”, Louis responded in a rather deflated manner. Unsure of whether or not to say a farewell or just keep on walking, Louis took my hand without muttering a word directly at the vice principle and continued guiding me along towards his place as if I were the exact same as the luggage he tugged behind him with his other and.
Standing in the middle of the living-room, I was shocked to see the interior of an apartment this size. What I’d been living in back in Tokyo was big enough for a single bed, a tiny half kitchenette and a bathroom tucked neatly into a corner – this place was so spacious Louis had two full size couches in the living-room and an eight seater dining table just outside of the kitchen.
“Are you sure you live here alone?”, I asked with a raised eyebrow, my hands neatly crossing and wrapping around my waist. I was met with nothing more than a nod in total silence as my luggage was wheeled into a room; the first door on the left from the entry.
“Okay, a quick tour”, Louis announced, clapping his hands and rubbing them together, “This is home, treat it like your own, kitchen and dining are straight ahead, the bedroom is the first door on the left, second door on the left is the study – don’t go in there and the door on the right is the bathroom and laundry. Through at the back of the kitchen you’ll see two glass double doors – they lead out to the balcony. Any questions?”
Shaking my head instantly once he had finished speaking, I let my eyes wander around as I processed all the information he had just told me. Living, dining, bedroom, no access to study, bathroom and laundry on the right and balcony through the kitchen.
“I might um.. get ready for bed if you don't mind”, I mumbled nervously. A part of me wished right now that I hadn’t agreed to this deal. I could have possibly been better off out on the streets or with tourists in a hostel.
“Did you want me to make you a tea? Or coffee if that’s more your style?”
“Oh, no thank you”, I declined, “I’ll just head to the bathroom and brush my teeth. It’s been a long day.”
“Tell me about it.”
Rummaging through my luggage and sorting my belongings out neatly back into my suitcase after the trip knocked everything about, I headed to the bathroom – faucet running and toothbrush hard at work for a minute before I felt a presence standing behind me.
“You know.. you’re rather tall for a girl”, Louis pointed out leaning up against the bathroom doorframe. Spitting out the toothpaste which had foamed in my mouth, I turned to face him before replying.
“That’s because for a guy you’re rather short.”
“Hey.. I’m letting you stay at my place – hold off on the insults.”
Rolling my eyes hard, I turned back to the sink and continued brushing my teeth. Watching as he fidgeted through the mirrors reflection, Louis took my shoulders dropping as a new opportunity to speak.
“So.. I guess tomorrow we’ll sort out the contracts ground rules.”
“Ground rules?”, I queried not to worried. They couldn’t be any worse than the situation we’d both found ourselves in.
“Mhmm..”, he mumbled, “Either way – goodnight.”
“Wait..”, I muttered spitting out some more toothpaste foam into the sink, “Where am I sleeping tonight?”
“Oh um, I guess.. first one who gets to the bed claims it.”
Quicker than I could have imagined, Louis was gone like a flash of lightning. I could hear his footsteps power away from the bathroom and then stop suddenly. I knew fully well I’d be taking the couch either way. Not bothering to waste time playing silly games – I washed my face and applied a face cream as I always had trying to create some kind of consistency in my life and hiding behind the bathroom door, changed into my pajamas tossing the clothing I was wearing into the laundry hamper. Making a mental note to do the washing in the morning, I headed out into the living room to stake my spot on the couch.
The light was still on when I wandered in, football playing on the tv being the only noise which encapsulated the room as a lounging Louis was sprawled along the couch with a tv remote in his hand.
“Louis, do you want me to turn the lights off?”
I got no response from him until I crept up closer and noticed that his eyes were shut. I couldn’t have taken that long in the bathroom getting ready could have I? Prying the remote from his grip gently and turning the tv off, I noticed that he didn’t move an inch – his chest rising and falling deeply as if he’d been asleep for some while now. Pulling a throw which was over one end of the spare couch, I covered him gently and retreated to the bedroom turning out the light on a rather exhausting day.
Notes
Sorry for the total delay in updating this :( I feel terrible, but I finally got my swing back xo let me know what you think! comments are loved and totally encouraged for feedback!
I'm loving the story! Please update soon!
4/24/16