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."

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

bring

"Of course!"

Fiona

a sigh of relief and cheekily stuck

could feel

afraid her mom might explode

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

but when she did something wrong, her mom would unleash her

and said, "Whether we go home tonight or tomorrow, it's inevitable. Don't worry, I'll keep

only when he

buses now. I'll call

phone from the table, sending a message to his

I can't come empty-handed. I'll message my friend now to buy some gifts. Once we finish dinner, we can just grab

said, "Stefan, I'll pay

$500 a month. Given his status, this

Lucinda knew this.

willing to be rented by her mainly because her brother and him were college

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

comforting laughter. Lucinda thought to herself: A one-year

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

you can pay me back when you have

to follow his requests and no need to

meet Lucinda's parents in an hour, so he asked Emma to prepare the gifts for

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

cheap, he feared Lucinda's mother

Stefan's message, Emma immediately drove to prepare the

housekeeper, Emma

Lucinda finished dinner and exited