Faux Vows, True Desires

"Lucinda, just order whatever you want," Stefan whispered in her ear, leaning in close. "Don't worry, I can cover the bill." He even gave a playful puff of breath. Lucinda instinctively edged away, looking at him. He seemed serious, so she didn't realize he was flirting with her.

"Stefan, I can't decide what to eat. You pick," Lucinda handed the menu to Stefan.

Stefan knew she was intimidated by the prices, so he dropped the gentleman act and ordered a few signature dishes from the Anderson Hotel.

Lucinda was the future lady of the Anderson Hotel, so naturally, she should sample their star dishes.

Suddenly, Lucinda's phone rang.

Pulling it out of her pocket, she saw the caller ID and couldn't help but gripe to her husband, "It's my mom again. She's definitely reminding me about the blind date tomorrow. I've been on blind dates every day I've practically met all the young guys around here! My mom won't give me a break!"

Despite her grumbling, Lucinda picked up the call.

"Mom," Lucinda sweetly said before her mom could even speak, "I'll definitely come home tomorrow, you don't need to remind me."

"Well, at least you know your own situation."

"But mom, could you tell the matchmaker to call off the date tomorrow? I don't want to go on a date with him!"

After hearing her daughter out, Fiona asked directly, "Lucinda, your brother is back. He says you're already married. Is that true? To that young man who's your brother's classmate, Stefan?" Lucinda was unsurprised by her brother spilling the beans early to their parents.

Earlier today, she was still on a blind date, and now she's suddenly saying she's married. Such shocking news, of course her brother would tell their parents.

"Yeah," Lucinda admitted honestly.

She thought to herself: If it wasn't for my mom setting up dozens of blind dates for me each month, driving me mad, I wouldn't have paid Stefan to pretend to be my husband. "What are you doing now?"

"About to have dinner."

"In a restaurant or at home?"

"Stefan's treating me to dinner. We're at the hotel."

commanded, "Come home

I bring Stefan

"Of course!"

that, Fiona hung

sigh of relief

over the phone, she could feel

her mom might explode

married. We might be interrogated tonight. You need to stick to the story and not

wrong, her

home tonight or tomorrow, it's inevitable. Don't worry,

a few things, and only when he agreed did she

now. I'll

to his chauffeur to bring a cheaper car and wait at the entrance of the

friend now to

I'll pay

only charged her $500 a

Lucinda knew this.

be rented by her mainly

all the help he had given her, she couldn't let him bear the cost of

her deeply for a moment. When she looked puzzled, he laughed, a comforting laughter. Lucinda thought to herself: A one-year contract might be too long. Perhaps it should be shortened to three

well, she was afraid she might fall in love with

can pay me back when

to follow his requests

to prepare the gifts for the parents as soon

were too pricey, he worried Lucinda's mother would return

gifts were too cheap, he feared Lucinda's mother

receiving Stefan's message, Emma immediately drove to prepare

housekeeper, Emma

and Lucinda finished dinner and exited the hotel, Emma was already waiting