Cris was elated when she received the news of the operation being a success from Butler Mark.

  "Young Miss said you don't need to come back to the hospital. Go home and rest for now."? Butler Mark told her.

  "Alright, I will do that. Oh, it's such great news," she replied. She ended the call when she saw Brix approaching her, on his way back from the restroom.

  "Do you want to order some drinks?" Brix asked as he called the waiter and requested some wine.

  "Yes, I would like to have some too, please," Cris timidly answered.

  "I am really grateful that you are willing to help me," Brix said with a satisfied smile.

  "Oh! I? am happy to help you, besides I might need a favor in the future, so it's good that I can count on you when that day comes," she said, smiling sweetly. Her face turned red when she noticed Brix staring at her.

  "Why are you staring? Do I have something on my face?" she worriedly asked, as she raised her hand to touch her cheeks, chin, and corners of her mouth which made Brix chuckle.

  "No, there's nothing on your face. It's just that I find you look so pretty when you smile like that. These open smiles are so unlike the timid smiles you usually give me." Brix commented.

  "Oh!!" Cris breathed out loud.

  "Yeah. exactly like this one, suppressed and timid smile, but it looks so cute since your cheeks are blushing too."

  'Stop that!' Cris muttered, silently scolding Brix for making her heart flutter at, what seemed like, a million beats a minute.

  Aloud though, Cris mildly stated, "Oh, thanks."

  "And anyway, you can handle my mom, right? So I'm confident about asking you for help" Brix said. He had witnessed first hand how Cris could always manage his mother's tantrums in a polite but firm manner, so he had no doubts in his mind about this and had no reason to worry.

  "Don't worry too much. I will manage," Cris answered.

  "Oh! Before I forget, there is one more thing that I would like you to take care of. Can you promise me that you will keep it all a secret from Kenzie and the others? We just need to be on show when my mother is around. So I would like to carry out the drama just in front of my mother. And if we can't avoid Kenzie or the others, can you just pretend that? we are in a real relationship and not just acting?"

  Cris nodded her consent, though somehow she was feeling a bit suspicious, but she refrained from asking any more questions.

  For her, even being in a fake relationship with Brix would be a chance to experience some happiness with the man she has loved for too long.

  Meanwhile, Brix was worried. If Cris told Kenzie about the favor he had asked of her, then it would jeopardize everything. He knew that his cousin would surely confront him and his mother about the issue. Kenzie would definitely make a lot of fuss about why it had to be Cris.

  And his mother would find out that he was just fooling her.

  His head felt dizzy with how complicated everything was, and after pouring wine into their glasses, he immediately swallowed his drink in one big gulp.

  Cris did the same. The two of them planned some more about how they would execute their fake relationship in front of Brix's mother. Cris mostly just listened or nodded occasionally.

  But deep inside, she wondered if she would regret what she was getting herself into. She was playing with fire and she knew there could be consequences later on.

  Brix's mobile phone rang again and this time Brix answered it in front of Cris.

  "Mom, I'm on a date," she heard Brix answer, so she knew who was on the other line. She noticed Brix's expression had become gloomy before he murmured, "You will meet her soon, okay."

  He ended his call. Brix looked at Cris and said, "That was mom, nagging me about going on blind dates…"

  He had lied. His mother had been nagging him about Cris. She was getting frustrated and she wanted him to make a move on Cris, to get details about Kenzie's plan.

  He frequently sneaked covert glances at Cris. His mother was insisting that it would be easy for him to gain Cris's trust because according to her Cris already liked him.

  "Why?" Cris asked when she noticed him staring at her.

  "It's nothing, don't worry about it," Brix answered before he poured more wine into their glasses.

  He honestly liked Cris. He had his eyes on her for a long time. He had witnessed how Cris had grown up to be a smart woman. His uncle, Jack, had helped her to build her life and Cris had proved that she was worth every penny. She was working hard and he adored her dedication.

  "How come you are still single?" he could not help but ask.

  He and Cris had known each other for long but they had only ever talked about matters pertaining to the company. They had never had the opportunity to become friends since each one was busy in their own life. Both of them were workaholics.

  Cris smiled and asked, "How come you are still single?"

  Brix chuckled and said, "You know I'm always very busy."

  Before Cris could open her mouth Brix added, "Yeah, I know you have the same answer. You're always busy too."

  Cris nodded and chuckled. Soon the two of them left the restaurant and Brix offered to drop Cris at her apartment. Had she been on her way to the hospital she would have definitely declined the offer, but as she was on her way home, she readily accepted it.

  Brix opened the car door for her and she climbed inside. Her heart skipped a beat when Brix leaned close to her and she closed her eyes, thinking Brix was about to kiss her.

  "Isn't this too fast? I mean your mom is not here" she whispered breathlessly.

  "Putting on the seatbelt?" she heard Brix ask. Cris opened her eyes and met his sheepishly.

  She felt him pull the seat belt and put it over her. She was too embarrassed to utter another word and wished the ground would open up and swallow her right then.

  She noticed the teasing smile on Brix's face as he said, "I will do more than putting the seat belt on you when mom is? around, so you better be prepared…"