29 comments/ 17757 views/ 36 favorites The Stand-In Girlfriend Ch. 03-06 By: mspat CHAPTER 3 Charles and Alice Bishop sat in Heathrow awaiting the arrival of their second born and his guest. Their minds filled with memories of the last girl Ashton brought home the last time he returned to London. Alice cringed mentally and physically when she thought of that fiasco. The woman was the most annoying, condescending snob Alice had ever met. The way she tried to order their house servants around set Alice's nerves on edge and took everything within her not to tell the woman how she felt about her and order the cow out of her home. "I hope he isn't bringing that idiot for another visit," Alice said looking over at her husband. "He said he was brining someone new," Charles replied. "I'm quite sure he would've told us if he was bringing Ka...." "Don't say her name," Alice said. "We agreed we would never mention her name again." Charles chuckled at his wife. Ashton's last guest left a really bad taste in her mouth. "If he was bringing her I'm sure Ashton would've told us," he said to his wife. "He knows we hate surprises." "I would prefer that he brought a rabid dog rather than that cow," Alice said. "You can get a shot for rabies, there isn't anything you can do about stupidity." Charles tried to contain his laughter but he couldn't. Whenever Alice went off on one of her tangents he always wound up laughing out loud and almost rolling on the floor to the amazement of those around him and knew him. Charles Bishop CEO and founder of Bishop Digital Services was the image of what one would expect to find when one thought of a British businessman straight laced, stuffy and all business. An image he was able to maintain unless he was in the company of his wife. Alice was a free sprit in every way. The way she dressed, the way she thought and the way she spoke her mind. Charles didn't know what she was going to say in any situation which was what he loved about her. The woman had away of snatching him out of a bed mood or a tense situation by bringing him out of himself with on of her off the cuff remarks. Her last remark had Charles laughing so hard people around him were staring at him. "It's not funny Charles," Alice said. "There should be a law that stupid people aren't allowed to walk around unsupervised and if they are found to be out without proper supervision they should be forced to be chained to someone stupider than they are so they can see what the rest of us go through dealing with them." Charles was really drawing attention now he was laughing uncontrollably with his hand over his face to hide the tears that were falling from his eyes. "Alice please," Charles pleaded as he shook with laughter. "I can't take much more, please stop it." "You'd better get your black suit pressed Charles you're going to a funeral and I'm going to jail." Charles stopped laughing when he heard the coldness in his wife's voice as she spoke. He looked up at her and saw Alice staring at something. When he looked in the direction of her stare what he saw surprised him. Ashton was walking towards them holding the hand of a very pretty black woman. "Don't get excited Alice," Charles said rubbing his wife's back to calm her, "it might not be what you think." "It had better not be what I think," Alice said her teeth clinched together. "Because if it is what I think it is our son will be riding home in the boot of the car." Charles quickly covered his mouth praying that the laughter lodged in his throat wouldn't escape through his mouth but Alice kept talking. "I'm going to cut his balls off, flambé them and force feed them down his throat," Alice said as she pasted a smile on her face and went to greet their son and his guest. Charles turned his back to try and gain control of himself but he couldn't contain the laughter that escaped his throat. The image of his wife doing what she said burned into his mind. Charles made his way to the restroom because he didn't want people seeing him rolling around on the floor laughing like an idiot. Ashton and Chevonne watched his father race towards the restroom. "I hope my father is alright," Ashton said a look of concern on his face and in his voice but secretly happy to see that his father's reaction was worse than he expected it to be. He almost jumped for joy at the tight tense smile he saw on his mother's face as she approached them. Ashton smiled, released his hold on Chevonne's hand and spread his arms to greet his mother but the look he saw in his mother's eyes as she came closer to them said that if he touched her he would be taking his life in his hands so he put his arms down to his side and retook hold of Chevonne's hand. Alice wasn't happy and an unhappy Alice was a dangerous Alice. Ashton fortified himself by thinking of the reason he was doing what he was doing. So that he could marry Katrina and his family would accept her, support their marriage and be happy for him. It was all he wanted. "Hello, mother," Ashton said swallowing the uneasiness he felt and smiling. "Who do we have here?" Alice asked ignoring Ashton's greeting and giving Chevonne her full attention. "Chevonne Michaelson, Alice Bishop, my mother," Ashton said. "It's a pleasure meeting you Mrs. Bishop," Chevonne said extending her hand out to shake Ashton's mother's hand. "None of that Mrs. Bishop stuff," Alice said ignoring the hand Chevonne held out and breaking the hold on the hand Ashton was holding and pulling Chevonne in for a hug, "the only people I have call me Mrs. Bishop are people I don't like. I like you love so I would appreciate it if you would call me Alice." "Alright," Chevonne said, "Alice it is." "You and I are going to get along just fine," Alice said taking Chevonne by the hand. "Ashton go get your father out of the loo so the two of you can collect the luggage." "What's wrong with dad?" Ashton asked. "He had another laughing fit," his mother replied. That bit of news made Ashton smile. His father only had one of his laughing fits when his mother went on one of her tirades and she only did that when she was angry. "There's no need to send him for me, I'm right here." Everyone turned to see Charles standing behind them. Chevonne and set her gaze on Charles Bishop. Handsome didn't began to describe the man. Ashton went over to greet his father but there was a look in Mr. Bishop's eyes that said he wasn't at all happy with his son. Chevonne wondered if her coming to London with Ashton instead of Katrina was the reason for Mr. Bishop's look. She took the opportunity to compare the two men as they stood side by side. They both stood six feet tall exactly. Charles Bishop weighed about two hundred-fifteen pounds. Ashton weighed exactly two hundred pounds. Both men had brown eyes, strong jaw lines, straight Anglo-Saxon nosesand jet black hair. Charles wore his short and stylishly cut there were hints of grey showing around his temples. Ashton wore his long and it came to rest on his shoulders. Just like his father handsome didn't come close to describing him. "Dad I would like to introduce you to Chevonne Michaelson," Ashton said introducing his father to Chevonne. "And Chevonne I would like for you to meet my father Charles Bishop." "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chevonne," Charles said reaching out and taking hold of one of Chevonne's hands. "It's nice to meet you too Mr. Bishop," Chevonne said. "My family and I are going to make sure you enjoy your visit to London," Charles said as he gently patted the hand he was holding. "I'll try not to be a bother," Chevonne said. "We're glad you're here and entertaining you will be our pleasure," Alice said. "So don't you worry about being a bother to us. We want you to just enjoy yourself." "Thank you," Chevonne said. "What do you have planned for us, mother?" Ashton asked. Alice