ie

en after I'd signed the contract. I didn't know if this w

's surgery in two days. If I messed this up, t

t few hours, it's crazy. I took a deep breath, clutching th

myself, six months of pretending t

day, but just as I was starting to settle in, the so

number, which I quickly

hours. Meeting my

! So

ed in horror. Dinn

g from afar ever since I joine

as his son's fiancée, preten

I'd be fooling one of the most powerful men in Bellmore, a

d sa

us?" a familiar voice broke in, pu

from college and the best chef in th

ers, wearing his crisp white chef's jacket, immaculat

rned look as he too

though I knew it probably l

ed me the fo

n breakfast. Plus, I get to save

ting the warm aroma of roasted vegetab

a lifesav

g at the corners. "Yeah, well, you know yo

container and taking a quick bite, try

cas. He'd sent over a list of instructions, from things his father was likely to

ious look as I glance

o's

a project," I lied smoothly, pasting

ring in them. Thankfully, he didn't push it, leaving

h my tasks, but it was nearly impossible with the w

d to keep this up

g this: for Dad. For his health, his recovery. This wasn'

on settling over me like a heavy cloak. Before I knew it, I'd slump

ss Wi

lted me awake, deep

ore. He stood tall, imposing in a tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt. His hair was neat,

o collect you," he said, his tone formal as he ges

the faint flutter of nerves as I followed him th

eetlights like something from a dream. Derrick opened the rear door,

ng smoothly, but even without looking, his presence filled the ca

the engine. We pulled away in silence, the tension thick between us. I barely

today," he said, his gaze still trained on the screen. "Including what

y scanned through t

to roll my eyes as I took in the endless list of his life

as I came across

de your boxers' size?" I m

eed you to know every detail if this is going to work. And for tonight,

incredulous. "Why l

ed up, his eyes s

king employee dating his son? Just do as I say,

silent. Of course, he'd thought of every angle, every excuse. His a

clusive boutique, its gleaming windows

g here?" I asked, gla

e flicking to my dress. "You ca

ration and irritation bubbling up. "Excuse

blink. "It's gi

trength to resist the ur

y cheeks burned as I trailed after him into the boutique,

over Lucas the moment they saw him, their ey

ance as he took a seat. The attendants eagerly guided me to the back, the

ss, shall we?" one of them grinned,

-a stranger stared back at me. The gold dress hugged my frame perfectly, and my hair was styled in soft wave

er me, lingering just a second too long before

rning to the attendants, he gestured to

that one dress was more than enough, but

ll these clothes?" I asked, t

at me as he hande

r the same dress every t

apped shut. H

a retort and waited as h

isplaying an array of diamond rings, h

ach lurching as he g

... buyi

"I forgot to mention-I