Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Sitting on the sofa in front of Marlo, Cash, and Antonio, Alex started to feel like it was more of a horror movie as they kept looking at her, and she felt so out of place. She didn’t know what to say or do.
They just stared at her and Roman as they sat on either end of the sofa. A nice large gap between them.
“This won’t do,” Antonio said. “You need to sit closer together.”
“Noted,” Roman said.
“So do it now.” Marlo held his hands out and waved them in front of him, pointing for them both to get closer together.
“I don’t think we need guidance for this. How hard can it be?” Alex asked.
“When you both came down here, you took the furthest space possible together. If you need to convince a roomful of people staring at you like you’re under a microscope, every single little detail of your actions is going to be watched,” Cash said. “From the way you both look at each other. So, Alex, you need to get out of eye rolling. That is a serious mark against you.”
“Thank you,” Roman said. “I told you, you do it all the time.”
She rolled her eyes. She just couldn’t help it. “He did that on purpose to see me fail.”
“And he did it so easily.”
“Roman, you’re not free from error either. You glare, way too much. A man who glares shows disapproval.”
Alex couldn’t resist sticking her tongue out at him, and of course, Roman glared. This time, she burst out laughing. “I’m so sorry, but there was a time you looked scary but now, I think you’re super cute.”
“It’s the rainbow,” Roman, Antonio, Marlo, and Cash all said at the same time.
To Alex, Roman had lost that scary edge, which wasn’t a bad thing. At least, she didn’t think so. He was cute and adorable, sexy, manly, and she was so going to stop there. She had never thought of Roman as sexy and manly. Cruel and mean at times, but never sexy.
She had to get her head back on straight. “Let’s take this seriously,” Alex said.
This was a job for them. They had to be tutored in the art of appearing to like and love each other. It wasn’t something she should be turning into a joke, no matter how funny it seemed.
Hands clasped together, she stared at the three men who were watching them.
“This is good,” Antonio said. “Being able to laugh at each other and with each other, it is a good sign.”
“Think of our audience,” Roman said. “Half of the people there hate each other.”
“We know that,” Marlo said. “But you’re not trying to sell an arranged marriage anymore. With your disappearance, you’re adding a whole different spin. You’re the rare couple who fell in love after an arranged marriage.”
“Hold Alex’s hand,” Cash said.
Roman took her hand, holding it as if they were strangers.
Cash tutted and approached, arranging their hands so that their fingers were locked together.
“To sell this, you’ve got to look comfortable touching each other. Alex, stop tensing. Roman, don’t glare. You’re holding your wife. The woman you’re supposed to love. The one you’re protecting and showing the world you want,” Cash said.
Alex stared off into the corner.
Antonio clicked his fingers. “Stare at each other.”
She glared at him and then turned to Roman. “Do you feel this is stupid?” she asked.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Keep on staring at each other,” Marlo said.
She looked into Roman’s eyes, which were so pretty. Her mouth suddenly felt dry.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Roman asked.
“I was going to do a game of baseball, but you have banned me from any physical activity.”
“You’re not doing anything strenuous yet,” Roman said.
“You know I feel fine.”
“I see you’re sometimes in pain, Alex.”
“Now kiss her,” Cash said.
They both jerked away and turned to their teachers.
“What?” they said at the same time.
“And that is our problem right now,” Cash said. “You can randomly talk to each other, and forget you’re holding hands, but what you both need to do is to get over this barrier. Regardless of what you both think, I bet you’re attracted to each other.”
Alex wanted to deny it.
“Roman, your dick is a perfect indicator if you’re liking her or not, and Alex, your tits harden. There, I said it,” Antonio said. “I’ve seen the way you both look at each other, and there is an attraction between you. If you would only put aside all of this other bullshit that is going on, you’d be able to work on that.”
“We need to give them homework,” Marlo said.
“You’ll be sharing a room and a bed from tonight onward,” Antonio said.
She wanted to refuse and was about to, but they continued with their list of homework.
“Wherever possible, you touch. I don’t care where it is, but you touch each other,” Marlo said.