turned and gave her son a look that said she was thirty seconds from tearing his head off, she didn't answer his question. "You must be tired from that long flight," Alice remarked turning her attention back to Chevonne. "A little," Chevonne said. "That was my first time on a plane and I was too nervous to sleep." "Well we had better get you back to our home so you can get some rest and freshen up," Alice said. "Charles you and Ashton go fetch the luggage so that we can head home and Chevonne can rest." Charles and Ashton went to fetch the luggage as they were told. "I'm going to assume from the way mother is acting that she's angry with me," Ashton said as they near the luggage carousel. "You would assume right," his father replied. "I'm highly upset with you too. "Is it because of Chevonne?" Ashton asked. "Yes," his father replied. "I'm in love with her father," Ashton said deciding now was the time to put his and Katrina's plan into action, "and I'm going to ask her to marry me." Charles turned towards Ashton and smiled at him. "You are?" he said. "I'm so proud of you son. Your mother and I were thinking the worst of you. We thought you brought Chevonne here to use her to force us to accept that twit Katrina. But you brought her here because you really love her and you want to marry her and you wanted our blessings. Well, you have my blessings and I'm sure your mother will give hers. I can't wait to tell your mother she's going to be so happy that you're finally settling down." "But dad ..." "No buts," his father said cutting him off, "we have to go tell your mother the wonderful news." Ashton and his father piled his and Chevonne's luggage on a dolly and made their way back to where his mother and Chevonne were waiting for them. Ashton tried repeatedly to stop his father from repeating what he said to his mother, but there was not stopping him. Charles ran up and hugged Chevonne then he hugged Alice. As Charles hugged Alice he whispered something in her ear. "Follow my lead," he said. "Ashton has something very important to ask Chevonne," he said out loud. "What is it?" Alice asked truly confused about what was going on. "Go ahead Ashton," Charles said nudging his son forward, "you've flown all the way over here to get our blessing, you might as well ask her now." "Ask me what now?" Chevonne asked very confused and wondering what was happening. Her eyes grew big as she watched Ashton take her hand into his. He was sweating and looking like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. Chevonne couldn't figure out what was wrong or what he was about to do until he started to speak. "Chevonne I know we've only been dating a short time ..." "Do it properly son," his mother said finally figuring out what was happening, "this usually only happens once in a woman's life and it should be something she'll remember the rest of her days. Ashton did as his mother instructed. When Ashton got down on one knee some of the people in the airport started staring at them and some started taking pictures of them with their digital cameras, and recording them with video cameras and their cell phones. As Ashton spoke the people started gathering around them. "... will you marry me?" That was all Chevonne heard because she had mentally blocked out everything around her except Ashton getting down on one knee before her. he mentally screamed for Ashton to get the hell up off his knee. She looked down into his eyes and studied his facial expression and saw that he was begging her to say yes. Chevonne looked away from Ashton, her eyes looking around the airport. She saw Eric, his eyes were begging her to say no. She noticed that everyone around them was quiet waiting to hear what her answer would be. Chevonne knew she should say no but she couldn't bring herself to embarrass Ashton with a crowd of people around them staring at her waiting to hear what her answer would be. She gave him the only answer she felt she could given her situation. "Yes, I'll marry you," she said. Everyone around them started cheering and congratulating the happy couple. "Welcome to the family," Alice said giving Chevonne a heart felt hug. "Thank you," Chevonne said as she thought of all the ways she could kill Ashton wondering which one would allow him to die the most painful death. "Don't you have a hug for your future father?" Charles asked his arms wide opened. Chevonne walked over and gave him a hug. "Can I get a picture of the happy couple kissing?" a man asked. "I want to publish it in my newspaper." "Sure," Charles said easing Chevonne towards Ashton. Ashton put his arms around Chevonne, brought her body close to his and slowly brought his lips towards hers. The look he saw in her eyes as his lips approached hers told Ashton that he was a dead man. As he kissed her the crowd o-ohed, a-ahed and cameras flashed around them. "What're your names?" the newspaper reporter asked. "Ashton Bishop," Ashton said. "Chevonne Michaelson," Chevonne said. "Would you spell your name please," the reporter asked. "C-h-e-v-o-n-n-e," Chevonne said. "And your last name?" The reporter asked. "M-i-c-h-a-e-l-s-o-n," Chevon said. "Do you two know when the big day will be?" the reporter asked. "We just got engage," Ashton said answering the reporter's question. "We're going to have to take some time and discuss when the big day will be." "Would you call my newspaper and let us know when you set the date?" the reporter asked holding out one of his business cards. "I don't kn..." "Of course we'll call the paper," Ashton's father said stepping in and answering the question before Ashton could. "We want everyone in London to share in the joy we fill for our son marrying the woman he loves." The crowd started cheering again. Alice took Chevonne by the hand and lead her out to the parking garage to their car. Ashton and his father followed. "Well son you're almost a married man," his father said patting him on the back. "How does it feel?" "It feels great dad," Ashton replied as he ran what had just happened through his mind trying to figure out how things got so messed up. It wasn't suppose to turn out this way. He had to call Katrina and tell her what happened before it was broadcast on television or published in the papers. One thing for sure Ashton knew that he was a dead man. Chevonne was going to kill him because she was forced into a situation she didn't ask for and Katrina was going to kill him because this was not the way they planned things to turn out. Ashton turned his eyes up towards the sky praying that God would get him out of this situation. But something told him he was going to have to straighten this mess out himself and he didn't know how he was going to do it. But he knew it was something he had to do. CHAPTER 4 After the ride from the airport and they reached the Bishops' home Alice lead Ashton and Chevonne to the room where they would be staying. Chevonne tried to tell Alice, she wasn't comfortable sleeping in the same room as Ashton in her home but Alice shot down all her arguments by saying she knew how modern relationships worked and that she was fine with her and Ashton sleeping in the same room together. Chevonne gave up after realizing it wouldn't do her any good to argue with Alice. "I'm sorry about all of this," Ashton said after he and Chevonne were left alone in the bedroom. "What did you tell your father?" Chevonne asked her the tone of her voice angry and her hands on her hips. Unable to come up with a ready lie Ashton told her the truth. He told her about the plans he made with Katrina and what they were planning to do. "You...you..." Unable to speak Chevonne balled her hand into a fist, drew it back and brought if forward slamming it into Ashton's jaw knocking him to the floor. "You worthless piece of shit," Chevonne said standing over him. "Chevonne, I..." "You what