Loving A STRANGER

William gazed at Kylie, who was playing with Pupu delightfully and then turned to look at his uncle, who himself was staring at Kylie with loving eyes.

William realized he had been wrong at all; his uncle and Kylie were a real couple, perhaps even more real than some actual couples.

Beyond William"s expectation, Kylie seemed to be in an extremely intimate relationship with Pupu, which was much more difficult to believe than his uncle. The dog was much harder to make friends with than his Uncle Ethan, William thought as he rubbed the scar on his arm. His Uncle Ethan, however, was not any easier. He had never been interested in any woman until now. William thought it hard to believe they were in a fake marriage, as Kylie had told him. It sure did not seem like it.

Suddenly a jolly voice was heard behind them. "Wow, it sure smells good!" turning around, Kylie saw Nate walking in. Seeing Ethan and Nate both here, Kylie looked with alarm at the food on the table; would it be enough?

"Uncle Ethan, Uncle Nate, welcome! Come on in and have a seat, please. We were just about to eat!" Although crying inside, William managed to raise a smile on the face. What else could he say, given he was the youngest one?

With the two uncles" presence, William was now on his best behavior. Could this day get any worse, William thought to himself as he heard his Uncle Ethan telling Kylie that he brought his Michelin 3-star chef to cook for them. Meanwhile, Nate opened a prestigious bottle of wine while Kylie was playing with Pupu. Three men and one woman with a dog sitting together at the dinner table…the house had a weird atmosphere. Fortunately, Nate was good at cheering everyone up, "William, the show you host is amazing. Let me give you a toast."

"Thank you, Uncle. Your approval means a lot," William replied, mumbled feeling a bit shy in front of everyone even though they were all family.

"Well, William. Tell me, boy, from where do you know your Aunt Kylie?" Nate quipped.

William wanted to roll his eyes but managed to stop just in time. Uncle Nate was "that" uncle in the family. The one who always wanted to get into other"s business and know every detail. But hearing him refer to Kylie as his aunt made William uncomfortable. William glanced at Kylie and decided not to elaborate much, "Um…she was my co-worker in a film. That"s how we met."

Nate took a sip of his Pinot Noir, "I know you never get close to anyone you work with…why Kylie…?" Nate replied but sneaked a glance at Ethan. Seeing his brother get slightly annoyed, Nate smiled and continued. "Your mother said you already have a girlfriend who"s pregnant. Is the girl Kylie?"

William froze, not knowing how to respond. However, Kylie took that moment to speak up, "There is only one truth."

"Ah, ha! So, I"m right! Do you hear this, Ethan?" Nate"s eyes were bright with excitement and glee at uncovering the next big scandal. "Nothing can be hidden from my eyes. William, you slept with and used Kylie to lie to your mother, right?"

"Um…not really." William looked absolutely miserable. Could this day get any worse?

"Then?" Nate pestered while both Kylie and Ethan were listening closely, although portraying that they were not really paying attention.

"Kylie has not met my mom, but she was the one who proposed to be my fake girlfriend and also denied it afterward," William complained like a girl who had been dumped, fixing his eyes on Kylie with anger.

After William"s explanation, Ethan compressed his thin lips but did not say a word continuing to cut the lamb roast, putting a piece onto Kylie"s plate. Nate was surprised by this unexpected turning point. He patted his lap heavily and grabbed his wine again, "But how come?" For Nate, it seemed impossible for Kylie to put forward such a bold idea even though she was pretty easy-going. Moreover, William was a superstar, and no famous actress could come that close to his nephew, let alone Kylie, who was a n.o.body.

William stuck his fork through a piece of lamb and stuffed it in his mouth, not caring that smoke was rising from it and would most probably burn his mouth, "You can ask Kylie herself!"

All eyes came back to Kylie, who blinked innocently, "Umm…"

Nate had planned to uncover every detail for Ethan, but now he wanted to know all the juicy gossip himself. He looked at Kylie with excitement, "Come on, come on!" I need to know!"

William rolled his eyes at his Uncle Nate; he cared more for the gossip than the paparazzi!

Kylie sensed William"s unhappiness and did not want to mock him before his uncle, so she simply replied, "We were shooting while William was Skyping with his mom. His mom said she was very sick and would die if she would not see William"s girlfriend. I was right by his side then and just, at the moment, said I was his girlfriend. His mom then sat up immediately and asked me to visit her in person…"

What Kylie had said was true, but Nate knew it could not be that simple, or William would not look so displeased right now. Thus, Nate could only make William drink more and more, hoping he would tell the whole story after being drunk. Kylie did not drink but devoted herself to eating all the time, and the lamb was just that good! When she was absolutely stuffed, Kylie turned to Ethan and said quietly, "I"ll be back. You enjoy it."

The way Kylie talked to Ethan was quite normal but seemed very affectionate in William"s eyes. What a strange day it was, he thought again. He had planned to invite Kylie over for a meal and a chill-out session. But, his two uncles showing up completely changed the night"s theme and not for the better! Even the dog, Pupu, seemed to be treated better than he was, William thought wryly.