Married to a Secret Billionaire

Chapter 4

Eric studied her carefully.

“So it really doesn’t matter to you that I’m nobody?” he asked. “Just a driver? If I were a janitor instead, you wouldn’t mind?”

Alya looked into his eyes, wondering if he was testing her.

She slowly shook her head.

“No. As long as he’s hardworking, caring, and treats me with love… I don’t need anything else.”

A smile spread across Eric’s face.

“That’s fortunate,” he said. “Because I happen to be all three.”

Alya frowned slightly.

“For a driver… you just… you feel…”

She searched for the right word but couldn’t find one that truly captured what she meant.

Eric chuckled knowingly.

“I know exactly what you’re trying to say. People tell me I have an aura problem.”

He folded his arms with a helpless smile.

“The moment they see me, they assume I’m rich. It’s a good reminder not to judge a book by its cover.”

He paused before adding with a sigh,

“I’m not saying I’m a saint, but a lot of women approach me because they think I have money. The moment they discover I’m just a driver, they lose interest as if I suddenly have no value.”

Alya’s expression softened.

She understood what he meant.

She knew what it felt like to be judged by appearances and circumstances.

“I don’t want a complicated life,” she said quietly, lowering her eyes. “I just want a simple one.”

Eric watched her for a long moment before speaking.

“I can give you that,” he said gently. “A peaceful, simple life…”

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“…and one where you never have to worry about tomorrow again.”

Alya looked at Eric, unsure whether to laugh or be confused.

He’s incredibly straightforward, she thought.

He said things so naturally, as if confessing his feelings to someone he had just met was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Just then, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and let out a quiet sigh.

“I need to take this.”

Alya nodded with a faint smile as she watched him leave the room.

Left alone, she leaned back against the bed, her thoughts becoming a tangled mess.

She didn’t know what she was supposed to feel.

Only hours ago, she had lost James to Jenna.

Then, almost immediately afterward, Eric had appeared.

What was she supposed to make of that?

She had to admit…

She was curious about him.

There was something intriguing about Eric, something that made him seem unexpectedly trustworthy.

Perhaps becoming friends first and getting to know him wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Besides, Jenna would have no interest in someone like Eric.

As long as she had James and the Braden family’s wealth to satisfy her greed, she would never bother looking in Eric’s direction.

The door opened again.

Alya instinctively sat up straighter when Eric’s employer walked inside.

“H-Hello, sir,” she greeted nervously. “I’m really sorry for causing so much trouble. Please… don’t blame Mr. Smith.”

Nolan waved a hand dismissively.

“No, no. Eric may only be my driver, but…” He cleared his throat. “Even if I’d never admit it in front of him, he’s a genuinely good man. Hardworking too.”

Alya looked at him in confusion.

“Why are you telling me this?”

Nolan blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

“Uh…”

He laughed awkwardly before scratching the back of his head.

“He’s been working for me for three years, so I know the kind of person he is. Since he brought you here, I’d say he’s interested in you. The poor guy hasn’t exactly had much luck when it comes to relationships.”

He puffed out his chest dramatically.

“Maybe I’m just such an outstanding boss that I actually care about my employees’ happiness.”

A small smile found its way onto Alya’s face.

After fidgeting with her fingers for a moment, she spoke again.

“If you don’t mind me asking… does he have any family?”

Nolan nodded.

“He lives with his grandmother and his younger sister.”

“And… his parents?”

The smile faded from Nolan’s face as he slowly shook his head.

“They passed away when he was still a child.”

Alya’s expression immediately softened.

“Oh…”

A pang of sympathy washed over her.

Realizing she had already learned far more about Eric than she probably should have, she lowered her head.

“That’s enough,” she said quietly. “Please… don’t tell me anything else.”

Nolan slipped both hands into his pockets, his playful demeanor disappearing.

His gaze settled on her as his expression turned serious.

“Then let me ask you something.”

He paused briefly.

“If I told you I was interested in you…”

“…would you leave Eric and choose me instead?”