"Acha par mujhe yeh kyun nahi bola!" I whine softly while speaking on the phone. My brother sighs again "tum ne bhi toh nahi bola woh 'boyfriend ke bare mai!" My brother mocks but it's more to divert the topic. He thinks he can get away with it

[Translation - Yeah but why didn't you tell me about it?

[You also didn't say about your 'boyfriend']

"Bhai!" I yell at his failed attempt to get off the hook. Yesterday, when my cousin dropped the bomb of his marriage, I flooded my brother's call log, messages and even emails and he finally called back this morning

[Translation - Brother!]

I have been trying to make him spill the truth he is hiding behind that cold facade. For the first time in my life, he is hiding something from me. It's not that common but we do share most things because our understanding is better than our parents

Yet, he is behaving like he has never done before. He says he wants to marry Mira and they have started planning for their wedding in Rajasthan too. During our whole conversation not even once did he mention that he loves her, he just repeated that she is a good partner

"Thik hai, main toh nahi bolo. Lekin seriously Jasmine? You claim that he is not your boyfriend but he came into your room naked and kissed you?" He accuses, with a tone of wariness After hearing everything from our mother and Sonia, his brain had a short circuit

My mother was in distress after that insane phenomenon

"Bhai! Aap Ko malum hai woh sach nahi hai!" I say defensively. Clenching my phone in my hand tightly as I pace around my room. The frown on my face is evidence of my stress

[Translation - Brother! You know it's not the truth]

With the angle of my laptop and Lucas's position, my mother and sister assumed that he was kissing me. The aag mai ghee is that the mic was off and they didn't listen to our conversation

[Idiom- adding fuel to the fire]

This news spread the fire that Jasmine got a foreigner as her boyfriend

This is a huge mess because not just I got a boyfriend but that too an Australian one

It's not like my parents would mind or anything but I never had a boyfriend. We had a strict rule to date only after 18 and as soon as I turned 18 I flew to Australia for studies so I never had time.

My whole family thinks that I have a boyfriend and my parents sent an ultimatum that I have to bring him to the wedding

Why?

Why is it me?

That too with him?

I couldn't even explain to my parents why a young, white, half-naked boy was in my room. That too pinning me and kissing me, wait- that kissing part is just an illusion because I would never in my whole life let that fox guy kiss me!

Ew on the infinity level

"Acha toh kya hai case? He came to you because you mixed glitter in your shampoo and he was angry? That's all? Is that the reason why he would come half-naked to you and join you?" My brother asks with scepticism

[Translation - okay then what's the case?]

I huff and sit on my bed with an annoyed face, "That guy has some random bipolar transitions. One minute he is this and another that. I could never understand him" I mutter, I know I am lying a bit here but I hope my brother doesn't catch it.

I did expect that kind of reaction. Lucas never gets physical it happened last time when he pushed a guy in the fountain while we were dancing

I still don't know why

Even if I comment he acts like a person struggling with bipolar tendencies. I know that's not the case, I have seen his vulnerable side once and even Liam mentioned how Lucas either hides his emotions too much or sometimes when it gets out of hand he just reacts without thinking

Yesterday was one of the moment

My brother lets out another sigh, I can imagine him rubbing his forehead by now. I have already explained our whole relationship to him but he wouldn't understand unless he witnessed our fights

Nobody would understand why we behave like that. I don't know about him but I still have many reasons. The cake incident, the group project, the cat, the fountain and so many

He never fails to make my life a living hell in some way or the other. He continues to rile me more and more to the point that I even hate taking his name

Doing yoga and meditation seems to work to calm my nerves every morning. But he is the type of disturbance that manages to shake the pillars of my tranquil

"Okay, I believe you" my brother suddenly says. My eyes widened in surprise, totally not expecting that. I jump to my feet again "Really?" I ask holding a sense of relief, a small smile forming on my face

"Yes, but not everyone will understand. They all want you at the wedding, with your not-boyfriend enemy Australian guy. Even Dadi is happy thinking you are bringing home Pat Cummins" Veer grumbles with a scoff.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the last part of the sentence. My grandmother became a huge fan of Pat Cummins during the last World Cup, she would compare any Australian to the cricketer. It's only her, as the other family members being diehard fans of India would not accept any Aussie

But the problem still hangs

After trying so much, I couldn't convince my parents as what they witnessed was beyond an explanation

Why did he have to be half-naked?

He is not bangchan to be flexing like that!