motherfucker," Chevonne said her head and neck in full soul sister mode. "What're you going to tell me? How you and that bitch Katrina laughed about how foolish I would feel when I realized how you used me." "Chevonne if you would just let me explain..." "Go ahead Ashton," Chevonne as she paced back and forth in the room, "explain to me how you thought it was okay to use me. Explain to me how two useless pieces of shit like you and Katrina decided it was okay to use people for your own purposes." Ashamed of himself and what he'd done Ashton turned away from Chevonne. He knew when he and Katrina put their plan together that it was wrong of them to use Chevonne to accomplish their goals but her feelings didn't matter to them at the time because all they could see was the end result. They would be together. But now he was face to face looking at the pain he caused Chevonne and it was hard for him to see. "Chevonne, I..." "Did it live up to your expectations?" Chevonne asked. "Excuse me," Ashton said. "My reaction," Chevonne said, "my display of emotion. Was it black enough for you? That is the way you and Katrina expected me to behave when I found out what you had done isn't it?" "You knew what we were planning?" Ashton asked stunned by the thought of her knowing what they were planning and going along with it anyway. "Yes," Chevonne said. "You didn't think I bought that lame ass excuse about your mother being upset if you came home alone did you? I'm not that stupid." "Why?" "Because I wanted to see if you would really do this," Chevonne said fighting the urge to punch Ashton in the jaw again. "When I first met you I thought you were different from the type of men Katrina normally dated. I thought you wouldn't be drawn into Katrinaland where the only person who mattered was Katrina. I didn't think you would be the kind of guy that would sink to that bitch's level." "You're talking about the woman I love and intend to marry," Ashton said his body tensing at Chevonne's words. "No," Chevonne said smiling at him, "I'm the woman you love and who you intend to marry. You just told the whole world that and it's going to be in the newspaper tomorrow." "It wasn't suppose to turn out this way," Ashton said. "No, it wasn't," Chevonne said. "You and Katrina were suppose to go off and live happily ever after and I was suppose to go off somewhere and lick my wounds." "You were getting something out of this too," Ashton accused. "You weren't going to give me a job," Chevonne said, "because you wouldn't expect me to take it after finding out what you and Katrina did." She was right, he wasn't expecting her to take the job. "What do you want me to do?" Ashton asked. "I want you to marry Katina and I hope all the bullshit you're going to go through by marrying her is increased tenfold. I want to wish that everything you hope for out this marriage never comes true. But I won't do that because I'm better than that. So the only thing I want you is for you to stay the hell away from me." Chevonne looked around the room for her carryon bag and her purse. She spotted her purse on the bed and made her way towards it. Ashton beat her to it. "What're you doing?" she asked as he picked her purse up off the bed. "Where are you going?" Ashton asked. "I don't need your fake concern for my well being," Chevonne said, "I just need for you to give me my purse and to get out of my way." "I brought you here Chevonne..." "To use and humiliate me," Chevonne said. "You've used me, I won't let you humiliate me by pretending you care about what happens to me." "I'm not going to let you leave," Ashton said. "How are you going to stop me?" "Like this," Ashton said taking Chevonne's purse and running out of the room. Chevonne took off after him calling his name and demanding that he return her purse back to her. She had almost caught him by the time they reached the top of the stairs where they ran into his parents. The Stand-In Girlfriend Ch. 03-06 "What's going on?" Alice asked. "I'm just teasing Chevonne," Ashton said reaching out and pulling Chevonne against him. "Why are you teasing her?" his mother asked hitting him on the shoulder. "Didn't you hear her say she hardly slept on the plane? She needs to get some rest." "Yes, mother," Ashton said taking Chevonne by the hand and leading her back to the room his mother had prepared for them. "What're you doing?" Chevonne asked him pulling her hand out of his grasp after they entered the room and the door was closed. "I want to talk to you," Ashton said. "You and I have nothing to talk about," Chevonne said reaching for her purse. "I want to leave here so that I can get away from you." "I know you want to get away from me," Ashton said holding the purse over his head to keep it out of her reach, "and I can understand that. But if you leave my family will be humiliated and embarrassed if the reason for you leaving gets out." "That isn't my problem," Chevonne said jumping up trying to reach her purse. "You and Katrina are the ones that created this mess." "I know," Ashton said still holding her purse up in the air, "and you're right none of what has happened is your fault, but my parents didn't do this either. Like you said the blame for all of this lies with me and Katrina. My parents didn't have anything to do with hurting you, so please don't hurt them because you want to get back at me." Chevonne hated to admit it but he was right. His parents weren't responsible for what he did and hurting and embarrassing them for what he did wasn't something she wanted to do. "Alright," Chevonne said, "I'll stay for two weeks." "They're expecting you to stay two months," Ashton said. "Don't push your luck," Chevonne told him wagging her finger at him. "Besides when Katrina hears about the proposal she'll probably call you as she's boarding the first plane to London demanding you put and end to this farce. What're you going to do then?" "You're probably right," Ashton said, "but I can't worry about Katrina and what she wants. My first priority right now is making sure my parents aren't hurt or embarrassed by something I was stupid enough to do. So I'm asking you to give me at least a month so we can work out a way to end our engagement that won't publicly embarrass neither you or my parents." "Two weeks is long enough for us to be seen around London together and to mutually decide to end our engagement." "My mother really likes you Chevonne," Ashton said. "She sees something very special about you." "How do you know that?" Chevonne asked. "She insisted that I propose to you properly," Ashton said. "My mother is very picky when it comes to her children. She has disliked every woman I've ever dated. None of them were good enough for me as far as she was concerned. But when she met you she hugged you and she only does that to family members or very close friends. For her to welcome you that way she must consider you to be a very special person." "I don't know your family Ashton," Chevonne said , "and they don't know me. So how can I be special to your mother? She has been nice to me which is why I'm willing to stay here two weeks. I don't think I could stay here longer than that." "Would you at least think about it?" Ashton pleaded. "I'll think about it," Chevonne said, "but it'll depend on how you handle Katrina. I won't tolerate her trying to start anything with me. My response to her trying to step to me won't be one she would like." "Let me worry about Katrina," Ashton said. "She's my problem to deal with." "I'm going to assume that she has met your family and it didn't go well." "That's an understatement," Ashton said as he thought about the fiasco of the first time his parents met Katrina. "My mother disliked her the first time she set eyes on Katrina." "Did she say why?" "She simply said Katrina wasn't the one for me." "She knew that just from