Olivia

Being back home was awkward to say the least. Noel and I were in this weird will they, won't they state, and neither of us knew what to do about it. We had one date, and I'm starting to think he only did it out of pity. I don't want pity dates. Maybe this whole thing was a mistake. If we never got on that stupid boat, we would've never been forced to spend so much time together.

Once we got inside I let out a breath of air that I didn't even know that I was holding. "Home, sweet home!" Nolan groaned, throwing himself facedown on the couch.

"I can see why you guys only make that trip once a year," I smiled, sitting at the edge of his head.

"Cause it's long and boring." He said in a muffled voice.

"Yeah." I shrugged, resisting the urge to turn on the TV. "I didn't realize traveling could be so exhausting." I said, yawning.

"Welcome to my world." He said, turning to face his flatscreen. "What should we do with the rest of our day Mrs. Ferguson?" He asked, and I resisted the urge to blush.

"Well," I sighed, deciding to play along despite the past luck I had before. "I'm going to take a relaxing shower and then make my man some dinner. Can't have you running off with a woman that can cook." I chuckled softly, and I heard him laugh through his nose.

"Well," he grinned, looking up at me. "The way to a man's heart is definitely his stomach." I rolled my eyes at his boyish charm, then made my way into my temporary bedroom.

"Home, sweet fake home," I sighed, throwing myself back on the plush bed that I missed so much.

I took this time to call my sister since I haven't gotten a chance. After a few rings she finally answered my FaceTime, and I smiled softly at her. "Olivia!" She screamed, running into our bedroom and closing the door. "Please tell me how you pulled off that time zone call!" She pleaded, and I all but laughed.

"Well, I didn't have to do much." I smirked. "I was in Italy!" I grinned excitedly, and her jaw dropped.

"You we're WHERE?!" She screamed, and I placed my index finger on my lips.

"I spent my birthday in Italy! Of course it was just a coincidence, but might I just say I had the best time! I got pictures and souvenirs. Of course we can't show anyone but, oh what the hell it was AMAZING!" I gushed, rambling on about my trip.

"Mom totally believes you're in Africa now!" She laughed, her blonde curls bouncing.

"Yeah, well I believe I have a new problem," I started, and she pursed her lips at me.

"What is your little sister going to bail you out of now?" She asked with such maturity that made me laugh.

"Dana, I think I like him?" I told her, but it sounded more like a question.

"You... think?" She asked.

"I think." I nodded, because I just wasn't sure.

"Did something happen between you two?" She asked, squinting at me. "He's cute so I won't judge you." She shrugged.

"I don't know. I saw the most beautiful things and, he took me to the most beautiful places. I'm just really confused. How do I know that it's not just all an act with him? How do I know that it's not just an act with me?"

"Did he kiss you?" She asked.

"Well, only pretend kisses." I clarified.

"You're right, this is confusing." She nodded, and I shook my head at her with a smile. "If only there was someone you could ask." I'm sure she was just being sarcastic, but she actually gave me the best idea.

"Um... Dana. I'll... call you back later." I said suddenly, and she threw up the peace sign before hanging up.

I wonder, I thought to myself. Should I ask Jared or Nova? I wonder which of them would be more discreet about me fishing for information about their brother.

While I showered, I deliberated my circumstances. Do I even have a chance with Nolan? How does someone like me even begin to get someone like him; someone so unobtainable. I doubt Nolan is going to change his ways for little ol' me. Should I risk it anyways? I mean, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I get the hook up all my classmates would die for and, well, he isn't a high school jerk.

The closest I've ever gotten in a relationship was... absolutely nowhere. I fell in love with characters; I made stories my first love. I stayed in my studies and books. I have little to no experience with men. I didn't even have practice. If I fall into bed with him, I'm guaranteed to fall in more ways than one and I know it.

I just know it.

After my bath, I made my way back into the living room where Nolan was watching some sports game with his usual beer. I took it upon myself to open up the fridge and see what I could conjure up.

To my surprise, there was actually close to nothing in there. I stared over at the back of Nolan's head, then blinked in shock. What the hell does this man eat? I squinted at the rotten lettuce in the bottom of the fridge, and the last 6-pack he had, then slowly closed the refrigerator back.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I took it upon myself to open up his pantry and cabinets. "Nothing," I murmured to myself.

