Bought by the billionaire prince

Chapter2

Bruises Begin Our Date

"I'll blame your royal stiffness if I fall on my face."

Scott Audrey stood outside a brightly lit building with her arms crossed. She had not envisioned a private bar or a restaurant in the sky. No lights and no red carpet. Instead she was staring at a crowded roller-skating rink, a hot dog stand that smelled disturbingly like regret, and loud dancing music.

She had been scooped up like she was in a movie by an automobile. She had practiced her lines, visualized elegant champagne glasses, and tried not to perspire through her amazing but used red dress during the voyage.

That wasn't this. He caught her eye as she turned.

Beside her, wearing a cozy grey wool coat, was Jules Bastian. He had flawless hair. His expression was hazy. When he observed her bewilderment, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"We're... skating?" She enquired.

He said, "You mentioned that you enjoyed having fun." "I meant something like—art exhibits—when I said fun. or tacos. Not crushed pride and broken feet.

Jules cast her gaze to her heels. "You should probably put on some skates." Scott blinked. "You had this planned?" "I enjoy taking people by surprise." "The mission has been completed."

Trying not to trip over her thoughts, she followed him into the house. She was given a pair of purple rental skates by a staff member. Jules had his on already, sleek and black, of course. She gave an eye roll.

She said, "I can't believe I'm doing this."

"I am able to." She looked at him. With no smile on his face, he raised an eyebrow. Nevertheless, he seemed to be enjoying this in some way.

With dazzling lights, vintage music, and children darting by with glow sticks, the rink was illuminated like a dream from the past. Jules was the first to enter the rink. He moved like though he was in control. Easy. assured. effortless.

In contrast, Scott appeared to be a newborn deer attempting to walk on frozen butter. After pushing away and stumbling once and twice, it finally happened. She let out a cry. Arms flapping, feet high, complete loss of control.

However, she was grabbed by powerful hands before she could fall to the ground. Something hard, his chest, slapped lightly against her face. She took hold of his coat. He encircled her waist with his arms. They remained still. She didn't breathe deeply. She raised her head. Only a few inches separated their faces. "You orchestrated that," she muttered.

"I didn't." "Are you certain?"

He didn't respond. He simply c****d his head, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.They maintained eye contact. She cleared her throat. "You can now relax." "Am I able to?" She furrowed her brow. He took a hesitant step back.

This time, they skated alongside each other. She lacked strength. He was cool. Three more times she nearly fell. Twice he caught her. She smiled confidently after catching herself for the third time. "I'm changing."

"Hardly," he murmured. They found a little bench next to the snack bar after leaving the arena. With red cheeks from exertion and humiliation, Scott used a tissue to wipe her face.

He remarked, "You look like you just got out of a war." "Are you familiar with roller skates?" She fired back. He poured a glass for her. With gratitude, she accepted it. "Coke? Not even sparkling water?

He remarked, "I can be simple." "Mm. The jury is still out. She grabbed a fry and tossed it at him after dipping it in ketchup. It struck his shoulder. He blinked. Then he grabbed it and put it in his mouth.

Scott chuckled. "You just ate rink fries off your shirt? That's unbelievable." "I have faith in my dry cleaner." She gave a snort. His eyes were on her as he leaned back. "No one I know is like you."

Startled, she halted. "You mean impoverished?" He blinked. Something flashed—guilt? Anguish? His face crossed in irritation. She softened instantly. "I'm kidding. For the most part. "Honest," I mean.

She became silent. A bunch of children hurried past, giggling and dancing with their glow sticks. One of them went down. I laughed. got back up.

Scott observed them. "So, is this the norm for your dates?" Still observing the rink, she inquired. "No." "All right. I would hate to believe that I was a part of a trend. "You're not."

She gave him a look. His eyes were gentler than before as he gazed at her. "You're not what I expected either," she remarked. He remained still. "You're not either."

After that, they remained silent. Not for some time. They remained silent and ensnared in something weighty as they watched people pass by. He got up. "I'll walk you to your vehicle."

She went out after him. Now it was cooler in the night air. Their area of the globe seemed strangely peaceful, despite the background noise of the city. Her automobile had tinted windows and was sleek and black. Naturally. She faced him. "So, what takes place now?"

"You return home." "And you?" "I'll work it out." She hesitated. then grinned. "I appreciate you keeping my head closed."

He didn't return the smile. However, his tone softened. "I appreciate you not yelling." "I sort of did." "A little." They lingered longer than necessary. "Jules, good night." "Scott."

She got into the vehicle. The door shut. For a little moment, the window remained down, allowing their eyes to briefly contact. Then she was gone. Jules remained for a moment. His phone rang. He kept his eyes off the TV. "Raina," he said.

"The media is buzzing already," she remarked. "A billionaire and an unidentified girl at a skating rink? You have violated all social norms. He continued to gaze down the street as he said, "Let them buzz."

The line paused for a moment. "Are you prepared for where this is going, Julias?" He didn't respond. He touched his lips instead. Her laughs still caused them to burn. And something that had been dead inside of him for years came back to life.

But a bell shattered the silence before he could identify it. One more message. Not from Raina, this time. from an unidentified number.

"You've done something wrong. She is not who you believe her to be. And it will soon be seen by everyone on the planet.

Jules examined the text. The wind increased. And the first thread of something sinister started to unravel in the city's shadows.