Part 4

On Monday afternoon, the soft glow of late sunlight filtered through the curtains as Selerity flowed through her yoga routine, the rhythmic movements helping her center herself after a long day. The tranquility she felt was suddenly interrupted by the sharp vibration of her phone. Pausing mid-pose, she saw a text notification from Landon: "911."

Her heart skipped a beat. Without a second thought, she abandoned her yoga mat, grabbing her phone and immediately calling him. The line rang only once before Landon's voice, fraught with tension, came through.

"Selerity..." His tone was heavy with shame.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her concern clear in her voice.

There was a brief pause before Landon sighed deeply. "My friend Scott—you know, the one you met at the karaoke bar? He ran into my parents over the weekend and... well, he mentioned you. Now they want to meet you. They think we're dating."

Selerity bit her lower lip, anxiety bubbling up inside her. "Landon, I don't know if I can do that. We're not really a couple, and... well, meeting your parents under false pretenses feels... wrong."

"Yeah, I know," Landon replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "I told them we were busy, but the problem is I can't lie to my parents like I can to my friends. They'll see right through it."

Selerity stayed silent, her mind racing. She could hear the frustration in Landon's voice, and she didn't know how to comfort him. He let out a groan of frustration. "I'm sorry, Selerity. I should've told Scott we broke up after the karaoke bar. I didn't mean for things to get this complicated."

Selerity agreed that the situation had spun out of control, but the idea of pretending to be his girlfriend in front of his parents didn't sit well with her either. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that it would be deceptive and uncomfortable, and she knew it would only lead to more complications.

After a moment of silence, Landon spoke again, his voice carrying the weight of desperation. "Maybe... maybe we should just become a real couple for now? I promise, after meeting my parents, we'll tell everyone we broke up."

Selerity's heart sank at the suggestion. It was clear that Landon was grasping for a solution, but the idea of faking an entire relationship, only to break it off later, didn't sit well with her either. "Landon, I don't think that's the right way to go. It's still dishonest, and I'm worried about what people will think of us when we suddenly 'break up' afterward."

Landon sighed, clearly recognizing the truth in her words. "You're right. I don't want to put you in that position either. I just... I don't know what else to do."

Selerity took a deep breath, considering their options. The idea of continuing the charade didn't appeal to her, but she also didn't want to leave Landon in a bind. After a moment, an idea began to take shape in her mind, one that was as bold as it was daunting.

"Okay," she said slowly, "I'll meet your parents... but I think we should tell them the truth."

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line before Landon's voice came back, barely above a whisper. "Wait... you want to tell them about the agency?"

Selerity nodded to herself, even though he couldn't see her. "Yes. I'm tired of lying, Landon. Pretending to be something I'm not is exhausting, and it's only going to lead to more problems. If we tell your parents the truth, at least we'll be honest. Maybe... maybe they'll understand."

Landon's face felt cold, his skin prickling with anxiety. "Selerity, are you sure? What if they react badly? What if this ruins everything?"

"I've been pretending for so long, Landon," Selerity said softly. "I don't want to keep doing that. If your parents don't accept me for who I am, then at least we won't be living a lie. And... well, I think they deserve to know the truth."

Landon's mind spun, torn between fear and the realization that Selerity was right. The situation had become a tangled web of half-truths, and continuing down this path would only make things worse. But the thought of revealing the truth—of exposing Selerity's job and risking his parents' judgment—was terrifying.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice trembling slightly. "Okay... okay, if that's what you want to do, then I'll stand by you. We'll tell them the truth. But... let's be careful about how we do it."

"Thank you, Landon," Selerity said, her voice laced with both relief and determination. "We'll figure this out together."

"Yeah," Landon agreed, though his heart was still pounding with apprehension. "Together."

As they hung up, Selerity returned to her yoga mat, but her mind was far from peaceful now. She knew that meeting Landon's parents and telling them the truth would be one of the most challenging things she had ever done. But deep down, she also knew that it was the right thing to do. She just hoped that Landon's parents would see it that way too.

The weekend arrived, but instead of the usual excitement that Landon felt when meeting up with Selerity, a heavy sense of dread weighed him down. They had agreed to meet at the arcade, as promised, but the anticipation of meeting his parents was gnawing at him. Every day leading up to it, the anxiety grew stronger, making it hard to focus on anything else.

