She Took The House The Car And My Heart

e With Walls, Wheels, and Wounds 141

Chapter 141 Date With Melvin

When Freya finished speaking, Melvin fell silent for a beat, then said, "Give me ten minutes."

Though unsure what he had in mind, Freya agreed with a nod in her voice. "Alright."

The call ended.

Left in the quiet, Freya mulled over how to navigate the situation.

If Kristian had stayed in Jeucwell, she wouldn't have batted an eye at any of this.

But now that he was in Alerith, planting roots and even setting foot in her home earlier today, she couldn't help but consider how best to respond.

She loathed disorder. She cherished her peace and truly had no desire to entangle herself with Kristian any further.

As her thoughts wandered, ten minutes quickly slipped by.

(A message from Melvin came through-an image and a voice note. "Here's the plan I put together. Take a look."

Freya tapped the image open.

The contents left her momentarily stunned.

"We're just pretending... Do we really have to go into such detail?" she replied in a voice message, her tone laced with disbelief.

The image was a screenshot of a document. It laid out, step by step, how Melvin intended to court her-every move choreographed, from the first message to the moment she'd supposedly fall for him. If she didn't know better, she'd have thought it genuine.

"You want me to act like your girlfriend to make Kristian Shaw back off, right?" Melvin stated matter-of-factly. Freya admitted, "Yes." She saw no point in hiding it from her trusted assistant.

"He is pretty shrewd. If we don't follow the plan to the letter, he'll sniff out the truth," Melvin said thoughtfully. "I'll set up a dinner for us tomorrow-and I'll make sure he sees us."

Freya blinked, surprised. He'd see them?

"How exactly do you plan on making that happen?”

"Gerard-Kristian's assistant-is a friend of mine," Melvin explained, his voice steady. "If Gerard knows, then so will Kristian."

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Melvin had Gerard all figured out. He was ready to play every card in his hand.

Freya paused, marveling at how small the world could feel at times.

After hanging up, she glanced through the plan once more,

A thought struck her-wasn't it a bit of a waste having Melvin work as her assistant? With such a mind, he ought to be running his own company.

he ended the

to be airtight. One crack,

Choked on his own disbelief. "Are you

for the ruse. "I've had a crush on her for a long time, but back when she was married, I never dared speak

pulse quickened. "And

Melvin

Gerard's mind leapt-he

be sure, he asked, "What was your relationship like

narrative. He had intended to say she was his boss, but remembering that his

he still held a position at Briggs Group. So

the conversation,

the better of him. "I'll prep some

be great," Melvin agreed without skipping a

friend, Gerard even requested a day

following afternoon, once work wrapped up, Freya followed the script

at the restaurant he had reserved, and he guided

bathed in a soft

charm and warmth, enough to

the table and

Freya looked up, startled.

he coming?" she

bring flowers," Melvin replied

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141 Date With

Gerard walked in with

he could only see

could've easily been delivered ahead of time, Gerard delayed just enough to catch a glimpse of the woman who had supposedly

elegant business attire across from Melvin and couldn't help but smirk. So Melvin had a thing for successful

new. Gerard hadn't seen

approached with the bouquet, offering

"Mr. Melvin Swain, here are your...

tongue finishing that last

he saw

like that, Gerard froze-mind gone

almost let out a

Freya! How on earth could it

Gerard's thoughts scattered like dry leaves in

surprise, though her tone was

me to dinner. Do

stood there in stunned

called Melvin by his nickname? She hadn't even called Kristian that way

were kids," Gerard replied, his thoughts in chaos, desperately trying to

simply nodded.