Page 30 of My Billionaire Casino Boss

Eric is seated when we arrive, scrolling through his phone with a smug smile on his face. “Lily, Thomas,” he greets us, standing up to pull out our chairs. “Glad you could make it.”

I sit down, crossing my arms over my chest. “Cut the crap, Eric,” I say, glaring at him. “You’ve really screwed us over this time.”

Eric has the decency to look slightly guilty. “I know, I know,” he says, holding up his hands in surrender. “But I have a plan.”

Thomas and I exchange a glance. “What kind of plan?” Thomas asks, sounding skeptical.

Eric grins, leaning back in his chair. “An engagement party,” he announces as if it’s the most brilliant idea in the world.

I stare at him, dumbfounded. “An engagement party?” I repeat, my voice rising in disbelief. “Eric, we’re not actually engaged!”

Eric waves his hand dismissively. “Details, details,” he says. “The point is, we need to keep up appearances. And what better way to do that than with a party?”

I’m about to argue, but then a thought occurs to me. “What about Mom and Dad?” I ask, my stomach twisting with anxiety. “What are we supposed to tell them?”

Eric shrugs, looking unconcerned. “Just let them believe it for now,” he suggests. “It’ll keep things simple.”

I gape at him, unable to believe what I’m hearing. “Simple?” I echo, my voice rising in disbelief. “Eric, this is anything but simple!”

Eric leans forward, his expression serious. “Lily, you know as well as I do that your mother loves to gossip,” he says. “If we tell her the truth, it’ll risk blowing up the whole plan.”

I open my mouth to protest, but I can’t find the words. Because as much as I hate to admit it, I know he’s right. My mother is a chatterbox, and she’d never be able to keep a secret this big.

So, with a heavy heart, I nod, agreeing to Eric’s plan. I may still kill him for this, but for now, I’ll have to make it work.

The day of the engagement party arrives faster than I would like. I stand in front of my mirror, dressed in a beautiful, flowing dress that Eric insisted I wear. I look the part of a blushing bride-to-be, but inside, I’m a mess of nerves and uncertainty.

Thomas arrives to pick me up, looking dashing in a tailored suit. He offers me his arm, and I take it, forcing a smile onto my face. We’re playing a part, I remind myself. We just have to get through tonight.

The party is a whirlwind of congratulations and well-wishes. We’re the center of attention, our every move watched by the guests and the media. We play our parts well, laughing and whispering sweet nothings to each other. To anyone watching, we’re the picture of a happy, in-love couple. Beneath the surface, the tension is palpable. Every touch, every look, every word is laced with uncertainty. We’re walking a tightrope, and one wrong move could send us tumbling.

As the night wears on, the act becomes more natural. We fall into a rhythm, our fake affection becoming almost second nature. But the unease never fully disappears. We’re playing with fire, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re about to get burned.

The party finally winds down, and we say our goodbyes. As we drive home, the silence in the car is deafening. The night’s events hang heavy between us, a reminder of the tangled web we’ve woven.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. “Thomas,” I say, my voice shaky. “We need to talk.”

He glances at me, his expression unreadable. “About what?” he asks, although I can tell he already knows.

“About us,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. “About this…this deception. It’s getting out of hand.”

Thomas sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I know,” he admits. “I never meant for things to get this complicated.”

“But they are,” I insist. “We can’t ignore it any longer.”

We argue, our words heated and filled with frustration. We’re both tired, both confused, both unsure of what we’re doing. Yet despite the anger, despite the uncertainty, there’s an undercurrent of something else. Something deeper, something real. We say our goodnights, our words stiff and formal. As I watch Thomas drive away, I wonder, not for the first time, if we’ve made a terrible mistake.

fifteen

Playing the Part - Thomas

Thebacklashatworkis immediate and intense. The media engagement announcement has set the rumor mill into overdrive, and I can feel the stares and hear the whispers as I walk through the casino. I keep my head high, my expression neutral. I’ve always been good at playing the part, and this is no different.

I’ve never cared about what anyone thinks of me, and I’m desperately trying to convince myself that’s still true, but it’s not that simple. It’s not about what they think of justme—Lily is part of this, and she doesn’t deserve to be the subject of rumors and gossip. I feel like a world-class idiot for not considering all of this when we first started this charade.

But inside, I’m a mess. The lines between deception and reality have blurred, and I can’t help but think about Lily. Our night together, the feeling of her in my arms, the taste of her lips. It’s all I can think about, and it’s driving me mad.

The casino is too noisy and bright—I need a break. I need to get away from the constant reminders of the lie we’re living. So, I find myself walking into a local jewelry store, the quiet hum of the air conditioning soothing my rattled nerves. She won’t be surprised by the ring as I had to get her ring size, but I want to surprise her with the beauty of the ring.

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