looking at her?" "Yes." "Your mother sounds a lot like my mother," Chevonne said chuckling as she thought about her mother. "Most mothers are like that when it comes to their children." "We need to discuss what we're going to tell your parents about this," Chevonne said bring their conversation back to the matter at hand and kicking herself for telling him anything about her family when it was clear she shouldn't and couldn't trust him. Ashton saw Chevonne withdraw from him back behind the wall of protection she decided she needed to keep him from hurting her or getting close. He didn't know which shamed and pained him more, what he'd done to her or telling his parents the disgusting thing he'd done to her. He was still thinking about his parents' reaction to the situation when his mobile phone began to vibrate indicating that he had a call coming in. He looked at the screen and saw that it was Katrina. "Hello," he said answering the phone after stepping out of the room where Chevonne was and heading to his boyhood bedroom. "What the hell happened?" Katrina asked her voice tight and tense. Ashton took a deep breath and told her what happened at the airport. It made Katrina angrier. "Why did you ask her to marry you in front of all those people?" she asked fighting the urge to start yelling at Ashton. "Because I had just told my father I loved her and was going to ask her to marry me," Ashton replied, "and his reaction wasn't what I thought it would be. He was thrilled at the thought of me marrying Chevonne. So when he suggested that I ask her right there in the airport I didn't feel I had a choice. My father put me on the spot and caught me off guard." "How did your mother react?" Katrina asked. "My mother was the one who insisted that I get down on one knee," Ashton said. "She said I should propose properly to her." "That bitch," Katrina said. "Excuse me," Ashton said not believing what he heard. "That bitch Chevonne better not think you're going to go through with this proposal and marry her," Katrina said hoping Ashton thought she was talking about Chevonne and not his mother. "Chevonne had nothing to do with this, Katrina," Ashton said. "She had no idea what was going on." "She said yes pretty quickly," Katrina remarked, "and why in the hell did you kiss her?" "Because everyone expected us to," Ashton said. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to kiss you again after seeing where your lips have been," Katrina said. "She's a human being," Ashton said, "not a frog." "Yeah, but there's no telling what's been in her mouth," Katrina said waiting to hear Ashton laugh at her remark about Chevonne. He didn't. The remark would've been funny and made him laugh out loud twenty-four hours ago, but now he couldn't even raise a chuckle. Now it reminded him of what he did to Chevonne, he hurt her and used her. Now it wasn't funny. "Ashton!" "Yes," Ashton replied coming out of the fog he had been in. "You think I should come to London?" Katrina said excitedly. "No," Ashton said. "But you said yes." "I was responding to you calling my name," Ashton said. "Your coming here wouldn't be a good idea. I think spending time with your family is the best thing for you to do right now. At lest until this situation has settled down a little." "Are you going to tell your parents about our plan and our desire to get married?" "No, I don't think I should," Ashton said. "We'll explain everything together after the story about me and Chevonne dies down in the papers." "This is going to cause your mother to dislike me even more," Katrina remarked. Silence. "She's going to blame all of this on me," Katrina said. "She's going to think I lead you astray." "My going along with this isn't your fault," Ashton said. "I knew what I was doing and the possible consequences when I became involved in this." "I've got to go," Katrina said. "I'm going out to dinner with my folks." "Give them my regards," Ashton said. "I will," Katrina said, "I love you." "I love you too," Ashton replied. "How is your friend?" Martin asked putting the tray of food he was holding down at the foot of the bed so he could pull Katrina into his arms. "She's still having problems with her family," Katrina said. "I feel so sorry for her. That's why I'm staying in touch with her, she needs my support." "You're such a good and caring person," Martin said leaning down and kissing Katrina gently on the lips. "Everyone should have a friend like you." "Thank you," Katrina said batting her lashes at him. "I try to treat people the way I want to be treated." "Oh, really," Martin said tightening his hold on Katrina. "Yes, really," Katrina said resting her head against Martin's chest. "So you want your children to back out of a family get together at the last minute and lie about why they're doing it," Martin said.. "No," Katrina said, "but I would want them to spare my feelings. I couldn't tell my parents I couldn't go with them because I wanted to spend a week with you knocking boots, could I?" Martin laughed at her use of what she called hip-hop slang. She didn't use the latest slang but she was trying. "You trying to sound like me?" he asked smiling at her. "I guess it was bound to happen if I got enough chocolate in me," Katrina said pushing him over on his back and straddling his his chocolate colored body." "Please tell me I'm not going to develop a taste for country music," Martin pleaded laughing at what she said. "You might," Katrina said leaning down and kissing him on the lips. "You just might." CHAPTER 5 After talking to Katrina, Ashton headed back to the room where Chevonne was waiting for him. He tapped on the door and didn't get an answer. He slowly opened the door and saw Chevonne lying on the bed asleep. He quietly entered the room and made his way over to the bed. Ashton eased himself on to the bed next to Chevonne. He looked down at her and saw a hint of a smile on her face. He wondered what she was dreaming about. Ashton took the back of one of his fingers and gently stroked her hair. The feel of it wasn't what he expected at all. It was soft, very soft and silky. The texture reminded him of cotton. 'I thought you were different.' Chevonne's words floated back into his mind. She thought he was different from the other men Katrina dated. Getting involved in this plan surprised Ashton the same way it surprised Chevonne. He never considered himself to be the type of person that would use another person in such a manner. He considered himself to be a very caring person. Someone who went out of their way not to hurt others. How or why he did this to Chevonne he couldn't answer if he his life depended on it. It was seeing and feeling Chevonne's anger that made him realize how wrong what he was doing was. The sock she gave him to his jaw also helped. Now things had gone from worse to worser. Everyone now expected a wedding and for him and Chevonne to be the bride and groom. How was he and Chevonne going to end their engagement. The situation was made worse because there was a newspaper reporter there when he proposed to Chevonne and he knew it would be in the papers tomorrow morning. The Bishops are a prominent family in London and a twenty-four hour engagement would cause reporters to question what happened between them and dig deeper into his and Chevonne's relationship (which they're going to do anyway). They might find out about how he and Katrina planned to use Chevonne. Luckily he and Katrina had a publicly broken up before they put their plan in motion just in case his parents questioned whether he and Katrina had really stopped seeing each other, so the idea of him and Chevonne being engaged would appear to be real. It was a good thing too that no one else knew about the plan but him and Katrina. He didn't have to worry about Katrina telling anyone else about, but Chevonne was another