“And he agreed to that?”
I looked away, remembering the way Christian had kissed me the night before, how my body had betrayed me instantly.
“Sort of.”
“Sort of”?” Annie arched her brows. “What does that even mean?”
“It means I set boundaries.” I crossed my arms, determined. “No sex. No… real kissing.”
“And how did he react?”
I sighed, defeated.
“He kissed me anyway. After provoking me.”
Annabelle threw her head back, laughing.
“And I’m sure you resisted bravely.”
“It’s not funny!”
“It’s hilarious!” She wiped away an imaginary tear. “Zoey, let’s be real. You’re not going to last five days alone with that man. Not even five hours.”
“Yes, I will!” I protested. “I told you… It’s just business.”
“Sure.” She grabbed another box, opening it to reveal a lingerie set that looked like it had walked straight off a Victoria’s Secret runway. “And this is ‘just business’ too?”
I snatched the box from her hands, my face going up in flames.
“This is… it’s…”
“Proof he’s thinking the exact same thing I am.” Annie grinned wickedly. “That the two of you won’t resist.”
I slammed the box shut and shoved it aside.
“You don’t get it. He’s only doing this because he needs his grandfather to hand him the family business. I’m convenient. Nothing more.”
Annabelle’s smile softened.
“Zoey, look around you.” She gestured to the chaos of boxes spread across the room. “A man doesn’t send an entire wardrobe to someone who’s just ‘convenient.””
“He’s just making sure I won’t embarrass him in front of his rich friends.”
“If that were all it was, he could’ve just handed you money and told you to shop. But no. He picked out every piece. He thought about you.”
I wanted to argue, but something inside me faltered. Was there truth in her words? Or was it just my stupid heart trying to believe I could mean more to someone like Christian Kensington?
“Whatever.” I stood, determined to end the conversation. “I’ll start packing all this.”
Annabelle lifted the red dress again.
“You are taking this one, right? Please say yes. He’s going to lose it when he sees you in it.”
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile betrayed me.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re screwed.” She grinned, pressing the dress into my hands. “Totally, utterly screwed.”
And the worst part? Some small part of me knew she was right.
On Tuesday morning, I stood in front of my house with a medium-sized suitcase at my side and a brand-new handbag slung over my shoulder, both courtesy of Christian. I’d chosen a simple look: designer jeans that fit like a dream, a navy silk blouse, and comfortable flats. Nothing flashy, but still more expensive than anything I’d ever worn in my life.
My heart skipped when a sleek black Lamborghini Urus pulled up to the curb. Christian stepped out, flawless in a dark blue suit, sunglasses gleaming in the morning sun. He smiled when he saw me, and I hated admitting it, but my stomach did a little flip.
“Good morning, fiancée,” he said, leaning in to brush a soft kiss against my cheek.
“Don’t call me that,” I muttered, trying to ignore the intoxicating scent of his cologne invading my senses.
“As you wish, sweetheart,” he replied, that infuriatingly charming smile never leaving his face.
Christian lifted my suitcase with ease, stowing it in the trunk while I said goodbye to my family. My mom hugged me tightly, whispering in my ear, “He’s a great catch, honey. Don’t mess this up.”
I rolled my eyes but promised to behave. If only she knew I was getting paid for this…
Annabelle was the last to say goodbye, giving me a discreet wink.
“Don’t forget the red lingerie,” she whispered so only I could hear. “It matches the dress best.”
“I hate you,” I muttered through my teeth, though I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips.
Soon we were in the car, the tension between us almost tangible in the confined space. Christian drove with the confidence of someone who owned every situation, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gearshift.
“Did you like the gifts?” he asked, glancing briefly at me.
“They were… excessive.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
I sighed.
“Yes, I liked them. Thank you. But you didn’t have to.”
“Yes, I did.” His tone was practical, leaving no room for argument, “I want you to feel comfortable.”
“Comfort has nothing to do with the price tag, you know?”
He flicked his gaze from the road to me, just for a second.
“You’re right. But comfort has a lot to do with not feeling out of place. And you’ll be surrounded by people who…” He paused, choosing his words.
“Who judge by what people wear?” I finished, raising an eyebrow.
A slow smile curved his lips.
“I wasn’t going to put it like that, but yes.”
We fell into silence for a few minutes, the soft hum of the radio filling the space between us. That’s when I noticed we weren’t heading toward the commercial airport.
“Where are we going?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.