THE BILLIONAIRE'S PROXY WIFE

Chapter 6 - Hydrangea

"He's my what?!"

My mind went spiraling the moment I heard that word. When I looked at him, he just grinned at me. Because I was so flustered by the situation, I ran away from that place.

So all this time, that bastard is my husband? Or rather, he's going to be my husband?

I think I'm going to hyperventilate.

The first thing I did the moment I closed my door was hold my chest and breathe heavily. Literally heavily.

Okay, then maybe he's just bluffing? Or if it's true, then it's okay. It's only for three months, and I just feel unlucky for the real Beatrice because she's married to that playboy.

I sighed heavily.

But he's not actually that bad. I mean, he's gorgeous. Really handsome. But obviously, he's a womanizer.

Yesterday, I thought he already had a girlfriend. I assumed she was his partner. But then he just told me that he's my future husband.

Now, I was pacing back and forth across my room. I could finally understand why Beatrice didn't agree to this arrangement. It wasn't because she was being forced to marry some scary old man. No. She was going to marry a handsome, gorgeous man.

The problem was that he was also a terrible person. A shameless womanizer.

I sat down on my bed and let out a long sigh.

Okay. I just need to ride the tide and go with the flow.

After all, this is only temporary.

Once everything is over, I'll never see him again. I won't meet him, and I certainly won't talk to him again.

So it's okay. Not a big deal. Not a big deal at all. I'll be fine.

My thoughts stopped when I nearly had a heart attack from the knock on my door. I was about to pretend I was asleep because I didn't know how to face him after that interaction, but then I heard Tracy's voice.

I sprinted to the door and opened it.

"Hi, Beatrice. How are you? Did you have a good rest, or are you still resting right now? I'm so sorry for disturbing you," she said warmly.

I couldn't help but grin at her energy.

"Oh no, I'm just resting. I'm not asleep. By the way, how are you?"

She smiled at me.

"I'm good. But my son told me that he already met you."

My mouth and jaw almost dropped. Her son?

So that guy is her son? So Tracy is not his sister?

Oh my God, I'm going to go crazy in this family setup.

"Yeah… uhm… He's your son? I mean, Nikoulai?"

"Yes. Don't we look like the same face?"

I laughed fakely.

“Yeah… yeah… of course. Yeah, you look… mm… yeah, kinda. I thought, a bit. Mm, kinda similar.”

In the end, I let out a small laugh, faint and unsure. I couldn’t tell if she noticed how fake it sounded, but she laughed along with me anyway.

“Are you blushing?” she squealed “Just from the mention of my son, you’re blushing because I think you find him attractive.”

My eyes widened.

“Huh? Of course not. No. I mean… yeah, he’s handsome. Your son is handsome, but—uh…”

“Oh, you silly,” she cut in lightly. “I know you might like my son. I know he’s an asshole, but you know, he’s really kind.”

I blinked.

“He’s just tough on the outside,” she continued. “But once you get to know him, he’s really kind.”

I wanted to laugh, but it came out more like something sarcastic, like I was hearing a joke I wasn’t supposed to believe.

Because from what I had seen earlier, that version of him felt very far away from “kind.”

Maybe “asshole” was the more honest description.

“Anyways, I have already contacted some of the wedding planners. So if you’d like, I can arrange everything as soon as possible. Or if you want, we can move it to other days as you talk with my son for a few weeks. Just so you can get to know each other.”

“Thanks, Tracy.”

“No worries. Because you will be my daughter-in-law, so I just want to take care of you.”

I smiled at her.

Maybe if there was someone truly great in this whole setup, it would be Tracy. She had been so kind to me, and I think if the real Beatrice was in my position right now, she might even feel grateful for her presence. But since it was me here, I could only feel the same way in return.

I thought the day would be peaceful after that, so I spent the whole time wandering around the area.

I walked through the beautiful garden and I realized how different our lives. They live in luxury while I lived a life opposite to them. Without the fake identity, I will be wiping the tables by now or running towards the next bus stop to go to the next job.

I cant help but feel the bitterness in my gut.

I tried to look around to divert my attention and I found a greenhouse at the back of the house.

When I went inside, I saw a lot of plants, and all around were different kinds of flowers. It made me realize Tracy must really love plants or flowers, because everything here was carefully kept and full of life.

There were so many colors, so many kinds I couldn’t even name.

But one thing caught my attention the most.

A blue flower sitting quietly in the corner of the greenhouse.

“Interested in flowers?”

I rolled my eyes. Speaking of the devil.

I didn’t respond to him. Instead, I focused on the blue flower, then the white one beside it. If I wasn’t mistaken, those were hydrangeas.

Then I heard footsteps coming closer.

“I heard Beatrice is an extroverted woman, but based on your reaction, I think you’re more into introvert,” he said.

I didn’t know if it was just me, or if I was simply shy because of his presence, or maybe he just assumed too much.

“Or maybe,” he added, “I’m just too handsome for you to handle.”

I almost coughed at that.

Excuse me?! As if I would like that personality!

Yes, he was attractive, there was no doubt about that. But I got turned off easily when a guy was this full of himself.

I had met plenty of people who were also handsome, and they were not nearly as boastful as he was.

“You know, I’m only extroverted when the guy interests me,” I said.

He smirked at my reply.

“So that means you’re not yet very interested in me?”

I almost rolled my eyes again, but he caught it before I could fully do it.

“Did you just roll your eyes at me?”

I sighed. When could he finally give me a moment of peace?

“You know, I can ride horses,” he said casually.

I almost scoffed. Okay, you drive horses. Then what? Do you want me to give you a medal or something?

“If you’re interested, I can give you a ride.”

That actually sounded fun, but I still wasn’t interested in being close to him. I reached out and touched one of the flowers inside the greenhouse, finding it pretty in a quiet way.

But then—

He suddenly made me jump when his hand touched my finger.

“Be careful with that one. That’s my mom’s favorite flower.”

I looked at the roses beside it and shrugged.

“Can you tell me more about yourself?” he asked.

“Yeah, you know my name.”

“I mean, I know your name, but what’s your favorite flower?”

“Why? Would you plant one for me?”

“That’s’s too romantic.” He smirked.

Asshole!

“I should know a thing or two about my future wife right?”

“Tulips,” I answered.

“Which specific color?”

I looked at him. “I thought it’s too romantic?”

“Feisty!” he murmured but I can still hear it so I glanced at him swiftly.

“And what are your other favorites?”

“I like…pink.”

“Cute. So you must like pink tulips?”

I didn’t reply at that. Maybe because he got it right anyway.

“You know what? You’re very opposite to what my mom described about you. They said you’re a sweet talker and also extroverted in social places.”

His gaze lingered a little longer.

“But what I’m seeing now is quite different.”

He emphasized the last word.

“Maybe I’m just different because it’s you, and you don’t need special attention.”

“Oh, keep your words, future wife.”

“And maybe you forgot,” he added, “I am your future husband.”

“Yeah, right. I forgot,” I mumbled.

I was about to look away when he reached for my hand.

“Don’t worry,” he said quietly, his voice lower now. “I like this version better.”

Before I could react, he picked a hydrangea and carefully tucked it behind my ear.