CHAPTER 5: ONE BED, TWO ENEMIES
1071 Words
Dante Maverick’s master bedroom looked more like a minimalist museum than a place meant for rest. It was dominated by dark gray tones and floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the glittering city lights.
Lexy stood stiffly in the middle of the plush rug while Dante casually loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.
“That couch looks comfortable enough for you,” Lexy said, pointing to the long sofa in the corner.
Dante glanced at it, then back at her.
“That’s a designer sofa, not a bed. And my mom has a bad habit of checking her son’s room in the morning. You’re sleeping in the bed with me, Lexy.”
“With you? Absolutely, no.”
“It’s a king-size bed, Lexy. We could put up an imaginary border in the middle and never even touch,” Dante said, tossing his watch onto the nightstand with an expensive little clink.
“Unless, of course, you can’t resist touching me.”
Lexy scoffed and threw a decorative pillow at him.
“In your dreams, Maverick. I’d rather hug a cactus than you.”
“Good. Save that sarcasm for tomorrow morning. My mom will interrogate you like a CIA agent.” Dante disappeared into the walk-in closet and came back wearing a plain black T-shirt.
“The left side is yours. Cross the middle line and I’ll consider it a breach of contract.”
Lexy grabbed the silk pajamas laid out in the bathroom. Five minutes later, she stepped out to find Dante already lying on the right side of the bed, scrolling through documents on his iPad.
She climbed onto the left side and pulled the blanket up to her chin. Her heart was pounding—not because of love, but because of how insane this situation was.
“Dante?”
“Hmm.”
“Is your mom… always that terrifying?”
Dante turned off his tablet. The room dimmed, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp.
“She’s not terrifying. She’s just making sure her investment—me—doesn’t get damaged by external factors.”
“By external factors… you mean me?”
“Exactly.”
“How flattering,” Lexy muttered.
“Being labeled as potential damage.”
“Why didn’t you just pick someone from your own world? A model. A business heiress?”
Dante turned onto his side, looking at her through the darkness.
“Because they’re easy for my mom to control. But you? You have a secret that could destroy me. That means you have just as much incentive as I do to keep quiet. That’s far safer than love.”
“You really don’t trust anyone, do you?”
“Trust is a luxury I can’t afford, Alexandra. Now sleep. We need to be at the breakfast table at seven.”
***
The Next Morning – Dining Room
Victoria Maverick was already seated, a cup of earl grey in her hand. Her sharp eyes immediately locked onto Dante and Lexy as they approached. Dante wrapped an arm around Lexy’s waist, pulling her close.
“Good morning, Mom,” Dante said coolly.
“Morning, Mrs. Maverick,” Lexy greeted with a forced smile.
“Have a sit. I’ve ordered a healthy breakfast for you both. Trans fats are not good for a future bride’s skin,” Victoria said bluntly.
A server placed a plate of avocado toast and poached eggs in front of Lexy.
“So, Alexandra,” Victoria began, spreading butter on her toast,
“Dante says you’re a photographer. What kind? Weddings? Babies? Or… something more profitable?”
Lexy shot Dante a quick glance before answering.
“I’m a street and documentary photographer. I prefer capturing honest moments rather than staged ones.”
“Honest?” Victoria gave a dry little laugh.
“How ironic, considering how quickly this relationship progressed. Where did you meet him?”
“At Astoria, Mom. I was attending a meeting and she was photographing for a project,” Dante answered smoothly.
“I asked Alexandra, Dante. Let her speak.” Victoria’s gaze sharpened on Lexy.
“So, what made you fall in love with my son? Aside from his limitless bank account, of course.”
Lexy set down her fork and met Victoria’s stare.
“Honestly? At first, I thought he was the most insufferable man I’d ever met. Arrogant. Rigid. Convinced he could buy the world.”
Dante turned to her, one brow lifting.
“And?” Victoria pressed.
“But underneath all that, he has a… unique way of protecting what he considers important,” Lexy continued, remembering how Dante had quietly arranged for her brother to be transferred to the best hospital the night before.
“He doesn’t use sweet words. He uses action. And that means more to me than empty flattery.”
Silence fell over the table. Victoria studied her carefully.
“A clever answer,” she murmured.
“But actions without clear status become scandals. Dante, when is the wedding?”
“Two months from now. We wanted something private,” Dante replied.
“No. There will be nothing private about the heir of Maverick,” Victoria cut in sharply.
“We’re hosting a grand engagement party this weekend. I’ll invite the entire board and the press.”
Lexy choked on her coffee.
“This weekend? That’s in two days!”
“Speed is a Maverick family trademark, Alexandra.” Victoria stood, smoothing her napkin.
“Prepare yourself. If you fail to impress them the day after tomorrow, don’t expect me to approve of this contract… I mean, relationship.”
She walked away, leaving suffocating tension behind.
Lexy turned to Dante.
“Two days? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Dante rubbed his face, frustrated.
“Damn it. She really wants to test us in public.”
“I’m not ready, Dante! I don’t know how to act in front of a corporate board!”
Dante stood, drawing a long breath.
“From now until the party, you’re under my supervision. Marcus! Cancel all my meetings this afternoon. We have bride training to conduct.”
“Training?” Lexy narrowed her eyes.
“What?! Are you going to teach me how to breathe too?”
“If that’s what it takes to make sure you don’t look like an amateur in front of the cameras... then yes.”
- Writer