"What was that?" He yelled, not once looking up from his laptop on his lap.

"I said what do you eat? Where is your food?" I asked him, walking over to where he sat.

"Oh, well, I eat lunch at work. I have coffee for breakfast, and when I get home I order takeout." He shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world. "If I want cooked food, I go to my fathers house. He has a chef. Who also pre-makes our lunch's."

"So... you don't go to the grocery store ever?" This made him laugh.

"Olivia, I have never been to a grocery store in my life." He told me, and the realization creeped on my face.

"And so you also do not cook?" I asked.

"Never had to," he shrugged, and I nodded.

"Okay." I sighed, grabbing his car keys off the counter. "Get up. Let's go."

"What?" He chuckled, looking at me like I was the stranger that I was.

"You showed me your world, I'm gonna show you mine." I smirked.

~*~

I decided to take Nolan to the supermarket that I shopped at often. It was really hilarious watching him look at me nervously, like he was getting dropped off for his first day of school. "This is called 'Vons'." I explained to him like he was a small child. "This is where us poor people shop for food." I finished off with a sarcastic smile, and he shot me one right back.

We exited the car, and slowly made our way inside. "And this is called a 'buggy', this is where the food goes." I spoke super slow, and this made him squint at me and shake his head.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" He asked, and I grinned.

"Okay. What should we make?" I asked him, sifting through the aisles with no direction.

"I like lasagne." Nolan shrugged, and I smiled.

"My specialty," I wiggled my eyebrows, then started to gather all the ingredients I need.

"Whoa." Nolan said suddenly, and I looked over at him. "Milk is five bucks?" He asked me, raising a questioning brow. "That's a little steep don't you think?" At that, I nodded in agreement. "It's really small too..." he trailed off.

"Welcome to my world," I said simply.

~*~

Once we got home with all our groceries, I idly wondered if he even had things to cook with. The man clearly hasn't even stepped foot in this kitchen for more than a beer. "Do you want to help me?" I asked.

"No way, I'll probably burn the house down," he joked, getting pots and pans out for me.

"Oh come on, it could be fun." I sung, poking him playfully until he finally gave in.

"Alright, alright." He laughed, shaking his head.

And what can I say? It really was fun. He cracked open some expensive wine, and put on some music. We laughed, and joked, and played while we cooked. I don't know if I said this before but wow, what a life it must be really being married to this man!

Once dinner was ready, we had settled at the kitchen table with our third glass of wine, and he his second plate of food. "Wow, this is way better than I expected." He nodded his approval, and I smiled proudly at myself.

"And how are my wife skills?" I asked excitedly.

"Body? Check. Cooking? Check. Ties? Check. Three out of three ain't bad." He joked, and I hit him playfully.

"You do not judge women by their bodies." I scolded him playfully, even though I was eating up all his compliments more than this food.

"Can you believe I never use that stereo?" He asked me suddenly, staring over into his living room. "Actually, I've never used any of this stuff." He said in a pondering voice, and I quietly wondered if he was even still talking to me. "At least you're finally making use of it." Suddenly, his cell phone started to ring, and he rushed over to the couch to pick it up.

I used this moment to start cleaning up the mess we made, and put away some leftovers for his lunch, that was up until I actually heard the contents of his call. "Oh no, I'm not busy." I heard him say. "You want to come over?" I closed my eyes tightly before turning around to glare at him. "You gonna wear that outfit that I like?"

Looks like the fairytale has fucking ended and the jerk that I married originally is back. When he noticed my glare, his tone became more hushed, and I furrowed my brows together.

Gosh, I am so stupid! This is all just some sick fucking game to him and I knew it! When I noticed him hang up his phone, I grabbed mine off the kitchen table. "You bastard." I let out a low growl. "Making a booty call right in front of me?" He didn't say anything immediately, he just stared at me like a deer in headlights. "From now on, I'm staying in my room!" I shouted, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Don't come near me!" I yelled, darting off down the hall.

I waited until I was shut in my room to burst out into tears. I didn't understand what was happening at all. How can he say one thing, and do another? How can he make me feel like I was the only girl in the world, and still turn around and set dick appointments with hookers? I know I wasn't really his wife but I thought he liked me. Why would he do this?