Chapter 11
Zander
I admire punctuality. It says something about a lack of respect when a person is late. I half expected Arianna to be late for Marcus, my driver.
The cufflinks clink as I pick them up off the dresser and slip them into place, locking them and pulling down my sleeves slightly. I straighten my tie as I stare at myself in the mirror. I’ve always felt comfortable in a tux, but not today. Everything feels tight and suffocating.
I haven’t given her a single reason to respect me, but she at least respects the contract.
It’s obvious she doesn’t want to do this, but I’ll give her enough to desire at least a business relationship with me.
Tonight will be dinner, an interview in a way. That’s all a dinner really is, just an interview.
I check my phone on the dresser, the dim light brightening the dark bedroom and see that the photographers will be there to catch a candid shot. I’ll pretend I don’t see them, just like I always do. I huff a humorless laugh at the ideal headlines PR is looking for.
Eligible Bachelor Falling Head Over Heels.
Love at First Sight for the Family Heir.
I can woo her. I’ll get the photographs I need to create the image I want. I don’t know how much I’d like to tell Arianna. My gut tells me to be truthful, to have her in on the charade. But the very thought of trusting her makes me panic.
I trust no one. But I can give her enough to go on.
The only loose end is Daniel Brooks.
My phone pings just as I set it back on the dresser. Charles.
I read the text silently and then pull back, running my fingers through my hair and slicking it back some before ruffling it in a way that looks careless. I take my time with it, making sure it looks just right.
Charles will take care of Brooks. I only need him to keep an eye on things for now. To make sure he stays in place until I figure out how to handle this.
Ideally, I can convince Arianna to keep the money for herself. The thought of Brooks’ face when he finds out… how his expression will fall, that cocky glint in his eye will vanish.
But first, the interview. I need to know who she is and what she really wants. A background check can only tell you so much about a person, even one as in depth as what I received. Don’t disappoint me, Miss Owens.
“She won’t,” the words slip past my lips as I shrug on my jacket. They hang in the air of my dark bedroom, holding a threat. I better be right about her.
My phone pings again, causing a spike of annoyance to run through me and this time it’s Marcus, right on time with Arianna in tow.
I quickly make my way to the front doors, my strides so fast that I create a breeze as I climb down the stairs.
I breathe out a heavy exhale as I unlock the door, swinging it open and preparing for another evening of playing the role I was born into.
The moment I lay eyes on Arianna, the negative air that practically smothers me day in and day out, dissipates into the chill of early spring. Marcus is holding the door open for her, one of her small hands in his as her slender legs step out of the car one at a time, her heels clicking on the driveway. It’s something about her expression that catches me off guard. Maybe it's the subtle way she brushes her gown and tucks a strand of her hair back as she stands tall as she takes in a deep breath.
She’s as stunning as ever. I don’t know what it is about her. She’s not overly sexual, and there’s not a single thing I can pinpoint that makes her exceptional. But every time I see her, my world pauses for only a moment. A single point in time where everything stands still, the air in my lungs halting and my heart slowing. There’s a quality of innocence and sadness about her that makes me crave something I’ve never felt before.
I wish I could ignore it.
Her eyes widen when she sees me standing in the doorway staring back at her, and the smile I loathe creeps up and into place, but this time it feels different.
It’s an odd thing that I’ve noticed. Everyone looks at me the same. Their eyes travel up and down my clothing, taking in the details. Businessmen before a board meeting, lower-level thugs at the corner of the street with information, even the vixens that wait late at night at the bars or casinos, hoping to sink their bright red nails into me for a piece of the money. They all look at me the same. Judging, assessing. I can practically see the wheels turning. Some are faster than others, but all of them have telltale signs of what they think.
Arianna is different. The expression on her face tells me she wants me, not my money. The lust turns her eyes glassy and makes her breathing come in short as her eyes linger down my body. But rather traveling back up to meet my gaze, she turns slightly away as the door closes and she thanks Marcus, her soft voice carried away by the gentle gust of the wind. It makes her hair blow, exposing more of her bare shoulder and her skirt clings to her right side.
When she looks back up, she doesn’t meet my gaze.
“Miss Owens,” I say loud enough for her to hear as I walk down the three steps to greet her. I make sure the charming smile is on my face as I wrap my arm around her small waist and plant a chaste kiss on her cheek. Surprise lights her eyes up and she doesn’t respond for a moment. I don’t know what she expected, but I’ll surpass anything she’s ever experienced. I’ll make her want me. Want this. She’ll play the part so well, because I’ll make her believe it.
“Mr. Payne,” her voice says my name in a sensual way that’s seemingly unintentional.
“Just a moment, Marcus,” I tell my driver as he stands by the car. Marcus nods once. He’s an older man maybe in his sixties, but lean and cut from constantly working out. He takes pride in himself and what he does. He’s always worked for me, ever since I was sixteen or so. I didn’t trust him for years though. After all, it was my father who hired him. But on several occasions, he’s proven his loyalty to me and that he can keep secrets.
Still, I’d rather him not hear what I have to tell Arianna. He may be trustworthy, but that doesn’t mean I have to take an unnecessary risk. I haven’t even confided in Charles. The less people who know, the better.
I lean in a bit closer to Arianna, whispering in her ear as I splay my hand along her lower back and lead her into the house. “We need to leave for dinner shortly, but I wanted a private word inside.”
“Yes, Si- Zander,” Arianna’s posture stiffens at her mistake, and I almost regret my plan… almost.
The moment we’re inside, I shut the door and turn to her, slipping my hands into my pockets.
“I’d like you to be my girlfriend,” I tell her simply.
She turns on her heels to face me, a look of not understanding on her face. “I’m sorry?” she asks.
I let out a charming chuckle, and walk the few steps to be closer to her. The house is so much warmer than outside, so much more welcoming.
“You heard me,” I say and take her hand in both of mine. “I’d like you to be my girlfriend in place of what’s written in the contract.”
A knowing look flashes in her eyes and those beautiful lips part as understanding shows in her expression. Again, she doesn’t respond like I thought she would. “A fake girlfriend?” she asks softly.
I pull away slightly and shrug as I reply, “I’ve never had one, so I’m not sure if it’d be all that fake.” My words are casual, but calculated. I want her to believe in it. Of course it’s fake. Yet another mask to hide behind.