Spencer didn't call that night. Nor the following day, or the day after that.

It's been an agonizing week. To say day and night my eyes have been glued to the screen of my phone is by no means an exaggeration.

I miss him terribly, but I'm hoping giving him space will make him realize he doesn't have to break things off with me.

Even though I know I'm wrong, I can't bring myself to accept that to some extent, I might not even deserve him.

I can't push out the image of his face, pained eyes searching my face for any sign that'd indicate I've not tricked him.

Now that I'm aware of the scale of his reaction, I won't by any means, ever risk telling him the truth. I also have to ensure none of the people who know the truth will ever spill anything to him. Accidentally or on purpose.

I blankly stare at the black screen of the TV, wondering what Spencer might be doing.

I constantly try to convince myself he won't be able to put the pieces together and figure out my initial agenda but it's been too long, and I'm certain if he by any chance has put his full focus on finding fault in me, there's a very high possibility he has understood it... and that's why he hasn't called me.

"You really need to snap out of it," Melody walks out of her room and plops down on the sofa next to me. "You know it was coming," she mumbles and leans her head to the backrest of the coach.

"No." I turn to glare at her.

"It's better that it ended now. You have your solution published, with your name under it. The money will probably be divided, and there isn't much emotion involved either. What else are you worried about?"

I groan. "I don't want things to end between us."

She quirks an eyebrow and straightens herself. "Are you saying, you were actually serious about him?"

Glumly I nod.

With a sigh, she shifts on her spot to face me. "Rae, be practical, you knew from the start nothing serious could ever happen between the two of you. It's better that it ended now, without your feelings being too much tangled."

"It changed Mel," I whine, throwing my hands up. "Everything changed when I got closer to him." I cross my legs and plant my elbows on them, dropping my head into my hands.

"A relationship built on deception is doomed to fail, Rae."

I lift my head enough to be able to shoot her a dirty glare. "Now is really not the time to flex your authorish words."

"But you know I'm right. For god's sake, you made a step-to-step plan on seducing him Rae, what else did you expect? And not to mention, after a while, it gets exhausting, constantly being worried someone might tell him or he somehow might end up finding it out."

"I am really not in the mood for being lectured Mel," I grumble and press the heels of my hands into my eyes.

She sighs and rests her hand on my shoulder. "Come on, me and Jack and a few of his friends are going out tonight, I don't want to leave you alone like this, come with us, it'll be fun." She gently nudges me and I shake my head.

"Not in the mood." Sitting up straight, I offer her a smile and when she's about to argue I add, "I didn't study much this week, the exams are close, I'll probably catch up with that and head to bed. But have fun."

Melody probably notices my resolve because she doesn't push me further and I'm grateful for that.

Soon she gets ready and with a final offer of joining them, and me declining it again, she parts from the house, leaving me alone.

As a means of distraction, I've been mulling over how to get back at Everly, at the right time. Of course, I'm not going to let her action stay without a response. If Spencer breaks things off, it'll all be her fault.

I plod to my bedroom and flump down before my study desk, willing myself to study, but focusing seems impossible and I eventually give up.

Just as I'm putting away my textbooks the doorbell rings, halting me. Quickly, I glance at my clock, it's well past eight, Melody left over an hour ago so it can't be her.

With furrowed brows and hesitant steps, I go to the door and watch the other side through the peephole.

My eyes widen and my heart rate picks up the second I notice who's on the other side. I open the door as fast as I can, already feeling breathless.

Spencer stands in the hallway, with his hands clasped in front of him. A small smile tugs the corners of his mouth.

For a long moment, I can't do anything but stare at him until my brain begins to work again and I breathe out, "Hi."

Anxious excitement courses in my veins. He came! This is a good sign. I bite my lip to stop my growing smile.

"Hi," he softly says and glances behind me. "I hope it's not a bad time... I'm sorry I didn't call, I thought it'd better if we see each other for this."

"No, not at all." I open the door wider and step aside for him. But my heart keeps racing and now I can't stop worrying what if the thing he wants to talk about isn't good?

I nibble my bottom lip and wipe my sweaty palms over my shorts, before fidgeting with my fingers.

For a long moment, we stand in the middle of the apartment, awkwardly looking at each other. Spencer is wearing a navy shirt with black jeans; his hair is slightly ruffled and dark circles are smeared under his eyes.

My nerves are getting the best of me, leaving me entirely speechless, but Spencer inhales sharply and finally starts.

"I'm sorry I took so long to get back to you."

Still at a loss of words, my mouth stays open but no answer comes out.

He waits for a beat but after I make no move of responding he goes on, "The way you so easily lied to me that day, saying there wasn't anything else to that deal... it scared me... and we had been getting closer to each other and... uh... I wasn't planning on taking so long... it just... Um... I had a lot to think about, to sort through and decide." He runs his hand through his hair, his gaze wandering around the place before settling on me.

I hold my breath with anticipation. The fact that I have no clue what the coming choice will be, is scaring me shitless.

Spencer takes a step to me, his eyes locking with mine. "I should have called sooner, or came, but I wanted to be sure. I'm sorry I let her words disorient me that much but the distance made me certain of a few things."

Hesitantly he moves his hand to my cheek and when his skin contacts with mine, the familiar and much missed electrifying of my senses make me hyper-aware. My heart drums in my chest as I slowly allow myself to let loose of the dam holding back the relief from flooding me.

"One, staying away from you is mighty hard." A lopsided smile forms on his lips. Happy tears burn my eyes as a giggle bubbles out of me. "Two, I trust you and if I have to decide at any point, I'll always want to trust you." He leans down to me, our faces barely an inch apart. "And three, you're my sunshine, how can I let you go so easily?"

Utter, blissful joy erupts in me like fireworks. A giggle mingled with a sob of relief bursts from me before I press my lips to his.

He enfolds me in his arms and I sigh in contentment, clinging to him as my knees grow weak. The tension and worry of the week slipping into oblivion.

His body molds over mine as his soft lips move slowly, savoring every second.

When we pull away, I press my forehead to his. "I missed you so much," I murmur against his lips, running my fingers through his hair.

I feel him smile. "Come back home." He pecks me on the lips and I grin.

∞ ∞ ∞

I hope you liked this chapter =)

Vote and comment your thoughts.

So guys, tell me, do you think they're going to end up together? Now that you have a vague idea of how his reaction will be if the truth comes out... also, do you think the truth will come out or will Gracie hide it from him at any cost?

So, now that you have come this far with this story, it leaves me to assume, you either like my writing style or genuinely like the characters and the plotline.

If it's the first case, from tomorrow onwards I'm going to update my other story on a daily basis (especially since this story is coming to an end) maybe give that one a try? [Who knows, you might like it xD] It's a billionaire romance, the main characters are afraid of falling in love but somehow do end up falling for each other, without realising. If it's your kind of story, do give it a try, it's called Fearful Hearts. [Hopefully, it won't be as long as The Solution]

So I'm done with my today's shameless self-promo lol

Next update will be up tomorrow

Thank you sooo much for reading <3

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading ^^