Chapter 016
Alina blinked rapidly, staring at him like he’d just spoken a foreign language.
“What…?”
“For my grandmother’s sake,” Aiden cut in, his eyes locked on hers. “Can you do that… please?”
Alina’s brows furrowed slightly. Was this really happening?
The billionaire everyone said was cold and unapproachable… was actually begging her? Had Aiden just said ‘please’?
He stood still and composed, but his voice had been just a little too earnest to ignore.
She tilted her head, replaying their time together during the week-long deal. He had treated her well. And now here he was, asking her to keep pretending, to stay his girlfriend until… whenever.
Well…” she thought, glancing at him sideways. “He doesn’t like women, right? So It’s not like he’ll suddenly fall for me or
anything…”
Her shoulders relaxed slightly at the thought.
“Maybe I can manage until we convince his Grandmother,” she reasoned, clearing her throat.
“I’ll think about it,” she murmured.
Aiden didn’t say a word. He simply took her phone from her hand and entered his number.
“What are you doing?”
“Jesse shouldn’t be the one making the calls,” he said flatly, handing the phone back. “Text or call when I’m needed. Until I completely convince my grandmother… you’re my responsibility.”
Her heart skipped.
The words were simple, not even romantic…but somehow, they made her feel seen.
Alina quickly grabbed the phone from his hand, her cheeks warm as she turned and started to leave.
“That’s the wrong direction.”
She froze mid-step, then bit her lower lip in embarrassment.
Slowly, she turned back, pressing her lips into a tight line. “Oh. Right,” she mumbled, annoyed at herself.
Redirecting her steps, she made her way toward his car instead. Aiden followed without a word, slipping into the seat beside her just as she cleared her throat awkwardly.
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When Alina finally got home, she turned back and waved Aiden a quick goodnight. He gave her a short nod before the car pulled away into the night.
She stood still for a moment, letting out a quiet breath, before turning toward the front door tiredly.
As soon as she stepped inside, she found Lorraine sitting on the couch clearly waiting.
“Well, well,” Lorraine said, standing with a smirk. “Look who left the house in one outfit and came back in something entirely different. How cute. They’re already treating you like family.”
Alina didn’t laugh. She walked in, took off her shoes, and sank into the couch as Lorraine sat beside her.
“Jennifer spilled wine on me,” Alina muttered, rubbing her neck. “Aiden’s sister helped me change. That’s it.”
Lorraine raised her eyebrows. “So, they like you?”
Alina gave her a flat, exhausted look. “Who wouldn’t?”
“Your stepfamily,” Lorraine teased.
Alina let out a tired laugh. “Touché.”
Lorraine laughed too, then leaned in, more curious. “So, how did it go?”
Alina leaned back and stared at the ceiling for a second before answering. “I’ve decided I’ll keep up the fake relationship… at least
a little longer. Just until he sorts things out with his grandmother. I don’t really have a choice.”
Lorraine’s eyes lit up. She practically jumped where she sat. “That’s good news!”
Alina turned to her with a flat expression. “Why are you so excited?”
Lorraine blinked. “I mean… if you’re pretending longer, maybe something real could come out of it?”
Alina let out a slow breath and motioned for Lorraine to come closer.
Lorraine leaned in.
“There’s a reason I agreed to this whole thing,” Alina whispered. “Aiden doesn’t like women.”
Lorraine’s smile faded. “Come on. Why would you think that?”
“Think about it,” Alina said, sitting upright. “He’s rich, insanely well-known. But no scandals, no exes, no random tabloid
sightings with women, nothing. He’s never seen with them because he’s not into them. He swings the other way”
Lorraine raised an eyebrow. “That’s a pretty big assumption.”
Alina shook her head. “Remember that rumor you mentioned a while back? About him possibly being gay? His grandmother brought it up today.”
“Did he confirm it?”
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Alina gave a faint, wry smile. “Do you really think someone like him would admit it? Come on, Lorraine. He doesn’t owe a ‘coming out’ moment to anyone.”
Lorraine stayed quiet, observing her friend.
“So…” she said eventually. “No chance of you two falling in love?”
“Not even a little,” Alina said, standing up. “So stop getting ideas.”
She didn’t wait for a reply. Her feet carried her slowly down the hallway toward her room. “I’m tired. Goodnight,” she said as she
closed the door behind her.
Lorraine stared at the hallway, still unsure what to think.
****
Jennifer was tossing things around her room; pillows off the bed, clothes from her wardrobe,books hitting the floor one after the
other. Her eyes were red, her breathing shaky, but she didn’t stop. Not until she heard the door creak open behind her.
“Jennifer.”
She froze. That voice, calm, firm, and quietly scary…. Could only be one person.
She turned around slowly. “Mom,” she said in a cracked whisper before rushing into her mother’s arms like a child. Her tears
soaked the woman’s blouse within seconds.
Her mother didn’t return the hug for long. Instead, she held her gently for a moment and then stepped back, taking a good look at
her daughter’s face before leading her to sit down on the bed.
“I came back an hour ago,” her mother said as she sat beside her. “I called you. You didn’t answer. I called your sister too. That
one’s just as useless. Now tell me…what happened?”
Jennifer sniffled, wiped her face, and tried to speak. But her voice wobbled. “Alina,” she finally managed. “She stole Aiden
Blackwood from me.”
Her mother frowned, confused. “I thought you were with Kelvin. Since when were you and Aiden together?”
Jennifer looked down at her hands. “We weren’t. But… why can’t I have him? Alina’s with him now. They looked so happy today.
Everyone was watching them, talking like they’re this perfect couple. What if they actually get married?”
She sniffled again, frustration building in her chest. “I don’t want that, Mom. I want him.”
Her mother sat there silently for a moment, then took a slow breath. Her voice was low but firm. “Then she’ll give him to you.”
Jennifer blinked back her tears, lifting her gaze to her mother.
“If that’s what you want,” her mother continued, “then that’s what she’ll do. That girl owes us everything. Every single bite of food, every year she’s lived under this roof. She’s paying a debt, honey. And if giving up a boy is part of that payment, then so be
it.”
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Jennifer said nothing. She just leaned forward again and hugged her mother tightly. Her heart wasn’t as heavy anymore.
Because Alina feared her mother.
And when her mother wanted something to end… it always did.
And this time, she wanted Aiden Blackwood.
So she was going to get him.
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