Pretending To Love Mr Hill

Chapter 5

My legs carried me out of the building on their own, the moment I stepped outside, fresh air hit my face. I breathed it in deep, filling my lungs after feeling like I had been choked all day. The air felt nice, cool and clean, like it could wash away some of the tightness in my chest. For a second, I closed my eyes and just stood there, letting the breeze touch my skin.

My heart was still racing from everything that happened today, but out here it felt a little easier to breathe.

I started walking toward the road, my mind a mess of thoughts but before I could take more than a few steps, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. I tried to walk around it, keeping my head down, but the car followed slowly, my stomach twisted. I stopped, and the driver’s window whined down, relief washed over me when I saw Andre’s familiar face. He smiled gently at me.

“The boss ordered me to take you home,” he said.

I frowned instantly. “I’m fine,” I replied, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. I didn’t want any more help today. I just wanted to disappear.

Andre wasn’t having it. “Amelia, just come in please.”

I sighed, giving up. My shoulders slumped as I opened the door and slid into the back seat, the leather was cool against my legs. Andre asked for my address, and I called it out quietly, he typed it into the map on the dashboard, and we drove off in silence, the city lights passed by the window, but I barely saw them. My phone felt heavy in my hands as I stared at the screen without really seeing anything.

Halfway to my place, Andre cleared his throat, he looked at me through the rearview mirror and adjusted it slightly. “He’s not a bad person,” he said.

I looked up from my phone, surprised. “Excuse me, who?”

Andre kept his eyes on the road. “Travis,” he answered simply.

I mouthed an inaudible “oh” while trying not to roll my eyes. Andre didn’t seem to notice.

He continued, “You’ll see.” Then he went back to driving in silence, not really knowing what to say I went back to staring at my blank screen, sure Travis had been kind today, holding my hand under the table, but this whole thing still felt like too much.

The car finally stopped in front of my building. I stepped out, the cool evening air wrapping around me again.

Andre leaned out a little. “I’m going to come pick you up by 8 tomorrow.”

I nodded before he drove away, standing there for a moment, watching the car disappear, then I turned and walked inside. All I needed was a long sleep, the apartment felt small and quiet when I got in. I kicked off my shoes and sank onto the couch.

Travis’s warm hand under the table kept flashing in my mind, the way it sent electricity up my arm. I shook my head and tried to push the thoughts away.

The next morning came too fast. I got ready for work, my hands shaking a little as I brushed my hair and picked out simple clothes. My stomach was already in knots thinking about the day ahead, when I stepped outside, the same black car from yesterday was waiting. I quickly hopped into the back seat, hoping to see just Andre. Instead, my eyes met Travis’s hot stare my breath caught in my throat. He looked as calm and put together as always, but his gaze made heat rise to my cheeks.

“Good morning Andre,” I said softly, then managed to squeak out a quick “Good morning” to Travis.

I pulled out my phone right away and pretended to be busy on it, my fingers tapping nothing important. The air in the car felt thick. I could feel Travis’s eyes on me.

“Why are you sitting so far away?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

I looked up, startled. “I’m good here,” I replied, my heart beating loud again.

He nodded stiffly. “Did you sleep well?”

I looked at him, confused. “Uh… yes sir?”

“Good,” he said.

The rest of the ride passed in silence, every second drove me closer and closer to going insane. I kept my eyes on my phone but could hardly concentrate, the faint smell of his cologne made my skin tingle. By the time we arrived at the office, I was ready to bolt.

As I reached for the door handle, Travis pulled my hand, I fell almost completely onto him my body pressed against his chest for a moment, and I froze.

Heat flooded through me. I could feel the solid warmth of his body, the way his muscles tensed under his shirt. His breath was hot as it tickled my chin. My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it. I was about to protest when he shushed me gently.

“Andre will get it. You’re my fiancée, remember?”

I swallowed hard, nodding like my life depended on it. The word “fiancée” sent a strange flutter through my stomach. I could feel every point where we touched, his hand firm on my arm, his chest rising and falling against me. It was too much. The heat from his body made my skin burn. Andre opened the door then, and I quickly shuffled backwards, stepping out on shaky legs.

Travis came out right after me. Before I could pull away, he grabbed my hand in his. I tried to remove it, but one stern look from him made me stay still. His grip was warm and strong, sending that familiar electricity up my arm again.

We walked hand in hand into the building, whispers and stares came from every direction, my cheeks burned hot. I kept my eyes down. Travis’s hand held mine steady, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin once, his touch made my pulse race. I didn’t want to like how safe it felt, but I did. My body reacted to him whether I wanted it to or not.

We reached the elevator that Andre must have called up, the doors closed, and we rode up alone. The small space made the heat feel stronger.

I could smell him again, feel the warmth coming off his body. I was trying to stay calm.

In his office, Travis turned to face me. “Are you ready?” he asked.

I nodded and looked down at my feet. He hummed softly.

“There’s a stylist waiting for you in the private area. She’s going to make you look good.”

I looked up immediately, frowning.

“Not that you don’t already look good,”

Travis rushed to add. His face turned a little red, I raised my right brow at him. Seeing the powerful Travis stumble over his words like that felt weird. It was so cute, the tips of his ears were already so red, a laugh bubbled up inside me. I doubled over, almost choking on my own laughter. It felt good to laugh after all the tension.

I wiped my eyes and looked up at his red face, he looked stunned, shy and embarrassed at the same time.

“I’ll leave now,” I managed to say amidst giggles before walking out.

My heart was still beating fast as I left his office, the warmth from his hand lingered on my skin as I walked to the private area to get ready for the press conference.