We're now in my apartment downstairs, moving back my belongings. Mom and dad will stay here for a couple of days, so I have to make it look like I've indeed been living here all this time.

I can't believe that I'm doing this. The guilt attacks me again, but not as much as the fear building up inside me from knowing how bad dad would lash out if he knew about the incident that happened to me inside this very same bedroom.

I'm arranging my makeup products on my dresser when a maid asks, "Ms. Nevaeh, where should I put these?"

I quickly point at a shelf near the window for her to arrange my college books.

I watch as the other maids scatter around my apartment. They're busy placing some of my clothes back into my closet so that it doesn't look nearly empty, arranging my bath essentials inside the bathroom, and even putting Mr. Bear back in his place. I glance at my watch and notice that I have half an hour until my parents' estimated arrival.

Aiden is placing drinks into the refrigerator while Ian is stocking groceries and snacks in the kitchen. I don't want to make it obvious that I haven't even used the kitchen.

A sigh leaves my lips when I realize that we're almost done. Thank God that all the house staff members are helping me because I honestly don't know how I can do this without their help.

When we've finally finished arranging everything, Ian asks, "Is there anything else we can help you with?"

The maids are standing behind him, ready to help if I need further assistance. I shake my head, plastering a smile. To say that they've done a good job is an understatement.

"It's perfect," I say. "Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it."

Ian returns my smile and excuses himself. The maids bow and follow him.

I stare at Aiden, who has his gaze on me. I don't know what he's thinking about, but I don't want him to leave just yet. I won't be able to see him for a few days, so I'm going to miss him. Besides, we still have some time left before my parents arrive.

It seems that Aiden feels the same because he doesn't make any move until the last maid steps out of my apartment and closes the door behind her.

Aiden sighs, flopping himself on my bed. I sit beside him. I look down and ball my fists on my lap. Even though we've settled everything, I'm still feeling nervous.

What if my parents figure out that something is suspicious?

"Nevaeh," Aiden says, causing me to look at him. He has a serious look on his face. His hand reaches mine, caressing it. "Don't worry. Everything will be alright."

I nod. I want to believe him.

Despite his firm statement, I can see the sadness in Aiden's eyes. I'm feeling it too.

I'm sad that we have to do this, that we have to pretend that nothing is going on between us. I'm sad that we have to hide each other from our families.

At first, I did that because I didn't want dad to send me back to Texas after knowing about the security incident in this building.

But now, I'm doing that because of another reason that's far more important to me. I don't want to be away from Aiden. I don't want us to end. Just the thought of that inflicts so much pain on my heart.

I stare into Aiden's eyes, and before I know it, we pull each other into a fierce kiss.

This kiss feels urgent, like a need neither of us can deny. It feels like a goodbye kiss. I don't want it to be.

"Fuck," Aiden rasps, holding me tightly in his arms.

I wrap my arms around his back. I don't want to let go either.

"I'm going to miss you," he whispers with pain.

While we're lost in each other's embrace, the doorbell suddenly echoes. I immediately pull away from him.

My eyes widen as I stare at the door. Oh my God. They're early.

Aiden's eyes are wide in shock too. I run to the door and check outside through the peephole. My entire body is shaking as panic consumes me.

Oh, God. Mom and dad are here.

Aiden strides toward me. He looks just as lost as I am. I feel like I want to cry.

I snap my head around, having a panic attack. They can't see him here. We're going to be dead. How am I going to hide him?

My eyes land on the bathroom, and without thinking twice, I push Aiden into it.

"I'm sorry," I whisper shout.

He doesn't complain as I shut the door.

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.

The doorbell echoes again, and I answer it with a shout, "Coming." My voice is slightly shaking.

Come on, Nevaeh. Pull yourself together.

I have to act surprised and ecstatic.

After taking a deep breath and although my heart is still beating like a drum in my chest, I open the door. There before me stand mom and dad.

Dad has the widest grin ever, and what makes me taken aback is the big teddy bear he's holding. It's as big as Mr. Bear, enough to cover half of his body.

"D-dad?"

"Surprise!" he exclaims proudly, making me almost sway.

Mom smiles beside him. She looks just as happy as he is.

"Mom? Dad?" I sound like I'm about to faint, and I'm not faking it. "You're here? But I thought that you're going to Canada--"

"I know." Dad sighs, still wearing his biggest grin. "I just couldn't wait anymore. I wouldn't be able to go there with a peaceful mind, knowing that I hadn't seen you for a long time. I made a decision impulsively and thought about surprising you."

"Oh, dad. You didn't have to." I smile sheepishly. "And that is...?" I point at the bear, raising my eyebrows.

"Mrs. Bear," he exclaims again, still with so much pride in his voice. "You told me that Mr. Bear was feeling lonely, didn't you? I just got a new friend for him."

My gaze falls on the red ribbon the new bear is wearing on her head. She's indeed Mrs. Bear.

"Well, did you not miss me?" Dad put Mrs. Bear aside and spread his arms wide.

I hug him like he's the bear himself and sigh. "I missed you."

Dad sighs too, in such contentment. When we pull away, I hug mom too. Despite the shock still consuming me and the chaos running in my head, it does feel good to hug both of them again.

I swallow my nervousness, take Mrs. Bear, and step back into my apartment. They follow me, closing the door behind them.

Even though my back is facing them, I can feel their eyes traveling around the room. I totter toward my bedroom, hurriedly put Mrs. Bear right beside Mr. Bear, and face my parents again.

Dad sits on the couch while mom is still checking everything that comes into her sight.

"Honey," mom says. "Your room is very neat."

"Oh, mom." I chuckle nervously. "I've always been a neat person."

God, please don't let mom suspect anything. Please.

"I finished tidying up the rooms just before you came here," I add. "Got nothing to do today."

To my horror, mom opens the bathroom door, just enough to check the condition inside. I almost scream.

Aiden, however, is nowhere in sight.

Where is he? Where did he go?

My mind turns even more chaotic, and I feel like the world stops moving. It's then I realize that Aiden is hiding behind the door.

I totter toward the kitchen and grab a bottle of maple syrup.

"Mom, do you know where I can get more of this?" I ask urgently, making mom's head snapped toward me. "This one you brought for me, I really love it. It tastes better than the others."

Mom's eyes soften the moment she sees the bottle in my hand. She closes the bathroom door, and I'm trying my best to not let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm happy that you love it," she says in a cheerful voice. "It's not available in every grocery store. I can order some more for you." Mom takes the bottle from me, sighing happily as she looks at it.

Thank God Ian has the exact same brand of maple syrup. In fact, it's also the one he always uses to make pancakes in Aiden's house. He has replaced mine with a half-consumed one.

"Anyways, I'm hungry," I say. "Can we go out for lunch now?"

"Perfect." Dad stands up from the couch. "I've been thinking about it. Are you up for sushi time?"

"Of course. I'm exactly craving for it right now," I say in a delightful tone, hoping to drag them away from this place as soon as possible so that Aiden can get out of here.

"Okay. We're going now." Dad smiles.

Finally, we're out of the woods, but then his next words terrify me, "Just let me use the bathroom for a while."

What? No.

No no no no.

"Dad." I immediately pull his arm, pouting. "Please, can we just go now? It's almost reaching lunchtime, and we have to be there early before the restaurant is packed with people. You know how long the waiting list would be, don't you? Just use the restroom there."

Dad stares at me with a lost expression, but then I beg again, "Please."

"Okay, okay," dad gives in, chuckling softly. "I got you. Let's go."

Mom sighs, looking amused as she watches us.