When they finally met at the arcade, things were different. Usually, their time together was filled with easy laughter and playful banter, but today, there was an awkward silence between them. They started with some fighting games, where Selerity, as usual, was dominating the screen, her character executing flawless moves while Landon's struggled to keep up. Despite her winning streak, she couldn't help but notice how distant Landon had become. He wasn't reacting with his usual competitive spirit, and that bothered her.

As she landed another knockout, concern etched on her face as she asks, "Landon, are you okay?"

He glanced at her, his expression conflicted, before letting out a sigh. "I'm just... nervous, I guess. The whole thing with my parents—it's been eating at me."

Selerity's heart softened. She could see how much this was weighing on him, and she wanted to ease his burden. Trying to lighten the mood, she decided to steer the conversation to something more familiar. "You know, you haven't really told me much about your parents. What are they like?"

Landon seemed to appreciate the shift in topic, though it didn't fully erase the tension from his shoulders. "My parents... they're workaholics. They've always been about hard work and family values. My mom works at a lawyer's office. She's really well-connected, has a lot of influence in the legal world. My dad, on the other hand, is a mason. He's always been more of a hands-on, practical guy. They worked really hard to pay for my college, and they've always been proud of me for being independent, but... I guess that's why they're so overprotective, too. I'm their only child, and they want what's best for me."

Selerity nodded, listening intently. She could see the pressure he was under—his parents had high expectations, and the idea of disappointing them clearly weighed heavily on him. "I know what that's like," she said softly. "My parents are pretty traditional too. They own a small restaurant, and they've always been strict when it comes to relationships. I've always been too scared to bring someone home to meet them because it's such a big deal in our family. They have no idea I'm working as a rental girlfriend, and honestly, they'd be really upset if they found out."

Landon looked at her with a mix of empathy and curiosity. "So, what are you studying for? I mean, you've mentioned college, but you never really said what your major is."

Selerity smiled, a little shyly, but there was pride in her voice as she answered. "I'm studying business. My parents want me to take over the family restaurant someday. It's a lot of pressure, but I love the idea of keeping the business in the family, you know? Making it even better than it is now."

Hearing this, Landon felt a warmth spread through him. It was the first time she had opened up about her future, her ambitions, and it made him feel closer to her. "That's amazing, Selerity. I had no idea... It's great that you have such a clear goal."

She chuckled softly. "Well, it's a goal, but it's also a lot of responsibility. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, but I want to make my parents proud. That's why I've always been so focused, and maybe why I never really dated. I didn't want to disappoint them."

Landon smiled at her, genuinely impressed. "I totally get that. It's like we're both living under these expectations, trying to figure out how to be our own people while still making our parents proud."

Selerity nodded, the connection between them deepening. "Exactly. And it's not easy, but it's nice to know that we're not alone in it."

Landon's smile widened, feeling a sense of relief. He hadn't realized how much he needed this conversation—how much it helped to share his fears and learn more about her. He felt lighter, as if the weight of his worries had eased just a bit. "Do you have any siblings?" he asked, curious to know more.

"Yeah," Selerity replied with a fond smile. "I have a younger sister. She's still in high school, and she's a handful, but I love her. She's really into sports, the complete opposite of me."

Landon chuckled. "I'm an only child, so I don't really know what it's like to have siblings. But I think that's part of why my parents are so protective. I'm all they've got."

Selerity reached over, gently placing her hand on his. "I can see why you're nervous. But you're a good guy, Landon. I'm sure your parents will see that too, no matter what happens."

Her touch and words brought a sense of calm to Landon, easing his nerves. "Thanks, Selerity. It means a lot to hear you say that. I'm glad we're doing this together."

Landon, sensing the weight of the earlier conversation lingering in the air, decided it was time to lighten the mood. He watched as Selerity effortlessly decimated his character in the game, and with a smirk, he changed the subject. "You're pretty good at video games," he remarked, his tone genuinely impressed. "I've got to say, I'm impressed."

Selerity laughed modestly, her fingers still deftly moving over the controls. "Thanks, I've been playing since I was a kid. It's kind of a stress relief for me."

Landon raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "So let me get this straight—you write, draw, practice yoga, watch anime, and you're good at games. What other hidden talents are you keeping from me?"

She burst out laughing, the sound bright and contagious. "I never really thought about it that way. I guess I am a bit of a nerd, huh?"

