They walked down the hill to the house, and stopped in front of the door.

“You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Allison replied.

With that, Tom opened up the door to his parent’s house, holding it open for Allison to go through first.

She was greeted by a huge sign hung up over the kitchen area that said ‘Congrats Tom & Allison!’ and tons of smiling faces everywhere she looked. Several people actually came up to her and introduced themselves as Tom’s old friends; Allison vaguely remembered them from studying up on Tom during the plane ride. Mostly they came up to introduce themselves, and congratulate them both on the “engagement”.

Allison started to feel sick her to her stomach at the thought that this is all fake and in a few months his parents are going to get a memo that his darling son and fiancée called off the wedding. She tried her best to act through the thoughts racing in her head, as Tom looked her way and noticed how uncomfortable she looked. He was just about to ask her if anything was the matter, then suddenly they both heard his mother call them into the living room.

As Allison started into where his mother called them, Tom grabbed her wrist and pulled her back slightly towards him.

“Are you alright? You seem like your head is somewhere else at the moment.”

“Oh, no yeah I’m alright thanks.” Allison eloquently replied.

Tom let go of her wrist and raised his eyebrows at her, obviously not believing her words. Yet they started back into the living room. Allison finally was able to take in the grandness of the

house on the inside. As they walked towards the living area the ceilings rose, and Allison noticed the stairway to the left, and it seemed as if all the guests had relocated into the living room, and were standing around waiting for them. They were greeted by a round of applause that echoed right to her core. Yet she still put on a smile for them.

“Well everyone, I would like to make a toast, to Tom and Allison! To the happy couple!” said an older woman Allison thought to be Tom’s grandmother.

“To the happy couple!” everyone yelled.

Tom looked down at Allison and smiled as sweetly as he could muster as he raised his glass in the air. Allison followed and took a sip of the champagne.

“Ah come on now you two! Kiss!” yelled one of Tom’s old friends from high school. “Yeah!” followed half of the room.

What.

Tom cleared his throat, as Allison practically coughed up the bit of champagne she had just drunk; she realized everyone was silent at this point except for her coughing. All eyes were on them and Allison could feel a blush faintly on her cheeks.

“No no that is quite alright Robbie.” Tom glared over at him.

I’m going to kick this Robbie’s ass later mark my words

“We like to keep things like that in the privacy of our bedroom, isn’t that right sweetheart?”

Allison couldn’t hide her slight eye roll even if she tried. She still decided to play along with what Tom was saying though, and nodded her head shyly, grinning at the crowd.

“Oh come now Thomas, it’s just a little kiss.” Emma crooned.

“Yeah!” Robbie agreed.

“Oh please! Will everyone stop being so immature!” Tom sternly stated with narrow eyes.

Thankfully though, most of the people in the room got bored of the conversation and continued on in their own side conversations, not paying attention to Tom’s sudden outburst.

“Well alright Tom, no need to be such a hothead.” his mother made her way over to us as she pointed over to the kitchen area, “Dear, why don’t you show Allison to the food, we have plenty! And I am sure you both are starving!”

Now that she mentioned it, Allison was rather hungry. Tom grabbed her hand and led her out of sight from everyone in the sitting area. Once they got into the kitchen his hand left hers and found some chips and a small sandwich and started eating. Allison did the same, and no words were spoken between for a few moments. After Tom swallowed the bit of food he had ate, he spoke.

“I’m…sorry. I didn’t think my family would have done all of…this.” He said, gesturing around him to the food and balloons that surrounded them.

“Haha, well it’s okay. I find it very endearing that they care for you so. Everyone seems incredibly nice, especially your mother.”

“Yes, they are, most of them anyways.” Allison couldn’t ask what he meant by that because the same guy who yelled at them to kiss a few minutes prior walked into the kitchen.

“Hey man! Sorry about earlier. You never were one to kiss and tell, am I right?” he winked at Tom.

“Erm…no. Just leave it Rob.”

