Page 53 of Forbidden Billionaire Next Door

CHAPTER24

HUDSON

My mother is fussing about and it's driving me a little crazy.

"Everything has to be perfect, Hudson." She keeps saying as she scratches through boxes filled with floral arrangements and elaborate decorations. "Where did they put the rose petals?" She asks as if I would know anything about roses.

"Please, Mom, I need you to focus here. The car I rented is parked around the side of the house. You can go ahead of us and set up everything. I wish you had just let me hire a decorator for this, anyway, you can set it up and then you guys can leave the key there for me."

"Oh, I am focused, honey. Claire, are the fairy lights packed? I want them all across the balcony that overlooks the ocean, the one in the main bedroom."

I roll my eyes. I have asked them to help me set up the house for Gianna and my surprise weekend away, to make it beautiful and special because tonight I want to propose to Gianna. But I am beginning to wonder if maybe I have made a mistake involving everyone in my proposal. I look around the room. Claire and Samantha are in a serious conversation with my mother about who will collect the balloons and where the balloon archway should go. I laugh. Everything is actually perfect.

My house is chaos though. They are sorting and packing decorations, getting them ready to be loaded and taken to the weekend house. It is a beautiful place on the beachfront. I have spent hours choosing the right place and finally settled on this one. Away from any big cities, away from crowds, where Gianna and I can just be together alone.

Taylor and the nanny will stay home, here for the weekend and Samantha, Claire, and my mother will drive through in the next hour to decorate the place before Gianna and I get there.

So far, the plan is going well.

I hear Gianna's car pull into her driveway and I know she will come right over. I shout, "Red alert!" and even though the curtains are all closed Claire almost ducks behind the sofa. I laugh again, "I will distract her. You guys carry on."

I slip out of the door just as she is walking towards it, careful not to open it too wide. I closed it quickly behind me, trying to hide the grin on my face.

She notices the weirdness of my actions and tries to peek into the house. I step in front of her to block the view. "Let's go in, Hudson. I am dying for a glass of wine."

I block her again as she tries to step around me.

"Sorry, we have a --- plumbing issue. Let's go for a walk instead." It's a lie.

"A what?" She looks skeptical.

"Plumbing issue. Water everywhere. The plumbers are busy in there right now. It smells horrible." I keep going with my very bad lie.

She lets me take her hand and lead her away from the house. But her frown lets me know that she is not buying any of it.

"Where is the plumber's van?"

"They ---- uh, the one guy had to run out to the hardware for some pipes or something. I'm not sure. But the other guys are inside." I try and sound convincing.

The entire walk around the estate I stress about making conversation. Talking about the most random shit and hoping with all my heart that I do not slip up and give anything away.

I can see she is uncomfortable. She keeps glancing over at me, unsure of what is happening.

"What is going on, Hudson? Are you ok? Is it really plumbing? Should I be worried?"

"Yes, yes." I brush her comment off. This is not going well.

I need to get out of here before I say something and give everything away.

"Listen I should probably get back and see that they are not breaking anything." I walk her to her door.

"Maybe I can help?" She offers.

"No, don't be ridiculous. Just go home."

"Go home?"

The comment seems to hurt her. I think it has come out wrong.

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