Chapter 13: Lydia and Drake

“Ah new love.” Julian said looking up from the table where he was setting up smiling at them.

“Okay,” he said clearing his throat. “First question: How did you meet?”

“Well,” Drake said leaning forward pressing his face against Lydia’s shoulder. “It’s a little unconventional, but also pretty modern. My friend, Jake, had told me about this err dating app when we were at the gym one day, and I decided, eh what the hell, I’ll give it a shot, so I downloaded the app and uploaded a profile picture and within seconds up pops this beautiful woman’s picture.” He gestures to Lydia. “ I, of course swiped right and to my surprise we were matched the very next day.”

“Oh really, hmm I might have to try that app. It seems like there’s slim pickings at the bar these days.” Julian joked laughing, clearing his throat once more as he continued on. “So tell me about your first date.”

Lydia decided to stick to the truth as closely as possible.

“Well after we matched, we started chatting and we hit it off instantly. Drake ended up inviting me over to his house for dinner. I, of course expected. Of course to my surprise, dinner ended up being quite romantic with a charcuterie board and a bottle of Malbec.”

“Ooo.” Julian waggled his eyebrows, “someone had seduction on his mind.”

Lydia laughed blushing profusely. “Well a lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Okay, well as you both know what’s trending is what’s popular so for this article we wanted to try something new. So take these papers here.” Julian said handing them each a questionnaire “ And fill them out, afterwards we will review them together.”

Lydia’s heart sank. This is it the ruse is up. Everyone is going to find out that they were faking.

“Oh and Lydia,” Julian sang out, “since your answers are secretive. I’m going to need you to find your own seat.”

“Oh yeah, of course.” Lydia said standing up from Drake’s lap hoping her legs weren’t shaking too badly. She walked over and sat in the chair opposite Drake next to Julian, luckily not stumbling on anything.

“Okay, Ready, set go. Fill out those questionnaires!” Julian shouted like he was starting off a race.

Drake flipped his paper and let out a sigh of relief. These questions would be easy. They were the stupid lovey dovey 5,4,3,2,1 questions that were trending on all the major social media outlets. He could do this. They could both do this and their faux relationship wouldn’t be in jeopardy. Drake quickly set about the task of filling out the questionnaire. He passed his to Julian the same time later Lydia’s passed hers over.

“Wow, that was speedy.” Julian said, you could tell by his tone that he was excited. “Alright let’s review your answers. I’ll read them off in order. So I’ll answer Lydia’s first question and then Drake, followed by Drake’s second question, and then back to Lydia and so on and so forth. Okay?” Julian said looking from Lydia to Drake and back to Lydia again. They both nodded their head in agreement.


“Alright, so question one was name five things you love about your significant other. Lydia’s answers were,

“While love is still a pretty strong word in our relationship right now, I can honestly say I really like Drake’s determination, his focus, his drive, he’s selflessness, and his drive. He never loses focus on what he wants.”

Julian let Lydia’s words sink in for a second,

Drake grimaced. “Well this is going to be embarrassing. I don’t think I understood the assignment correctly.” He let out a light chuckle.

Julian shuffled the papers before letting out a laugh. Lydia looked at Drake questioningly, a what the hell did you write look appeared on her face.

“Okay, so Drake’s answer for question one was “boobs, ass, eyes, waist, and lips.”

Lydia’s chest flushed red and her face was bright as a cherry Tomato.

“Of course he would right that,” she said laughing, trying to cover up her embarrassment.

“Like I said,” Drake said grinning while extending his hands across the table to grab Lydia’s, “ I think I misunderstood the assignment.”

“You think?” Lydia said starring at him wide eyed from across the table, slapping his hand away,

“Well I mean it’s not a lie, your breasts are fantastic.” Drake shrugged. “Come on Lyd, you can’t be made at me,” Drake pouted, reaching for her hands again.

“Oh fine.” Lydia huffed, giving in and letting Drake hold her hand, the smile never leaving her face.

Julian cleared his throat. “Uh-hem , hey lovebirds, I’m still here.” He said pointing to himself, “Anywho Okay question two. What are four things your significant other likes? We will start with Drake’s answers.

“Lydia likes to read fantasy romance novels, she likes to go on adventures, she like showers that are as hot as hellfire, and then likes to soak in a nice warm bubble bath with a few drops of lavender oil, she likes watching true crime documentaries and she likes to go on adventures.”

“So Lydia,” Julian turned to the side to face her. “Did Drake get those right.”

