The Billionaire’s Pretend Fiancée

Roman’s POV

“What do you mean the charity gala is taking place this evening?” I spat, glaring at the overtly-designed invitation card that Nathan placed on my desk.

“I’m sorry, sir. I brought it to your notice last week, so I thought you were aware of it, that’s why I didn’t call to remind you about it yesterday, sir.” Nathan said, and bowed.

I inhaled deeply as I massaged my forehead. “So what time exactly is it happening?”

“You still have about two hours left, sir. It won’t begin until five in the evening and it’s about fifteen minutes to three now.”

I groaned in frustration. “For fuck’s sake, how could I have forgotten about something so damn important?”

He bowed once more. “By the way, the event coordinator told me to inform you that it’s compulsory to bring a plus one and since almost everyone in the country knows about your fiancée, the chairwoman instructed me to tell you to take her with you.”

I raised an eyebrow, “When did she tell you that?*

“I just got off the phone with her on my way to your office, sir.”

I waved him away, and he bowed before exiting my office.

Then, I observed my reflection in the mirror, and realized that I needed to change into a fancier suit.

Luckily, I always had two spare suits in my office wardrobe; a black tie and a casual one, in case of emergency situations like the one I was currently in at that moment.

I quickly changed into the suit, knotted the bow tie, nodded satisfactorily at my reflection as I gelled down my ruffled hair with my palm.

Afterward, I flung on my trenchcoat before grabbing my car keys and phone.

As I made my way to the parking lot, I glanced down at my Rolex.

Earlier today, Sofie had informed me that she had an afternoon class that’d last an hour, from two to three and I reckoned she should be through with it by now because the time was now currently fifteen minutes past three.

Fuck, I was really going to be late.

I flopped into my lamborghini aventador with a sharp exhale, revved it up, and steered it onto the road.

About an anxious thirty minutes later, I reached the college building.

Swiftly, I got out and headed straight into the learning areas, ignoring the muffled whispers and murmurings trailing after me.

“Isn’t that Roman Giovanni?” Someone said, and the mumblings intensified which made me huff in annoyance.

“Roman?” Sofie’s pleasantly sultry voice wafted into my ears from behind, and my face instantly morphed into a smile as I turned to stare at her.

Her eyes gaped in mild shock as I inched closer to her and pressed a kiss to her pouty lips, paying no mind to the loud gasps that reverberated through the hallway.

Caressing her cheek, I said, “Hey, doll.”

“H-Hey, what an unexpected surprise. What are you doing here?” She asked, searching my eyes before her eyes widened into horror-filled saucers.

“I came to pick you up.”

“Did something happen? Why are you dressed like this?” She gestured to my bowtie.

“Something like what?” I prodded.

“Nevermind, you were smiling earlier, so I reckon everything is fine. I’m still confused about this surprise visit of yours, what’s going on?”

Tucking a stray auburn strand of hair behind her ear, I replied, “We have a charity gala to attend in two hours,” I gazed down at my wristwatch for the umpteenth time that day, “No, scratch that, we have just an hour and some minutes left.”

“Wait, you are not properly explaining this to me. What gala are we going to?”

I intertwined our hands together and led her outside, “A charity gala, cara. I’ll answer the rest of your questions inside the car, are we good now?”

“Uhm, okay.” She nodded tentatively as we reached the car and I flung the door open for her.

Afterward, I went to my side of the car to switch on the ignition, and swerve us back onto the road to a certain destination; a luxury store in particular.

“It’s a charity gala that Nana makes me attend every year, the proceeds from the event are donated to the an humanitarian facility that takes care of children with cancer.” My hands suddenly felt weak as my thoughts strayed away to Nana’s ailment.

She began chemotherapy yesterday, and was going to undergo surgery in two weeks.

As if somehow reading my miserable thoughts, Sofie placed a hand over my free hand. “Don’t brood too much over it, Roman. Nana will be fine soon.”

“I’m not thinking about that, cara.” I lied, darting her a lopsided grin that didn’t reach my eyes.

She nodded as she gave my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “I know. I’m just saying and I always want you to know that I’m always here for you.”

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” I whispered, squeezing her hand back.

“I could say the same thing about you.” She muttered, and placed a kiss on my cheek.

Wordlessly, I took her hand into mine and pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles.

We soon arrived at our destination and Sofie seemed in awe as we strolled into the store.

“Wait, why are we in a Dolce and Gabbana store?” She asked, as if suddenly realizing where we were.

“Well, you can’t wear sneakers and jeans to a gala, can you?” I fondly huffed.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“Oh, right.” She mumbled before two uniformed women walked up to us, with identical smiles plastered to their lips.

“Welcome sir and ma, how may we be of help to you?” One of them asked.

I motioned to Sofie, “We have to be at a gala in an hour, can you fix her up as soon as possible?”

“Of course, sir.” They nodded in unison before shifting to Sofie. “This way, ma’am.”

Sofie kissed me on the cheek before going inside with them. Another uniformed woman came and led me to sit in a waiting room.

To while away time, I scanned through some magazines that I saw on an ottoman.

One of women from earlier appeared in front of me and darted me a smile. “She’s ready, sir.”

I felt my heart fluster with anticipation as I abandoned the magazine and stood up. “Great, where is she?”

“She’s coming in now.” She announced and raises the curtain to reveal Sofie.

“Wow.” I muttered as I took in her gorgeous appearance; not that she wasn’t gorgeous before.

Her lithe curves were draped in a long black satin dress which had a wide side slit, thin, barely-there straps that extended down her back and united into a corset-like knot while her feet were also slipped into a pair of elegant black heels.

A pair of diamond earrings dangled down her neck and on both hands, she had identical silver bangles clutched around them.

I also noticed she was wearing the engagement ring which I honestly thought we didn’t need anymore since I planned to propose to her for real, after our contract ended but I hadn’t told anyone yet, not even Damien, because I didn’t want to jinx it.

Above all, she looked breathtaking with her auburn tresses beautifully falling down her back.

“You look pretty, cara. You are just too perfect.” I muttered as I went to her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

“Thanks.” She blushed, and I leaned in to kiss the crook of her shoulder.

“My pleasure, doll.” I said, “Shall we be on our way now?”

She nodded, “Sure.”

After paying for everything, we headed back to the car, and I drove us to the venue of the gala while greatly resisting the urge to continue admiring Sofie’s dazzling beauty, instead of focusing on the road.