9
Autumn rain fell like silk threads, the wet stone path reflecting the honey–colored glow of the streetlights. My hand was held tightly in his, and his large coat was draped over my shoulders, its residual warmth seeping
into my bones.
I gritted my teeth. “You’re laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?”
Andrew, beaming, just nodded politely as he bid my parents farewell. “If the performance isn’t convincing
how will we ever fool them?”
Three days after our “friendly cooperation” was established, Andrew had wasted no time in dragging me to meet both sets of parents. He played the part of a devoted man who would marry no one but me to perfecti
- on.
4017
16.48
16.48
Chapter 2
It wasn’t until my parents‘ Bentley disappeared around the corner that I was finally able to pull my hand free.
My palm was slick with sweat; I couldn’t tell if it was his or mine.
“This is a purely financial arrangement,” I said, rubbing my hand. “All this hand–holding is inappropriate.”
Andrew’s smile vanished. “You have a purely financial arrangement with those male models, but you have no problem feeling up their abs, do you?”
That’s completely different!
I hissed in pain, my brow furrowing.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’re giving me a headache,” I snapped.
Andrew’s dark eyes scanned my face, and he spoke in a low, knowing voice. “A stomachache isn’t an illness,
but when it hits, it’s murder.”
Did you plant a tracking device on me?!
Seeing my suspicion, Andrew gave me a look that said, I know you so well. “You’re usually too lazy to walk a single step, and you try to lose weight by starving yourself. The cat at dinner ate more than you did. It would be a miracle if your stomach didn’t hurt.”
Hmph. As if everyone can be like you, eating sweets all day without getting a single cavity or gaining an oun- ce. It’s tough being an actress, okay!
Andrew let out a strange sigh, his voice softening to a hypnotic murmur. “Check the coat pocket.”
???
The pockets of a man’s coat are deep. I fumbled around for a moment before my fingers closed around a small porcelain vial: [Stomach–Calm].
I looked up at Andrew, stunned. He just raised an eyebrow smugly.
“It’s magic.”
