Fake Dating My Billionaire Boss

4: One Bed

THEA

The next week passed in a blur of planning, contract signing and a lot of preparations. When I say a lot of preparations, I mean a whole lot.

Aiden basically had me transformed into a new person. I had appointment at spas and salons and we went shopping for new clothes that would last me each day for the 21 days trip. My skin was prepped and body massaged and my face lifted and highlighted.

My nerves were all high throughout the week but the minute 100k landed in my account and I could offset my grandmother's hospital bills and keep her on life support, it became worth it.

Now we were touching down in a private jet at the grand resort in Italy. I tried to remain calm but I couldn't. I couldn't even properly enjoy my first private jet ride because I was a bundle of nerves all through.

Would I be able to convince his family?

Would they like me? Would they be able to read through me? Would they…

“Stop overthinking things, Thea,” Aiden’s voice cut through my reverie as we walked towards the parked luxurious car waiting for us. I wasn't good with cars so I didn't know the brand but from its shiny and sturdy body, I knew it must cost a fortune.

“You're doing okay.”

“I haven't even done anything.”

“Well, I'm sure you'll do okay.” He reassured as we stepped into the car and I was momentarily blown away by its sleekness in the form of its cozy seats, it's posh leather, and cool air. The drive took roughly 20 minutes and I used that to appraise the resort.

It was sprawling with lots of flower beds, tiled roads and fancy tiny bungalows in whites fawning either side of the road. The further we drove, the more beautiful the resort became and we soon left the small apartments alone to bigger ones of duplexes and multiple storey buildings.

It was in front of a huge duplex that the car stopped. Aiden looked at the driver and then at the building.

“Why have you brought us here?”

“Your mother requested it, sir.”

A small frown marred his face before he got down and before I could open the door from my side, he was already there and opening it for me.

I smiled, and took his hands as I got down.

The truck that carried our traveling boxes already parked behind us with the men starting to offload the boxes. Aiden halted them.

“No, just keep the boxes in the truck. We're just staying here for a brief moment. We'll soon go to the cottage where we'd be staying.”

We walked in, hands in hands, with my heart racing in my chest and the two piece suit I wore suddenly feeling too stiff against my skin. Aiden squeezed my hand a little the same minute the door opened and we stepped into the large patio where his family was waiting for us.

I counted four of them while they excitedly greeted Aiden. I noticed his father stayed back while his mother and younger sister hugged him tightly and his grandmother hugged him affectionately and held on like she couldn't bear to let go.

Aiden relaxed into his hold too. He actually softened like a child and it was the most humane I've ever seen him before he pulled away.

“Oh my baby. I can't believe I only see you once in a year,” she replied as she cupped his face with her frail hands, “I've missed you too much, Aiden. You should start coming home now.”

Aiden only smiled at her, a small wounded smile as he nodded before he turned towards me.

“Everyone, meet my girlfriend Thea Castle.”

I stood up straighter, plastered a modest smile on my face as the attention turned towards me. I could feel the silent judgement and appraisal in his mother's eyes as she eyed me and observed my body as she smiled in a polite manner that one reserves for strangers on the train that you know you'd never meet again.

“Hello Thea, nice to meet you.”

“It's my pleasure, Mrs Volkov.”

“Oh please, call me Regina.”

His sister, Wendy greeted me next. Hers was a very friendly smile as she threw her hands around me, “welcome to the family, Thea. I've always longed for a sister. So glad I'm finally going to have one in you.”

I haven't even replied before his mother butted in after a loud snort, “she's just his girlfriend, not his fiancée and definitely not his wife so why are you welcoming her into the family?”

“Well, this is the first time Aiden is bringing a girl home in years. I'm sure there's something special there. Right, Aiden?”

“Yes, of course,” Aiden pulled me easily to his side with his arms around my waist and he pressed a chaste kiss to the side of my neck, “there's a plan towards making it permanent and formal but I'm not going to go into the details so I don't ruin the surprise for Thea.”

“Hear that, Mom,” Wendy was all excited that she was practically jumping, “we might have a wedding to plan next year.”

Their mother's reply was a tight smile and a disdainful look she thought I didn't catch as the grandmother pulled me into a tight hug that mirrored the way she had hugged Aiden.

I was going to play it out but the minute she wrapped her hands around me and I nuzzled my face in her neck, it reminded me of the way my grandmother used to hug me and it made my throat lumpy as my eyes burned.

I was blinking back tears when we pulled away.

“I'm sorry. It's just… You reminded of my ailing grandmother. I've missed her hugs so much and…”

Aiden handed me an handkerchief while his grandmother held my two hands, eyes spilling warmth as she stared up at me, “Oh, you poor child…”

“Our dinner is running cold,” Regina Volkov suddenly annouced and I knew it was to diffuse whatever bond I was starting to form with Nona, “Aiden and his guest can go and freshen up and join us downstairs in a couple of minute.”

Downstairs? I thought we were staying in a seperate villa.

I looked at Aiden. He looked equally as confused as I do.

“Yeah, we'd go to our cottage and come back in a couple of minutes for the…”

“Actually, Aiden, we're all staying here,” Wendy started slowly and she was looking at me instead of looking at her brother, “I didn't book a seperate villa for you this year.”

“What the hell, Wendy? How do you expect me to stay under the same roof as…”

“It was my instruction, Aiden,” Nona interrupted in voice that was surprisingly authoritarian for her age and physique. Her back was to us as she walked into the living area and from her gaise and voice, I got an insight of the matriarch she must have been in her prime.

“I instructed her not to book a separate villa for you this year. What's the point of this family tradition when we don't stay in the same apartment? We're here for three weeks and we only see you less than 10 times and probably lesser than 72 hours in that three weeks. That has to end. My days are numbered. I need to see you as often as possible.”

She concluded in a tone that left no room for argument. Aiden’s expression closed up and his lips thinned but he didn't say anything.

“I'll show you to your room,” Wendy annouced as she turned on her heels and walked towards the stairs. We had no option but to follow her and there was already a tension in the air, one that was so thick and suffocating.

We climbed the stairs to the second floor and she swiped a card to open the door that led to a room.

Just a room. It was big, luxurious and reeks of royalty but it was just a room with a king size bed.

“There are four bedrooms in the flat so I reserved the biggest for you and your girlfriend,” Wendy annouced brightly, unaware of the turmoil that I was already going through.

We were going to share a room with just one bed for three weeks.