He shook his head, his eyes warm with admiration. "Not at all. I prefer to think of it as 'multi-talented.'"

Selerity's laughter softened into a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, that's a great way to put it. I like that."

Landon grinned, sensing that the conversation was steering into more comfortable territory. "So, since your family owns a restaurant, can I assume you're good at cooking too?"

A soft blush crept up her cheeks, and she averted her gaze slightly. "I do cook. Not as well as my sister, but I can hold my own in the kitchen."

Landon, feeling a bit embarrassed by his own lack of culinary skills, admitted sheepishly, "I can't cook at all. I once burned popcorn in the microwave. That's pretty much my level of expertise."

Selerity laughed again, the sound like music to his ears. "Don't worry, I won't hold it against you. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?"

He chuckled, appreciating her easygoing nature. Then, his expression softened as he looked at her, sincerity in his voice. "I think you'll make someone very happy someday, Selerity."

Caught off guard by his sudden earnestness, she felt a flutter in her chest. Her gaze dropped to the floor, her cheeks warming under his gaze. "Th-thanks," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade, the bustling arcade and the sounds of other players blurring into the background. Landon's words lingered in the air, a subtle but profound compliment that touched something deep within her. Selerity wasn't used to receiving such sincere praise, and it left her feeling both vulnerable and oddly cherished.

Landon watched her for a moment longer, feeling a quiet contentment settle over him. He was glad he could make her smile, even if just a little, and as they moved on to the next game, the earlier tension between them seemed to dissipate entirely. They might have been navigating a complicated situation, but in moments like these, it felt simple—two people enjoying each other's company, learning about each other one laugh at a time.

As they wrapped up their time at the arcade, settling into the easy camaraderie that had come to define their relationship, Landon felt sense of purpose. He wasn't facing this alone—Selerity was with him, and together, they would figure out how to navigate the challenges ahead. When they finally parted ways at the bus stop, the lingering tension in Landon's chest had loosened, replaced by a quiet determination. Whatever came next, he knew they would face it together.

As the midweek evening set in, the sun dipped low, casting shadows across the neat suburban street. Landon and Selerity stood on the front porch of his parents' house, the tension between them almost palpable. The familiar brick facade and well-manicured lawn offered no comfort to Landon, who was grappling with a surge of nerves. He glanced at Selerity beside him, noting the determined set of her jaw and the brave facade she wore, despite the unease in her eyes.

"You ready?" Landon asked, his voice soft but steady.

Selerity took a deep breath, willing herself to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. "Yeah," she replied, nodding as if to reassure herself. "Let's get this over with."

The moment they knocked, the door opened to reveal Landon's father, a tall man with the same deep-set eyes as his son, though his carried years of experience and wisdom. He smiled warmly, but there was a hint of curiosity in his gaze, as though he sensed the tension hanging between them.

"Come on in," his father said, stepping aside to let them enter.

They walked down the hallway, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, and soon found themselves in the living room. The space was warm and inviting, yet the atmosphere was charged with the weight of the impending conversation. Landon's mother sat in an armchair, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression one of careful scrutiny. Her piercing gaze was fixed on Selerity, who suddenly felt very small under the weight of her assessment.

Landon cleared his throat, forcing himself to meet his mother's eyes. "Mom, Dad… This is Selerity."

Selerity mustered a polite smile, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "Nice to meet you both."

Landon's mother, a woman of sharp features softened only slightly by age, uncrossed her arms and gave a nod of acknowledgment. "I'm Karen, and this is Robert," she introduced, her tone cool but not unkind. After a brief pause, she got straight to the point. "How long exactly have you two been dating?"

Landon exchanged a glance with Selerity, then took a breath before responding. "We're… not actually dating, Mom. We're just friends."

A flicker of confusion crossed Karen's face, mirrored in the furrow of Robert's brow. They exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them, before Karen spoke again. "Then why bring a 'friend' home to meet us?" Her voice held a slight edge, as if she were bracing for a revelation she wasn't sure she'd like.

Landon hesitated, feeling the pressure of his parents' expectation. He looked to Selerity, silently passing the burden to her—it was her story to tell, after all.

Taking another deep breath, Selerity stepped forward, meeting Karen's gaze with as much composure as she could muster. "Landon and I met a little while ago, and we became friends pretty quickly," she began, choosing her words carefully.

