Facade of Love

Chapter 312 Illusion

Being too close made me feel awkward, so I took a step back and pulled myself together enough to mumble, ‘thanks‘.

I reached up to swipe at my face once more. He let out a gentle laugh, his gaze sincere and open. “No worries, I’ve got the picture. You should head home. It’s getting late.”

He gave a laid–back wave, signaling the driver, and off they went.

I was totally baffled by his reaction, and for a second, I was convinced I had something smeared on my cheek. I touched my face without thinking and started walking toward the yard. I had not made it very far when something made me freeze in my tracks.

The dim light of a streetlamp cast a soft glow over the yard, where a man’s figure lingered next to a shiny black Bugatti. Squinting a little, I could make out the frustration and confusion that seemed to be playing across his face. Our gazes met, and for a heartbeat, I felt like I had been busted, like I was the star of some gossip–worthy–drama. That weird guilty buzz faded fast, however. After all, Idris and I had signed the papers, so we were nothing more than two strangers now. Swallowing the mess of feelings inside, I squared my shoulders and asked him, a bit unsure, “Did you want to talk about something?”

The guy took what felt like forever to finally say something, his voice all rough and low, “Are you two… together now?”

Us?

Suddenly, it clicked that he was talking about Charlie and me. I could not help but frown, and I almost started to set the record straight, but then I thought, why bother? I switched it up, “Do you need something?”

just clamped his mouth shut, going back

not add anything else, I spun on my heel to leave. Far had I not made it when he snagged my wrist,

was

swallow me whole.

My head was spinning, my thoughts wiped clean, and for a second, it was like I

and pushed him off with all

and my hand flew out, striking his face. I was seething, my

him a glare that could melt steel, my heart

ran his tongue over the sting and met my gaze, his eyes

a word.

we were, a pair of statues, each marinating in a cocktail

the silence. My voice came out gravelly. “Idris, I really don’t want this to

before

leaving my arms buzzing and my

heart had already done a somersault for him. My feelings for him could not

tightness squeezing my chest, inhaled a shaky breath, and managed to say, “I don’t just give away