Page 62 of Fake Fiancée for Dad's Best Friend
Despite my doubts, I refuse to satisfy her. “Well, I’m old-fashioned. So I still prefer everything written on paper. In my opinion, a certificate is better than silent vows.”
She stomps away, but I don’t feel the satisfaction of victory at all. Once again, the arrogant woman woke me from my delusion. Alex isn’t mine. It isn’t real between us. Even if he feels something for me, it won’t last, especially I’m not even going to stick around in New York. Besides Trisha, there are so many other gorgeous women around him.
My phone dings, announcing a string of messages from Cody. When I open one of them, I see him grinning in front of the Eiffel Tower.
I smile as I go on to read his message.
“Wish you were here. I’m having lots of fun.”
Cody wasn’t happy because I couldn’t go to Paris sooner. I didn’t tell him about my wedding because it was a long story. I only said I had to remain through my internship at Trend.
But from the smile on his face, I believe my worries aren’t necessary after all. He seems to enjoy himself, and he isn’t alone. He’s made many new friends already—just look at the group photos. A girl is even stamping a kiss on his cheek. I laugh. I’m happy for him, but a bit angry at myself. Why can’t I fall for Cody? He’s a perfect boyfriend. A year younger than me, but sweet and kind, not to mention handsome. He might be a flirt from time to time, but that’s hardly a flaw.
He’s a bit spoiled, but you can’t blame him for that because it isn’t his fault to be born into a rich family and then brought up by a single mom who couldn’t do anything less than giving him what he wanted.
The text and the pictures cheer me. I’m leaving for Paris in two days and begin a new chapter in my life. There’ll be new friends and new challenges.
The last group of pictures shows the three-room apartment Cody found near both of our campuses. He asks me to pick one of the three rooms.
I text Cody back, telling him I’ll take the smallest one and tell him I want to pay him the market price for the rent.
“Who are you texting?” Alex’s low rumbling voice coming from behind pulls me out of my daydream.
“Oh,” I look up smiling. “Cody. He found us an apartment.”
His smile fades somewhat. “You’re not going to share it with him, are you?”
“Well,” I hesitate because he doesn’t look happy. “I… am.”
“Is he really just a friend?” Alex’s eyes are dark.
No way. Is he still jealous? “Yeah,” I say timidly, feeling guilty although I’ve done nothing wrong. Alex isn’t really my husband, is he?
Alex keeps piercing me with his intense eyes. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to live in the same apartment with him.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t trust him,” he says. “I’ll find you a different apartment. I’ll pay for the rent.”
My mouth falls. “That’s crazy! You don’t have to…”
“I have to. You are my wife,” he says.
I blink. “But our marriage…” I look around and lower my voice. “Isn’t real.”
“I know that,” he says with a solemn face. “But the public doesn’t know. Everyone, including your dad, thinks it’s real. I’m a high-profile person. So is Cody’s mom. Gossip about the two of you would be juicy, and it’ll make me look bad.”
“I doubt it’ll ever happen,” I say, although he has a point.
He doesn’t give up. “My parents might decide to visit you in France one day, and what if they found out about the truth?”
Oops. I haven’t thought about any of these. “In that case, I’ll tell Cody to find another roommate.”
“Good,” he says. “I’ll take care of the apartment for you.”
“Okay,” I say. “Thanks. But I’ll pay the rent myself.”
“It’ll be deducted from your future salary,” he says with a smirk.
