Faux Vows, True Desires

"You're Ruby's childhood friend. Even though I can't stand her drama, I have to admit you're totally smitten with her. No way in hell would I be dumb enough to marry a guy who's already got another woman in his heart."

Owen rolled his eyes, "Alright, I can live with that."

He'd been burned pretty badly by Ruby; he even thought about throwing in the towel a couple times. But every time Ruby played cute, trying to sweet-talk him, he just couldn't let go.

Now that Stefan had Lucinda, Ruby should get the message and move on. He still might stand a chance.

"I'll go make you a cup of coffee." Cecilia headed straight inside, and Owen acknowledged her with a nod.

Waiting was a real bore, so he got up and took a stroll around the shop. Even though Ruby had done a number on the place, after tidying up, you could still see its original charm. The interior was tastefully decorated and cozy. It was a nice place to grab a coffee, have some dessert, and shoot the breeze with friends.

"Cecilia, who did the interior design for your shop?"

"Lucy and I. We were on top of the workers every day, making sure everything was just as we designed it. Pretty good, right?"

"Who did the design?"

"Lucy. She studied design. She's just a free spirit who didn't want to be tied down in a corporate job. I wanted to open a shop, so I asked her to join me. We opened this coffee shop together." Business wasn't great at first, but now it was picking up.

Owen acknowledged her with a nod.

He'd seen Lucinda's profile. The woman had indeed studied design but chose not to pursue it due to her love for freedom. Had the design world lost a talent?

Now that she was part of the Anderson family and Stefan doted on her day and night, she was even less likely to go back to a corporate job.

"Do you want sugar in your coffee?"

Owen thought for a moment, "Just a bit."

Cecilia added a little sugar for him.

with his coffee and handed

her eyes were particularly bright. She was beautiful,

always serve your

to where he

both sat down, and Cecilia watched

saying, "If you keep staring at me like this, I'll think you've fallen for me. Handsome guys like me tend to

falling for you at first sight, I won't be joining

enjoy your coffee. I'll go back to my

book that's

be interested. But stories of your love affairs always seem to be a hit. No matter what's trending online, the bigwigs'

said nonchalantly, "How many young, successful CEOs do you think actually cross paths with the female lead? Guys like Stefan and I inherited our businesses; we're not entrepreneurs. Generally speaking, men who have achieved the

smirked, "Do I need to make a living writing novels? I'm more likely to be

I have Lucy write you into her novel as a

Lucinda to write me into her novel. She's Stefan's wife, and who knows if she'll make me out to be ugly, fat, lecherous, and cunning. The author holds the life and death

"Have you ever read a

I was younger, I read a few to impress a girl

effort for Ms. Scott." Cecilia's tone was a bit

on the sarcasm, but he didn't feel like arguing with Cecilia at the moment. He pretended not to notice and continued sipping his coffee that Cecilia had made for him, "If I love her, I love her deeply. If I don't, then

Ruby, he would let go

respond, unsure of what to say

time they meet, and neither of them was ever willing to

for them to have a peaceful chat

didn't want to upset him, especially since he'd done her

Martinez

while, the butler came out of the house and brought him a glass of water. "Sit with

"What would you like to talk

lied to someone and got caught, and then they got

enjoy chatting with them and

were his peers, they had