THE BILLIONAIRE'S PROXY WIFE

Chapter 7 - Rain

What the heck was that?

I completely forgot how to breathe.

His fingers brushed lightly against my hair as he tucked the blue hydrangea behind my ear. The gesture was gentle that it caught me off guard.

"There," he said with a satisfied smile. "Looks better."

I quickly stepped away from him. Maybe it was because I wasn't used to having someone this close. Or maybe I was simply distracted by him. My heart thumped so fast that I was sure he could hear it.

"W-Who told you that you could touch me?!"

He smirked and shrugged.

"I don't remember asking for permission."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"You really have no manners!"

His lips rose.

"I've been told that before, princess."

My brows furrowed.

"Many times, I assume."

He chuckled. "I suppose."

"You really think this marriage is going to work?"

The question slipped out before I could stop myself.

He tilted his head. "Why wouldn't it?"

"Because we're completely different."

"And?"

"And?" I repeated. "You're asking me 'and'?"

I pointed a finger at him. "You're arrogant."

"I'm just confident." He shrugged.

I shook my head. "You're a flirt."

"Nah. I'm charming."

Hah! Really?!

I sighed loudly. "You seriously don't see the problem?"

"Well, I see one for sure…"

He moved closer to me again which made me grip on my skirt.

"You've already decided what kind of person I am without even knowing me for real."

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

He wasn't entirely wrong.

He stepped a little closer, though there was still enough space between us.

"What if you're wrong?"

"What if I’m right—"

"You're that confident?"

"I've seen enough! People like you can easily wrap women on your fingers, f**k them, then leave them once you’re done playing!”

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You've known me for... what? Less than two days?"

"That was enough to know what kind of a man you are—"

He laughed under his breath. "I guess I should feel offended."

What does he mean by that?!

And it’s annoying how infuriated I am and he’s just here, standing, just smirking like I’m some kind of a joke?!

For a brief second, neither of us spoke then he looked at me again.

"If this marriage bothers you that much..."

His expression became unreadable that it made me nervous.

"...why are you still here?"

My chest tightened.

As if I have a choice! Because I need the money. Because I'm not even Beatrice.

I swallowed those words before they could escape.

"I already agreed."

"That's it?" He asked coldly.

I nodded. "That's it."

He studied my face for a few seconds as if he wanted to ask something else. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Thankfully, Tracy's voice echoed from outside the greenhouse.

"There you are!"

She smiled brightly when she found us.

"Dinner is almost ready."

"We'll be there," Nikoulai answered.

As Tracy walked away, she glanced at the flower behind my ear.

"It suits you."

Heat immediately rushed to my cheeks.

I removed the flower as soon as she disappeared.

"You can keep it," Nikoulai said.

"I don't want it."

"Liar."

Without another word, I walked past him.

I could still hear his quiet laugh behind me.

The next day the weather was surprisingly gloomy.

Dark clouds covered the sky, and the wind carried the scent of approaching rain. After breakfast, Tracy left for the city to meet one of the family lawyers. The mansion suddenly felt quieter than usual.

I’m bored! I wanna use my phone but I don’t want anyone to ask me where I am, especially that I took a break from school and work.

Not wanting to stay inside all day, I decided to explore the estate again. Indeed, the estate is quite huge. Extravagant even. Eventually, my feet led me to the ranch.

Several horses rested peacefully inside their stalls while a few wandered around the fenced field.

"They're beautiful..."

A chestnut-colored horse slowly approached me. I hesitated for a moment before reaching out my hand. To my surprise, it gently nudged my palm.

A small smile spread across my face.

"You're much friendlier than someone I know."

The horse snorted softly.

I laughed. "Oh, don't tell him I said that."

I slowly stroked its neck.

Its coat felt surprisingly soft beneath my fingers. “I have a secret…I hope you don’t mind keeping it while I stay here, alright?”

For a while, I forgot everything. The fake identity. The wedding. The money. Everything.

Then... A cold drop landed on my hand.

I looked up. Oh no…

I glanced at the mansion which is a little bit far from where I am standing. One by one, the workers hurried toward the stable to keep the horses dry.

“Miss Beatrice, you should go back to the mansion. Do you want me to accompany you?” one worker asked, handing me an umbrella.

I should've gone back to the mansion. Instead... I stayed.

“I’m fine, I just want to stay here first…” I smiled to the old man.

I continued gently rubbing the horse's neck.

“Staying here is better than being with that man, right?” I said to the horse.

"I heard that."

My body stiffened.

Shit!

I slowly turned around. Nikoulai stood a few steps behind me, wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was slightly damp from the rain.

Somehow...

He looked even more unfairly handsome.

"I didn't know you liked horses," he said.

I didn’t respond. I just continue to rub the horse’s neck.

He walked closer until he stood beside me. The horse immediately nudged his shoulder.

"You traitor," he muttered to the horse.

I couldn't help smiling. "He likes me."

"He likes everyone."

"You're just jealous."

He looked at me. "Maybe."

I blinked.

"...What?"

He casually shrugged.

"You've been petting him for five minutes."

"So?"

"I didn't even get a good morning."

I laughed before I could stop myself. "Are you seriously competing with a horse?"

"I don't like losing."

I shook my head. "You're ridiculous."

He smirked. "And yet you smiled."

I quickly looked away. "I did not."

"You did."

"I was laughing at you—”

Thunder rumbled in the distance. The horse shifted uneasily. Unconsciously, I grab Nikoulai’s wrist.

Nikoulai pulled me toward him just enough to steady me.

"You okay?" he asked quietly. His voice was softer than usual.

I nodded and immediately removed my hands on him. "I... yeah. Sorry, just shock.”

His eyes searched mine for a brief moment.

“ Don’t overthink it! I hated that I touched you—ahh!”

Another thunder clapped which made me jump and screamed. He immediately grab my shoulders to hug me tighter. My heartbeat became painfully loud.

A loud crack of thunder suddenly echoed overhead and I flinched. He instinctively pulled me a little closer. The distance between us disappeared completely. My fingers unconsciously gripped the front of his shirt to steady myself.

His gaze dropped briefly to my hand. Then back to my eyes.

"I think..." I whispered, my voice barely audible. "...you can let go now."

A slow smile appeared on his lips.

"You sure?"

I swallowed.

"Yes."

He released my waist, though almost reluctantly.

I immediately took a step back.

The cool air suddenly felt much colder. Neither of us spoke. I thought he will tease me for what had happened but the silence between us felt heavier than any conversation we'd had before.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "We should head back."

I nodded.

"Before Tracy thinks we ran away together."

That familiar smirk returned. "I wouldn't mind."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't stop the small smile threatening to appear.

"In your dreams."

He laughed.

We walked back toward the mansion side by side as the rain continued to fall. Tomorrow, we'd start planning a wedding that wasn't even mine. I told myself it was just another part of the job. I only hoped my heart would remember that too.