Page 40 of A Win-Win Situation

Well, that was . . . underwhelming.

For a fleeting moment, I wish that touch, that connection, could have lasted just a tiny bit longer.

"Are we done here?" Lucas's voice cuts through the air, abrupt and impatient. His gaze flickers, almost as if he slipped up, revealing a vulnerability beneath the façade he's been maintaining. In an attempt to regain control, he manages a strained smile, "I promised we'd meet up with my uncle."

When we returnto the hotel, a cluster of four people wielding cameras sprints towards us. My initial response is to shield my face, caught off-guard by the onslaught. Despite the chaos, Lucas stands tall, his grip on my hand tightening, providing a grounding touch.

"How did they find out?" Lucas mutters, more to himself than to me, his brows knitting in genuine confusion.

I had assumed he and his uncle were well-known, but not to this point. Is it because of their wealth? Their business? Or is it simply because Lucas is one of the most sought-after bachelors?

Correction:was. Hewasa bachelor, before me.

The paparazzi are loud, their voices blending into an incomprehensible cacophony. I'm not sure if it's the language or the situation that renders me unable to fully grasp what's happening.

"Monsieur Ayoub."

"Regarde ici!"

"Souriez pour la caméra." The pleas from the paparazzi are almost drowned out by the chaotic noise of shutters and shouts and they move even closer, crowding us against the car. My whole body freezes. It doesn't feel safe. I find myself instinctivelyleaning into Lucas, seeking refuge in his protective presence. To my surprise, Lucas's arms wrap protectively around me, guiding me to stand behind him. The gesture catches me off guard. His large presence is shielding me from them.

"Pardon." One of the paparazzi pushes the others to take a few steps back. "Une photo s'il vous plaît."

Lucas stiffens a bit. He hates this too.

He turns around to face me. "Are you okay?" As I look into his dark eyes, I feel safe, so I nod.

His arms circle behind my back, pulling me back to stand next to him. He smiles, but his eyes betray a hint of discomfort.

"One photo, then my wife and I will need some alone time." Hearing the phrase "my wife"on his lips leaves me feeling a certain way, making me comply immediately, as I attempt to muster a smile for the camera amidst the blinding flashes. He's holding me close to his body, my hand on his chest. We maintain our connection, gazing into each other's eyes. The intensity of the flashes briefly blur my vision, yet, I focus on him, and as quickly as it began, it's over.

Lucas thanks them, his tone polite but with an undertone of reservation, and then we start walking towards the entrance, his grip on my hand remaining reassuring.

"What was that?" I murmur to him, still shocked by the whole scene.

"It doesn’t happen very often, someone must have tipped them off," Lucas replies cryptically, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Who would have tipped them off?

What the hell have I married into? I wonder as we make our way into the hotel.

I’m someone’swife.How the hell did that happen? How did I go from being cheated on to standing here as someone's wife?

Here we are, married and steeped in mutual discomfort. It’s like we both got handed a script for a rom-com, but we can’t decide if we’re the protagonists or the comic relief.

At least I have Antoine on my side. I like him. I think he’ll help us navigate this and help us get along for the year.

We reach the hotel lobby, and Antoine is there to welcome us with his infectious cheer. He bursts into a song that sounds vaguely familiar but I can’t quite place it. His arms are wide open, and I can’t help but smile at his genuine excitement.

"Mabrouk Mabrouk ya hayat albi Mabrouk,"he sings, and I catch snippets of the words, realizing they’re Arabic forcongratulations. His arms engulf me in a warm, fatherly hug. It’s an embrace that feels foreign, yet comforting, and I allow myself to savor the feeling of it.

"I finally have a daughter-in-law," he says as he pulls away. I blink rapidly, straightening my posture and swallowing down the unexpected surge of emotions. I can’t afford to get emotional now. If I do, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.

"Thank you, Antoine," I manage to say, my voice slightly hoarse.

He hugs Lucas as well before turning to both of us, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "I might have done something."

I can practically see Lucas’s patience running thin which I find confusing. How could anyone be upset with this man?

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