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 bit

car. Not seeing her get out, he opened the back door for her, "Miss

"I'm not very hungry. Mr. James, why don't you take me back to

get down." Stanford didn't mean to take her back but made it very clear that she should get out of

Stanford walked ahead. He was

Stanford nodded.

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

followed him in with downcast

manager pulled the chair

thanked him, then sat

usual," Stanford said as he

wife and order those same dishes every time because his wife loved them. Now, this

glanced at the manager,

going to have the chef prepare it. You wait a

arrange for the chef to prepare while Amanda took a sip of the plain water on the table and asked, "Mr.

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

it. He didn't know if he liked it or if he was used to

slightly

ex-wife 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 a trance like he was

squeezed his fingers, "You look like

at him and couldn't help but frown.

she had misheard, "I

reach up and touch her face. She was afraid that even

couldn't find when she had

was

not that you look alike, but you make people feel alike." Stanford looked at her and

mind what he meant. Was he

do you mean by

softened at the mention of her. And that softness disappeared again when his gaze fell

corner of her shirt under the table. Too fake?

she'd smiled at him without reservation, all he could think about was how to

ex-wife, unreserved and true to the 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

hate

occurred to Stanford that if she were

have

Hate?

think that word couldn't explain how

could have killed him myself if I could." As

met her eyes and froze