The Couple

Celia

My parents just arrived. Jeanne is here in my apartment. No, not to welcome them but to spend time with them. She said she is coming here to help me but she is no help to me. She is just sitting with them in the living area and ordering me to bring this or that for her.

I was happy having her and my parents around. All three were talking about this and that. She is telling them the places they are going to visit. She is even going to take them to the other side of the town which she didn’t explore with me. It looked like they were friends and I was the one who came to visit them. Everything is okay except their awkwardness for the presence of Harris. After he left me yesterday on the road. He didn’t contact me until my parents showed up at my door. He behaved like my boyfriend who wanted to meet my parents but I don’t think my parents liked him at all.

Dad just looks in his direction with the corner of his eyes from time to time but doesn't acknowledge his presence. Mom and Jeanne don’t even look in his direction until he moves or speaks something. Actually, he didn’t talk with them either, he is just here so I get no chance to get help and escape from him.

Right now, my dad and I are cooking in the kitchen. It was just like old times when he shared his experience and his customers’ reaction with me. I was happy for once after my birthday this year. I forget about Harris and his threats, Chris and him being a werewolf. I felt lively again with my father. Laughing sound of Jeanne and my mom coming from the living room sounded like music to me. That moment I felt like everything was normal and would be fine soon. I was ready to execute my plan now, they gave me the strength I lacked.

I helped dad prepare the saute with bacon, peanut butter and chocolate tart and last but not least my favorite tofu wrap with soy. I got the ingredients for only these three dishes in advance as I decided previously after analysing his food habits and food order from Friday.

I served the dishes on the table and called out for everyone to have dinner. I sat beside Harris to make sure its me who serves him. I want to check what he eats and what he refuses. I know dad never likes one who leaves the food without any appropriate reason. If he tries to leave any vegetable he will definitely get a scolding from dad, doesn’t matter how much he sneers but dad won't stop. The thought made me laugh.

I was serving him the dishes when he refused the saute with bacon.

“Why? Don’t you like it?” It was dad. He was asking with a disgusted look on his face like he saw some vulgar thing. Dad is acting with him like he acted with Tyler, my high school boyfriend. Dad never liked him too, whenever he came home dad was always like soon he would throw him out or punch him. He is the same to Harris and I am a little bit worried about Chris, will dad approve of him.

“It has mushrooms in it and I am allergic to that fungus.” He said with a stern face while scorning. Dad was calm now knowing that he can’t eat that. And I was smiling at the new information for which I worked so hard. It was like my insides were dancing to know that my half plan is successful and now just half plan is yet to be worked on. But for that I need help. I need Jeanne, Chris, Ethan, Greg to help me, support me and more of all protect me and themselves.

I stuffed the tofu in my mouth in excitement to which dad shook his head like I am a mad woman which I am because right now I am overwhelmed with my emotions. First, it has been almost a month since I ate some food made by my dad, second I am halfway to my plan. Jeanne gave me a high five. Mom giggled while dad was smiling like a dad. Really it was good to have them here.

Jeanne loved dad’s cooking. She always said that being my friend is just a way to eat dad’s cooked food. She always take his side and says she can’t leave food for our dumb friendship. I like this part of her too.

I got the strawberry smoothies from the refrigerator for dessert and served them to everyone. It was also planned just like my other dishes after my analysis. I was planning to get J to stay overnight but Greg came to pick her up. Dad smiled at him which made me and J look at each other with wide eyes. While I brought a few male friends home, he was always like that angry possessive dad who will kill whomever hurt his daughter. Even though he was the same for J while we were in New York. Seeing him smiling at Greg I laughed while she gave out a sigh.

Harris left too soon after but not before threatening me and showing me the pictures of my college friends Linda and John. He told me his men are following them day and night and my one wrong move can cost those two innocent friends of mine their life. He even told me that this evening he took advantage and planted microphones in my apartment so I don’t dare to make any nuisance. I went in after calming myself down and with a smile.

“Are you sure you like him?” I rolled my eyes and gave her a look to not say much about my choice although I don’t care what she says of Harris instead I am happy they both didn’t like Harris but I am a bit worried will Chris also win a smile from a dad or will he be the victim of dad’s death glares.

“It looked like that friend of yours whom you just invited because he wanted to have Steph’s food desperately. You didn’t look at him for once.” I just went to her and wrapped my arms around her.

was just you both had my whole attention and since I missed you too much I forgot about his presence for

did I get to this place for nothing?” He breathed out a deep breath and crossed his hands over his chest. I went over to him and hugged him. I stayed like that for some time before I realised tears were forming in my eyes. I brushed them off with the

to

“Good night mom.”

kissed forehead and went to his room for a sleep. I was just standing there for quite some time, looking at the closed door, hugging myself and thinking if it was good to call them here and involve them in this. But after he threatened me with them on Wednesday, I was worried for them and wanted them in front of my eyes all the time. So, I called

giving them the tour of Cooperstown, Harris cancelled my leave and asked me to accompany him to Houston's house to check the construction. It was like he read my mind and guessed that this is the opportunity

accepted the invitation gladly. He didn’t even care to ask me if I will be free or if I am comfortable to go, he just accepted

is helping you, giving you an opportunity to

of a test. I headed to bed when I

a tomorrow with Dante’s. Good, let me show your boyfriend again who got the

now thinking of me being stuck in such a big trouble. I don’t know how I will handle so many people with the same

like I heard Chris. I looked outside thinking maybe he is here and shouted to the top of his lungs to me. But no one was in sight, I found no one. But those words felt so real

drenched in sweat. I am too nervous to face anyone in this house let alone Chris and grandma. I know this is a test or a trap set up by god for me, not an opportunity as I thought last night. After Harris showed me the video of Linda and John captivated in their own house by his men was enough for me to shut my mouth for this dinner. I almost lost my senses when

went inside and J introduced everyone to mom and dad. She almost sneered while introducing grandma, it looks like it was grandma from whom she ran out. Dad looked at Chris from head to toe and shook his hand firmly.

Selena are here too for dinner. We sat in the living room for some time since the maids are getting the table ready. Harris was holding waist or hand all the time. I didn’t dare to look towards

to Chris in my heart and telling him how much I craved his

so I ditched and went for the guest restroom. I tore the toilet paper and wrote the important facts for Jeanne on it. I was careful about Harris and made sure to create the illusion of me doing my work. I left the toilet paper under some bottle in the cabinet. After hiding the

tried to get my elbow free from his hold when he stopped and looked at me with anger telling me to stay

here and prepare for your friend’s

another. After some time, I heard the flush running but it took him some time to come out. The door opened and I found him smirking in my direction, he gestured to me to move forward. I was confused to see him like this

the moment Mom nudged me to speak. I just smiled and went back to my food after making small talk with Jeanne. In between the meal, Jeanne excused herself and came back shaking her head. My heart skipped a beat and I felt like the world was spinning around me when I heard Harris giggling. We looked towards him and he explained that Peter sent him a

my seat and was confused about where the slip

and Selena. I was too confused to understand anything right now. I

for a few minutes. I haven’t recovered from the pain of hurting Chris and fear

washroom I found this.” He got a piece of paper from his pocket

smart opponent. And dangerous ones too.” He was holding my waist and bent down close to my ear. From a distance,

you don’t want your friends safe and sound who