The Pretend Bride's Unexpected Path To True Love

As we settled into the car waiting for us on the runway, Albert turned toward me with a thoughtful look.

"Thalia, can you tell me your real name?"

"This is my real name. Liza should have sent all my documents to you, along with the test results..."

"Yes, she sent them, but they went to my secretary. Do the tests always get sent to the clients?"

"It's part of Liza's requirements. She insists all long-term clients see proof that we're healthy. And that we're using some kind of contraception. Just in case..."

"I get it. In case they want to have sex without a condom. It's required of the client as well, you know. I suppose Liza showed you my results."

He kept his voice calm, his eyes on me. The conversation made me nervous just by the way he talked so casually about sex.

"Actually, she sent them to my email. I didn't bother to check your results, since she said you weren't interested in sex..."

"And I don't want to have sex with you."

His words came out cold, and there was just a trace of wounded pride that left my cheeks burning, but this time it was from anger.

"I don't want to have sex with you either."

"Great, we understand each other," he said, showing no hint of emotion.

Just then, his phone rang, breaking the tension that had settled between us. I tried to ignore his conversation, drawing in a deep breath and turning my attention to the Portofino scenery outside the window.

My own phone started to ring again and again, refusing to be ignored. I tried to silence it, but for some reason, I couldn't end the call. I glanced at Albert, and he shot me a look that made his disapproval clear. Finally, after a struggle, I managed to hang up.

He kept speaking for another few moments before ending his call. Then he reached for a large box sitting between us and handed it to me.

"This is for you. And your phone should stay on silent from now on. Only answer if it's truly urgent. I'd prefer you not take calls from your clients when you're with me."

My hands trembled as I lifted the lid, bitterness rising in my throat. I'd endured worse humiliations since starting this line of work, but something about him made every judgment, every unspoken accusation, sting much more deeply.

What was going on with me? How did he manage to leave me so off balance, so quickly? After only a few hours, he was already getting under my skin in ways nobody else had managed.

I stared at the expensive phone nestled inside the box. I figured I'd have to give it back once our arrangement ended. But he seemed to know what I was thinking.

"Consider it a gift from me for agreeing to this contract."

"Sorry, Albert, I can't accept this."

"I don't like being contradicted, Thalia. Besides, we're not breaking any rules we set. And as my fiancee, you can't walk around in front of my investors or clients with just any cheap phone."

I took a deep breath and tried to settle my nerves. A week by his side would surely drive me mad. It felt almost certain.

"All right. Thank you, Albert."

He answered with a confident smile.

After I finished moving my data to the new phone, the car stopped in front of The Belmond hotel. Before I had a chance to gather my things and step out, he had already left the car and was holding the door open for me.

He reached out, took my hand, and led me through the hotel entrance. The staff welcomed us and guided us to the Dolce Vita Suite.

I tried to focus on my surroundings, soaking in the old-world luxury of the five-star hotel, but the feel of Albert's warm hand on mine made my skin prickle. While he spoke with the receptionist, I caught him watching me, his gaze lingering in a way that left me flustered. When we were finally alone in the suite, I realized how out of place I felt, almost lost. My eyes landed on the king-size bed draped in crisp white.

"Do you like our bed?"

His nearness made me take an instinctive step back. He just smiled, eyes narrowing as he watched me.

"I... I thought there would be two beds. The suite is huge, there are other rooms, but I didn't see another bed."

He moved toward me, slow and steady. This time, I stood my ground and kept my eyes on his.

"We're engaged, remember? We can't sleep apart, even if it's just us in here. People would find out pretty quickly if you slept somewhere else."

"Well, I noticed there's a large sofa in the room next door. I could always sleep there."

"I told you before, we wouldn't do anything more than kiss, and only when we're in public."

Of course, the contract spelled that out. I was expected to be affectionate with him in public and accept his gestures. I already worried about how convincing I could be. Every line of that contract replayed in my head.

My heart pounded as he came even closer. He reached up and smoothed his hand along my face, his gaze drifting down to my lips.

"We should try it now. We have to make it believable."

He stepped closer, and I found myself caught in his gaze. His lips brushed lightly over my cheek before he leaned back, smiling.

"Breathe, Thalia. You almost had me believing you were desperate for a kiss from me."

"Provocative jerk!" I pondered, pressing my nails into my palm as I tried to keep my composure.

"We have to be convincing, remember? Those were your words."

His grin grew even wider.

"I like that!"

"Well, if you don't mind, I'll start arranging my things in the closet."

"I have a better idea. I'll call reception and have someone organize everything for us. We only need to put the suitcases on the side of the closet we want. Now, let's head down to the hotel restaurant. I want to spend some time with you—and, of course, show off my lovely fiancee."

"Alright, you're the boss."

His eyes narrowed, and a sly smile crossed his lips.

"Dangerous words, those. Anyway, we'll both shower and be ready to go in thirty minutes, okay?"

"That works for me. I'll gather my things now while you use the bathroom."

"Perfect. And Thalia, I want you to eat and drink whatever you want, whenever you want. If you don't see what you want in the minibar or the small kitchen, just call reception and order anything that makes you happy. Don't wait for me to order for you. If you want something, just ask for it. You're my fiancee, so remember that. I want you comfortable and satisfied. Do you understand?"

He seemed determined to keep pushing my buttons, but I decided I wouldn't rise to the bait.

"Yes, thank you."

He smiled again and carried his bag into the spacious bathroom. Once he closed the door behind him, I headed out onto the terrace, needing a breath of fresh air.