“So, you must be the girl that our son has been constantly talking about…” No power in the world could give Teo the strength needed to move or even make the slightest sound. He simply put on his soft smile and nodded to Amelia.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Theodore?” Bryan, with the same strict look of disapproval on his face, walked toward the girl.

          “Right, of course” he had to snap out of it. Teo gulped discreetly and with a deep breath – and anxiety rising high – he looked at the three of them. What was he about to say? For a moment there he felt like an actor who had just forgotten his lines and a bunch of people, them being the entire audience, were hanging from his lips. The only difference was that no one would be standing behind the scenes, helping him recite the script. Should he name her Carla? Then again no. They knew her. They had seen her picture and it would be easy to tell the differences, especially the height. Then again, if he was to speak, his voice would come out in the form of a chipmunk’s; screechy and not steady at all.

          “Oh, come on now, sweety! Don’t tell me you are that shy.” the girl stepped right in with a confident look, flipping her long hazelnut hair to the back with a slap of her hand. “My name is Colette. It’s very nice to meet the both of you and may I say, finally?” was that supposed to be a joke? “I kept on nagging Teo about you, but he’d always claim that you are too busy to visit. But here we are!”

          Amelia looked at Bryan, who also gave a look at his wife with one thick eyebrow raised in question.

          “Colette?”

           Teo wanted to bang his head against the wall till he bleeds.

          “Darling, wasn’t your wife’s name Carla? Do I remember this wrong, Bryan?” Amelia was confused and honestly? Teo was in the same state as she. Cold sweat was running down his temples, his feet were trembling and his head was numb. Even his left hand was feeling funny.

          Colette giggled while Teo’s stomach was tied in a knot so tight that anytime now he would feel the painful outcome. Eating waffle toast with cheese for breakfast was not a great idea.

          “Carla was just an accident in his life, isn’t that right?” she looked at him and winked, rubbing his upper arm with her – suspiciously too soft – palm.

          “R-right.” What else could he say? He felt like a soldier walking in a minefield. Every step should be calculated carefully, otherwise: BAM! Blood and tears everywhere.

Teo’s gaze was bouncing once to Bryan and once to Amelia just to pay attention to their reactions and see whether this bull was convincing enough or not. Then, he glanced over at Collette. She was smaller than him, slim body, average breasts, a very familiar face, and smooth, exceptional skin. Her long hazelnut hair was falling in front of her face and some strands were neatly placed behind her ear, from which a single silver round earring was hanging. Her clothing? A grey t-shirt with a modern neckline and rolled sleeves up to the shoulders, and black jeans, showed off perfectly her thin legs. As for shoes, simple white sneakers with red shoelaces. Yet, there was something off that only he could tell. Her voice was way too familiar and her gestures as well.

          “The yoga girl couldn’t handle the competition. I mean, high school love lasts but not when it comes to marriage. You need to be mature enough to be able and withstand the struggles that come ahead. Carla proved my theory, alright.”

          Laughter. Loud laughter filled his ears. The girl rested her head against him, hugging his arm lovingly. “What mattered the most was that we finally found each other, even if we had to go through a handful.” Her eyes, brownish, reminding him of the sweetest honey he ever tasted, locked immediately with his greenish ones. Colette gave him a warm smile of contentment.

          “We have of course plenty of photos from our wedding but no time to decorate the shelves with them. Well, to be honest, we are both so busy with work that we rarely have time to think of something so trivial as hanging photo frames here and there.”

          “And where exactly do you work, Colette?” Bryan was known for his interest in hardworking individuals and Colette seemed to be no exception.

          “Me? Oh, I work in a publishing company. I am the product manager there. I come in contact with the clients, make sure they achieve their deadlines, and most importantly; that they don’t disappoint us.”

          “Ah, I’ve heard that this field is quite tricky and challenging,” Amelia spoke with great interest in her voice and was almost amazed by the girl’s occupation.

          “Yes, of course,” Was there anything else for Teo to say? “You will have to excuse us for a moment” he spoke to his parents and grabbed Colette by the hand.

He didn’t give much of a thought as he pulled her into the kitchen, shutting the door behind them. Teo took a deep breath and stared at the stranger in front of him while the other simply walked around, hamming, and opening some of the cabinets checking the insides and probably memorizing them.

          “What the hell is going on?” Teo asked in a low voice and calmly.

          “I’m here to help you, sweety” the other replied and sent him a kiss before turning the gaze to the kitchen utensils.

          “No. I mean what- who...why?” confusion bested him.

          “You need to relax. Everything is under control” ‘Collette moved to the pot, opening the cover, and breathing in the delicious aroma of the chicken. “Is that we are having for dinner? It smells delicious!”

          Teo stepped right behind her and shut it harshly. “We are not going to eat anything. We are not going to do anything unless you tell-” that expression. The person in front of him, grinned slyly with an eyebrow raised playfully, as if they were expecting Teo to recognize them. 

          He gave a good look at him and then it hit him out of the blue like a brick against his head. “N-Nick?!” his was voice too loud at the revelation of the truth. How could he not tell earlier? Well, the appearance for once along with the wig was pretty convincing, there was no question there.

          “Keep your voice down, or they’ll pop out from somewhere and start asking questions. I doubt you want them to believe that their son is married to a guy.” he grinned as he replied in his normal voice.

Teo sighed relieved without paying attention to Nick and his blubbering. He felt saved by a pure miracle and who was he to turn it down? For now, it was the only solution. Plus, it was good to know that a familiar face was behind all this.

          “Ow!” Nick rubbed his upper arm as Teo slapped it lightly.

          “You could have called.”

          “You wouldn’t have picked it up or you wouldn’t have let me do it.” Nick defended himself and fixed his wig carefully so as not to ruin his perfect act.

          “At least-”

          “Some heads up would do, I know mate.” He turned his gaze at him and smiled genuinely.

          Teo sighed and rubbed the back of his head. His fingertips felt up some drops of cool sweat running down his skin. There was no turning back now. Whether Nick’s decision was right or wrong, it didn’t matter at all. He had to rely on Nick’s acting skills – which were pretty good from what he had witnessed – and his own as well since they both had to convince Bryan and Amelia that they were a happy couple and in love.

          “Is everything alright with the two of you?” Amelia’s voice filled the room and they both glanced at her with the softest smiles on their faces.

          The stage was all theirs as the play had just begun.