Lydia’s blush was gone and she now had a small smile on her face, when she answered Julian she only had eyes for the man sitting across the table from her. “Actually yeah, he got all four right. He’s very attentive.”

“Alrighty, let’s check out Drakes answers.” Julian continued on, reading from the papers.

“Drake likes fitness, theatre, scouting out new properties and me.”

“Oh really.” Drake said, “cocky much.”

Lydia rolled her eyes and shrugged. “ I just call it as I see it babe, should we refer back to answer one.”


“Wow,” Julian said popping his lips dramatically, “The chemistry between you two, it’s explosive.”

“Explosive good or bad?” Lydia asked.

“Oh very very good. Like fireworks good.”

“Well I could’ve told you that.” Drake said winking at Lydia.

“Okay, let’s get back on track,” Julian said, reading the next question on the paper, “ Question three, what are three things You think your significant other looks good in? Lydia answered,

“Suit, sweats with no shirt, and button up shirt with jeans.”

“Drake’s answers of course are not nearly as G rated.” Julian chuckles once again before he reads of Drake’s answers.

“Birthday suit, white silk robe, red lingerie.”

“Hey,” Drake started protest. I don’t think these questions are very fair to the male sex in this relationship.”

“Oh shush.” Lydia said playful to Drake, slapping his hand, “You’re just jealous that I am winning.” She stuck out her tongue playfully at him.

Drake raised his eyebrow at Lydia. “I didn’t know this was a competition.”

“Well all is fair in love and war.” Lydia laughed lightheartedly shrugging her shoulders.

Drake couldn’t keep the smile off of his face. It was refreshing being at a family event and actually enjoying himself. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d actually enjoyed time spent with his family.

Pulling Drake from his thoughts Julian continued with the questionnaire.

“Question four: what are two things I say a lot? Drake’s answers, “Really Drake, and seriously.”

Lydia rolled her eyes. “I do not say Really Drake that often.”

“And Lydia‘s answers were: “I’m hungry, and I have a meeting.” Julian said continuing the interview, “Is Drake really that busy? How do you find time to spend with each other? “
Julian inquired after reading off Lydia’s answers.

“Drake is very attentive to his work and to me. Even if we just get an hour together, that hour is solely focused on me and my needs. He puts everything else on hold. So even though are time together is limited it’s quality time.” Lydia replied back smiling. “And it works well because while He’s working, I’m finishing up my degree.”

“And I’ve also taken a few weeks off of work to enjoy Sam’s and Maddie’s wedding so we will be seeing a lot more of each other.” Drake said winking at Lydia.

Lydia crinkled her nose and made a cringe face. “Oh no, what am I to do. I might get sick of you.”

“You’ll have to find yourself a new sugar daddy.” Drake joked back.

“Okay, okay kids, let’s focus, last Question.” Julian said, bringing their attention back to him. “What is one thing that you would change about me?

Lydia’s response was , “The amount of quality time you spend with your family. You’re so busy all the time, that you’ve missed out on the simple things.”

Drake starred across the table at Lydia, not saying a word. He was irritated by her answer, but he was trying not to take the irritation out on her. Lydia didn’t know the reason behind why he didn’t come and see his family anymore and he wasn’t sure if she’d even believe him if he told her the reason why.

Drake continued to stare at Lydia until she turned her head away from him, unable to handle his scrutiny anymore.

“And Drake’s response was,” Julian continued on like he hadn’t noticed the shift in mood was, ‘I’d change the way she viewed herself.”

Now it was Lydia’s turn to look up at Drake, confused by his response. Lydia always felt like she was being true to herself, but now she was wondering what Drake saw that made her think others.

“Drake, Lydia.” They could hear Madeline shouting from inside. “Time for the family photo.”

“Ah what perfect timing.” Julian smiled. “Thank you so much for letting me write about you Mr. Whittenberg,” Julian shook Drake’s hand before gathering the rest of his belongings and heading inside.

Lydia and Drake both just starred at each other across the table in silence. It was Lydia who broke the silence, “what did you mean by…” but she was interrupted by Madeline calling for them once again.

“We should probably go.” Drake said standing up, “before Maddie sends the Calvary after us.”

“Yes, we wouldn’t want that.” Lydia said following Drake back inside, her mind still trying to decipher just what Drake meant by the way she views herself.

***alright all of my prior chapters for this book have been edited and uploaded. I am currently working on a new chapter now. once I see how the story starts to flow, i'll put out a schedule. Be sure to check out my other novels if you are a fantasy lover.***