chapter 3
1159 Words
“Mom! Mom, come and see what’s on the news!” Dora yelled as she ran into the kitchen.
“Dora, what is it this time?” Mrs. Carter asked, wiping her hands on a towel.
In the living room, Mike was glued to the TV. “Mom, hurry!”
Mrs. Carter rushed in—and stopped dead in her tracks.
Her eyes went wide. “Alexi…” she breathed, stunned. On the TV was her daughter, kissing none other than Nico Vincenzo—one of the richest men alive.
“Mom, can you believe this?” Mike said, still in shock. Dora stood beside him, wearing the exact same expression.
Just then, the front door opened.
“Mom? Are you home?” Alexi called. “I can’t believe you all left the door open.” She stepped into the living room and nearly collapsed when she saw her own face on the TV. “Oh my God…”
“Alexi, is that really you?” her mother asked, bewildered.
“Mom…” Alexi sighed, exhausted. “Please, I’m tired.”
“I didn’t know you were dating Nico Vincenzo,” her mother said. “You didn’t think to tell me why?”
“Mom, please. Can I at least get some water first?”
“Come sit,” Mrs. Carter said. “Dora, get your sister a glass of water.”
“Why me?” Dora complained.
“Because I said so. Go.”
Dora glared at Mike, who was already laughing at her.
“Whatever,” she muttered as she went to the kitchen.
Mike stepped closer to Alexi. “Lexi, tell me this guy is actually your man. If not, I’m losing my mind.”
“Hmmm.” Mrs. Carter cleared her throat loudly. “Can we have a moment alone, please?”
“But Mom—”
“No arguing. Go upstairs,” Alexi said.
“Fine,” Mike grumbled and headed up.
Dora returned with a glass. “Here,” she said, handing it to Alexi.
“Mom, I’m hungry,” Dora added.
“Baby, go to your room for now. I’ll call you all when dinner is ready. I need to talk to your sister.”
“Hmmm.” Dora turned to Alexi. “I like him.” She grinned and left.
Alexi shook her head with a small smile.
Mrs. Carter sat beside her. “Sweetheart, tell me how you met Nico.”
“Mom, not now. I’m too stressed.”
“I understand,” her mother teased lightly. “After kissing him like that.” She smiled proudly. “My dear, I’m happy for you. Finally settling down—and with someone like him, too.” She squeezed Alexi’s hand. “God has answered our prayers. Do you know what this means? We can finally pay off the mortgage.” Alexi said nothing as her mom continued, “He might even help expand my flower shop.”
“Mom, can you stop?” Alexi stood up.
There she goes again, Alexi thought. Money first, always. How was she supposed to tell her this was nothing? And it was true—they needed the mortgage paid. Her siblings needed help too. Everything felt overwhelming. She couldn’t exactly tell her about the arrangement Nico had proposed. So what was she supposed to do?
“Anyway,” Alexi said, “I came because Mike said he needed money for something.”
“Yes,” her mother replied. “There’s a program—some kind of camp. Both he and Dora are going. I’ll finally get a break from those two.” She chuckled.
“My baby’s all grown up,” Mrs. Carter added as she stood to hug her. “Stay for dinner. You look pale. Have you even been eating well?”
“Mom,” Alexi whispered, “I didn’t know you still cared for me like this.”
“Oh, come on,” Mrs. Carter said softly. “You’re grown, but you’re still my baby. My beautiful flower.” She kissed her forehead. “I love you, and I’m proud of you. Come here.”
Alexi melted into her mother’s arms. It was exactly what she needed—even if her mother wasn’t perfect, she still loved her in the only way she knew how.
Later, Alexi sat on her bed, twirling his business card between her fingers, staring at it as if it held her entire future. Should she call him? She’d asked herself that a hundred times already.
Her fingers traced the card’s edges as the scene from earlier replayed in her mind. His arm around her waist—firm, possessive—like she belonged there. She could still feel the heat of his chest pressed against her, the confidence in his touch, his scent wrapping around her like a snare.
And that kiss…
The second his lips touched hers, her whole body lit up. She wanted him the moment his tongue brushed hers.
But what if agreeing to be his girlfriend—fake or not—dragged her into trouble she wasn’t ready for? What if the elegant, classy women he dated caused drama? What if his family didn’t approve of her background or her life?
They don’t have to like me, she told herself. It’s just business. He has his reasons. And my family needs the money.
“I can do this,” she whispered and dialed his number.
“Hello.”
His deep, smooth voice slid through her ear, too rich, too seductive.
“It’s me. Lexi.”
“I knew you’d call,” he said, sounding amused.
“It sounds like you wanted me to,” she replied.
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “I won’t deny it.”
She swallowed. “If the deal is still on… I accept.”
“I knew you were smart.” She could hear the quiet laugh in his voice.
“Whatever. It’s just two weeks anyway. The pay is good.”
“Exactly. That’s why I said you’re smart.”
“Where do we meet to talk?” she asked.
“I’ll text you the location,” he said—and hung up.
“What?!” she yelled. “Bastard! I can’t believe he hung up on me!”
She tossed the phone aside and fell back onto her bed. “He’s so full of himself… Oh my God.”
A smile tugged at her mouth. “But he’s so handsome. And he smells so good…” She groaned into her pillow.
Across the city, Nico leaned back in his hotel room chair, satisfaction settling across his face.
She’d accepted. Good.
He wanted to see her again… to kiss those soft red lips slowly—and devour her until nothing was left. He took a sip of his drink.
“I’ll show you what it feels like to be with a man like me, Lexi.”
- Writer
