I stand in front of Damian's  penthouse front door and gripping tightly the handle of my suitcase.  The solid black luxury wood is looming before me dark, heavy and foreboding.  

"Are you alright?" he said, as I feel the warmth of his palm on my back. I nodded.  

He stepped forward and in one fluid motion opened the door in front of us. This is his world, I thought and I'm about to dive head on in it. 

I entered with all the courage I could muster and immediately felt that I don't belong here. Everything is so refined and elegant and I'm not much of an epitome of those words. Is it too late to back out now?  

"Come, I'll show you to your room." He gestured me to follow him and I did.  

When we entered the room, it was too much for me. The walls were pristine white, the four poster bed was designed with a princess like theme with exquisite laces, frills and the drawers on each side where outlined with gold. Such are the wants of someone raised in extravagance. I let out a sigh and faced Damian. This is a bit too much and reminiscent of the fact that this isn't who I am. 

"Let's talk." I said as I grabbed his hand and walked out of the room. His puzzled face was so beautiful that I could stare at it all day but I'm not indulging in that right now. Everything is temporary and this stint would be ending any time soon I told myself. 

We both sat on the sofa, his long legs stretched and I faced him. "Look.." I started with my best serious tone.  "I do appreciate you doing all these things for me but I really did not ask for any of this." I started fidgeting with my fingers. Will he be offended?  

He placed his hand on my shoulder and slowly nudged me. "Hey, you can tell me what's on your mind." 

"That's exactly what I wanted to do." I let out again another sigh. "The room is.. It's.. This is.. too much for me Damian. I feel completely lost in it. I am not good with pretenses and I can't fool myself to be someone I'm not. I agreed to act with you but no one will see us here. If I am to live with you in this short time, I want to still be honest to myself and who I am..." That's right, temporary ends and if this ends I want to get out of it as me not the one we want others to see. I crossed my arms on my chest. A gesture of trying to be confident in proving a point but also to press on my racing heartbeat.  "What I'm trying to say is that..  is there any other room you have that's a bit smaller and cozier? I mean simple." I stared at him. If we are going to do this he has to compromise. 

"You don't like your room, I get it. Come, I'll show you something else." Again, he motioned me to follow. He was easy to dismiss my argument. 

We walked a down the hallway opposite of the room he intended for me to use. He led me to a smaller room than the first. One side was lined with books, a large plush white lounge chair on the other and one side is glass offering the view of the city and the skies. A big smile spreading on my face and I felt like my six year old self when I got my first bike. My eyes are glued to the scenery spread in front of me. The lush greens of the mountain side are so vivid and refreshing to see, the sky as blue as sapphire. Now I understand why he's got lots of books in this room. It's a perfect sanctuary. 

"Oh Damian, this is so lovely. I think I have fallen in love at first sight." I said as I lay my hand on the glass wall as if trying to touch the majestic mountain from beyond it. 

"With me?" He asked teasingly. I raised my left brow at his comment and turned to face him. 

"You wish buddy, I'm talking about the room. I'll take it or should I say I choose this than the first one. Well, I'm not a princess just a peasant and this suits me." I ranted as I flopped down the lounge chair feeling the softness the envelops me. 

Damian walked towards me and cupped my face. The gesture made my heart race. I froze. 

"I like you this way. It's actually the first time I saw you genuinely happy. It's refreshing." He smiled. I removed his hands on my face and squinted at him. 

"Hey mister, we both know we are together only for a show. Don't try to act all cute on me, it's not working. I have two rules to ask of you. First, let's compromise and listen to each other and second no falling in love. Agreed?" I mustered the guts to say those words. But the no falling in love part is more for me. I can't afford falling for him when we could end this charade at any time. 

He laughed heartily and shook his head as he left the room. I ran out to follow him. "I'm not kidding Damian. Hey, where are you going?" 

I was in a rush to run after him and I tripped and fell. Apparently my feet aren't at their full potential yet after the fall.  Damian rushed towards me and picked me up bride style. I felt my face start to redden. This is another level of embarrassing. I always end up looking like a fool. Ughh, I groaned. Bolts of pain was shooting up my legs. 

"Are you hurt?" He said as he put me down on the lounge chair in my new room. I shook my head. I wanted to say my pride hurts but can't. 

"A peasant huh? Peasants know how to run without tripping, Krystal. Are you sure you are not a princess." He jokingly said. I could see him suppressing a laugh so I looked away instead. 

"Yeah, go ahead Damian. Laugh all you want don't hold back." I snickered. Then he suddenly burst out laughing. I picked one of the pillows on the chair and threw it at him hitting him straight in the face. It was my turn to laugh. He picked it and threw it my way. I dodged it picked another and stood to get a better aim.  

"Awww." I did hurt myself again. I sat back down. 

Damian saw me grimace, "Hey, you sure you're alright?" 

"I am. I think I sprained my ankle a tinny tiny bit." I said smiling and sat back to assess my foot. I can't believe how clumsy I am to just embarrass myself over and over again.  

"I know I'm such a good catch but falling for me twice that's such a big wow" he said jokingly. 

I shot him a death glare and started massaging my foot. "Don't even go there." I growled. I know he is trying his best to make me feel at ease with jokes.  

He sat infront of me to check my ankle. "Good thing it's just nothing. Would you want me to put ice on this?" 

"Nah, I'm fine it'll be okay. I'll unpack." I bought just a few things, so it would not take much time. 

"I'll whip up a snack." he said and turned to leave the room. "I'll also have the chair changed to a bed later." 

I released a sigh as soon as he was out. Am I really doing this?