\u2014 So, Emma, what are your plans for the weekend? \u2014 Jake asked, curled up on the couch while a random TV show played in the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Me? \u2014 Emma tilted her head. \u2014 I hadn\u2019t even thought about it! Did you have something in mind? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Well, my parents are coming to town! I thought we could cook dinner together, and you\u2019d finally meet my mom and little sister. We\u2019ve been trying to visit them for a month, but it never worked. Now, they\u2019re coming! \ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Why not? \u2014 Emma shrugged. \u2014 Since when did you find out they were coming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Just now! Kristina sent me a message. They\u2019re coming for the holidays and to shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 All right, let\u2019s do it! I don\u2019t mind! \u2014 Emma yawned. \ud83d\ude34<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 But Emma, the apartment has to be spotless! My mom loves everything perfect\u2014no dust, no mess, nothing! \ud83e\uddf9\u2728<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emma raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Are you saying I\u2019m messy or lazy? \u2014 she asked, confused. \u2014 Our place is always clean!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 No, no, that\u2019s not what I meant! I just want it perfect before they arrive, so there\u2019s no doubt!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Jake, our apartment is always clean! We both work, cook, and tidy up. I\u2019m not going to scrub the floor like a maniac just because your mom is coming. Period! \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Why so tense? I just want to make a good impression!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Listen, Jake, do you even really like me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Of course I do! You\u2019re the only one for me! \ud83d\udc9b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Then that\u2019s enough. I\u2019m not going to pretend to be someone I\u2019m not. We have a home, food, work, an apartment\u2014what else do you want?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jake smiled awkwardly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Well\u2026 the apartment is yours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Doesn\u2019t matter! You live here too, so it counts! Forget it, Jake. Let\u2019s drop it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next two days were a whirlwind. Saturday arrived, and Jake\u2019s parents and little sister were due any minute. Jake was anxious\u2014his mother, Melanie, was known to be strict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Friday night, after work, Jake nudged Emma again:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Emma, let\u2019s eat quickly and then clean!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Why? \u2014 Emma raised an eyebrow. \u2014 It\u2019s already in order. I\u2019ll just dust and mop tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 No, now! A deep clean! Every corner must shine! \ud83e\uddfc<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Jake, are you afraid of your mom? \u2014 Emma smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 No! I\u2026 I just imagine she\u2019ll find a speck of dust or a misplaced dish. She\u2019s a tyrant in disguise!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 And? I don\u2019t care! I\u2019ll clean my way, and I won\u2019t pretend to be someone else. Better to be real than fake. \ud83d\udcaa<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Sorry, Emma. I\u2026 I can\u2019t control my nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next morning, Emma cleaned at her own pace. Jake hovered anxiously, making things worse when he insisted she scrub the radiators\u2014a task she rarely did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Jake, seriously! Grab the cloth yourself! I\u2019m not your maid! \ud83d\ude21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Emma, don\u2019t yell!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 And stop complaining! I handle the cleaning, you\u2026 stay out of it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, everything was done\u2014perfect as always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 What time are they arriving? \u2014 Emma asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 About forty minutes. They\u2019ll shop first, then come here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Wait\u2026 they\u2019re staying overnight? \ud83d\ude33<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Yes! Mom and Kristina on the couch, Dad elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emma shook her head, unimpressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just before they arrived, Jake asked a favor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Emma, please, don\u2019t get mad\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 What now? \u2014 she snapped. \u2014 Another problem?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 I told them it\u2019s a rental apartment\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 What?! Are you insane?! It\u2019s MY apartment! My parents gave it to me! \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 I know, but please just pretend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 No! I won\u2019t lie for you. I trust no one after this. And honestly\u2026 after everything, I\u2019m not marrying you. Forget the apartment too! Pack your things and leave! \ud83d\udeaa\ud83d\udc94<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jake was stunned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Emma, I love you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Doesn\u2019t matter! You\u2019ve surprised me enough for a lifetime. Goodbye, Jake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Emma ignored it. Jake had to leave with his things, and Emma changed the locks for her safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Afterward, every time Jake tried to speak to her, Emma pretended she didn\u2019t know him. A month later, he returned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Emma, it\u2019s me! Please, open the door!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Go away! Stay back or I call the police! \ud83d\udeab\ud83d\udc6e<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 I brought the keys!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Keep them! I changed the locks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n