Robbie’s hair probably couldn’t get any more red, even if he tried. He wasn’t bad looking by any means, Allison just never really had a thing for gingers, unless they could pull it off; like Tom, especially Robbie’s type of red head, with the freckly face and pale skin, the whole shebang.

“Right right sorry.” He apologized and then looked over to Allison with a wide grin. “So you are the lucky lady huh? Damn Tom you do know how to pick them! How is she?”

Allison knew her face was at least five shades redder than it should be.

“Robbie! What the hell?”

“Hey hey man! It’s a valid question. Where’s the fun-loving Tom I used to know? Has America turned you this cold?”

He just stared at him, his eyes shooting daggers his way. “I don’t know what you mean, but I think Miss Smith and I are going to retire for the night, isn’t that right…dear?” Tom looked back at her with raised eyebrows.

“Miss Smith?! Are you freaking kidding me mate? I mean, I know she’s your assistant, but man, you could at least call her by her first name.” Robbie looked from Tom and back to Allison.

Tom was about to reply when Allison chimed in.

“Oh yes, I am quite exhausted from the plane ride you know, very nice to meet you though Robbie!” her smile strained.

“Oh the pleasure is all mine.” Robbie cooed, as he took Allison’s left hand in his hand and kissed it.

At that exact moment, Tom grabbed her right hand to dragged her away, “Right, goodbye Robbie.” He said urgently as he trotted upstairs, away from the party. Allison looked back at Robbie questionably, and saw that he still had the same grin as his eyes followed them out. As they were going upstairs, Allison looked down and noticed a lot of people have already left. She glanced at the clock and it said it was 2:54.

Damn, no wonder I feel tired

They passed by a few doors, and finally made it to the end of the hallway. Tom opened the door to his room, and they both went inside. Her eyes widened as she noticed how big it was. Her eyes went to his king sized bed firstly, located in the middle of the room. She noticed the big window that almost took up the whole wall space, curtains placed around them perfectly. The colors were a dark pale green, mostly, with some red and silver accents. She walked over to him and noticed he was moving and hiding some things rather quickly, trying to be discreet about it. She made a mental note to check it out later.

“Well, this Robbie character seems like a lovely person.” Allison smirked.

Tom quickly turned around to face her, “What? Are you kidding me?” he asked her despairingly.

“No! I was only kidding! He seemed like a gigantic..”

“Arse.”

Allison laughed, actually laughed at something he said. “Yes, that sounds about right.” She smiled up at him as he came to stand right in front of her, looking down at her, his expression unreadable.

As he turned around and walked over to his bed, Allison sighed heavily.

Tom then proceeded to take a couple pillows and the top blanket off of his bed, and laid it right it on the floor. Once he got it to his liking, he plopped down, still in his clothes, obviously too exhausted to change.

Allison looked to their suitcases, and decided she would wait to unpack in the morning, she was tired as well.

“So, um am I going to sleep in your bed then?” Allisonasked.

“Yes.” Tom muffled through his pillow.

“Oh right, well, goodnight Tom.”

“Night Miss Smith.”

She rolled her eyes, and got into his, rather comfy bed.

She rolled over to look down at Tom, “Wow, you actually have a woman in your bed Thomas, I’m impressed. And quite a looker I might add.”

"Goodnight, Miss Smith.” Tom replied colder than before.

“How does it feel to have the assistant in the boss’ bed Tom, quite scandalous no? Allisonteased him.

She waited a few seconds and looked over the bed one last time.

He was out. Completely dead. She realized she liked to watch him sleep. Even though this is the second time, the first on the plane, she still enjoys it. It's the only time when he is completely relaxed, and almost happy. She liked that side of him. She looked at his slightly agape mouth, soft snores coming from it. And she remembered how everyone wanted them to kiss at the party earlier.

I never anticipated this happening, his family being so gung ho about us. Maybe Tom will make up some lie so we won't have to kiss or so anything inappropriate.

As she stared at his lips longer, and his slight stubble surrounding his chin, she realized maybe it wouldn't be too bad to kiss those lips, just once, just for the family.

Nope..no no. I need sleep, I'm delusional.

I'm going to need it.