Bentley sighed as he walked up the steps to Esme and Emanuel's large family manor. He really didn't want to do this. But he knew his mother was right, he should apologize. He knocked on the large wooden doors and a moment later Esmerie opened the door. Her platinum blonde hair was tied back in a bun and she gave Bentley an annoyed look.

"Cassie told me where you were the other night." She said in an accusatory tone. "I can't believe you ditched my birthday to get drunk at some stupid high school party."

"Look, I'm sorry Esme, I know I shouldn't have done it I just... I just wasn't up to seeing everyone." Bentley said honestly. He didn't know how he would have answered their questions about his so-called vacation and he wasn't in the mood to pretend to be happy, at least Vicki's party had perked him up a bit even if he had to get wasted to achieve that result.

"Why not? It was just family, not a room full of strangers, Ben." Esmerie said as she crossed her arms.

"It's complicated. I know I should have been there... I just couldn't. And honestly hanging out with Vicki was just easier. I'm sorry, I really am. Let me make it up to you, we can do whatever you want today. It's on me."

Esmerie sighed, "What was so complicated about seeing your family?"

"I can't really get into it." Bentley said as he crossed his arms.

"Fine, I'll forgive you this time. But don't do it again. Now come on in, let's watch a movie. And I get to pick." Esmerie said as she opened the door to her house and waved Bentley inside

Bentley smiled, "Alright, that sounds good." He followed his older cousin inside of her house with a sigh of relief. They went to the kitchen to make popcorn where they saw Emanuel, Esme's twin brother, sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal in front of him.

"Oh, hey look who showed up." Emanuel teased with a smile.

"Hey man, sorry I ditched the party yesterday." Bentley said.

"I get it, you're fifteen, you don't want to go bowling with your family." Emanuel said. "How was Vicki's party? Cassie told me you had a great time."

Bentley smiled sheepishly, "Yeah it may have gotten a little out of hand."

"A little? I'm pretty sure you're hung over right now, Ben." Esme said, annoyed.

"Just a bit." Bentley admitted.

"Just, be careful with Vicki. I know her older brother, that girl's nothing but trouble." Emanuel warned.

"She's a good friend." Bentley said with a shrug.

"How well do you really know her, Ben?" Esme asked. "I mean, she got you drunk at her party last night, and Emanuel's right, she's not a good influence. Didn't she get alcohol poisoning twice last year?"

Emanuel nodded, "I'm not saying she's a bad person, I'm saying be careful. She has a tendency to take things too far."

"I'll keep that in mind." Bentley lied easily enough. "So, how was France, Esme?" He asked, changing the subject. He was tired of talking about Vicki, as far as he knew neither Emanual or Esme actually knew her and she was a good friend. Sure things got out of hand, but no one forced the drinks down his throat, it was his decision and as crappy as his hangover was, he still had fun at the party.

Bentley sighed as he adjusted his tie in the mirror. Tonight was his mother's charity gala and his first official "date" with Janna. To say he was dreading it would be an understatement. There was a knock at the door and a moment later Philip entered the room. He looked his son over then spoke, "I expect that you will be on your best behaviour tonight."

"I will." Bentley said as he dug his hands into his pockets.

"Good, the media will be there, you'd better make it convincing." Philip warned.

Bentley sighed, "Dad is this really necessary? No one knew about me and Connor-"

"It is." Philip said sharply. "No one will believe you're straight if you're not dating, and I need you with someone we can control to sell the right image. Besides, I don't exactly trust you to make the right choice of partner."

Bentley frowned, but nodded. He knew this was an argument that he was never going to win.

"Let's go, everyone's waiting on you, including Miss Carson.

"Fine." Bentley said quietly. He followed his father from the room. I hate him, he thought.

They arrived at the Banquet Hall, which was packed with people attending Queen Olivia's charity gala. Bentley scanned the room for Janna, who he found talking to Cassidy. This is so awkward, he thought as he approached the two of them.

"Hey Janna." Bentley greeted.

"Hey Ben." Janna said as she hugged him, she kissed him on the cheek quickly and felt bad when Bentley tensed at the contact.

"Uhm, I'm sorry, but what was that?" Cassidy asked.

"We-we're uhh, kind of dating." Bentley said as he rubbed his neck. He held Janna's hand and she gave his a little reassuring squeeze.

Cassidy's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "I'm sorry, you're what?" She asked, surprised. "Janna, can I talk to you?" She asked.

Janna nodded, she let go of Bentley's hand and followed Cassidy to a quiet corner of the room.

"Since when do you like my little brother?" Cassidy asked.

"It kind of happened suddenly, I guess." Janna lied smoothly. "I'm sorry, but I lied to you when I said I hadn't heard from him when he was away. Him and I talked on the phone a lot and I guess I developed feelings for him and he realised he had feelings for me. When we got back he just kind of asked me out and I said yes…are you mad?"

"I'm not mad, I'm surprised." Cassidy replied. "Do you at least know what's going on with him? Has he told you?"

Janna shook her head, "Not yet, I've been trying to get him to open up, but he just tells me not to worry about it. I'll keep working on getting him to talk, but whatever it is I can tell that it's really bothering him."

Cassidy sighed, "Alright...just keep me updated, okay?"

Janna nodded, "I will." She promised, she was also wondering exactly why she had to pretend to date Bentley. It didn't make any sense, Philip had told her that Bentley didn't make the best choices when it came to partners, but as far as she knew Bentley had never dated. Maybe he had some kind of secret girlfriend, she thought.

The rest of the gala went by in a blur, Janna spent most of the night with Bentley, except for when they went off to talk to their friends separately. Everyone was surprised by their relationship, but most people seemed happy for them. After the gala Bentley walked Janna to her ride, but before she got in Janna stopped and turned to face him.

"Ben." She said, looking him straight in the eyes. "I'm not sure what's going on with you, but you've been different since you got back and I don't like it. I'm concerned. No one really knows why you went away in the first place, and now your father's forcing us to date. It's just confusing, why is he forcing this relationship on us?"

"I...I can't really tell you that." Bentley said truthfully as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Is everything okay?" Janna asked. "You can talk to me, Bentley."

Bentley opened his mouth then closed it. He thought for a moment and smiled slightly, "Everything's fine."

"Is it? Because you got drunk the other night and you never drink. I'm just worried about you, Ben." Janna said. "You don't have to tell me, but at least tell someone."

"I'm fine, I promise." Bentley assured her.

"I don't quite believe you, Ben. But I'll take your word for it." Janna said, then walked towards the car. Bentley opened the door for her and she climbed inside. He shut the door and waved to her as the car pulled out of the long driveway. Bentley sighed and made his way back inside of the palace, I hate this, he thought miserably. Once inside he saw his father waiting for him.

"You did well tonight, son." Philip said as he placed a hand on Bentley's shoulder. "I knew she was the right choice, keep it up."

Bentley nodded, "Yes, sir." He murmured.

"I'm doing this for your own good, Bentley. I know you can't see it, but I'm trying to help you." Philip said, then walked off.

Sure, this is for my own good, Bentley thought as he went to his room, suddenly feeling exhausted. At least everyone bought it, he thought as he flopped onto his bed. He turned on his stereo and listened to music as he curled in on himself. How long do I have to "date" her for? He thought. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to force himself to pretend to date Janna. The kiss had been uncomfortable enough and she was the one who did it, he couldn't imagine initiating a kiss with her or doing anything more than a kiss on the cheek for show. This sucks, he thought as he grabbed a book, trying to get his mind off of it.