Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 43: Still an Act?

Cassius sneezed suddenly, followed by another. He rubbed his nose, chuckling. "Even til now those two are still cursing at me?"

Sophia smirked, adjusting her glasses elegantly. "Of course they are. But I must say, they’re doing better than I expected. Kendrick is smoother than I thought."

Cassius laughed, clearly impressed. "Yeah, I have to give it to them. They’re really committing to the act. I expected more obvious awkwardness, but they’re holding up well."

Sophia nodded. "Let’s see how long that lasts. They still have to pull off the affectionate part. That’s where things will get interesting."

Back at the restaurant, the mood had shifted. What started as an awkward meal had slowly turned into something else. Zephany and Kendrick, seated by the window, had fallen into a rhythm that felt oddly comfortable.

Their teasing came naturally now. The nervous glances were fewer, replaced by genuine eye contact and light laughter. The air between them felt easier.

When the meals arrived, Kendrick casually cut a piece of his steak and held the fork up. "Here. Try this."

Zephany blinked. "Are we really doing the whole ’feed each other’ thing?"

Kendrick gave her a flat look. "If we’re going to suffer, might as well commit."

She rolled her eyes but leaned in, taking the bite. Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh, damn. That’s actually good."

"Told you." He smirked, nudging his plate closer to her. "Go on, steal another bite. I know you want to."

Zephany scoffed. "You’re awfully generous for someone who was glaring at the menu like it personally offended him five minutes ago."

Kendrick chuckled. "I was mentally preparing myself."

Their banter flowed effortlessly. They leaned forward when they spoke, their voices low and amused. Occasionally, their gazes would linger a second too long before they’d both look away.

Downstairs, Cassius observed the screen with a grin. "Would you look at that? They’re actually getting along."

Sophia sipped her wine, watching intently. "They stopped looking like two robots forced to interact. This might actually work."

Cassius smirked. "See? I knew they had potential."

Back at the table, Zephany tilted her head, resting her chin on her palm. "Admit it. You’re having fun."

Kendrick feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."

She laughed. "Liar."

He sighed dramatically. "Fine. Maybe just a little."

She grinned. "Told you."

A brief silence passed, not awkward, just quiet. Comfortable.

Then, without much thought, she nudged his foot lightly under the table.

He blinked, glancing at her. "Feisty, aren’t you?"

She smirked. "Oh? You thought I was just a...?"

She didn’t finish the sentence, but he understood.

He leaned back, amused. "Well, yeah. You play the part well. Didn’t expect this side of you."

"There’s a lot you don’t know about me," she said with a playful shrug.

He tilted his head slightly, genuinely curious. For the first time that evening, Kendrick wasn’t just pretending.

Meanwhile, Cassius leaned back in his seat and murmured, "Now that’s some real chemistry."

Sophia’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Told you. Sometimes, people need a little push."

Cassius chuckled. "Or a full-blown setup."

Just as Kendrick reached for his wallet to call for the bill, his phone buzzed. He opened the message.

Sophia: The meal has been paid. Thanks for the great show. We enjoyed it.

He stared at the screen for a second, lips twitching.

"What’s that look for?" Zephany asked, sipping the last of her drink.

He turned the screen toward her. "The director and the sneezing devil downstairs paid for this."

She squinted at the message, then sighed. "Figures. They’re probably having a toast while we sit here like pawns."

Kendrick chuckled. "Well, if I’m going to be a pawn, at least it came with steak."

Just as they stood up and exited the restaurant lobby, Kendrick’s phone buzzed again.

Sophia: There’s a car waiting outside the building. Use it to head back. Consider it part of the service.

A second message followed.

Sophia: Silver SUV. Tinted windows. Black leather interior. You’ll spot it by the license plate. Ends in 27.

Kendrick showed her the message. "Looks like we have a ride. Fancy service, huh?"

Zephany raised a brow. "I bet Cassius is narrating this like it’s a drama series."

Outside, the car was waiting as promised. Clean, sleek, and clearly expensive.

Cassius, back in the observation room, leaned over to Sophia. "Did you text them about the car?"

She nodded. "They’ll be fine. And Kendrick better not scratch that SUV."

Cassius smirked. "You’re starting to sound like me."

"Heaven forbid," she muttered.

At the curb, Kendrick walked over and opened the passenger side door. "Ladies first."

Zephany gave him a small, polite smile and slipped inside. She reached for the seatbelt.

But then she remembered—movie scenes. That cliche moment when the guy leans over to buckle the seatbelt for the girl and everything turns slow motion.

Nope.

Before Kendrick could even move from his side, she clicked the seatbelt in place herself with a soft snap.

He opened the driver’s side and paused, raising an eyebrow when he saw her already belted in.

He blinked. "Huh."

Sliding into the seat, he started the car.

Is she that worried about me being the driver? he thought.

Wait... Cassius made me a struggling artist... Does she think I can’t even afford a car? That I’ve never driven one?

He sighed quietly and shifted into gear.

The drive back was silent but not tense. Just quiet. The comfortable kind.

When they pulled up in front of the apartment building, Kendrick parked the SUV and stepped out. He walked around and opened her door, like a gentleman.

She murmured a soft "Thank you" and stepped out.

Inside, the apartment was dim, the soft click of the door closing behind them.

Zephany stretched slightly and offered him a small smile. "Well, this was... surprisingly not awful."

Kendrick chuckled. "High praise coming from you."

She shrugged. "I’m just saying, I expected to fake smile all night. Didn’t think I’d laugh for real."

He gave her a look. "Same."

There was another pause.

"Goodnight, Kendrick," she said softly.

"Goodnight, Zephany."

They parted ways into their rooms.

Kendrick closed the door behind him and exhaled. He loosened his collar and dropped onto the edge of the bed.

His phone buzzed.

Notification: The Archive

Eclipse: Let’s accept mission tonight.

He stared at the message for a second before typing back.

Obscura: Noted.

His eyes lingered on the screen a little longer before he finally set it aside.

The night wasn’t over just yet.