Karen frowned, the crease between her brows deepening. "I don't understand," she said slowly. "Scott told us that Landon was dating someone. How are you involved in that?"

Selerity felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her. There was no easy way to say what needed to be said, so she decided to just tell the truth. "It was me Scott was talking about," she admitted. "But the truth is… we were only pretending to date."

Karen's eyes narrowed slightly, and Robert leaned forward, his interest clearly piqued. "Pretending to date?" Karen repeated, her tone now edged with disbelief. "Why on earth would you do that?"

Selerity could feel Landon's tension beside her, and she knew this was the part where everything could go terribly wrong. But she was tired of hiding, tired of pretending to be something she wasn't. So she took one last deep breath and faced the inevitable.

"I work as a rental girlfriend," she explained, her voice steady but soft. "Landon helped me with something, and in return, I helped him by pretending to be his girlfriend in front of his friends."

The room fell into a heavy silence. Karen's expression shifted from confusion to something unreadable, while Robert sat back in his chair, processing this unexpected information. Landon, standing beside Selerity, could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he awaited his parents' reaction.

Karen's lips pressed into a thin line as she absorbed Selerity's words. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, and for a moment, it seemed as though time itself had paused. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke, her tone carefully measured.

"And why, may I ask, did you think it was necessary to pretend in the first place?"

Landon shifted uncomfortably, ready to step in, but Selerity held up a hand, signaling that she would handle it. She squared her shoulders, meeting Karen's gaze head-on. "Because Landon didn't want to deal with the awkwardness of telling his friends about his breakup," she said honestly. "And I didn't want to disappoint a friend who's been nothing but kind to me."

Robert caught Landon's eye and gave a subtle nod, signaling for him to follow. Landon hesitated, glancing at Selerity, but when she gave him a reassuring nod, he reluctantly stood and followed his father out of the room. The door closed behind them, leaving Selerity alone with Karen.

The room seemed to grow colder in their absence, the warmth from earlier conversations dissipating under Karen's steely gaze. Selerity could feel the weight of it, like a physical presence bearing down on her, making it hard to breathe. She sat down across from Karen, trying to maintain her composure, but her nerves were already frayed.

Karen leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing as she studied Selerity. "Young lady," she began, her tone icy and precise, "I don't think you fully understand who I am or what I do. In case Landon hasn't informed you, let me clarify a few things. I work at a large law firm, one of the top in the state. I deal with many cases, and quite a few of them involve so-called 'rental girlfriends'—women who scam older, wealthier clients out of their money."

She let the words hang in the air for a moment, her gaze never wavering. "So you see, I don't have a particularly positive opinion of your profession. Now, you have five minutes to explain what exactly you're doing with my son."

The pressure of Karen's interrogation was crushing. Selerity felt her hands tremble slightly as she clasped them together in her lap. She knew the reputation her job carried, the stigma that clung to it like a shadow. There were plenty of stories about rental girlfriends who had taken advantage of vulnerable people, and she had seen firsthand how those stories tainted public perception of her work.

"I'm sorry…" Selerity's voice wavered, tears threatening to spill as she struggled to hold herself together. "It wasn't on purpose. I just needed help." She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I've had a hard time finding a job, and this agency was the only place that would hire me. My family is struggling, and I didn't want to burden them with my tuition."

She paused, her heart pounding in her chest. This was her moment of truth, the chance to show Karen who she really was, beyond the stereotypes and the stigma. She looked up, meeting Karen's gaze with as much courage as she could muster.

"But I don't regret meeting Landon," Selerity said, her voice stronger now. "We became good friends, and we've been helping each other out a lot. That's why I can't see myself dating him—because I know what people think about my job. I've always tried to keep my distance, to help him out like a friend and nothing more. But Landon… he's such a great guy, and you raised him well. Thank you."

For a moment, the room was silent, the air thick with tension. Selerity could see the conflict in Karen's eyes, the battle between her professional skepticism and the undeniable sincerity in Selerity's words.

Karen's expression softened, the hard lines of her face relaxing as she considered Selerity's confession. She had expected to hear excuses or empty reassurances, but instead, Selerity had spoken with a raw honesty that Karen couldn't ignore. And the way she spoke about Landon—so full of genuine admiration and care—struck a chord.

