The low hum of conversation filled the cozy café, but for Derrick, every sound faded into the background as he extended his hand toward the imposing figure before him. Mr. Lawson’s grip was firm, his eyes sharp with suspicion — the eyes of a father who missed nothing. Derrick’s pulse quickened. The lie was simple but enormous: he was pretending to be Emily’s husband.
“Yes, I remember now,” Mr. Lawson said slowly, his tone cautious. “Emily has mentioned you once or twice, I suppose.”
Derrick nodded, keeping his expression calm. “Emily talks about you often, sir,” he replied smoothly, adding a polite smile. “She’s always spoken of your dedication to family.”
The older man grunted, a mix of pride and skepticism flickering across his face. Standing beside Derrick, Emily reached for his hand, her touch steady and reassuring. The gesture felt natural — too natural — as though they weren’t playing roles at all. Derrick squeezed her hand back, silently acknowledging the trust she had placed in him.
“So, what do you do, Derrick?” Mr. Lawson asked, his voice casual but probing.
“I’m a high school history teacher,” Derrick answered, relieved to anchor the lie in truth. “I’ve always believed we can’t build a better future without understanding where we’ve come from.”
“Hmm,” Mr. Lawson said thoughtfully. “A teacher. Noble work, though not a lucrative one.”
Before Derrick could respond, Emily spoke up. Her voice was firm yet affectionate. “Derrick’s passion is what makes him great at what he does, Dad. It’s not about money — it’s about purpose.”
Her defense caught Derrick off guard. He turned to look at her, and for a brief moment, the charade felt dangerously close to reality. Her laughter, the ease in her words, even the way she leaned toward him — it all felt unfeigned.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Derrick found himself observing the small details — the way Emily’s father softened slightly when she smiled, the curious glances from other patrons, the faint smell of coffee and rain mixing in the air. It was ordinary, yet somehow extraordinary.
When Mr. Lawson stepped away to answer a phone call, the façade loosened. Emily sighed in relief, her shoulders dropping. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I didn’t know who else to ask.”
Derrick smiled. “It’s okay. I’m glad to help.”
She hesitated, studying him. “What made you agree to this?”
He shrugged lightly, a hint of humor in his voice. “Maybe it’s the teacher in me — trying to help someone through a tough lesson. Or maybe… we all just need a bit of pretending sometimes to make it through.”
Their eyes met, and in that quiet moment, something unspoken passed between them — something real born from an act of make-believe. As Mr. Lawson returned, Derrick realized that what began as a favor had become more than a performance. Beneath the guise of pretense, two people had found authenticity — proof that sometimes, the roles we play can lead us closer to who we truly are.