Stupid fox

"I don't know, I will say I broke up or something. He isn't my boyfriend and he will never be" I say but that's a promise to myself. Maybe a friend in another universe but never a romantic relationship between us could exist

"Jasmine, I think you should bring him. It's for the good" My brother advises in a soft and low tone. My eyebrows frown in confusion and shock, I can't believe he is saying "What! Why?"

"Look, you already know that Bade Papa has been trying to marry you off many times. And since the day of your graduation gets closer, he has shown many proposals to Papa. I could escape because I am already marrying someone but you? It's hard, papa will do anything for his brother but if he knows that you already love someone then Papa won't break your heart"

As the words slowly sink in, a wave of understanding crosses through me. I know my uncle is trying to marry me off early, why? So that my percentage of shares and rights over our company automatically goes to my husband or he would just give my shares to his sons

He has two sons who are handling his business in the northern franchises of Royal Crest. After my graduation, I will join the business too and he doesn't want that. I understood that when he protested against me when I wanted to study abroad

My father, despite loving us so much, just bends down to the will of his older siblings. But my brother is right, if my father sees I already have someone, he won't force me into an arranged marriage

I have no intentions of marrying before turning 25

I have my dreams to achieve. My abilities to prove.

"But Bhai, you that guy would help me? He wouldn't care or understand my situation-" he cuts me off in middle "That's why you have to convince him, I don't know how but if you wanna save yourself from wearing a red lengha along with Mira then get that Australian here"

"And oh, I need to have some talk with him about his breaking into your room too" he adds, his voice showing a bit of frustration and anger. Of course, he would behave like that after getting to know about Lucas's stunt

Thank God he wasn't on the call or he would have called his private jet and flown here

I would like that. That fox will get a nice lesson

"Yeah yeah, I will see and what about you and Mira-"

Suddenly a beeping noise buzzes in my ear. I frown and look at my phone to realise that he hung up on me. I scoff and dial it again but he just declines it.

He is playing games with me!

I know something is wrong and I will find out

That feeling of suspicion in my heart doesn't die down soon. Especially after his secretive behaviour towards this

But right now I need to focus on the pain problem. Make that fox somehow agree to pretend to be my boyfriend and come to India. I can't believe I am gonna ask him for something.

WHY WHY WHY WHY

I just wanna become an ostrich and hide my face in the sand to hide away from all my problems. Best solutions

I sigh and throw my phone on the bed with a gentle swing. I glance up to see Stella still lying on my bed while eating some popcorn. A wide smile on her face and her eyes sparkling with some kind of unreadable excitement

She knows what happened and today I called her to come and explain the situation to my brother and she did help. Yet her expression shows me she has something hidden under that cute freckled smile

"So? What now?" I ask crossing my arms, she is my soul advisor for these unpredictable situations

She lets out a small chuckle and gets off the bed, standing before me and pops a popcorn in my mouth. I hum in response while chewing it enjoying the buttery salted taste

"Now, we get you a fake boyfriend~"

✄-------

"Hmm..." He lets out another annoying hum, this is for the tenth time he has hummed while listening to Stella and me "So, brother's wedding, preventing marriage, need a boyfriend- I mean a 'fake boyfriend' and a trip to India huh?" Lucas says while flickering his eyes between Stella and me

I don't know what kind of idea Stella got from her books and wanted to try this as it's the best possible solution

To make a small fake dating agreement between me and Lucas

He leans forward to the kitchen counter and takes another bite of his cheesy pasta, he is seated on the stool while talking with us and we are on the other side.

While Stella remains calmly sitting on another stool, I stand beside her with a tense expression. My hands crossed and my foot tapping against the floor impatiently waiting for his answer

He is testing my patience

Eating in a slow snail-like manner, picking one pasta piece at a time with the help of his fork. Then taking it to his mouth and chewing it more than 32 times to drag this even more, he dabs his handkerchief on his mouth.

I scoff looking at him in disgust and anger

Does he think he came out of Bridgerton or something? Doing all the unnecessary etiquette?

Stella has explained the whole story and he has been listening to it, understanding it but gives no reply. He only opens his mouth to fill that black hole revolving in his damn stomach that needs to be fed one by one only

Somebody airlift me and drop me on him so I could break some bones of his

He nods his head and keeps the fork down, making me sigh in relief. The light redness is still visible on his neck, which was caused by the glitter mess. I did give him the cleanser that would help him and it did. He looks fine and there's no skin irritation

"So.... what do you think? You know your help would mean a lot" Stella says, her voice showing the anticipation of his agreement, leaning forward on the counter, her elbows resting on the smooth surface.

