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?

in a

the car. Not seeing her get

James, why don't you take me back to

already here, Miss Flores, you'd better get down." Stanford didn't mean to take her back but made it very clear that she should

lip and bent over to get out of the car while Stanford walked ahead. He was a regular customer, so as soon as he came in, the manager came

Stanford nodded.

here and it's quiet." The manager guided

in

manager pulled the chair for

him, then

usual," Stanford said as he

to come with his wife and order those same dishes every time because his wife loved them. Now,

up and glanced at the manager,

it. You wait

of the

However, it was only after he had finished that he realized that this was not the restaurant he liked, but

here so much that he'd gotten used to it. He 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. He was in

his fingers, "You look like

looked up at him and couldn't help but frown. What had

had misheard, "I look like

couldn't help but reach up and touch her face. She was afraid that even her parents wouldn't recognize her, yet he sensed

couldn't find

face was growing

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

couldn't decide in her mind what he meant. Was he testing

mean

eyes softened at the mention of her. And that softness disappeared again when his gaze fell on Simona, "You're more sombre and completely

of her shirt under the table. Too fake?

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

person I liked. 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, they can't see through the human heart." She looked down and let

hate your

occurred to Stanford that if she were still

have hated

Hate?

didn't think that word couldn't explain how

if I could." As she spoke, she stared into

eyes and froze