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.

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Chapter 164

she began to feel uncomfortable standing at

"Bai!"

when she stepped out, dressed in a hot black gown, Bailey fought the urge

had seen each other a few weeks ago when

But instead of a hug and a kiss like they always

her arms still in

walking to the car before Bailey could

her raised arms, as the realization hit.

didn't you tell them?" she asked, following

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

the

"But it is. You just

said nothing, she just

push, but she was tired of the secrecy. "It's been a year, Aaliyah. A year of hiding. When I pick you up in Colombia, I kiss you, I don't hide you. When we hang out there, you're free to express your love in

to you. I can't believe I spent five weeks convincing my bosses, and for what?

but Bailey noticed how her

annoyance dissolving

Bai," Aaliyah finally said, her voice soft. "I'm working on something big. I

"You've been saying that for months. Why did you lie about your parents coming to

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

melted softened Bailey's breath

You know

replied. "I

Aaliyah turned her attention back

your chief you landed?"

I'll call when we get

managed to convince her chief to let her fly commercial. She

2/4

Wed, 21 May

Chapter 164

mission.

she was just a regular girl being picked up by her girlfriend and not an undercover

in a singsong voice,

"Cool."

car properly. Bailey got out

with the luggage, it

was treating her like

both luggage in, one of

the street.

Aaliyah you

a friend," Aaliyah said

lip, the pain tightening her chest as she

the code.

clenched her fists. How wonderful. She knew the code to

her thoughts could spiral, her phone rang. She reached for