Bought by the billionaire prince

Chapter3

You're Trouble, Not Just a Date

"Why does entering a room make it feel smaller?"

Scott's phone blew up.

She opened her eyes blearily. She initially believed the buzzing to be morning—alarm, perhaps Mina had texted. However, her blood turned to cold soda as she saw the screen.

A total of twelve calls were lost.42 alerts.Over the first alarm, her finger lingered.Budget Babe of a Billionaire? Jules Bastian is connected to a mystery girl.Scott let out a grunt. I sat up in bed. read the article by scanning it.

Her face. on a news website. Fries in midair, smiling, and skating."Oh my God."As if it were on fire, she flung the phone across the bed. Then, with a shallow gasp, I leaped forward and grabbed it again.

Her smile, her clothing, and the way she leaned too close to Jules under the rink lights had all been stolen. One website even barely touched their fingers as it zoomed in.Stumbling out, she entered the living room. "Mina!" she exclaimed.

Mina showed up with her hair in a huge pineapple bun and a banana in one hand.With no pity, she scrolled through her own phone and stated, "You're viral.""I'm not meant to go viral."Inform the tabloids about that. Their new favorite catastrophe is you.

The front door was knocked on loudly. Three solid raps.Scott stopped.Mina took a quick look through the spyhole. "Oh. Whoa.

"What?""That's him."

When Scott opened the door, he saw Jules Bastian standing on her porch, looking like he had just stepped off the cover of a spy magazine, wearing sunglasses and a black jacket. He clenched his jaw. Everything was hidden by his sunglasses.

"You had the option of texting," she said.His eyes were serene yet frigid as he removed his glasses. "Create your attire."Scott blinked. "Pardon me?""We're leaving."She folded her arms. "To have lunch with the photographers?" Perhaps a stroll in Central Park while wearing matching shirts?

He was not smiling. "We're repairing it."She blinked. "What am I fixing?""The narrative. Me and you. This. He gestured to her entire body as if she were a major public relations disaster.

She frowned. "So now I'm damaged?"Indeed. I also repair damage.Her mouth fell open. His voice trailed off just as she was ready to slam the door."I'll keep you safe. But you must have faith in me.

She was stopped by that.Just a bit.Expensive seats didn't appeal to Scott.

Most likely, the one she was sitting in now was constructed from actual leather and the dashed hopes of interns. The phony smile on her face was much scorching than the studio lights. She moved in her chair, looking from Jules to the host.

He sat quietly next to her. The hands were folded. Like it was a natural part of him, he wore that terrible rich-man stillness.The cameras started rolling.With a smile on her face, the host said, "So, Jules, tell us—how did you meet the lovely Scott Audrey?"

Scott made an effort to avoid choking.Jules blinked hardly at all. "Auction for charity."The presenter chuckled. "Yes, indeed! that incident. A little out of the ordinary for you, wasn't it?He gave a nod. I wished to lend my support to a cause. I didn't anticipate... her.

Jules didn't look at her, but Scott's head turned."She's a breath of fresh air."Once more, that word.Scott's mouth moved.She managed to smile awkwardly and say, "I... try."Once more, the host chuckled. "Well, she's doing more than just trying, in my opinion."

The lens panned in. Scott could almost see her future memes coming to life.They had more inquiries. What was the duration of their acquaintance? Was it a serious matter? The first date was where? Jules smoothly charmed them away.

Scott grinned, nodded, and pretended to laugh. However, her palm was tightly clutched in her lap.She practically tore off her microphone when it was finally over.As they left the stage, Jules waited quietly next to her.

It was quieter backstage. Some crew members packed equipment. Someone was given coffee by a producer.Jules' eyes were burning as Scott turned on her."Refreshing?"Unfazed, he raised his head.

"I threw you a fry." Isn't that refreshing?"You got it," he stated bluntly.It's not cute because of that. It's a food war, then!He gave a shrug.

She let out a moan. "You're amazing.""Irregular," he clarified.Her mouth opened, then closed. A tug tugged at the corner of her mouth. She couldn't contain her laughter.He witnessed it."You're grinning.""Just because I find it hard to believe that this is my life."His tone grew softer. "I can't either."

They stood in stillness, breathing together. Now it wasn't awkward. It was packed.He took a step toward her. She remained still.Slowly, his hand lifted and brushed a curl from her cheek. Her breath caught.He kept his fingers close to her ear. Not in contact. Not shoving. Simply... there.

"They will continue to ask questions," he remarked quietly."Give them permission.""Are you certain you're prepared for that?"With her eyes firmly fixed on his, she nodded.

"Yes."He let his hand fall.He remarked, "I'm not good at this.""At what time?""This, folks. Having feelings.With a playful voice, she remarked, "Good thing I'm excellent at it."In fact, he grinned.Only a bit.

There was silence on the drive back. Not tense. Not far away. Simply put, full. As It They were both still reliving certain memories, not knowing what had changed.

Scott struggled for her keys as the car pulled up in front of her building. Once more, her fingers felt like noodles. Inside her chest, emotions and adrenaline had combined to form a jumbled soup.

She took a step out to the curb. He went to the door after her.As she looked through her luggage, her hands trembled a little.Too near, he stood behind her. They could feel the weight of the air.She located the keys. stopped.

He remarked, "You didn't run today," behind her.Slowly, she turned. "Am I brave because of that?"He c****d his head. "Impetuous."She chuckled. "Probably both."He moved in closer.Her back was to the door.

In the darkness of the hallway, his eyes were darker. "Every room seems smaller because of you."The sentiment isn't romantic. That makes you feel cramped.He curled his lips. "It implies that you draw everything in your direction."

"After crisis PR, are you always this poetic?""Just with you."Her chest grew constricted.Keys whirling in the lock, she walked back into the doorway."All right, good night," she muttered.

He didn't respond.She crept in. Gently shut the door.and rested against it.Heart. Definitely. yelling.Jules gazed at the locked door on the pavement.His cell rang.

Raina."Is everything alright?" she inquired.He took a while to respond.He remarked, "She's not what I thought.""No. She isn't.A pause occurred.Raina said, "This is something you should see."

A link was sent by her.The post was made anonymously.A fresh rumor.A danger."Jules Bastian is concealing something." She is, too.Jules gave it two readings.He squinted his eyes.And the tenderness he had discovered in the previous few hours?

Lost.