matter. If she told anyone else about it, it would be an embarrassing situation for his family. His mother and father would be rightfully ashamed of him if they knew. Their shame could be no greater than what he felt but it would be harder for him to bear. He removed his finger from Chevonne's hair when she began to stir. She didn't awaken she only changed her position. Not wanting to waken her Ashton eased up off the bed, walked over to door, quietly opened it and left the room. Ashton went downstairs and found his parents in the family room. His father was working on his laptop and his mother was talking on the phone. The moment she saw him walk into the room she ended the conversation. She walked over to him and game him a hug. "We're so happy for you," she said tightening her hold on him, "Chevonne is a lovely girl." "Thanks mom," Ashton said. "She's a lovely person on the inside and the outside." "I have something for you son," his father said reaching into the pocket of his pants and pulling out a small box and passing it to Ashton. Ashton knew what the box contained and it didn't make happy as it should've. It made him feel terrible. "You shouldn't have dad," he said taking the box opening it and looking at the two carat flawless pear shaped diamond engagement ring that once belonged to his father's mother. "Why not son?" his father asked. "My father left this ring in his will to be given to you when you've found the woman who has captured your heart and whom you ask to become your wife and Chevonne is obviously that woman." "She is dad but..." "But what son?" his father asked. "Nothing," Ashton replied pushing the urge to tell his parents the truth to the back of his mind. "I just never expected you to give this to me. I've been engaged once before you know." "I know," his father said smiling at him and placing an arm around his shoulders, "but you were only twelve and I didn't think you were too sure of yourself then." Father and son laughed. "Do you think Chevonne will like it?" his mother asked. "It's beautiful just like her," Ashton replied, "she'll love it." "I'm so glad," his mother said giving him another hug. "I wish I could be there when you give it to her." "I think I want to be alone with her when I give this to her," Ashton said. "You're right," his father said, "this should be a private moment between you and Chevonne. But we're hopping to see her wearing it on her finger real soon." "I'll see what I can do," Ashton teased. "Where is she?" his mother asked. "She was was sleeping I left her upstairs," Ashton replied. "I think she's dealing with a combination of jet lag and not getting enough sleep." "How soon do you think Chevonne will want to get married?" his mother asked. "We haven't discussed it yet mother," Ashton said chuckling at how excited his mother was about getting him married. "We've only been engaged a few hours." "Wouldn't it be nice if the wedding happened before she headed back hom to the states," his mother said sighing dreamily. "That isn't going to happen mother," Ashton said, "Chevonne wants her family and friends around her when we get married. Besides she hasn't even told them we're engaged yet." "Son pictures and videos of you proposing to Chevonne have been broadcasted on the telly for the last two hours," his father said. "Oh my," Ashton said making his way towards the stairs. "I'm going to see if Chevonne called her parents and gave them the good news. I'm sure she wants to be the one to tell them and not have them hear about it through news reports." Charles and Alice chuckled as they watched their son rush up the stairs to speak with Chevonne. "Why didn't you ask him about the bruise on his chin?" Alice asked her husband. "I didn't want to put him on the spot," Charles replied. "I wish I could have seen Chevonne punch him," Alice said imagining her son falling flat on his bum. "Hearing it was enough for me," Charles said. "Chevonne is just what Ashton needs. He won't be able to depend on his good looks to get his way with her. She isn't impressed by those things. He's gong to have to work to get her and to keep her." "Because of the way he used her, he may not stand a chance with her," Alice said. "I almost fainted when she said she wanted to return home." "I got a little dizzy when I heard that too," Charles said, "but I knew Ashton would find away to get her to stay." "Lets go up and see what's gong on," Alice said. "No," Charles said, "we were almost caught listening in on their conversation the first time. I don't think we should risk it again." "Your suggestion that we turn around and pretend to be going up the stairs was brilliant," Alice said. "There was no way we could've explain running down the stairs to Ashton and Chevonne." "It wasn't my idea," Charles said. "I remember seeing it done in a movie I was watching on the telly." "Well it worked," Alice said. "Chevonne and Ashton never suspected a thing." "How do you think he'll get the ring on her finger?" Charles asked. "He'll probably tell her it'll mean so much to me and that we expect her to see it on her finger," Alice said. "Do you think that will work?" "She'll argue that putting on something that was meant to be worn by the woman he loved and intended to marry is taking things too far," Alice said. "But she'll wear it." "You're so confident about how this is going to turn out," Charles remarked. "Our son is like most men," Alice remarked stroking Charles' jaw, "when it comes to woman and love he's as blind as a bat. But I saw the way Chevonne looked at him as they walked towards us. There was something in her eyes almost pleading with him not to let her down. I also saw the hurt and anger in her eyes when you rushed over to us with the news that Ashton was going to ask her to marry him. Aston really hurt and disappointed her and that kind of hurt and anger can only be caused by someone that you're in love with." "Maybe Ashton isn't in love with her," Charles said. "Remember when he brought that little twit to visit?" Alice asked referring to Katrina. "Yes," Charles replied chuckling when he thought about how badly the visit went. "Ashton went on and on about how boring her roommate was, how she spent the majority of her time with her nose buried in books, how he wondered if she ever wore anything besides jeans and sweatshirts." "I remember that," Charles said, "but I never thought mush of it." "Ashton said that she and Katrina stayed in the same room but the weren't close and whenever he went to see Katrina, Chevonne disappeared into her room." "And?" Charles replied wondering where his wife was going with the conversation. "And Ashton could only know all the things he knows about Chevonne if he was paying attention to her, observing her habits, the way she did things and the clothes she wore." "That doesn't mean he loves her," Charles pointed out. "That doesn't," Alice agreed, "but the way his eyes lit up after he kissed her at the airport and the way she looked into his eyes after the kiss, said I love you." Charles had to agree with his wife after giving the situation some thought and replaying what he saw at the airport in his mind between Ashton and Chevonne. "Do you think he'll accept it?" he asked. "He's a man," Alice said, "and he probably didn't expect the kiss to have any effect on him at all and when it did he probably found a way to rationalize it and push it temporarily to the back of his mind." "You could be wrong." "I could be but I wouldn't bet money against it." Ashton stood outside the door of the room where Chevonne lay sleeping looking down at the ring box he held in his hand. He was tempted to put an end to the whole fiasco by going downstairs and telling his parents the truth. The Stand-In Girlfriend Ch. 03-06 It was picturing and facing the disappointment, hurt and he would see in their eyes about what he'd done that stopped him. Now he had to get Chevonne to wear the ring. He knew it wouldn't be easy but he had to try and get her to agree to wearing it. