Our house? Oh, I was in it deep already.
“You can’t predict what young lovers will do, Hana,” Ikari said. He was at least more reasonable than his daughter, but I still wasn’t going to trust him after learning just how obsessed with heirs he was. The real reason he was defending us was he wanted us together long enough to have babies.
“Are you going to offer your guests anything Taylor?” His mother asked.
“I can make something, if you want.” Each word from Taylor felt heavy.
“That sounds good Taylor.” Mr. Hayes said. “That way we can get to know Lydia.”
Taylor stood up and nodded to his father.
“I’ll come help you darling.” His mother stood up and Taylor froze.
“No, I, it will be done in a moment.” He stumbled over his words but recovered quickly.
“I insist. I want to catch up with my only son, is that so wrong?” She asked.
“Why don’t we all go?” I said looking around at everyone here with a look that I hope didn’t look as frantic as I felt. “Taylor is an excellent cook. He puts on a show for me almost every night. We should all watch him in action.”
Taylor looked like he was allowing himself to breathe finally, “Yes, everyone should come.”
“I didn’t know you cooked,” Mr. Hayes said with a small, sad smile on his face.
“He’s basically a pro,” I gushed, trying to avoid the stare and the pursed lips of Ms. Hirano.
We followed Taylor to the kitchen who began making some kind of fancy cheese dip thing. The only time he spoke was when he was asked about what he was making or what he was doing. I tried to field all other questions.
“Ikari told me you are a fashion designer?” His dad asked politely.
“I am the co-owner of Sew Fit.” Thank god he asked about my job, if there was anything, I could fill the space talking about it was that.
“I thought your name sounded familiar. My wife works in the same building as you.” He smiled a little. “She sees your models sometimes and comes home talking about how nice they look.”
“Tell her I said thank you.” I didn’t think he’d lie about something like that. “I wonder if she heard about the almost disaster with the security alarm?”
“Why don’t you tell the story?”
“Sure…” I went on and on about the mistake one of our newer models made when he opened the wrong door setting off the security alarm and causing a bit of a misunderstanding that almost turned into arrests until everything was explained. It was somewhat funny, but not the longest story in the world. I stretched it out to give Taylor more time.
“They’re done.” He set out a tray of meats, crackers and his cheese spread. I wondered if he had planned to make this for just the two of us.
“If only we were a cooking company,” his grandfather joked as he finished off a cracker dipped in cheese.
After this distraction they were all probably going to expect something more from us. His mother might even try to get him alone again. I wasn’t going to let that happen. I had to get them to leave.
I tried to subtly text while I ate some of the dip. Taylor was beginning to space out again. While he was cooking, he almost seemed like he usually did, but it was clear he was slipping with that distraction gone. A few moments later my phone began to ring.
“Oh, excuse me.” I glanced at my phone. “I have to take this, it might be work.” It was rude of me, but I took the call where I was.
“Do you need me to say anything specific?” Michael asked over the line.
“Really?” I said in a shocked tone.
“I guess not? I’ll just keep responding?”
“But what about our models? I know it’s last minute, but who could we ask?”
“Why didn’t you go into acting Lydia? Also, you could get away with so much more if you’d just use your evil lying powers for yourself,” Michael said sounding bored.
“What’s wrong?” Taylor asked, looking at me curiously.
“We have to do an emergency photoshoot,” I said covering the speaker with my hand a little. “But none of our models can make it.”
“I could help,” he said, realization dawning in his eyes.
“You are just as good as any model,” I said meaning it. I went back to speaking on the phone, “Do you think my husband could do it?”
“You owe me, Lyds.”
“Wow, that’s great, we’ll be there as soon as we can.”
“Stay safe,” Michael said and hung up.
“I’m so sorry to do this, but we’re going to have to leave. Maybe we can get together some other time?” I said apologetically, trying to not show how excited I was with my deception.
“I understand.” Mr. Hayes sighed. “Your work is important to you, I’m glad my son supports it.”
“We’ve haven’t even been here an hour and you’re already kicking us out?” His mother asked, a bit of her frustration slipping out from her casual tone.
“Hana,” his grandfather said, stopping her from going on any longer, “we’ve taken enough of the happy couple’s time.”
“We’ll just have to come back some other day,” Hana said it like the threat it was.
Taylor and I saw all three of them to the door. I kept on smiling. I shook Mr. Hayes’ and Ikari’s hand but wasn’t offered anything from Hana. I wouldn’t have accepted it anyway. When I shut the door, I let my face fall. My cheek ached from holding up such a forced smile for so long.
“At least that’s over.” I looked over to Taylor who was stuck in place in the foyer, shaking and breathing so hard and fast. “Taylor?” I walked over to him. I reached out to touch him, but he flinched away. I reached down and tapped his wrist once. That let me get a bit closer, but it didn’t snap him out of it. He was having a panic
