Chapter 9 Thinking Out Loud

“Okay, so how about this deal?” Asher put down his wine glass on the table and turned to look at her with a serious facial expression.

Bianca was feeling half funny and half nervous. She did not have the tiniest clue of what he was going to say. She wanted to be nonchalant, like, if she did not like his deal, she could just turn him down again and get back to her original plan, calling for a paid date. Although her heart was also hanging with fears about going to the party with a total stranger, she was also worried about how outrageous his deal would be this time. She fixed her eyes on him. Clearly expressing that she was waiting for whatever he was about to say.

“The one who called was my dad’s assistant,” Asher started. “And I bet my old man is making things hard for his assistant again by giving orders even when it’s already out of working hours,” he shook his head in displeasure.

Bianca did not give any reaction. She just kept her eyes on him as he spoke. She wanted to hear all of what he was going to say before she say or ask for anything.

And Asher liked it this way. He wants to make Bianca understand his case before she turns him down. Anyway, he was going to do something for her. He hopes she won’t be too stingy to help him out in return.

“My dad has been bugging me to go to dates he had set for me…” complaints cannot be denied in his statement. “And I don’t like things done that way,” he sighed in frustration. “But he said, unless I brought someone of my choice to introduce him as my fiancee, he is not going to stop interfering in my life about it. '' Annoyed and disappointed, Asher groaned. Then he looked at the table, reached for his wine, and took a big swig of all its content. He felt his throat had gone dry saying so much. But what he was about to say also needed a little boost of confidence from alcohol.

He paused.

He was wondering if he should continue or take back everything he just said.

He looked back at Bianca. She was eagerly waiting to hear what he was going to say next.

She was waiting patiently. Not even urging him to hurry and say whatever it was he was about to say. Asher felt guilty making her wait.

“I will be your date on Friday, but will you be my pretend girlfriend and meet my dad with me on Sunday after that?” He boldly asked. He really wished she would say yes. He is sure his dad will never bother him again when he meets Bianca and gets to know anything about her.

Bianca closed her eyes. Letting Asher’s words sink into her mind to analyze if there was any foolishness hidden in it.

None so far.

Bianca nodded her head softly with her eyes still closed. Bit her lips as she was thinking. She squinted her eyes as she thought.

“I need a date. He needs a pretend fiancee to meet with his dad.”

Asher silently nodded. Unaware that Bianca was talking to herself.

“As long as his deal isn’t so fiendish….”

Again, Asher nodded, Bianca still talking to herself. Unaware that Asher could hear her thoughts, she was speaking them out in a low voice but still audible to Asher, who was also unaware that he was not supposed to hear what she was saying. But what can he do, cover his ears? He didn’t know she was stating her thoughts out loud either.

“I don’t have to sleep with him. That’s the worst it could ever get, I guess. Even if he is that good in bed...”

“I promise to behave,” Asher hurriedly butt in he did not hear what she said to the end of her last thought. He wanted to clear his image on her. But he was startled to see big rounded eyes in great shock of Bianca.

She covered her mouth with a hand. Asher was confused.

“What? Can’t you believe I can behave? I am not that bad of a person,” Asher defensively stated. “We have been together for almost a dozen weekends. Don’t you think I deserve a little trust? And…” he was cut off ranting when she spoke.

“What did you hear me say?” Bianca asked. She was shocked when he said something about behaving. Bianca is aware she has this habit of speaking her thoughts out loud, but she was hoping she didn’t just do it in front of Asher. He must think she is weird or crazy!

“What do you mean?” still confused, he frowned. He is getting absolutely lost with her right now. What’s going on?! He could not tell if he was weird or if she was. Who is right and who is wrong between them? That doesn’t seem to be the issue either.

“Just tell me, what did you hear me say earlier?” Bianca insisted. She was not sure if he heard her say everything she said with his expressions. He didn’t seem to mind or tease her. Another reason she was confused and conscious.

Asher had no choice but to tell her what he thought he heard her say.

“You said you need a date, and I needed a pretend fiancee to meet my dad, and as long as my deal isn’t so fiendish and that you don’t have to sleep with me...” he stopped when he heard her scream, and she slammed a cushion to her own face.

“Bianca! What’s wrong?! What are you doing?” Asher hurriedly emptied his hands to move closer and pulled the cushion off her face just to see a very flushed, beet-red face of her.

Bianca panicked at his actions.

“Ahhhhhh!!!” Bianca screamed. “Give it back!” then she grabbed the cushion and covered her face again. She was so ashamed, thinking he heard everything she said, especially the last line before he butted in.

“I promise, I will behave!” Asher hurriedly said. He was still confused about her behavior, but he tried to assure her as she did not want to say anything. “Please, say yes,” he begged.

Bianca still had her face buried in the cushion, but she could hear every word he was saying.

Asher continued to persuade her, just sitting by her side, looking down at his empty hands.

“My dad has been setting blind dates for me with women I cannot even get to pretend to like them. They’re not that bad, I am sure my old folk knew a few good things to be proud of about every girl he sets a date with me, but I want someone I find on my own, someone I am sure I am comfortable to be with and someone I admire,” he softly said.

It had been his heart’s complaints, but he had no one to share such sincere feelings with. His buddies won’t understand his sentiments because their parents don’t bother arranging blind dates for them.

But he is comfortable sharing his honest emotions with Bianca. They have been on good terms with each other ever since they became roommates. They never had anything to argue about as they both considered each other before doing or saying anything.

This time, he was hoping they could go a level higher by “making friends with benefits” arrangements if she would agree since a chance came to present itself. They are both adults. He assumed they would have equal needs when it comes to sex as well. He couldn’t bring the issue out before. He was worried he would anger her. So when she asked for his help, he thought it was his chance to lay the proposal naturally. Only to be surprised. She is not into casual sex like many others do. But he was still happy she did not take his deal so negatively, although she rejected his idea even though he wasn’t having any after his last wild night with Nikita. He didn’t even notice it’s been months already. He's been busy at work, and when he gets home, he is having a good rest and peaceful time with Luna and Bianca—going to the supermarket for groceries. Walking Luna to the park while he and Bianca enjoy the weather with picnic food she would prepare in advance on Saturday night. He realized their roommates' bond was terrific, which would have been better if she was into casual sex as well, too!

But if she isn’t into it, Asher respects her. Her decisions. Her morals. Her standards in life.

He can have this matter resolved in many ways, anyway. Their friendship and bonding are more precious to keep and treasure.

Bianca felt herself calming down, so she looked at him with the cushion still covering half her face.

“If you can keep your promise, then okay, let’s do this deal,” Bianca hugged the cushion and spoke softly. “You will be my date, and I will be your fiancee in front of your dad,” she declared clearly.