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The knocking on the door awaken Chevonne. She looked down at her watch and saw that she had only been asleep thirty minutes. She took a pillow and put it over her head as the knocking started again. 'Maybe he'll go away if I ignore him', Chevonne thought to herself knowing that it was Ashton knocking on the door. The knocking started again. "Come in," Chevonne almost screamed. The door slowly opened and Ashton entered the room. He found Chevonne still lying n the bed this time with a pillow over her face. He stood by the door waiting for Chevonne to remove the pillow from her face. "What is it Ashton?" she asked the pillow still over her face. "I would like to speak with you," Ashton said. "Speak, I'm listening," Chevonne said. "Would you remove the pillow from your face please?" Chevonne removed the pillow from her face but her face was now covered by her hair. "What is it," she almost growled her hair still covering her face. "My mother gave me something to give to you," Ashton said walking toward her with the box containing the ring hidden behind his back. "What is it?" Chevonne asked. "This," Ashton said brining the ring from behind his back and presenting it to Chevonne. "I can't take that," Chevonne said jumping back from the box as if Ashton had given her something covered with mud and gunk. "You have to take it," Ashton said sitting down on the bed, "if we're going to pretend to be engaged you have to take it Chevonne." "You bought this ring for Katrina," Chevonne said. "It wouldn't be right for me to wear it." "I didn't buy this ring," Ashton assured her. "Where did it come from?" "It was left to me by my grandfather," Ashton said opening the box and showing Chevonne the ring. "He gave it to my grandmother when he proposed to her." "It's beautiful," Chevonne said looking down at the ring. "But I can't wear it. Your grandfather left the ring for you to give to the woman, you're going to marry and that woman is Katrina." "I haven't asked Katrina to marry me yet," Ashton said. "We talked about it but I never asked her. So you can wear the ring." "I don't feel right about it," Chevonne said. "What if I lose it? I'll never forgive myself and I'll never be able to replace it or pay for it." "You're not gong to lose it," Ashton said removing the ring from the box and slipping it on Chevonne's finger. The ring slipped onto Chevonne's finger with no trouble at all. It fit perfectly like it was bought specifically for her hand, her finger. "I trust you to take care of it and not to lose it," Ashton said still looking down at the ring and how beautiful it looked on Chevonne's hand. "Ashton we can end all of this by telling your parents the truth," Chevonne said bring his attention back to her. "It's too late for that," Ashton said. "Katrina called, she saw the proposal on television." "Please say you're teasing me," Chevonne pleaded. "I wish I could," Ashton said, "but I can't. The rest of my family and friends must know about the proposal by now. We're going to have to pretend to be engage and then break up for this to come out alright." "I don't know if I can do this," Chevonne said. "What will I tell my parents? Things weren't suppose to go this far." "Tell them the truth," Ashton said. "That we're engaged to be married." "That isn't the truth," Chevonne pointed out. "You're wearing my grandmother's ring, Chevonne," Ashton said. "I'd say that makes us an engaged couple." "This isn't the time to be joking," Chevonne said smiling slightly at Ashton's remarks. "Your mother has been nothing but nice to me and I don't like lying to her. She's going to be very upset with both of us when she realizes we've been lying to her." "I know," Ashton said. "But if we work things neither my mother nor your mother will ever have to know that we were never actually engaged." Chevonne was about to ask Ashton a question when her cell phone started ringing. She looked at the screen and saw that it was her mother calling her. For the first time in her life Chevonne was sorry she took steps so that her mother and she could still talk to each other. Chevonne knew that she was in serious trouble if her mother saw the news broadcast of Ashton proposing to her at the airport. Sarahh Michaelson didn't play. It didn't matter to her that Chevonne was old enough to make her own decisions, she was still mama. She opened her phone up and spoke to her mother. "Hello," she said tentatively. "I'm in the Bahamas enjoying my vacation, snuggling with my man, your father when guess what shows up on the television screen?" Sarahh Michaelson said to her daughter. The calmness of her mother's voice sent a chill through Chevonne's body and caused her to start shivering. "Hi, mom," Chevonne said sounding and feeling like a little girl five years of age. Silence. "Are you and dad enjoying your cruise?" Chevonne asked. Silence Chevonne started silently quoting the Lord's Prayer because she knew she was in serious, deep, stink, stank trouble. "You know what I want to hear?" her mother said after Chevonne remained silent too long. "We'll talk about it when you and dad return home," Chevonne told her mother. "You damn right ..." Sarahh Michaelson cut herself off. "Girl you're going to make me forget my religion. I want to know what's going on and I want to know right now." "I'm getting married," Chevonne said swallowing the bad taste that developed in her mouth as the lie left her lips. "Ashton surprised me by proposing to me at the airport. I thought he was just bringing me over to meet his parents I didn't know he planned on proposing." "You never mentioned you were seeing anyone named Ashton," her mother said. "How long have the two of you been dating and when did it turn serious?" "I'll explain everything to you when you return home mom," Chevonne said, "we'll sit down and I'll tell you everything. I promise." "Chevonne, I know when you're lying," her mother said. "You know that don't you?" "Yes, mom," Chevonne said. "Call me when you're ready to talk alright?" her mother said. "Yes, ma'am," Chevonne replied. "I love you," her mother said. "I love you too mom," Chevonne replied. By the time Chevonne hung up the phone tears were streaming down her face. Ashton put his arms around her and apologized for creating their current situation. CHAPTER 6 Ashton held Chevonne as she cried. He reached over to the night stand next to the right of the bed and pulled out a couple of tissues and gave them to Chevonne. She took them and wiped her eyes. "Chevonne, I'm so, so ...." "Don't say you're sorry," Chevonne said wiping the tears from her eyes. "You're not responsible for the lie I told my mother." "But you did it because of me," Ashton said. "You asked me to do it," Chevonne said, "but the decision to lie to her was mine so that makes me responsible for any hurt my mother is or may feel because of it." Ashton couldn't believe the woman he was holding in his arms. She was refusing to let him shoulder any of the blame or guilt for what had just happened between her and her mother. He couldn't believe that she was willing to shoulder all the blame. He knew that if Katrina had been in the same situation he would've been putting a major dent in his credit card trying to get her to forgive him. Katrina would've been playing the martyr to the hilt for days. Milking it for all it was worth. But with Chevonne he was pleading to share some of the blame and she wouldn't let him. "Are you going to call your mother back?" Ashton asked. "Yes, but not right now," Chevonne said. "I sent them on that cruise to enjoy themselves and that is what I want them to do." "You sent them on a cruise?" Ashton asked amazed