CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 274

At that moment, upon hearing what Cora just said, Oliver blinked twice, completely thrown off. His mouth opened slightly, and he leaned back like someone who had just been hit with a wave of confusion.

"Wait, what? Hold on," he said, slowly raising his hand. "Cora, are you... are you saying you want us to pretend we’re in a relationship? Like like boyfriend and girlfriend? Seriously?"

However Cora didn’t flinch. She just nodded her head calmly, even though deep down, her heart was racing. She had imagined his reaction would be this way maybe even worse. But now that the words were out, there was no going back.

"Yes," she said softly, but firmly. "That’s exactly what I’m saying."

Oliver sat forward, his eyes wide. "Cora, you and I we’re friends. Just friends. You know that. I know that. And now you want to fake a relationship? You know how messy that can get? Do you realize how many things can go wrong with that?"

Cora nodded again, her fingers twisting in her lap. "I know. I’ve thought about all of it, Oliver. But I need this. I need something real at least something that looks real. My father is coming back with an agenda. He always has one. And this time, I know exactly what it is."

Oliver folded his arms, still trying to understand. "You said he’s trying to match you up with someone?"

Cora sighed and looked away for a second, as if gathering the courage to continue. "Yes. My father is old-fashioned. He thinks it’s time I got married again, this time his way. And he’s already chosen someone, I just know it. Probably some wealthy man from a family he wants to ally with. Someone I don’t love, someone I don’t even know."

She turned back to face him, her eyes now filled with something more vulnerable. "But if he sees me already in a serious relationship if he thinks I’m happy and in love with someone who treats me well then maybe, just maybe, he won’t push it."

Oliver stared at her for a few seconds, trying to read between her words. There was pain behind her eyes. She wasn’t just trying to rebel against her father. She was trying to protect herself from something deeper. Something she wasn’t saying out loud yet.

"And that’s why... me?" he asked, gently.

Cora let out a weak chuckle. "Because I trust you, Oliver. I know you won’t hurt me or use this against me later. You’ve always been there for me, even when we didn’t talk much, you never judged me. I feel safe around you. That’s something I can’t say about many people."

Oliver slowly exhaled, his heart now calmer, but his mind still racing. He rubbed the back of his neck. "So you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend. In front of your father. Maybe in front of your uncle and his son too?"

Cora nodded. "Yes. Just for a while. Just until he’s convinced."

Oliver leaned forward and looked directly into her eyes. "And what happens after that? What happens if it gets too real? What if someone finds out?"

Cora held his gaze without flinching. "We’ll deal with it when the time comes. But for now, I just need something really, really good. Something perfect."

At that moment, Cora took a deep breath. Her eyes didn’t move away from Oliver’s face as she gently said, "I’ve thought about this over and over again. And honestly, I couldn’t think of anyone else. No one but you."

Oliver stared at her, still trying to fully understand the weight of what she had just said. His brows furrowed in confusion, and his mouth opened slightly, but he didn’t say anything yet. He wanted to let her finish.

Cora continued, her voice steady but calm. "You know me, Oliver. You don’t just know my name or the stories people say about me you know my heart. You know how I think, how I react to things. You know the look in my eyes when something’s wrong, and you know how I hide my feelings even when I’m hurting."

She paused for a moment, watching Oliver blink slowly, his expression still unsure.

"I’m not just asking for someone to act with me," she added. "I’m asking you because I know my father. He’s smart too smart. He’ll read through a lie in seconds if it’s not done right. He’ll know if something feels off. But with you..." She smiled faintly. "With you, he won’t suspect anything. You’ll blend in perfectly. You’ll fit."

Oliver leaned back slightly, looking up at the ceiling as if trying to make sense of what she was placing on his shoulders. The room grew quiet for a few seconds, only the soft hum of the air conditioner filling the silence.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"So," he said slowly, "what you’re saying is... if I go along with this this fake relationship then I’m going to have to play it to the fullest."

Cora nodded gently, her gaze calm and firm.

Oliver tilted his head, then narrowed his eyes at her as he leaned slightly closer. "And when you say ’to the fullest’... you mean acting like we’re really together? Like holding hands in front of him, sitting close, saying sweet things like we mean it?"

Cora blinked once. "Exactly."

He raised a brow. "Like maybe even hugging... and kissing too?"

Cora didn’t answer immediately. Her silence was an answer in itself. A soft blush crept up her cheek, but she didn’t look away. That moment of quiet between them said more than words.

Then Oliver exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slowly as he tried to piece everything together. "I don’t really understand what you are saying. So, you mean if we are going to fake it, then we would have to be making everything so real, like you know what I am talking about."

Without wasting anymore time, Cora nodded.

"Yes, it’s no problem to me if it actually results to that."

then she face Oliver.

" I’m serious about this, and I’m sure their is no other person to do this for me if not you."