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."

for a moment, then commanded, "Come home as soon

I bring

"Of course!"

that, Fiona hung

of relief

over the phone, she could

afraid her

told my parents about us getting married. We might be interrogated tonight. You

did something wrong, her mom would unleash her argumentative side and

inevitable. Don't worry, I'll keep the

him of a few things, and only when he agreed did she feel

now. I'll call

and picked up his phone from the table, sending a message to his chauffeur to

going to meet your parents, and I can't come empty-handed. I'll message my friend now to buy some gifts. Once we finish

I'll pay for the

only charged her $500 a month. Given his

Lucinda knew this.

her mainly because

couldn't let him bear the

deeply for a moment. When she looked puzzled, he laughed, a comforting laughter. Lucinda thought to herself:

Stefan was doing too well, she was afraid she might fall in love with him after

when you have the

Emma to follow his requests and no

an hour, so he asked Emma to prepare the gifts for the parents as

too pricey, he worried Lucinda's

gifts were too cheap, he feared Lucinda's mother would

immediately drove to prepare the

Emma was

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