at what she said. "Yeah," Chevonne said smiling when she thought about the look on her parents face when she presented them with the tickets the day she graduated from college. "From the first day I attended college I made up my mind that when I graduated in four years, the same day I received my diploma that I would give my parents a gift for having faith in me and supporting my dreams. I knew exactly what it would be because my mother has talked about it for as long as I can remember. She has wanted to go on a cruise around the world with my father. I went looking for a job the next day and I found one. I took the first paycheck I received and every check after that and put it in the bank and I promised myself I wouldn't touch that money for any reason. I managed to keep that promise and when I graduated I had more than enough money to send my parents off on the dream vacation they wanted." "You don't have any siblings?" Ashton asked. "Just my brother Martin," Chevonne said. "He's older than I am and he graduated college five years before I did so my parents didn't have to worry about someone to take care of us because we're old enough to take care of ourselves." "Are your parents retired?" "No," Chevonne said moving out of Ashton's arms. "My father has his own business and my mother says that her job is to keep him in line." Ashton broke out laughing. "Your mother does sound like my mother." "I think they would get along very well if they ever met," Chevonne said. "Sounds like your father could've taken your mother on that cruise without your assistance," Ashton remarked. "He could've," Chevonne said, "but I wanted this gift to be from me. Something I earned and did on my own. To show them how much I love them and that I listened to the things they tried to teach me about hard work, being independent and self sufficient. To seek help if needed and to give it when I can and it's deserved." "I bet your parents were surprised when you handed them the ticket for and around the world cruise," Ashton remarked. "Yes, they were," Chevonne said smiling again when she thought about the look on her parents faces when she presented them with the tickets. "The look of surprise and pride on my parents faces and in their eyes made everything it took for me to give them the gift worth it." "You're an amazing daughter," Ashton said. "No," Chevonne said. "I have amazing parents. Believe me when I say they more than earned the cruise and more. It wasn't easy for them to have me for a daughter." "I don't believe that." "Until I graduated from high school I was the vein of my parents existence. I made good grades but I also got into trouble for doing some pretty stupid things." "We all did that," Ashton replied. "I bet the things you did would be small compared to what I put my parents through." Chevonne laughed imagining the man standing before her as a child and she had to agree with him that what her parents went through with her probably would be considered small compared to the things he put his parents through. "Let me take you out to dinner," Ashton said abruptly changing the subject. The thought of going out to dinner made Chevonne cringe. She wasn't in the mood to deal with the public and the news reporters she knew had to be lurking about outide waiting to take pictures of her and Ashton or waiting to bombard them with questions. "I don't think so," Chevonne said to Ashton. "I don't want to have to deal with the press or the public right now." Ashton was about to try and change her mind when his mobile phone began to vibrate. He looked at the caller ID and saw that it was his older brother Spencer calling him. He answered it. "Hello." "Please tell me you didn't go through with that ridiculous plan you and Katrina dreamed up to get mom and dad to accept the two of you getting married," his brother said without returning his greeting. "It's nice to hear from you Spencer," Ashton said ignoring his brother's question. "Answer my question you arse hole," Stephen said his anger at his younger brother coming through in his voice. "Yes," Ashton said taking a deep breath and pushing it out. "We did." "I can't believe you," Spencer said anger mixed with shame moving through his body. "How could you do such a thing? How could you use another person in such a manner. How do you think she's going to feel when she finds out what you're doing?" "She knows," Ashton said looking over at Chevonne letting her know he was talking about her. "She knew before we left the states." "And she went along with it anyway?" Spencer asked. "Why?" "She wanted to see if I would go through with it," Ashton said shame now filling his voice. Feeling uncomfortable listening to his conversation Chevonne stood to leave so he could have some privacy. Ashton's hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. He told his brother to hold the phone. "Where're you going?" he asked Chevonne. "Downstairs," Chevonne told him. "Promise me you won't leave," Ashton said needing her reassurance she would be there when he finished talking to his brother. "I promise you, I won't leave," Chevonne said not understanding his sudden need for her reassurance. Ashton released her wrist and continued his conversation with his brother. Chevonne went downstairs and fund Ashton's mother discussing what they would be having for dinner with the cook. "Would you like anything special for dinner Chevonne?" Alice asked. "I'm sure Mavis could prepare anything you would like to eat." "No," Chevonne said. "I'm not sure I'll be eating dinner." "Why won't you be joining us for dinner?" Alice asked a hint of concern in her voice. "I think, I have a touch of jetlag," Chevonne said rubbing her stomach. "My stomach is a bit queasy." "Why didn't you say something earlier?" Alice said walking over and taking hold of Chevonne's hand. "I could've given you something to help you feel better." "It's not that bad," Chevonne said. "I can deal with it." "Are you sure?" Alice asked, "because I do have something you can take for it." "I'm sure," Chevonne said. "I think I'll be alright by morning." "Where is your fiancé, our son?" Charles asked. "He's upstairs on the phone with someone named Spencer," Chevonne said. "I knew his brother would call when he saw the news reports on the telly," Alice said a smile breaking out on her face. "He's probably reading Ashton the riot act because he didn't tell him, he was going to propose to you." 'I don't think so', Chevonne thought to herself thinking about what she heard Ashton say to Spencer before she came downstairs. "Would you like to go sit out in the garden or watch the telly?" Alice asked Chevonne. "Sitting out in the garden would be nice," Chevonne said, "I think the air would be refreshing." Alice led Chevonne through the house out to the patio and the garden. "Would you like something to drink?" Alice asked. "No, thank you," Chevonne replied. "Well, I have to go check on dinner," Alice said, "let me know if you change your mind about wanting something to drink or if you get hungry." "I will," Chevonne said. Chevonne had been sitting in the garden and gotten comfortable by relaxing on one of the chaise loungers with her eyes closed when a shadow fell over her blocking out the sun. She opened her eyes and looked into eyes that mirrored Ashton only they were more serious. She assumed the man standing over her speaking on the cell phone was Spencer, Ashton's brother. Her assumption was confirmed when the by the next words he spoke into the phone. "What is your fiancée wearing Ashton?" Spencer asked. Ashton must've asked why because Chevonne heard him tell Ashton, he was in the garden with a woman who had to be a Princess or a Queen from Africa because the woman was too beautiful to be anything less. The word 'player' immediately flashed into Chevonne's mind as Spencer spoke. "Ashton