Rent-a-date, got a billionaire

Chapter 2 Rent-a-date, got a billionaire

For a second, I thought she might come over, might at least acknowledge me. But she didn't.

She stood across the room, laughing with someone else, completely at ease, as if I wasn't even there. As if everything we'd shared had been packed away and forgotten.

I told myself it shouldn't matter. I told myself I'd moved on too.

But the ache in my chest said otherwise.

I looked away quickly, forcing myself to breathe as she was ushered off for final preparations. The ceremony was about to begin, and everything was already moving too fast.

He pointed to one of the waiters walking through the reception hall, serving drinks. Alejandro grabbed a bottle and held up the label for me that read "Casa Velasco Winery".

"Smart, picking a name that's already a well-known brand. But do you actually know anything about wine?"

“I know that wine is like people,” he said with a teasing smile, leaning closer like it was the most natural thing in the world. “The best ones have to be savoured slowly… first you take in the aroma…”

His eyes flicked to my lips for a second before meeting mine again. “Then you taste it.”

"You clearly don't know a thing about wine," I finally managed, trying to keep my composure. "But I'll admit you're very smooth."

I was already expecting the ceremony to be a nightmare but honestly? Nothing could have prepared me for this. Sitting in the pew, clutching Alejandro's hand tightly, I tried to keep a neutral expression while Brian and Alfred exchanged vows of eternal love.

With every “you’re the love of my life,” I wanted to stand up and scream, Traitors.

Each phrase hit me like a slap. And if I closed my eyes for even a second, I could remember the day Alfred had said those same words to me.

Then he said calmly. “Do you want me to fake a fainting spell and stop the ceremony?”

“No.” I paused. “I mean… maybe. If everything goes wrong, we could always spill wine on the bride’s dress.”

He laughed softly, as I’d just said something funny. But he didn’t deny it.

After the church wedding, the reception became a dazzling display of wealth and opulence. Warm golden lights bathed the room, chandeliers sparkled overhead, and waiters glided effortlessly through the crowd carrying crystal flutes filled with champagne. Laughter and music filled the air, but all I could feel was the tight knot in my stomach.

That was how Brian found me clutching my second glass like my life depended on it. "Selene! I'm so happy you came," she said in a sickeningly sweet tone. "It means so much to me that we were able to move past everything."

Move past? Hah. As if I were the petty one for holding a grudge.

Alfred walked up, giving me a slow once-over. "You look different, Selene."

It was almost like he meant I shouldn't look like this. Pretty. Smiling. Whole. They expected to see me broken.

"Thank you."

Brian smiled when she noticed Alejandro. Her eyes slid over him, the way someone would size up a product. "What a surprise. A date, so soon?"

Before I could reply, Alejandro let out a low chuckle. "Fiancé," he corrected smoothly, sliding his hand around my waist in a casual but possessive way. His gaze locked on Alfred's with a defiant glint.

"Funny you'd say that, Brian. Seems like Selene's not the one still living in the past."

Brian's smile didn't falter.

But I caught her eyes narrowing, her hand tightening slightly around her champagne glass. She tried to hide it, but it was obvious the jab had landed. She was furious. I, on the other hand, had to fight to keep a grin off my face.

"So you really are engaged?" Brian folded her arms. "That's surprising... I've never seen anything about you two anywhere."

"We're private," Alejandro replied.

Sandra, another ex-college acquaintance, walked up with her little group.

"So this is the famous heir- fiancé?" she asked with a malicious little smirk.

"Alejandro," he introduced himself.

"Alejandro?" Casey raised a brow. "Never heard of any single Velasco in "Velasco Real Estate Group,".

"That doesn't surprise me," Alejandro said with a polite smile laced with disdain. "After all, I'm not single, am I?"

Alfred tried to steer things back under control. "Alejandro... CEO of Velasco Real Estate Group from valasco crest Wineries? The one that's won awards all over the world?"

A chill ran down my spine. This was a test. Alejandro or whatever his real name was, was just a rented Novio. What could he possibly know about fine wines and real estate?

"Yes, that's the one," Alejandro replied easily. "Although I'm more focused on the family's international investments. I rarely visit the vineyards."

Brian's eyes widened slightly. "I work with several premium wine brands and I've never seen you at any event."

"I spend most of my time in Costa Dorada."

Alejandro said smoothly. "By the way, Alfred, how's that project at the Bordeaux Heights Estates going? I heard you're on the verge of bankruptcy after losing your primary investors."

Alfred's face went pale. "How did you know about that?"

Alejandro just shrugged.

"I have my ways."

My jaw dropped, and Alejandro gave my hand a slight squeeze, as if reminding me to lift my chin.

When had he even had time to dig up dirt on Alfred?

Brian jumped in, clearly annoyed.

"This engagement must be very recent." She looked at me with barely disguised pity. "After everything, I really didn't expect you to... manage to move on so quickly."

The way she said manage made it sound like I was some kind of charity case.

"Don't underestimate Selene," Alejandro cut in. "She's far more incredible than any of you realise."Brian smiled condescendingly. "Of course she is. I'm so happy for you, darling. I was worried that you might not... well, get over it. But the thing is..." She glanced at Alejandro. "You two seem so... different. Like you're from completely different worlds."

"Or maybe," Alejandro said with a slow smile, pulling me closer, "you just never knew her true worth."

My throat burned, tears threatening to spill as I remembered Brian's exact words that no one would ever want me. She definitely hadn't expected me to be "wanted" by someone like Alejandro. A rich, handsome man. Sure, it was all fake, but she would never know that.

I still remember how I showed up unannounced in Brian’s apartment.

My heart was already pounding when I pushed open the half-closed door and saw them.

The man who was supposed to be the love of my life was lying on the couch between my best friend's legs.

"Alfred?"

They both froze. He just sighed and let out a laugh, without a shred of remorse. "Selene... What're you doing here?

Lol, the relationship wasn't going to last anyway."

My chest tightened. "What...?"

She gave me a smirk, twirling her hair like I wasn’t worth her time.

"You've always tried so hard to be perfect the perfect girlfriend, the perfect friend, the reliable one. But let's face it. You were never anything special."

The blow landed squarely, straight to my soul. My best friend. My fiancé. Both laughing in my face.

“No one’s ever going to choose someone like you, Selene," Brian said coldly. "You're the kind of woman people settle for… never the one they fight for."

That was the moment I knew. I had

I had never been the woman Alfred wanted. And maybe I'd never be the woman anyone wanted.

So, if I couldn't win at life, at least I would win at appearances.

"Do you want to dance?" he asked, his eyes locked on mine, as if he could tell I needed rescuing. "Of course."