Lucas shrugs his shoulders, keeping a nonchalant expressions. I know he is doing it to tease me more but I gotta stay calm as I am in need here. His hand gently brushes Charlie's head who is sitting on Lucas's lap

Suddenly my baby is interested in that fox!

"What will I get?" He asks while gazing at us, a small smirk dancing on his lips showing how much he is enjoying my crisis

Stella glances at me, her eyes asking me for a reply. I glare at her telling her this was a bad idea, of course he would want something. In today's world, nothing is free

His fingers tap against the counter making a noise indicating the passing of time

"I could pay you?" I blurt out without thinking. Stella frowns and shakes her head. Okay, that wasn't a good response. I look at Lucas for his reaction only to find him amused as well.

He glances down at Charlie and then brings his gaze back to me "You are offering me money? You think I need money?" He makes an alveolar click with his tongue, his head shaking left and right.

I roll my eyes and release my hands down to my sides "Okay that was a stupid proposition" I mutter

He chuckles, his eyes do not leave my face for even a second like he is observing every fibre in my body. "So you do admit you are stupid?" he teases

I shoot him a glare and step closer to the counter "I said it was a stupid proposition, don't twist my words" I say in a warning tone trying to keep my cool. If it wasn't for his interruptions yesterday then I wouldn't be in this hellish situation

"Stupid proposition," he says while spinning the fork between his hands and snapping his head back to me, his lips tug into a smile again "Comes from stupid people," he says pointing his fork at me

That damn fox!

He and his word games!

"You-"

"Yes, me," he says with a prideful grin. He has realised that he has the upper hand in this case and now he will take full advantage of this opportunity to get under my skin

I huff in anger and move closer ready to burst out but Stella suddenly holds my arm in a gentle grip and shakes her head "Okay! You both gotta talk and negotiate here. Please no fighting" she says and looks at Lucas, her eyes pleading him a little

I sigh and relax seeing how much she is trying for me. I don't want her efforts to go down in drain because of my hatred for that person "Okay" I mutter in defeat

"I ain't doing anything sister in law, I simply asked what do I get"

"I am gonna leave it to you both to decide. If this agreement concludes, you both need some communication first" Stella pats my shoulder gently, I know the implication behind her words. She turns around and leaves giving a small wave to Lucas

I take a deep breath and face him again "Okay, so what do you want in return?" I ask. He hums and crosses his arm, making a thinking face "I don't know, I am not even interested in being your fake boyfriend"

"You know this all wouldn't have happened if you didn't burst into my room half naked tabt leading to misunderstandings in my family!" I snap, I can't hold back anymore. My head has been pounding like crazy since yesterday because of the constant family pressure

I can't do this anymore

I have my finals, I have my brother's wedding and so many things. I can't be adding more and more to my plate. I will have a mental breakdown

He is all quiet and introverted with the whole world but when he comes to talking with me, his personality takes a 360° turn

"Ohh, showing your claws now, wildcat?" He raises his arms in mocking defence, a smug expression covering his face. I am so close to smacking his head into the pasta plate

"Do.Not.Call. Me. That" I warn while standing in front of him, my hands on my hips while I give him a sharp stare. He chuckles and stands up on his feet, his whole figure increasing in a second.

I step back to maintain some distance between us. My eyes wandered across his neck and face, the memories of yesterday's incident flashing in my mind

"Aww, why is that? Can't tolerate being called out?" He mocks again while bringing his face closer to me. But I don't back down and face him with a determined facade

"One day, I will show you my cat tendencies"

I say, I wouldn't like but yeah I would scratch his face or make Charlie do it for me. A soft chuckle escapes his mouth, that sound is too calming for some reason

"My cat likes to sit on my lap, wanna try?" He whispers in a low hushed tone sending a shiver down my lip. I look at him, slowly realizing what he said. His breath was right against my cheeks and our face was almost touching. He smirks at my reaction and walks away leaving me dumbfounded

What just happened-

The werid thumping in my heart. Please stop

A few days later

Fake boyfriend?

That's a bold statement to make. When Stella said she needed my help, I expected anything but that. Describing the whole case, how her family misunderstood that and I played a major part in creating that fallacy

The main reason for proposing this fake alliance is to prevent some kind of family drama. Stella didn't tell me much about it but it's really necessary and important for Jasmine.

I only know that her family assumes I am her boyfriend and wants me there. But she could say anything like we broke up or it was a misunderstanding. There's something more to this that's been hidden from me

Maybe I could agree to it

But simply agreeing to it without a catch? Seems off my character, She wouldn't believe it either that I was convinced do easily

What's fun about that?