said to tell you he's on his way down," Spencer said to Chevonne his eyes traveling up and down her body like she was a chocolate dessert laid out just for him to enjoy." "Thank you," Chevonne said. "I'm Spencer by the way," Spencer said introducing himself to Chevonne and extending his hand out for her to shake. "Ashton's older and more charming brother." Chevonne looked up at Spencer. He stood about six and half feet tall, she put his weight at about two hundred or two hundred and ten pounds. His hair was long hanging past his shoulders, which he wore in a pony-tail. He was dressed casual wearing a shirt and a pair of denim blue jeans. Chevonne looked down at his feet and saw that he was wearing a white Nike basketball shoes. She wondered if he played. He definitely spent time in the gym, his muscular body was a testament to that. "I'm glad you didn't include modest in your description of yourself," Chevonne said shaking Spencer's hand. "I'm Chevonne Michaelson, Ashton's fiancée." "That's not what I heard," Spencer said his voice teasing and gifting Chevonne with his most devastating smile. "That's the line we're going with," Chevonne said her tone absent of teasing. "I didn't mean to upset you," Spencer said noting the tightness in Chevonne's voice. "I'm sorry," Chevonne said realizing she was taking her feelings out on the wrong person, "you didn't upset me. I'm tired and I'm not having a very good day and I'm taking it out on you. Which I shouldn't do because my mood and my bad day aren't your fault." "I understand," Spencer said sitting down on the chaise lounger next to Chevonne, "and I forgive you." Chevonne smiled at him and went back to trying to relax and enjoying the garden. Spencer eased back into the lounger where he was sitting, never taking his eyes off Chevonne. "The image would last longer if you took a picture brother dear," Ashton said as he stepped out on to the patio into the garden and saw his brother staring at Chevonne like she was a meal he couldn't wait to dive into. "I don't need a camera dear brother," Spencer said his eyes still trained on Chevonne, "this image is forever burned into my memory. "I'm gong upstairs to my room," Chevonne said standing and heading back upstairs not wanting to deal with the tension she was feeling between the brothers. "If the two of you are going to talk about me as if I'm not here I might as well not be here." "What're you doing?" Ashton asked his brother when they were alone in the garden. "Just getting to know my future sister," Spencer said finally turning his attention to his brother after Chevonne entered the house. "She is beautiful." "Yes, she is," Ashton said, "and everyone thinks that she is engaged to me so that means she is off limits to you." "I don't think that is your decision to make little brother," Spencer said standing and stretching. "I believe Chevonne is the only one that can decide if she is off limits to me." "Spencer, you can't try to bed Chevonne while everyone thinks she and I are engage," Ashton warned his brother. "I have a feeling that Chevonne isn't going to continue to allow you to use her for your little charade," Spencer said. "I don't think she's going to continue to let you disrespect her the way you're doing. She doesn't appear to me to be the type of woman that will to allow this to continue." "Whether she does or not isn't your concern," Ashton said walking over to confront his brother, "and you will stay away from her. She is not to be used as one of your little female dolls and thrown away when you tire of her." "Do you like or care for the lady, little brother?" Spencer asked. The Stand-In Girlfriend Ch. 03-06 "Don't challenge me on this Spencer," Ashton said his voice cold and hard. "Stay.....a.....way....from.....Chevonne." Spencer watched his little brother left the garden. He smiled because Ashton hadn't realized that he was attracted to Chevonne. He knew this because his brother had never threatened him before when it came to a woman. Not even when he brought she-who-shall-not-be-mentioned-by-name to meet the family and he told him, he thought he could do better. Ashton's response was to give him a dirty look but he didn't verbally threaten him. His parents were right Ashton has a thing for his guest and it was up to the family to make him acknowledge his attraction to the lovely Chevonne and he would do all he could to help. Spencer knew he was going to enjoy making Ashton jealous with all the attention he would be heaping on Chevonne, he couldn't wait to see his brother turned red with anger as he tortured him. 'Yes, brother dear, I'm really going to enjoy myself', he thought to himself. "Where is your brother going," Charles asked his eldest son joining him in the garden. "He's going upstairs to warn Chevonne to stay away from me, I believe," Spencer said. "I hope he doesn't do that," Charles said, "because if he does it's only going to cause Chevonne to defy him and flirt with you just to show him, he can't tell her what to do." "It'll only make him angrier," Spencer said. "It might even help him to realize that he has feelings for Chevonne." "You're right", Charles said to his eldest child. "It might help him realize he has feelings for Chevonne to see her flirting with you." "But we're not sure Chevonne is interested in him," Spencer remarked, "we might be doing all of this for nothing." "Do you really believe she would leave the states and come all the way over here to see if he would go through with this ridiculous plan if she didn't have feelings for him?" his father asked. "She came all this way because she had to see for herself if she was wrong in her opinion of him. You don't do something like that if you don't care for a person or if you're not attracted to him. Oh, no son, she has feelings for him. She might be on the isle of denial like your brother but she does care for him." "What're you and mom going to do about she-who-shall-not-be-mentioned-by-name?" "We're going to pray that she stays wherever she is and out of our way," his father replied, "but if she does become a problem I think your mother will come up with away to handle her that doesn't require anyone in the family to go to jail." "Are you sure you want to leave mum in charge of that?" Spencer ask laughing at the thought of what his mother might do to keep Katrina from ruining their plans to get Chevonne and Ashton together. "I trust your mother." "How did you and mum know that Ashton was attracted to Chevonne?" "Your mother knew as soon as she saw the two of them walking down the ramp at the airport. She said there something in Ashton's eyes, the way he held Chevonne's hand. She said it was confirmed for her when he proposed to Chevonne in front of all those people in the airport." "He could've done because he felt trapped," Spencer said. "When have you ever known your brother to do something because he was trapped?" his father asked. "Never," Spencer said. "So, if he proposed to Chevonne he...." "did it because he wanted to," Spencer said finishing what his father was about to say. "That's right," his father said. "I want you and mum to promise me that you'll never do anything like this to me," Spencer said. "I don't need you and mum to help me realize that I have feelings for someone." "We would never do anything like this to you son," Charles said to Spencer. "Thank you," Spencer said happy with his father's answer. "We've reconciled ourselves to the fact that you'll never settle down and get married," Charles said as he headed back into the house." "That's right," Spencer said. "Hey, wait a minute," he said going after his father. "What do you mean by that statement? What makes you think, I'll never get married? Are you saying I can't find someone to marry me? Come back here dad, you have to explain yourself." Charles kept walking a smile gracing his face.