A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 164

"Hey man, I just landed in California," Bailey said, giggling into her phone as she waited for her girlfriend.

"Oh, that's great," her brother, Logan, replied. "How was the journey? Have you seen Mom?"

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She strained her neck, scanning the airport. Aaliyah shouldn't be hard to spot, she was supposed to arrive with her parents.

"Not yet," Bailey replied. "I'm still waiting for Aaliyah. We're having dinner at her parents' house first, then I'll go see Mom.

"Oh, cool," Logan said. "When you get there, let me know so Alice and I can talk to her."

“Alright, man. Talk to you later. Say hi to Alice."

"Bye," Logan said, ending the call.

Bailey tucked her phone into the pocket of her baggy pants. She had been at the arrivals terminal for over forty minutes now, waiting to be picked up.

The last time she called Aaliyah, she said she was close and that had been fifteen minutes ago.

Glancing at her wristwatch, Bailey sighed, "You better have a good reason for being late," she muttered, her eyes darting across the crowd.

She had no idea what car Aaliyah would be driving, so she gave up trying to guess. Just then, her eyes landed on a small flower shop across the road.

A smile spread on her lips as she set her bags against the wall. Nobody would steal her luggage; she was just stepping across the street and she had a Glock. Not that she would use it unless absolutely necessary, but still.

"Hey, how much for this?" she asked the vendor, pointing to a small bouquet of

roses.

"Thirty dollars," the seller smiled.

Perfect. Just exactly what she had left. She took the money from her backpack and handed it over. "Thank you."

The vendor nodded and packed the bouquet. Moments later, Bailey returned to her spot, flowers in hand, her luggage untouched.

San Francisco.

It felt good to be back home. It wasn't exactly home, but she and Logan had spent most of their childhood here. After their father died and their mother threw herself into work, accepting the transfer to Colombia just made sense.

Though she flew in now and then-which was how she had met Aaliyah-she had never thought of San Francisco as permanent.

Except now it was different. She would be here for at least three months. Maybe less, if by some miracle she solved the case faster.

Not that she wasn't happy being back, her mother was here, her girlfriend was here. She was just going to miss Colombia

more.

Her mind drifted to Aaliyah and her stomach churned. Was Aaliyah going to come? How would she react when she met her

parents?

Meeting the parents meant stability, next-level shit. Not that she was scared of commitment; she loved Aaliyah deeply. It was just... a lot.

wcu, &

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Chapter 164

to feel uncomfortable standing at the exit,

"Bai!"

to Aaliyah's voice, and when she stepped out, dressed in a hot black gown, Bailey

other a few weeks ago

her. But instead of a hug and a kiss like they always did

her arms still

sheepishly, already walking to the car before Bailey could

her raised arms, as the realization hit. Aaliyah still hadn't told her

tell them?"

like she hadn't heard her, and Bailey repeated her question when they were both inside the

fixed on the

"But it

said nothing, she

year of hiding. When I pick you up in Colombia, I

hate it. I begged my chief for this assignment just so I could be close to you. I can't believe I spent five weeks convincing my bosses, and for what? To come here and be

but Bailey noticed how her hands

annoyance dissolving

soft. "I'm working

Why did you lie about your parents

give you hope," Aaliyah admitted, finally meeting Bailey's gaze. "I know you're tired

melted softened Bailey's breath

love you. You know

Bailey replied. "I love

turned her

told your chief you

yet. I'll call when we get to

private jet since she was back in California on official duties, but she had managed to convince her chief to let her fly commercial.

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Wed, 21

Chapter 164

mission.

she was just a regular girl being picked up by her

are here," Aaliyah said in a singsong voice, snapping her out of

"Cool."

the car properly. Bailey got

didn't even bother to help with the luggage, it was as if

Aaliyah was treating her like a friend, but Bailey didn't

she wheeled both luggage in, one

the street.

Aaliyah you have

said quickly, without looking

bit her lip, the pain tightening her chest as she

the code.

knew the code

for it in her bag and picked it up.