herself, taking a sip from her glass in hopes of calming her nerves. When she tu

that showed even through his fitted shirt. She found herself wishing she could

, a gaze both serious and commanding, a sharply defined jaw, a

If she stared any longer, she might as well have been drooling at his fee

ad to be the fake boyfriend Br

erself and walked toward the handsome stranger sitting at

, embarrassed. The man tur

.

ealthiest and most powerful family, yet he remained

of public life. Even as a boy, he made a point of avoiding attention,

lp his brother through a difficult phase. When the pressure finally became too much, he deci

en frustrated. All he'd ever wanted was to find the woman he'd sp

ep, genuine bond he had admired since he was a ch

blings happily married, both swept up in ne

d in disappointment. As soon as the women in his life discovered his last name and the fa

een Juliana, a woman who left him

e, he hadn't been able to move on. So that night, Patrick d

ess. He loved working out and staying healthy, so he rarely drank alcoh

he came across this bar. He needed a drink, something to h

ouble whiskey, he was caught off guard by t

y above a whisper, but there was som

ring her a polite smile as she

d, edging closer as if they were sharing a secret. Patrick found himself wondering w

ck said, meeting her with a crooked smile. Nicole

softly. "Oh! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have ca

e flushed a deep red, quickly hiding her

looking for a fake boyfriend, found h

versation going, curiosity

e said, lowering his voice t

peeking out from behind her hand, her cheeks still burning. "I've nev

dor. There was an appealing sincerity to h

you need?" Patrick asked,

you?" Nicole asked, looking

ick shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal. "I like to handle things professionally, an

f his looks and physique hadn't already left her flustered

e began, her voice soft as she stared down at

ion. Why exactly was this woman

icole explained, nerves evident in her voice. "Maybe less, if things work out sooner. While you're here, I

d, nodding as his curiosity grew. Why did sh

ial occasions, so you'll have plenty of free time. You won't have to pretend all the time. Only when you'r

yes widened, clearly thrown by her word

rowing as she tried to understand his reacti

ole lost in thought. Then again, Brenda was always like that. "She only said you needed me for something s

made Nicole feel a bit more confident. "Look, the gist of it is..." She took a steadying breath. "I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend in

ke in gently. "Before I say yes, I need

was she really doing this? Maybe it was because Brenda had convinced her, but deep down,

bvious..." Nicole gestured vaguely at herself, though Patrick couldn't understand: what was wrong with her?

ring her cheeks. Patrick caught a glimpse of deep sadness in h

s ridiculous." Nicole ran her hand over her face, grief written across her features. "I'm sorry for wasting your time, Patrick. There's no need for you to travel with me. I'll just... I'll face whatever's waiting for me

ed Patrick a hesitant farewell smile. Something inside him twisted at the sight; she se

t him here, hadn't it? To a place

urn away when she felt a g

stopping her. "Listen, you d

stared at him

me be your fake boyfriend