Page 55 of The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée
And if the video does comes out, well then, it's a real test of how strong the 'relationship' is between me and Jace, isn't it?
Mind made up, I get to my feet.
"You heard me," I say, my voice firm. "No. Do whatever you want, but stay away from me."
"You'll regret it, Sen." Getting to his feet, Tom stomps off toward the staircase and the rooms.
I sit on the couch for a few seconds more, my heart twisting with the knowledge that I'd lost a friend.
One of my closest friends from my childhood days and he's let me down. I can't get my head around it.
Is this what life does to you? Change friends to foes along the way?
Sometimes enemies can surprise you and turn out to be your best friends too.
Will Jace come through for me, if this video ever comes out?
27
Sienna
* * *
After Tom leaves, I walk to the wide French doors of the hotel lobby flung open to the garden.
Spotting me, Natalie waves.
Stepping out onto the wide patio I don't have to wait very long before she bounces up the garden path toward me.
It's difficult to be in anything other than a good mood with a bride who's obviously radiant and so in love and looking forward to being married. None of the nerves or stress or fussing over last minute details or about her dress or her looks.
Stepping onto the patio she asks "Like it?"
I take in the arrangements behind her, "I love it." I say, my voice sincere.
Her eyes dart over my shoulder, "Darren," she exclaims and I stiffen.
"How does it feel to face your last day of freedom?" Darren's talking to Natalie, but I sense his eyes boring into my back.
"It might surprise you, but I actually want to marry my fiancé." She grins at him. "Unlike you, I actually intend to stay married. Once is sufficient for me."
I almost choke, but to my surprise, Darren chuckles, sounding a lot like his son. Darren loves Natalie like a daughter. But not enough to leave her a part of his inheritance.
"Touché, my dear." He holds up both his palms, signaling a truce. "You always put me in my place."
Reaching us, he bends down and kisses her cheek.
So Darren is capable of being affectionate too. Just not with Jace.
Stepping back from Darren, Natalie turns to me, "Now you know where Jace gets his charm from."
Both of them look at me. Natalie's eyes shine with mischief.
Darren's are steelier, almost slate colored with a tinge of green at the edges. So similar to Jace's. Yet different. Where Darren’s are cold, Jace's eyes are more tumultuous, open.
As if Darren's the harsher, cruel side and Jace the more empathetic one.
Not that Jace would appreciate being described that way, but meeting his father brings home how genuine Jace is. Sure, he'd manipulated me, loved to control me, too?but he's been upfront about it all along.
