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

bring Stefan

"Of course!"

Fiona hung

a sigh of relief and cheekily stuck

she could feel her mom's suppressed

afraid her mom might explode in

my mom wants us 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 mom will give me

but when she did something wrong, her mom

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

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

buses now. I'll call a

said and picked up his phone from the table, sending a message to his chauffeur to bring a cheaper car and wait at the entrance of the Anderson

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

I'll pay for the

was rented by her, and only charged her $500 a month. Given his status, this price was

Lucinda knew this.

willing to be rented by her mainly because her

couldn't let him bear the cost of the gifts

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

Stefan was doing too well, she was afraid she

back when you have

requests and

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

were too pricey, he worried Lucinda's mother would

the gifts were too cheap, he feared

receiving Stefan's message, Emma immediately

Emma

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