On top of everything, not only do I have to act like her boyfriend but also go to India with her. If I am brutally honest, I have never travelled out of Australia. Our family had many luxurious vacations but I didn't join them because I hate travelling

I like staying in my home safe and sound

The whole travelling thing, the luggage, going to a new and unknown place gives me anxiety.

Gotta think about it

I lean against the chair while looking at the sketch in front of me. I am going crazy and need therapy for it. For more than a week I have been trying constantly to paint something else but it doesn't work

I continue to fail and make a mess

At last, I was so fed up that I tried painting her again. It kind of worked actually until I realized what was going wrong, as much as I enjoyed painting. There are a few specific things I like to paint and right now my brain's interest revolves around her like the moon around the earth

I need to paint her

But I need her in front of me

I could draw her with my imagination but just not like that. Maybe it was about the location? Or her expressions? Or maybe her dressing style. It had a found of attraction that inspired me enough to get me out of my artist's block

Or her vibrant aura or the complexion of her skin that blends in with my canvas perfectly

This is driving me insane

I groan in frustration and pack my bag. Closing the sketchbook I put it inside my bag and got up to leave the Library. The exams are still going on yet I am stressing over my paintings. I should focus on my studies, right?

This is supposed to relax me not add more to my stress

I sigh as I walk out of the building surrounded by my contemplating thoughts. If this continues my schedule will go off track. Either end this or find a solution

My steps halt when I spot Jasmine walking right across from me. Dressed in a white top and an ankle-length red coloured skirt with some appealing patterns drawn on the material, which flows with her steps.

I think she is going back home too. I stand there rethinking my decision if I should do this or not. All the pros and cons flooding my brain. I know the consequences are many but there should be a few benefits too right?

Oh, forget it!

I quickly stride my way towards her before she can go any further. I hold her wrist presenting her steps. She stops in surprise and turns to face me, her expression instantly changing to a piqued one "What?" She asks in a rough tone while crossing her arms

"I know what I want in return for being your fake boyfriend"

Hearing my words, her expression drops to a surprised one. She blinks as if trying to process if she heard it right or not "Okay, what is it?" She asks in a tense tone, her eyes showing her nervousness with my demand. Taking a deep breath I decide to finally say it

"I want you to be my muse" I mutter, my voice comes out more timid and lower than I expected. I wanted to sound more confident and demanding yet I failed excellently

She looks at me with her eyes open wide, a frown covering her expression due to the lack of information. I expected her to say something but she burst out laughing which took me back

What's so funny?

She laughs while shaking her head and patting her lap "Seriously? Are you joking or something?"

Oh God

How serious does she want me to be? Write this on a stamp paper and present it to her.

How can she think I am joking about this

"No, I am serious" I reply but this time making sure I sound stern. She looks at me, her laughter slowly dying down when she notices my expression. Clearing her throat she gives me a suspicious look

"Okay, a muse huh?" She confirms and I nod in response

"Why? Do you wanna paint me like French girls?" She Chuckles while I am stunned by her words. I am quite amused by her humoured reference to the movie but my mind has a different vision

I expected anything but her assuming that I would be recreating something like Titanic. I do wanna paint her but not naked, I want something opposite to that. My imagination has her dazzled in her traditional wear

I wanna tell her that but I hold myself back.

Shaking my head I take a step closer to her, my gaze locked with her as I lean to her height

"My intentions are purely artistic, I don't intend nor do I have any ideas of creating that scene. I just wanna immortalize the essence of your culture. Only if you may allow it"

My voice is soft yet carrying the seriousness, I want her to understand that I am genuine about this and if she wants me to be her fake boyfriend then she wouldn't disagree.

She looks at me with bewilderedness "why?"

I shrug my shoulders and lean back, strengthening my posture but keeping my gaze fixed on her "You have been gatekeeping from me. I can too" I say with a light smirk "So, wanna accept it?"

She sighs, her hesitation apparent in her body language. The way her eyebrows join together when she makes a thinking face. When she scowls at my witty remarks or sulks at the teasing. The way her fingers sling on her skirt as she fights the havoc of her mind

Her gaze lifts to meet mine. Despite her attempt to show confidence, she doesn't succeed in hiding her hesitancy. But she doesn't temporize this decision

"Okay, you will be my fake boyfriend and in return, I will be your muse, Deal?"

A wave of satisfaction takes over me and a smile still lingers on my lips. Focusing on the positive I nod

"Deal"