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As I end the call, I feel a little better. Though the whispers and stares still sting, the prospect of spending an evening with Felix brightens my spirits. For tonight, at least, I can forget about the cruel words and judgmental looks and simply enjoy the company of one of my dearest friends.
CHAPTER 8
FELIX
The opulent chandeliers of the swankiest hotel in San Francisco cast a warm glow over the luxurious suite. Studying my reflection in the mirror, I roll up the sleeves of my button-up shirt. Tonight is the night I’ll make my proposition to Lily, and it feels like there’s a swarm of butterflies battling within my stomach.
A nagging doubt creeps into my mind: do I really want to go through with this fake marriage? But then I think about Lily — her dark blond hair, those enchanting green eyes, her passion for helping underprivileged children — and I know I have to do it.
Not just for me but for her too. She must be desperate to salvage her reputation after that disastrous engagement, and I need to get my parents off my back. It’s a win-win situation, right?
I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart. The stakes are high, and I can’t afford any mistakes. This might be my only chance to save both our butts.
As I smooth out an invisible crease from my trousers, a sharp knock on the door startles me.
I turn around with a frown. Who could that be? Room service?
Sometimes, late at night, I have a habit of ordering something for the next day and then forgetting all about it.
I open the door, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise at the sight of Erica, an on-again-off-again flame. Her sultry smile sends a familiar shiver down my spine.
“Hello, Felix,” she purrs, her finger tracing the doorframe. “I heard you were in town.”
“Erica.” I clear my throat. “What’s up? How are you?”
“I’m great. Thought we could catch up over a drink.” She bats her long lashes at me.
The old me would’ve jumped at the opportunity, but tonight is about Lily and our future — fake or not.
“Thanks for the offer, Erica.” I force a polite smile. “But I have other plans tonight.”
Her eyes narrow, and she crosses her arms over her chest, clearly not used to being turned down. “Really, Felix? Since when do you pass up a night with me?”
“Tonight.” I keep my tone controlled, even though she’s starting to get on my nerves.
Her expression flickers with disappointment, but she quickly recovers. “Another time, then.” She sniffs, turns, and walks down the hall.
I sigh. Usually, Erica is lots of fun. I just can’t deal with her tonight, though. I have something important to focus on.
As I close the door, my resolve strengthens. This is it. Tonight, I’ll change the course of my and Lily’s lives forever. For better or worse, there’s no turning back now.
Grabbing my things, I head out the door and take the elevator downstairs. With each passing floor, my heart rate picks up.
With Lily by my side, my life will change drastically. No more dating out in the open. No more carefree nights spent in the arms of beautiful women like Erica. Every romantic encounter would have to be carefully hidden from my parents and the prying eyes of the public.
As I walk down the busy streets, surrounded by couples holding hands and laughing with abandon, I realize what I’m truly sacrificing. My freedom, my spontaneity — all for a fake marriage that might shield us both from our families’ expectations.
“Is it worth it?” I wonder aloud, the question getting lost in the city noise.
But I already know the answer. Out of all my options, this is most certainly the best one.
I glance at my watch, noting that I’ll be late for our rendezvous if I don’t leave now. As I weave through the city traffic, my thoughts race, wondering how she’ll react to my proposal and what the future might hold for us. Will she accept? And if she does, can we truly make this work?
“Only one way to find out,” I whisper as I pull up to Lily’s house. Taking a deep breath, I step out into the night.
CHAPTER 9
LILY
