Page 60 of Baby For My Bossy Fake Fiancé

A big box. And a smaller one.

There was a new vase. Candles that had already burnt out. All poorly placed around the table.

In the centre of the table sat a cake. Plain. Bland.

And right in front of it all was my assistant. Slumped against the table. Wine on her dress.

And the bottle in between loose fists.

Her hair was splayed across the table as her head rested on a spot. Her back was hunched, uncomfortably. And her eyes were shut.

I brought my eyes back to the table. Then to her form again. This time she seemed to stir.

A small yawn fell through her lips and her eyes widened when they fell on mine. She instantly straightened her spine, stumbling messily against the chair as she rose.

“Y- you’re back.” She was hungover. And dizzy.

Everything I felt was slowly coming back. The anger. The pain.

And the pounding.

“What is this?”

She winced, wiping her palms against her dress. “I-it-”

I clenched my jaw as she struggled to find words. I knew what it was. A stupid thought that had metamorphosed into a foolish act.

“It was supposed to be-”

Cutting her off, I turned my back, resuming my journey for pain relief. The anger now brimming explosively in my chest.

“Are you alright?” I had barely taken the second step when her voice reached me. The concern in it hit me.

Concern. I didn’t deserve that.

“Y- you weren’t home yesterday. I just- I want to know that you’re-”

Suddenly the walls of my chest exploded.

“Stop,” I seethed. “I suggest you focus on the reason you are in this house, Miss Walker. You’re here because of the contract and nothing more. Know your place.”

Chapter Fifteen

Renee

The sun shone gently. The air was different. And the gentle waves held my attention.

I stared in awe at the water. It was blue and seemed to hold crystals. I wanted to jump in. To catch what seemed to be glinting at the surface.

Were they actual crystals? Or reflection from the sun? Why was the water so blue and clear? Could I drink it?

Why couldn’t we have a place like this in our yard?

I was six. And it was my first time at the beach.

I had heard of paradise. And the view fitted every definition I’d ever heard.

Beach was what Dad had called it. It was what Mrs Mollins, my first grade teacher, had explained.

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