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 of a

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

Mr. James, why

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

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

Stanford nodded.

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

him in with downcast

please." The manager pulled the

thanked him,

usual," Stanford said

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

and glanced

the chef prepare it. You wait a

the chef to prepare while Amanda took a sip of the plain water on the table and asked, "Mr. James, do you like

he had finished that he realized that this was

so much that he'd gotten used to it. He didn't know if he liked it or if he was used to it, but

her eyes slightly while her curled lashes

Stanford leaned back and looked at her. The sun was slanting in through the window

fingers,

and couldn't help but frown. What had he

had misheard, "I look like

face. She was afraid that even her parents

it, she couldn't find when

was growing

look alike, but you make people feel alike."

in her mind what he meant. Was he testing her, or was

you mean

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, "You're more sombre and completely different from her. You do

clutched at the corner of her shirt under the table.

he could think

have once been like your 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

hate your

suddenly occurred to Stanford that if she were still alive, what would

have hated

Hate?

think that word couldn't explain

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

her eyes and froze