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

I bring

"Of course!"

Fiona

relief and cheekily stuck out

the phone, she could feel her

her mom might

to come home after dinner. My brother is back and told my parents about us getting married. We might be interrogated tonight. You need to stick to the story and not spill the beans, otherwise, my

she did something wrong, her mom would unleash her

home tonight or tomorrow, it's inevitable. Don't worry, I'll keep the secret. Won't spill the beans that

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

probably no buses now. I'll call

the table, sending a message to his chauffeur to bring a cheaper car and wait at the entrance of

message my friend now to buy some gifts. Once we finish dinner, we can just grab the stuff and go." This way, they wouldn't

"Stefan, I'll pay

rented by her, and only charged her $500 a month. Given his

Lucinda knew this.

her mainly because her brother and him

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

he laughed, a comforting laughter. Lucinda thought to herself: A one-year contract might

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

when you have the money," he messaged

Emma to follow his requests and

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

he

the gifts were too cheap, he feared Lucinda's

Emma immediately drove to

Stefan's housekeeper, Emma was incredibly

exited the hotel, Emma was already