Mia's POV

"But isn't it suspicious? Who would do this work for free?" Eric counters.

"He's not doing it for free. I'm paying for his meals." I retort.

"Yeah, some burgers with fries and milkshake. It's basically nothing."

"I get it, dude." I say with heavy sigh, "I understand where you are coming from. But trust me on this, Caleb — he's not like this." I try to explain but the expression on Eric's face tells me he doesn't believe my words.

"How can you so sure of it? You know the old hag— she's dangerous. If he really works for her, then you're done." Eric says in a concerned voice.

"So, what do you want to me do?" I ask, "Sit and do nothing. If I do that, then I will have to marry Chris, knowing that — he's sleeping my half-sister." I tell him, in a frustrated voice. My voice is cracking, tears starts to come out of my eyes.

This marriage and engagement— everything is just sham. It's only for show. I know if this marriage happens, then I will lose my chance to free myself from this gigantic cage.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault." Eric quickly apologises, " I was just concerned that he might've some ulterior motive. After all, he's doing it for almost free."

Honestly, Eric isn't wrong. I really don't know why Caleb has agreed to help me out with this. When I met him first time, he looked eerily similar to someone, but I couldn't guess who it was.

On top of that, he refused to work for me at first. He didn't even want hear me out. So, I left but a few days later, he called me back and said he'd work for me which definitely shocked me a bit. But I agreed to meet him once. Even to this day, I don't know why he did that. He never talked about it.

Although he did ask lot of questions about me and how I was related to Kingstone and why am I digging information on them. He said he'd help me out if I answer everything to him truthfully. I told him as much as I can only leaving out a few important details.

I did realize during our conversation that he had deep-rooted hate for Kingstone. For what reason, I don't know but his eyes were filled with rage and resentment. I could tell he was emotionally disturbed, although his face remained expressionless. I didn't ask him much because I could feel it in my gut that it was something too personal.

"You are one to talk. You literally gave me- your ex-girlfriend the exclusive card of your bar." I reply in a very sarcastic tone. Eric jaw drops hearing me, he looks at me as if I have done something terribly wrong.

"I did it because it's you. I wouldn't do something like this for anyone else," he says in a childish voice while cupping my face in his hand. I pout at him and ask, "Is that so?"

He shakes his head, I just roll my eyes at him, "How flattering! If you keep acting like this, no girl will marry you, let alone date you. No one wants a guy who is into his ex."

Eric and I fake-dated each other for different reason. He wanted to get away from Sarah while I thought it would help me out to stop nasty rumors about me and Nathan. On top of that, this would make Sarah pissed so for me, it's win-win.

Honestly, Nathan and I have never been in a relationship, but people misunderstand us because his over-possessiveness. They don't understand he only cares about me because I look like his mother.

Of course, it's also because no one has seen his mother outside of their family so it's understandable. During our relationship, Eric and I have become very close friends because of which no one ever doubted our relation. We also had a good chemistry to show off, so when we broke up, they couldn't believe. And this idiot here used me as his shield, he still pretends to be a lovesick fool for me so that he doesn't have to date anyone.

"Who cares? The only person I am in love with is you and now you're marrying someone else- that too my step-brother, don't you feel sorry for me?" He asks me fake crying tone, staring at me with his fake-teary eyes.

"No," I say in a nonchalant tone as I slap one of his hands, "And stop being dramatic. Did you find what I ask you to find?"

Eric sighs deeply with disappointment, "Yeah, let's talk while walking or else we will miss the fun."

I stare at him with a perplexed expression, not understanding a word behind his mischief act. He raises his eyebrows at me, "What? Let's go or we will be late to witness the fun."

I just let a deep sigh before walking to the stairs, Eric follows me behind.

"So, what did you find?" I ask.

"Well, you're right on the money." Eric replies while walking right beside me, "The marriage talk originally was about me and Sarah. When I refused to marry her, they changed the groom to Chris to save themselves from the embarrassment and to secure the deal."

"But Sarah wouldn't to marry Chris willingly?" I say, doubtfully.

"But she can sleep with him," Eric replies in a sarcastic tone, my eyes widens in surprise hearing what he said, "How do you know?"

"Is this supposed to be a secret?" He asks, staring at me with a judging look, "The way my so-called idiot brother is bragging about fuckin' Sarah behind your back to his friends, I think it's hardly a secret now. I don't understand she can sleep with him, but she can't marry him?"

I just shake my head because I don't know to say, "I mean, what can I say? She probably slept with him because she thought it'd hurt me."

"Yeah, like you care about that idiot enough to get hurt?" Eric quips, rolling his eyes at me. I laugh at his face, "It'd make more sense if you'd just said that she had orchestrated everything just to humiliate you in front of everyone."

"She'd have done that if Chris wasn't your step- brother. But she probably doesn't want to you know that she's sleeping with your step-brother." I say, agreeing with statement, "I wouldn’t be surprised if Chris leaves me on altar because of her. Although it's very highly unlikely." I mutter in a stressed tone.

"No," Eric's sudden scream take me by surprise so I stop and look at him with a confused face, "What happened? Why did you scream out of nowhere?"

"No, I think may—be you're —right." Eric stutters.

"Right? About what? Chris leaving me at altar?" I ask, looking at Eric. And he simply shakes his head in agreement.