Of course, all of his friends were coming. They did not want to miss the unveiling of the future princess. Although, they did wonder if this arrangement would last for six months. And if it did, what would happen to the couple?
“What if we make this more interesting?” Evan announced to the group before Alex could leave the room.
“What do you have in mind?” Marcus asked, curious about what Evan had in mind.
“Let’s make a bet. In this way, Alex will be more motivated to accomplish his goal.” Evan suggested to the group. “I bet that Alex and Dani will have an affair, which will be disastrous. They will end up breaking up before the six months is over.”
That would surely stop him from pursuing any romantic notion or more of physical intimacy with Dani. Alex mused on Evan’s words.
“I bet that Alex will develop some deeper feelings for Dani, and he will end up marrying her for real?” David, who had always been the logical thinker in the group, joined in.
It was unlikely to happen, Alex thought as he listened to his friend play a game with his arrangement.
“Wait, you already took the good bets,” Marcus complained while he thought of another scenario. “I guess I will go for Alex and Dani, ending up getting married against their will.”
Another very doubtful possibility, he concluded in his mind. “Ok. I accept your bets.” Alex believed that this bet would surely set him on the right path. “What about a million?” He dared his friends, spicing up this friendly game.
“I’ll draw the contract,” David said as everyone started accepting the challenge.
He left his friends and made his way to Dani’s office, believing that he could easily win the bet.
“Are you ready to go?” He found Dani, still emerged in the papers in front of her.
“Just give me a second.” She signed the paper, closed the folder, and placed it on top of the file.
“Ready.” She took her things and left everything else for Jacky to finish once she was gone. “Jacky, there are some files on my desk. Make sure to send it before you leave.” She instructed before she allowed Alex to guide her down the hall to the elevator.
They walked silently in the lobby, with a few people looking their way. Some probably curious why they were together, with his hand on her waist, possessively.
Although she knew that it was just for show, she could not stop thinking of what it was doing in her body. She had to learn to deal with this situation if she was to last for six months.
It was just an arrangement. Dani just had to keep that in mind.
Alex assisted her to his car, opening the passenger door for her before going to the driver’s side. But before they left, she noticed in the rearview mirror the man that was following her. The same one that went to Alex’s home, but this time, he was not alone.
The unknown man rode the car just a few meters away from them. She wondered if they were going to follow them as Alex started the engine. As Alex drove to their destination, she noticed that the other car also moved in the same direction as them.
It appeared that they were following them, but Alex either was not aware of it, or he was ignoring it. She was getting more curious about the identity of the man in the other vehicle. And what was his connection to Alex? Most importantly, why was he following her?
“Do you have any word of advice regarding how I should deal with your parents?” He asked her as he kept his eyes on the road, distracting her from her thoughts.
“My father likes to talk about business. As long you praise how great he is, I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Besides, we are not going to my father’s house to ask for his blessing, so no need to work yourself up. There is no need to impress him.” She pointed out.
“I guess you are right. Business and nothing about us. Did I get it right?” He teased her, waiting for her reaction to his statement.
“Yes, let’s not complicate it by involving our parents in this. It is enough that they think that we are getting married.” She told him.
She turned her head to the window, not wanting to look in his direction.
They finally entered the massive iron gate and parked in the mansion that served as her home since she was born. She looked at the imposing home and compared it to where she was living now. Her entire apartment was just a tiny room in that structure.
“Before we go in, I have a question that I need to ask of you,” Alex said. It was something that was bothering him since Evan mentioned it earlier. It was a matter that they both could not ignore.
“What is it?” She asked, removing her seatbelt, finally shifting her attention to him as she waited for him to speak.
“As my fiance, we will be expected to show affections to each other. I wonder if you will be comfortable with me kissing you occasionally in public. Not just a kiss on the cheeks, but the lips.” He removed his seatbelt and slightly moved his body so that he was now facing her.
“I already thought of that. We can’t avoid acting like we are truly in love. I have no qualms about a few kisses in public or doing it in front of our families. But let us make it brief as much as possible.” Stating her opinion on the matter.
Besides, she could do nothing about it because it was part of the bargain when she signed the contract. For their facade to work, they had to be convincing that their relationship was real.
“No tongue kissing.” She emphasized, a bit embarrassed to say it, but she had to be clear about it.
“I completely agree with you. I’m glad that we are on the same page.” He accepted her decision, but it did not mean that he was not somehow disappointed. He was not sure what else he was expecting to hear from her. But, she was right. They should not complicate their situation. After this deal was through, they were going on their separate ways.
“One more thing. I have something important to tell you.” He stopped her when she was about to get out of the car without waiting for him.
She looked at him, expecting him to blurt out what was in his mind. “What now?” She was a bit tired of talking about how they should pretend in front of her parents.
“Nothing.” He suddenly changed his mind, seeing that she was not in the mood for more conversations. “Why don’t you wait for me to open your door?” That was what he said instead.
He walked down from the car and assisted her out of her side. When she looked behind her, she found the car that was following them, parked not far behind them.
“Alex.” She was about to ask him about those men but did not get the chance since her mother appeared at the front main door.
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.
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