Will POV
I told myself I didn't need to explain anything about Tara to Minnie. I had no reason to. Or at least, that's what I wanted to believe.
Soon, Mom called me to cut the cake. Relatives I barely know gathered around, their faces unfamiliar and loud. Mom lit the candles, and Tara told me to make a wish before blowing them out. I rolled my eyes slightly and blew out the candles without a second thought.
I cut the cake, fed a piece to Mom, and she fed a small bite to me. I smiled and then fed Dad. He smiled back and said, "Happy birthday, my son."
Mom turned to everyone with a warm smile. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate our son's birthday. Please enjoy the dinner we've arranged."
As people clapped and moved toward the food, my eyes searched the room without meaning to-and found Minnie.
She stood quietly among strangers, her smile careful, her hands folded as if she didn't quite belong. I could tell she wasn't comfortable, even though she was pretending she was fine. The sight irritated me-for reasons I didn't want to think about. looked away, forcing my expression to harden.
Relatives began handing me gifts. I accepted them without interest and later passed them to the maid. Time moved on slowly.
I was standing with Tara, listening to her talk, nodding when required, when I suddenly heard my name. I hadn't meant to listen, but my father's voice and Uncle Shankar's words reached me clearly.
"Tara seems very fond of Will," Uncle Shankar said lightly. "Maybe the kids like each other."
Dad chuckled. "If they do, we can think about it in the future."
My jaw tightened.
I didn't like where the conversation was going. I didn't like the assumption. And I definitely didn't like that they were talking as if my feelings were already decided.
I glanced at Tara. She was smiling, completely unaware. She was nice, kind-but that was all. I felt nothing. No interest. No connection. Just irritation.
I stepped away, my mood darkening.
That's when I noticed Minnie.
She was standing alone near the window, looking up at the moon, distant from the noise around her. The sight of her calm, quiet presence pulled something inside me tight.
Without thinking further, I walked toward her.
My voice came out colder than I intended, though not as harsh as usual.
"If you're not comfortable, you can leave."
She turned, startled, and spoke softly, explaining she didn't know anyone and didn't want to disturb anyone.
The moment she finished, regret hit me.
I realized I shouldn't have said that.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. The silence between us felt heavier than the noise of the party behind us.
I cleared my throat, my gaze fixed on the window instead of her face.
"I didn't mean it like that," I said quietly. "I just thought... you might want some air."
She nodded slightly, not looking at me. "It's okay."
But it wasn't.
"You don't have to stand alone," I added, my tone calmer now. "You can stay here. Or-" I paused. "You can sit. I'll make sure no one bothers you."
She finally looked at me, surprised.
"That's not necessary," she said softly. "I'm fine."
I almost said you don't look fine, but I stopped myself.
Instead, I said, "There's a quieter place near the garden. Less people."
She hesitated, then nodded.
We walked side by side, not too close, not too far. The noise faded as we stepped outside, replaced by cool air and soft lights. She breathed out slowly, like she'd been holding it in for a long time.
"This is better," she said.
I nodded. "Yeah."
We stood there for a moment, looking at the moon, the silence comfortable in a strange way.
"I'm sorry," I said suddenly.
She turned to me. "For what?"
"For making you feel uncomfortable," I replied.
Her eyes softened. "You didn't do it on purpose."
I didn't answer.
Because the truth was I cared more than I wanted to admit.
And standing there with her, away from everyone else, I realized something unsettling.
Tara POV
I noticed it the moment Will stepped away from me. At first, I thought he just needed some space. But then I followed his gaze-and saw her.
The girl standing near the window, Minnie.
I watched them step into the garden, away from the lights and voices. Will didn't even look back.
My fingers curled slowly at my side.
Why her?
He stood there with Minnie like the world had slowed just for them. His posture was different- less guarded, less distant. I had tried so many times to get that version of him.
And she got it without trying.
Jealousy crept in quietly, sharp and uncomfortable. I hated feeling it, but I couldn't stop it. The way he leaned slightly toward her, the way she listened like his words mattered-it stung.
So that's it.
I forced a smile when someone nearby spoke to me, pretending nothing was wrong. But my eyes kept drifting back to the garden.
Will POV
I noticed Tara watching us from inside the house.
Her eyes didn't move away, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. With Dad and Uncle already talking about us, I couldn't let this grow into something I didn't want and I didn't like Tara.
I turned back to Minnie. She was still looking at the moon, unaware of the storm in my head.
I took a breath and spoke carefully. "I need your help."
She looked at me, confused. "What help?"
I told her everything-about Tara, about my dad and her dad talking, about how they were already thinking of marriage. My voice stayed calm, but inside, I was tense.
"I don't like Tara," I said honestly. "And I need this to stop. Just for a while... I need a fake girlfriend.
She blinked, clearly shocked.
"So... what can I do for that?" she asked slowly.
I stepped closer, before I could overthink it, and gently held her hand.
"Please," I said quietly. "I don't ask anyone for help Ever. But right now, I don't have any other way."
Her eyes widened, and I felt her hand tense in mine. Her heartbeat was almost visible in her pulse.
"But why me?" she asked. "You can ask some other girl."
I looked at her then-really looked at her.
"Because you're not pretending," I said softly. "And because I trust you." The words surprised even me.
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Author Note
Is Minnie accept Will's request? 🤔 Find out in the next chapter!😌
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