Convenient Marriage: Mr. Nelson's Love Trap by Hannah Baker

"Miss Flores, what are you doing here?" Stanford thought he was looking at the wrong person.

Amanda clenched her hands, which were hanging at her sides, into fists. She was trying desperately to suppress the emotions tumbling inside her to remain calm.

"I ..." Her voice was a little hoarse, "I got lost."

"I'll give you a ride. Get in the car." He looked at her and said.

Amanda released her clenched fist and smiled, "Then thank you."

Stanford was quiet and didn't say a word.

She pulled open the back door and sat in.

"I don't know if you've got things handled?" She meant something else, "I don't want anything to go wrong while we're working together."

Stanford remained silent as he started the car and drove away.

What happened last night was an accident, but it was deliberately posted online and became a scandal. He had dealt with it.

The incident had upset him, too.

"Miss Flores, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? My treat today." Stanford suddenly spoke up.

Amanda thought for a moment, "How can I refuse since you have been so gracious in inviting me?"

Stanford glanced at her in the rearview mirror. Every time he saw her, she would do something unexpected.

This time was no different.

There seemed to be a certain magic about her that attracted him and always made him want to be near her.

And he didn't like that feeling in his heart.

He didn't like it when a woman made him do things that were out of his control.

The car pulled up and stopped in front of a restaurant.

Amanda got a good look at the restaurant while her heart was in turmoil once again. This was a restaurant she used to love to come to, and she loved to pester Stanford to come with her. It had all the dishes she liked to eat.

Why had he brought her to this restaurant?

What did he know?

was in a bit

get out, he opened the back door for her, "Miss

very hungry. Mr. James, why don't you take me back

get down." Stanford didn't mean to take her back but made it very clear

ahead. He was a regular customer, so as soon as he came in, the manager

Stanford nodded.

and it's quiet." The manager guided Stanford to a window seat in

followed him in

please." The manager pulled the chair for

thanked him,

Stanford said as he

to come with his wife and order those same dishes every time because his wife loved them. Now, this was a strange woman and he was

up and glanced at the manager,

I'm just going to have the chef prepare it. You wait a moment." The manager

prepare while Amanda took a sip of the plain water on the table and

he realized that this was not

didn't know if he liked it or

lowered her eyes slightly while her curled lashes

who likes it." Stanford leaned back and looked at her. The sun was slanting in through the window and enveloping her body in a hazy haze.

fingers, "You look like

couldn't help but frown. What

thought she had misheard, "I

She was afraid that even her parents wouldn't recognize

it, she couldn't find when

face was growing

that you look alike, but you make people feel alike." Stanford looked at her and said, "It's not really the

he testing her, or was he simply guessing

do you mean by that?"

She loves to smile, and when she smiles at me, her arched eyebrows always make me feel warm." His eyes softened at the mention of her. And that softness disappeared again when his gaze fell on Simona,

corner of her shirt under the table.

at him without reservation, all he could think about was how

But my ex-boyfriend cheated on me and left me bruised and battered, so I wouldn't dare smile like that again. I'm afraid of meeting the next scum. Although one's eyes have 5.76 pixels,

you hate your

occurred to Stanford that if she were still alive, what

she have hated

Hate?

just didn't think that word

killed him myself if I could." As she

froze