Faux Vows, True Desires

"How far is your place from here?"

"About 500 meters away."

"To the left or the right?"

"Just go straight ahead, I'll let you know when we're there."

With that, Stefan hopped onto his bike, carrying Lucinda as they went.

Upon reaching Lucinda's apartment building, she instructed Stefan, "Just stop here, Stefan. You can leave your bike downstairs. Do you have a lock? Make sure to lock it up so it doesn't get nicked." Stefan obediently locked his bike at the entrance of the building, taking in the sight of the apartment complex as he followed Lucinda.

It was a nine-story building built in the 90s, without an elevator.

Lucinda's place was on the sixth floor.

They chatted and climbed the stairs, surprisingly not feeling tired.

Once they reached the sixth floor, Lucinda led Stefan to the smallest apartment at the end of the corridor. "This is the place I rent, at the very end. After dinner, I'll get a copy of the key made for you." "Okay."

Apartment 608 was Lucinda's small apartment.

After unlocking the door, Lucinda stepped aside to let Stefan in before closing the door.

It was a one-bedroom apartment and to Stefan's eyes, it was even smaller than his study.

The living room had a small table and a few stools, with several boxes in the corner. It was a bit messy.

Lucinda's place was really simplistic!

At least the floor was spotless.

"Stefan, you can sleep in the living room for a few days. Once the money come, I'll get a bed for you."

She would receive her payment on the tenth, while she needed to pay the shop rent on the fifteenth of every month.

The money she earned from her writing would only stay in her bank account for a few days before being transferred to the landlord.

It felt like she was slaving away at her writing just to pay her landlord.

her business was getting

she paid off her debts, things

eyes twinkled as

subtracting the costs and paying my employees, there's nothing left. My living conditions aren't great right now, but don't worry, I won't owe you

would update her novel by 20,000

said the data from her works' trials were

check her

the minimum guaranteed payment, she wouldn't need to update so many chapters every day, and her earnings would increase significantly, and

a while. I have a job and my salary

didn't care about the $500 rent

He was loaded.

fact, he could buy

he'd rather sleeping on

of the stools and said to Lucinda,

"I'll pay

"Alright then, I'll thank you

the apartment

tomorrow, so you'll have

this calmly, as if he was

looked at

we're pretending to be married, we can't let your parents know that. Normal newlyweds are very affectionate, if you keep your distance

Lucinda was speechless.

then, a large hand suddenly

tried to shake it

try to hold your hand and you want to shake it off. How will your mother believe you? If she finds out that you hired me to be your husband,

her mouth to say something,

they were pretending to be a couple, they needed to act like

was

way, it'll be more convincing. Even if your mom has a keen eye, we need to

of sense, leaving the

held tightly by him, and she didn't dare to pull

other for eleven years, Lucinda

hers,

helplessly, "It's getting hotter