Chapter 3 - "The Beginning"

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House looked at his reflection in the mirror. He was dressed like he usually did.

Something was lacking, though. He squinted at the mirror.

Black blazer…check.

Blue jeans…check.

White t-shirt... No, maybe I should change into a shirt…maybe wear a tie…

Screw the tie.

House quickly removed the t-shirt and changed into a black shirt.

Looks like I’m mourning for someone.

He opted for a white শার্ট underneath the blazer.

Good.

Why am I caring so much about the bloody clothing? …

….

…

Ah, the money, of course.

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Cuddy was staring at her reflection in the mirror.

She was wearing a dress with two tones of blue.

Mine and his…

Wait, what??

Get a grip, woman.

I’m dressing this good so I won’t let Wilson down. I got to be gracious and…mainly patient with House. God knows what he is going to do tonight.

…

He’ll probably send a nasty মতামত about this dress.

Nooo, he won’t. He can’t! He’ll compliment me and be nice to me, for a change.

She smiled broadly.

Just because of the money, though.

The smile quickly faded away.

Sighing, she gussied up a little আরো and prepared to leave.

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Wilson stared at this reflection in the mirror.

He was properly dressed, as Kelly helped, so he didn’t give a crap about his reflection.

He was thinking, and the look on his face showed nothing but deep concern.

Oh boy, I have this bad feeling about tonight.

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At exactly 7:01pm someone rang the ঘণ্টা at House’s place.

Strangely nervous, House opened the door at once.

He gaped.

He gaped, and stared, and stood still.

Cuddy’s eyebrows rose a few inches towards his silence.

“Hello? Hi! I’m here to take আপনি back to the mental hospital.”

House recovered his sanity quickly enough to retort back.

“Ooh, excuse me, but there seems to be a misunderstanding here. I hired the badass cop hooker. Not the diligent nurse one.”

Cuddy couldn’t help but laugh.

“Come on, অথবা we’re going to be late.”

House locked his door and followed her to her car.

She looks beautiful.

“You look beautiful” – He ব্যক্ত while she entered the car.

“What?” – She gaped at him, astonished.

“Well, aren’t I supposed to be nice to you?” – He defended himself.

“Wilson isn’t here yet”

“So?”

“So আপনি don’t have to be nice to me yet. House, আপনি just complimented me দ্বারা your own choice! আপনি do really think I look nice!”

Her smile was as big as she could manage.

Damn. He thought.

They both closed the door at the same time.

“I just. Uh…thought that আপনি and Wilson had this pact before…like if…if I didn’t behave before we met him, he’d বাতিল the bet.”

Cuddy’s smile didn’t fade.

“Fine, আপনি don’t have to admit it. I’m pretty sure that was voluntary. And thanks. আপনি don’t look bad yourself.”

The trip to the restaurant was silent.

House spent the whole trip sending quick glances at her. She did look beautiful. Her hair was pinned up, so that a couple curls were down covering part of her neck.

There was something about her uncovered neck and shoulders that caught his attention.

He thought to himself if somewhere in that juncture she had a soft spot.

He found himself wishing he was the one to discover it.

House slapped himself mentally.

When they got there, Wilson and Kelly were getting out of a cab, parked in front of Cuddy’s car.

They approached each other and shared casual greetings. Everything was going according to plan.

They got to the table, House and Wilson exchanging a joke and Cuddy and Kelly telling each other what they thought of the restaurant’s décor.

They sat on this atmosphere of formal casualty, honest (minus one) smiles on their faces, hoping that this ডিনার would go well.

While choosing their dishes, Wilson and Kelly were commenting on how their দিন at work was. Cuddy and House exchanged nervous looks, and remained silent while Wilson talked about one of his cancer patient, trying to look absorbed on his speech.

House took this moment as a sign, that no one was paying attention to him, to stretch his left arm and get hold of Cuddy’s hand, which was lying on the table.

Cuddy looked at him immediately, with a surprised look.

Just for the money. They both thought. Although House only thought of that just to assure that he had no সেকেন্ড intentions with his boss, and Cuddy only thought that to shove away the feeling that he might care about her after all.

She squeezed his hand back, and then got back to Wilson’s speech.