Page 159 of My Ruthless Opponent

Mia and Chris take positions in front of us, guiding us for poses but we don’t pay them attention. We laugh and keep talking. Just being ourselves while the camera captures our silly moments.

In the end, Raleigh twirls and dips me for a kiss and we get an excellent shot.

As my photoshoot comes to an end, I can’t help but feel the twinge in my heart. When the photos will be uploaded on the website and social media, people will swoon over the romantic setups of Euphoria. But in reality, all of this is a setup.

The dates weren’t real dates. And this proposal isn’t a real one either. These are just concepts/themes of the photoshoots.

How I wish for it to be real. I sigh as we step out of the hall, I turn and glance at the décor one last time before facing Raleigh.

“Are we taking a small break before moving to your photoshoot?”

Raleigh grins and slowly shakes his head. “We are heading there right now.”

I shrug. I wasn’t tired. We can get to work. “All right. Let’s go.”

“Just a sec.” He pulls out his cell phone and texts someone.

In a minute, Nina comes to us carrying a large box in hand.

He takes it from her and hands it to me.

“What’s this?” It's light, given the size of the box.

“We need to change. This is your outfit. I have mine waiting in the spare room. Let’s meet here in ten.” Raleigh gives me a chaste kiss on the lips before leaving.

Nina ushers me out and guides me to a room.

I close the door behind me and open the box. Inside is a long sleeveless pearl pink sheath dress. My lips spread in a smile.

I quickly put it on. It fits me like a second skin. It has a scoop neckline with a fitted bodice. The dress puts half of my back on display and has a center zipper. The full-length skirt has a side slit.

The box has another small box hidden in the corner. I take it out and open it. It contains beautiful silver tassel chain earrings.

There’s a small note with it.

Saw these earrings while I was out yesterday. I knew they’d look good on you than in the display section.

I am smiling as I remove my studs and wear the dangly shimmery earrings Raleigh gave me.

I kick off my black heels and step into the beige flat strappy sandals from the box.

I never imagined myself melting over Raleigh’s gifts and handwritten notes.

In less than a week, I went from being the infamous Ice Queen to being this soft girl who swoons over her man.

With a bounce in my step, I exit the room and walk toward the same spot I parted from him.

I am just turning the hallway when I spot him.

I stop, my breath catching. Raleigh has changed from the shirt and pants to the outfit only he could slay. He is wearing v neck white t-shirt, dark jeans, and a black leather jacket.

His chains and rings and bracelets are back. It’s like I am meeting the old Raleigh again. Since we arrived here, he was mostly wearing floral shirts and shorts.

My lips curl when I notice his hair. He had his hair slicked back earlier and now it’s back to his sexy messy hairstyle I love.

He is focused on his phone.

When I resume walking again, he looks up. His gaze meets mine, hot and sensual.

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