Karen leaned back in her chair, her gaze softening further. "I can see that you care about my son," she said slowly, her voice no longer as cold as before. "And I can respect that you were honest with me, even when it wasn't easy."

Selerity nodded, relief flooding through her. She hadn't expected the conversation to take this turn, but she was grateful that it had. "I do care about him," she said quietly. "More than I ever thought I would."

Karen was silent for a moment longer, then she nodded, as if coming to a decision. "Well, let's see how things go from here. I'm still not thrilled about this… arrangement," she admitted, her tone still tinged with caution. "But I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, for now."

Selerity smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing as she realized she had passed the first test. It wasn't a perfect outcome, but it was a start—a chance to prove that she wasn't just a stereotype, but someone who genuinely cared for Landon.

A few minutes later, Landon and Robert reentered the living room. Landon's face was flushed with embarrassment, his usual confidence shaken by the private conversation he'd just had with his father. Robert, on the other hand, looked more composed, but there was a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as if he found some amusement in his son's discomfort. He took a seat next to Karen, who glanced at him with an arched eyebrow.

"Did you have 'the talk' with our son?" Karen asked, her tone laced with curiosity.

Robert nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yes, we talked."

Karen's eyes flicked back to Landon and Selerity, lingering on them for a moment longer, as if assessing the aftermath of whatever conversation had just taken place. Then, she dismissed them with a curt nod. "You're free to go," she said, waving them off like a judge who had just passed a favorable sentence.

Once outside, the tension that had been building in Selerity's chest finally eased. The cool afternoon air was a welcome relief after the intensity of the encounter. She glanced sideways at Landon, who seemed just as relieved to be out of the house.

"Your mom can be quite scary," Selerity commented, half-joking but with a hint of lingering unease in her voice.

Landon nodded, his expression rueful. "Yeah, she has that effect on people. Honestly, I was surprised you were still there when I came back."

Selerity frowned, confused. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Landon gave her a sheepish look. "Because my mom once chased my ex out of the house with a bat."

Selerity burst into laughter, the sound carrying through the quiet street. "She really did that? She totally looks like someone who could!"

Landon couldn't help but smile at her reaction. "Yeah, she doesn't mess around. But, for what it's worth, I think she likes you."

Selerity's laughter faded into a warm smile. "Well, I'm glad I passed the test then."

As they continued down the driveway, the weight of the evening began to lift. But there was still something lingering between them, something unsaid. Selerity glanced at Landon, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What did your dad talk to you about?"

Landon's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "He, uh… he asked me some pretty uncomfortable and embarrassing questions."

Selerity's eyes narrowed playfully. "What kind of questions?"

Landon hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. But he knew there was no way out of it now. "He… he asked if we've slept together."

The words hung in the air between them, and Selerity's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she quickly looked away, mortified by the sudden turn in the conversation.

Landon's panic flared, and he stumbled over his words in an attempt to reassure her. "Of course, I said no! I told him you're not—that it's not that kind of agency!"

Selerity kept her gaze averted, clearly upset by the whole situation. She hadn't expected things to get this awkward, and the mere thought of what Robert had implied made her feel embarrassed and exposed.

Feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him, Landon looked up at the sky, struggling to keep his emotions in check. The afternoon was supposed to be about clearing the air, but instead, it had left them both feeling raw and vulnerable. "Listen," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret, "I'm sorry you had to go through this. If you don't want to hang out anymore, I understand. But… I did have a lot of fun with you."

For a moment, Selerity didn't respond, her silence stretching out between them like an unbridgeable chasm. Then, to Landon's surprise, she reached out and touched his hand, her fingers brushing against his with a gentle, almost hesitant motion. "I had fun too," she whispered, still looking away, but the warmth in her touch spoke volumes.

Landon's heart lifted at the simple gesture, and he smiled, feeling the tension between them start to dissolve. "Let's go home," he suggested, his voice softening. "We need to rest after what happened. Thank goodness the drama is over. We can go back to our normal lives."

Selerity nodded, her grip on his hand tightening ever so slightly. "Yes, thank goodness," she agreed, her voice steady, though there was a faint tremor beneath it—one that only Landon could hear.

They walked together in silence, the afternoon air cool against their skin, their hands loosely intertwined as they made their way home. The early evening had been more than either of them had bargained for, but as they walked side by side, there was a shared understanding between them—something that didn't need words to be felt.